Haitian gang demands $17 million ransom for Ohio-based missionaries (VIDEO)

BERLIN — A Haitian gang has kidnapped seventeen missionaries helping to build an orphanage. The group named the “400 Mawozo Gang,” is known for its brazen killings, ransom kidnappings, and extortion of businessmen. The kidnapped missionaries include six men, six women and five children. Sources say the group has demanded $1 million for each hostage for their safe return.

Last week in response, a press conference was held by the Ohio-based ministry Christian Aid Ministries (CAM) seeking divine help.

Ministry Public Relations Manager Weston Showalter said the Christian Aid Ministries greatly appreciates the prayers of believers around the world, including their many Amish and Mennonite supporters. The ministry is specifically calling people to pray that those being held hostage will “find strength to demonstrate God’s love.” The organization even called for prayers for the kidnappers.

“Thank you for your prayers on behalf of our family members who are being held hostage in Haiti,” Showalter said. “God has given our loved ones the unique opportunity to live out our Lord’s command to: ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you.’ God invites us to call upon his name in the day of trouble. We thank him that He is God and we ask Him to hear our prayers and bring our families home.”

According to CAM, “The kidnappers, like all people, are created in the image of God and can be changed if they turn to Him,” the ministry stated in the prepared statement. “While we desire the safe release of our workers, we also desire the kidnappers be transformed by the love of Jesus, the only true source of peace, joy, and forgiveness.”

Often Haitian gangs know their demands cannot be met, so they consider counteroffering with the families. Negotiations can take a couple of days sometimes, or a couple of weeks.

Haiti is considered to be one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. The earthquake of 2010 destroyed much of its capital city Port-au-Prince, and left death and devastation in its path. Recently severe political upheaval shook the nation. The assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7th has brought tension to the nation. Last but not least, several days after an August earthquake, a tropical storm dumped heavy rains on part of the island country.

Recent media attention has focused on the kidnapping of the workers and their loved ones. A civil society group reports that six hundred kidnappings in Haiti were recorded between January to September 2021, compared to only two hundred thirty-one over the same period last year.

CAM is often asked, why would they send their workers to Haiti? Why travel to dangerous places? Why not let these countries take care of their own issues?

According to the ministry, the answer is quite clear.

“We live in a very broken world. A world of broken relationships, broken trust, and broken political systems. It is a world of loneliness, fear, and violence. And Jesus came, not just so men could go to heaven when they die, but also to show the kind of a world God intends right here on earth.

“GOD desires a world where the hungry are fed, abandoned orphans are cared for, and where lonely refugees are provided for. Jesus came to redeem this broken world, and has called His church to work with Him. We go to places like Haiti because we have found Jesus and His teachings to be the answer for our own lives and we want others to enjoy the joy, peace, and redemption we have experienced in the kingdom of God.”

View the press conference from Fox 8 News held by Christian Aid Ministries in Berlin, Ohio October 21st.

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The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Isaiah 40, “The ransomed of the LORD will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion, with everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”