Comment from Kit Nongkhlaw

Exceptional

I have seen the news and I have been praying for them. I did not know that there were children also. Praise the Lord that it is your born-again birthday. May the Lord keep you and bless you. May the Lord protects and be with the missionaries so that no harm would come to them and that they would be release safely. Let the whole world pray for them, Kit.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Yes, praise the Lord! Thank you, Kitbok, for this wonderful review, your encouragement, the six stars and your prayers.
I agree, let the whole world pray for them! I'm happy that you were already praying, and now you can pray for the children as well. Maybe you are aware that the gang in Haiti has threatened to shoot them? It's too frightening, but we must continue to trust in Christ, as I imagine they are doing -- so much harder in their position. May the Father hold them close. - Mary Kay

reply by Kit Nongkhlaw on 23-Oct-2021

You deserved all the stars and more, Kit.

reply by the author on 23-Oct-2021

You are so kind. We are still praying for the safe release of these kidnapped missionaries! May Our Heavenly Father have mercy on them and on their children, in Jesus' Matchless Name!

Comment from Ricky1024

Exceptional

This is a very touching story Mary Kay.
But unfortunately these instances are becoming more and more.
Missionaries are always doing the word of God and as they walk from house to house or mission to mission in this case in Haiti they're also pushing the Holy Bible of course or the good book.
I too will send a healing and safety prayer of release to God today.
I can't understand why these missionaries would bring children into a place that's obviously dangerous?
Maybe you can enlighten me?
Thanks for sharing.
Doctor Ricky 1024

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Thank you, Doc Ricky, for this kind and compassionate review, the six stars and for praying for this missionary group. It's terrible that they were taken hostage while doing God's work, and that their lives are now being threatened as well. I feel very much for the children.
As for your question, why would these missionaries bring their children to such a dangerous place, I wish I knew the answer. They are God's servants, not mine, so I can't judge them, but I do wish they had left them home. I am especially concerned about the very young ones, 8 months old, 3 years and 6 years. The adolescents at 12 and 15 would also be very vulnerable. Lord God, have mercy!
May God bless you, my friend. - Mary Kay

reply by the author on 24-Oct-2021

Hi Doc Ricky. I just wanted to share with you that it came to my attention that these missionaries were from an exceptionally devout group, with members from possibly Amish and Mennonite origins, and I think it's possible that they weren't just visiting the Haiti, but living on-site, really settled in. So that may be why the children were among them. It's still upsetting that these young ones are at risk, but it does help explain it.
I'm still praying, even as the kidnappers are threatening to shoot these God-fearing souls, and I'm just hoping this can be resolved without bloodshed.
It's hard to imagine giving in to their demands, as it will generate more of the same. If the U.S. sends in special forces, there will be violence, and we don't want any of that, for anyone ... meanwhile, we pray.

Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)

Excellent

This is a powerful and convincing poem that encourages us all to ask God into our hearts. Those who have not yet done so will surely answer the call, and grow so much younger in their lives.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Praise the Lord! Thank you, Katherine, for your beautiful review and your comments, which are full of hope and encouragement. May God bless you, my friend.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Happy Faith Birthday!!! I have been praying for these missionaries and will continue to do so. I hate how our world is moving away from Christianity and continue to pray that as a people we return to the fold. Thank you for sharing.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

Thank you very much, Barbara, for your Faith Birthday wishes, the great review and especially your prayers -- past, present and continuing. Yes, it's sad that there is increasing lack of faith in society as a whole, although this is more prevalent in Western culture than in countries where persecution exists, where faith is, paradoxically, growing. I don't think what's happening in Haiti is so much a reflection of this trend, as it is a manifestation of evil spiritual influences exploiting those who see themselves as disenfranchised and, therefore, entitled. It's tragic that it's led to the kidnap for ransom of this vulnerable group of people who were there to do God's work and show His love. Now the leader of this gang is on our mainstream media, threatening to shoot them if they don't get the money. May God come to their aid!
Yes, so many need to come to God. We keep them in our prayers. May God continue to bless you.
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

Happy born again birthday, dear one. I am sorry for no six to give today. The attention to the urgent situation has captured my attention and been in my prayers. 'He is Worthy' by Andrew Peterson is one of my favorites. The choir is awesome here is awesome! It is in these situations we need the Lord so much and His intervention.

Sending you my best today as always and blessings abundant,
Sal XOs...xo...

