Haitian Missionaries Kidnapped – Ethiopian Missionaries Evacuating
Today marks twenty-three days since 16 American and 1 Canadian Missionaries were kidnapped in Haiti. The reported leader of the 400 Mawozo gang, Wilson Joseph, claims they will begin killing these missionaries if their demands are not met. They are reportedly asking for $1 million dollars per hostage. The Christian Aid Ministries missionaries were on their way to the airport to leave Haiti when they were kidnapped.
American missionaries currently seek to escape Ethiopia this week as well. NPR’s Eyder Peralta reports:
In a major uptick in fighting Two rebel militias now threaten Ethiopia’s capital as the current conflict marks its one-year anniversary. When I was there, the TPLF, or the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, rebels were making a move for two strategic cities. They have beat the military to take those two cities, and now they’re moving south. And they’ve teamed up with another group of rebels, the Oromo Liberation Army. And both are now within a day’s drive to the capital, Addis Ababa.
The BBFI currently has four missionary families in Ethiopia. One family heads toward the airport today in an evacuation; two other families leave later this week. It is still undecided how long the fourth family can stay. In each circumstance, the relative distance to the north they are and other factors determine the timing of the evacuation. The State Department has urged all Americans to come back to the States or seek shelter in other nearby countries.
A Mighty Hand and an Outstretched Arm
When Israel faced incredible persecution from the Babylonians, the prophet Jeremiah prayed for them. Notice part of his prayer:
16 “Now when I had delivered the purchase deed to Baruch the son of Neriah, I prayed to the Lord, saying: 17 ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. 18 You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them—the Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. 19 You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings. 20 You have set signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, to this day, and in Israel and among other men; and You have made Yourself a name, as it is this day. 21 You have brought Your people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs and wonders, with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and with great terror; 22 You have given them this land, of which You swore to their fathers to give them—“a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Jeremiah 32:16-22)
Did you notice what he prayed when referring to God’s power? His might hand and outstretched arm.
Many times in the Bible God’s power and control are mentioned in similar ways. Notice these other texts: Exodus 6:6; cf. Exodus 3:19; 6:1; 13:9; 13:16; 32:11; Deuteronomy 4:34; 5:15; 7:19; 9:29; 11:2; 26:8; Psalm 136:12; 2 Kings 17:36; Jeremiah 27:5; Ezekiel 20:33-34; 2 Chronicles 6:32.
God has the power and uses His power according to His plan. He does so according to His great mercy and covenant faithfulness as well to His people.
With a strong hand, and with an outstretched arm,
For His mercy endures forever; (Psalm 136:12
Pray for God’s Intervention According to His Great Mercy
Would you please pray for all these missionaries in these very tough circumstances?
Please pray that God would use His strong hand and outstretched arm to protect them and bring them home safely.
Furthermore, let’s each call upon God’s great mercy which endures forever to pursue these followers of His during these crisis.