Three more missionaries from the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries have been released in Haiti after a local gang abducted them in mid-October.
On Oct. 16, 16 Americans and 1 Canadian were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang during a mission trip in Haiti. As Christian Headlines previously reported, last month, two of the missionaries in the group were set free.
“We are thankful to God that three more hostages were released last night. 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.” Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement on Monday.
The ministry asked for continued prayers for the remaining 12 missionaries that continue to be held captive.
“As announced on Friday, we would like to focus the next three days on praying and fasting for the hostages. Please continue to intercede for those who are still being held as well as those who have been released. We long for all the hostages to be reunited with their loved ones. Thank you for your prayer support.” the statement concluded.
Among the kidnapped missionaries were five children, one of which was eight years old. The group had been traveling to visit an orphanage when the abduction took place. The 400 Mawozo gang’s leader Wilson Joseph threatened to kill them if he didn’t receive his ransom request of $17 million, or $1 million a hostage.
According to the Miami Herald, no ransom was paid for the two previously released missionaries. They were set free due to illness.
This year alone, Haiti has seen a spark in kidnappings and violence, including the July 7th assassination of its president, Jovenel Moïse. According to the Port-au-Prince based Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, at least 803 people have been kidnapped between January and October, including 54 foreigners.
Last month, the U.S. State Department urged Americans in Haiti to flee the Caribbean country amid rising violence.
Related:
2 of the 17 Missionaries Kidnapped in Haiti Are Released and ‘in Good Spirits’
U.S. State Department Urges Americans in Haiti to Leave the Country amid Rising Violence
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Oleksii Liskonih
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer. He is also the co-hosts of the For Your Soul podcast, which seeks to equip the church with biblical truth and sound doctrine. Visit his blog Blessed Are The Forgiven.
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