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, dear Sally, for your BA birthday wishes, your kind remarks and that you are already praying for these brethren of ours who are caught in such dire conditions.
I'm so happy that "He Is Worthy" is one of your favorites, and that you enjoyed this particular choir. There are many amazing versions, I have discovered, but I think this one's the best. There's also another one, with a mother and little girl -- maybe I will pm or email it to you. Thanks for giving me the name of the original songwriter, Andrew Peterson -- that's good to know.
Yes, we're praying for divine intervention for these 17 men, women and children. Praying for you and your family, Suzy and her husband!
Love, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from C. Gale Burnett

Excellent

Mary Kay, yes, I am praying and will continue to do so. What a horrible and tragic situation.
I am so happy to hear that yesterday was your 'born-again birthday'. What I love just as much is how you are 'running the race' always praying, serving and praising, your faith and relationship to God getting stronger and stronger over time.
Your poem touched my heart. It is factual and timely. The title was perfect in that you are asking that as a gift to you, we all stop and pray for these particular Christians and families in distress.
Hugs and blessings,
Gale

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, Gale, for your beautiful and very meaningful review, your encouraging and supportive comments, the five stars and especially your prayers. I know that many of us were already praying, but a few more couldn't hurt! God is so faithful. Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28.
May God bless you, my sister. Love, Mary Kay xoxo

reply by C. Gale Burnett on 22-Oct-2021

I believe there are those in other countries testing us because of our nation's lack of leadership. BUT, our God is indeed faithful.
Always praying, love & blessings to you!
Gale

reply by the author on 22-Oct-2021

You may be right. Or sometimes, leadership is listening to the wrong voices. But God is faithful and He is on the throne! We must trust Him, no matter what. Thank you, Gale! xoxo

Comment from nomi338

Excellent

You know, people do and say things, horrible things as if they do not know, do not care or just whatever. However, God sees everything, each kind and unkind act. There is coming a terrible recompense for each terrible act committed by man. They of course, are encouraged or influenced by the evil one, Satan the Devil, but there is nothing he can do that God the Almighty cannot undo. Hold on to that, continue to pray, by all means, but despite the outcome, be assured, the final outcome is already in God's hands.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Dear Nomi, my brother, thank you for your meaningful and faith-centered review of my poem and prayer request. Thank you for sharing your thoughts; "this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." Everything you wrote is true. And we are praying for these violent gang members, too, most of whom probably don't realize that they're under the devil's control; they may feel that their actions are justifiable because of their country's extreme poverty -- this is never true. We still pray for Haiti and its people. These missionaries went there to make a difference. I hope and pray that each of them, with their young ones, makes it out alive and well; as you said, though, the outcome is already in God?s hands.
God is holding our prayers in golden vials, and they are going up like incense, besides. Jesus Himself is at the right hand of God the Father, interceding for both them, and us.
When He returns, may He find us faithful. God bless you! - Mary Kay

Comment from Ben Colder

Exceptional

Many who is yet to learn the power of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit will one day come to understand the meaning of joy it brings. One must die or surrender to Jesus their all before this experience. Once received, you become sealed in Him, life more abundantly. A moment to always cherish.
My blessings to you.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you, Ben, for a wonderful review, the beautiful six stars and for highlighting this oft-neglected, but essential focus of a Christian's walk with God.
"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
Thank you so much for sharing this with me, and for your blessings. Blessings to you, too. - Mary Kay

Comment from BethShelby

Excellent

Yes, they are in my prayers. This is a horrible thing that has happened. The kidnappers can't be paid for their terrible deed because it would mean more kidnappings if they were to get the money they demand. I know these children are frightened, and kidnappers are likely to be unable to feed them properly. Hopefully the prayers of Christians will be answered. Thanks for reminding us to pray with your lovely poem.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you, dear Beth, for your tender and very compassionate response to my request. I know many of us were already praying for these missionaries, and as you said, it's a reminder -- even for me, to pray for them more! God hears us; of that, we can have no doubt; many of the world's Christians are interceding for them. We will continue as long as necessary. I heard from a good Christian brother in India on this site, and he even heard the news, in another hemisphere; only he hadn't heard the part about children being among them. Yes, we need to cover all bases in our prayers, asking that their basic needs be met while they're in captivity ... sounds awful, right? It's hard to imagine being a parent, and watching one's children going through those circumstances. Even without ever having had children myself, I can only imagine how heartbreaking this is. I was also praying for the emotional comfort of the children.
Oh please, dear Lord, have mercy on them!
Love and blessings, Mary Kay xoxo

Comment from Sherry Asbury

Excellent

Excellent poetry and heart-rending request. Happy birthday, dear One...may He hold you in His arms for 38 more years. I shall pray for the hostages, that mercy might pour from Heaven into the hearts of their captors.

 Comment Written 20-Oct-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Oct-2021

Thank you so much, beautiful Sherry, for your lovely and compassionate review of my poem, your kind wishes and blessing for me and your heartfelt intercession for God's servants and their young ones. You are a blessing! May you, in turn, be blessed! Love, Mary Kay xoxo