The 3 missionaries from Peace House came to the
secondary school in Akwa-Ibom State to arrange with the authorities on
ministering to the school populace early 7th November 2013. Little
did they know God had arranged a different field for them. As they left the
school premises, and crossed the road to go back to their base in the village they were accosted by
gun and machete touting youths who compelled them to walk into the bush. It
was difficult for the sister among them since she had bee feeling unwell that
day. In fact she had considered not coming along but decided against it. When
gasping and unable to go on the brothers prayed for her. God gave her strength
as they walked in the bush for about 3 hours before getting ito the hideout. Other
members of the kidnap ring were there. Right from the walk into the bush on the day
of the kidnapping the missionaries presented the gospel to their captors who
said “The time to get born again has not yet come”.
A ransom of up to
10 million naira was demanded despite protestations that they were
missionaries; and that no money was stocked up for ransom. The kidnappers
boasted no amount of prayers would keep them from getting the ransom. The
missionaries, much older than them, were beaten repeatedly by their captors.
The second in command used both the gun and cane on them. In all the brethren would answer back gently, wanting to reach their captors with the word of God.
The news was
brought and many disciples went to the Lord to intercede. The demand from
heaven was the safe release of the missionaries. The Peace house encouraged the brethren like Stephen not to consider their lives, but focus on the Lord. No one prayed for the
kidnappers to die or called fire down on them but that they be saved. God gave
them a word of comfort. Fear not; for
thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be
put to shame:Isa 54:4(KJV) The missionaries
saw a light shining in the bush where they were and drew the attention of their
captors who confirmed its presence. No one could explain why it was there; and
it remained there while they were in captivity.
At a point when
no ransom came the gang threatened to kill the men and a night vigil was held
by brethren on Wednesday throughout the region. This was their 7th night in captivity. They prayed that that would be
their last night in captivity. Again God assured them by scripture He would intervene. The following morning (Thursday 14) the call
came that the captors decided to release them without a ransom. Was it true, had they killed them as threatened and asked the brethren to pick their corpses? Such had been known to happen before. But it was indeed true: all 3 were released safely to the brethren that day.
Following this
the chairman of the kidnap ring called them and sent apologies to the missionaries who assured them of
forgiveness, that it was God who sent them to preach to the kidnappers. As far as you're concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good Gen 50:20(ISV). The missionaries earnestly desired their labours would not be in vain.The kidnappers were
invited to the Peace House Gboko MLR meeting in December with assurances they
would not be handed over to the police. Three did not come but the chairman did
and gave his life over to Jesus: a trophy of grace. With his help brethren went into the kidnappers’ camp with God’s word. Some
of the kidnappers repented and handed over their guns. Currently an effort to
rehabilitate them is underway with government and police involvement. Up until
Friday 3/1/2014 the brethren visit the camp bringing the good news.
But where sin abounded, grace did much more
abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign Rom 5:20-21(KJV)
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