Three more Christian Aid hostages released in Haiti

DGKN staff report

Nearing the two-month mark since a group of Christian Aid Ministries workers were kidnapped by a gang in Haiti, the Holmes County-based organization announced on its website that three more hostages have been released.

“We are thankful to God that three more hostages were released last night,” a Dec. 6 update on the Christian Aid Ministries website reads. “Those who were released are safe and seem to be in good spirits. As with the previous release, we are not able to provide the names of the people released, the circumstances of the release, or any other details.”

Two hostages were released last month, a post at christianaidministries.org/updates/Haiti-staff-abduction, reported and noted they were “safe, in good spirits, and being cared for.”

The update continued that information was not able to be provided and CAM asked that those who have more specific information about the release would safeguard the information.

“We encourage you to continue to pray for the full resolution of this situation,” the Nov. 21 update stated.

The six men, six women, and five children were abducted while on a trip to visit an orphanage Oct. 16.

“Our workers gathered on a beautiful, sunny morning for a time of prayer before leaving on a highly anticipated trip to a CAM-sponsored orphanage,” according to an update dated Dec. 3 on the CAM website. “This orphanage, which has been visited by CAM staff numerous times over the years, is 1 ½ hours away from our base. Our staff valued opportunities like this to visit Haitian homes, clinics, schools, and orphanages that we help to support. Little did they know that, on this beautiful day, they would begin a difficult journey of being held hostage by a Haitian gang.

“As we continue to pray and rely on God for the deliverance of our people, we feel He has provided knowledgeable people to guide us through what is uncharted waters for us as an organization. As CAM management, we are committed to working tirelessly until this situation is resolved and our loved ones are released, if God so wills”.

Christian Aid Ministries was founded 40 years ago for Amish, Mennonite, and other conservative Anabaptist groups and individuals to minister to physical and spiritual needs around the world.

Christian Aid Ministries has posted regular updates on its website about the situation.

“We are seeking God’s direction for a resolution, and authorities are seeking ways to help,” according to an earlier post on the CAM website. “As an organization, we commit this situation to God and trust Him to see us through. May the Lord Jesus be magnified and many more people come to know His love and salvation.”

Another post notes how media has spread the news across the globe.

“Civil authorities in Haiti and the United States are aware of what has happened and are offering assistance,” the post states. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and are in earnest prayer.”

The ages of the adults being held captive range from 18 to 48. The ages of the children are 8 months, 3 years, 6 years, 13 years, and 15 years.

In recent months, they were actively involved in coordinating a rebuilding project for those who lost their homes in the August 2021 earthquake, according to the website.

Families of the abductees are from Amish, Mennonite, and other Anabaptist communities in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Ontario, Canada.

Anyone is welcome to encourage the family members of those being held hostage by sending  messages to prayers@christianaidministries.org. Encouraging words, inspiring personal stories, and uplifting prayers will be forwarded to the families. Family members appreciate knowing the state or country of the person writing, the post states.