New Tribes Reports Missionaries Alive and Safe

The latest report from New Tribes Mission (NTM) is that kidnapped missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham are relatively safe and healthy. Sources that NTM considers reliable have recently reported that Martin and Gracia are alive and together. Their kidnappers, the Abu Sayyaf Group, are reportedly holding the third hostage, Filipina nurse Deborah Yap, at another location. She is said to be tending members of the ASG who were wounded during combat with the Philippine military.

"Over the Easter weekend, we were concerned by reports of combat in the area where Martin and Gracia were being held. However, there are now indications that the couple has been moved to a safer location," the report read. "We know they have been physically weakened by their ordeal, which has included stress, almost constant movement in rugged terrain, and inadequate nutrition. At the same time, food is reported to be more plentiful at their new location."

Martin, 42, and Gracia, 43, from Kansas, were kidnapped on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group from a resort off the island of Palawan in the Philippines. Martin grew up in the Philippines, where his parents have been missionaries for more than 32 years. The Burnhams have been members of NTM since 1985.

New Tribes Mission