Update on kidnapped Christians in Yemen

The Hentschel family

December 12 marked two-and-a-half years since the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards, reports Middle East Concern.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, age 3) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (7 and 5, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May 2010 are with relatives in Germany and are reported to be in good health (for more on their release, click here). It is a challenge for these relatives to function as Lydia and Anna's parents in light of their unique needs and in the context of the other children in their home.

Christians close to the situation are hopeful that the recent agreement to transfer power from President Saleh to the Vice President and the formation of a unity government may lead to the release of information about the four missing foreigners. These political changes have not yet led to much positive change in the country as a whole, and protests and violent clashes continue in many parts.

Christians in Yemen and others close to this situation thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. They ask us to pray that:

• The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly.
• Information about their whereabouts will be forthcoming.
• The country will be governed in a Godly manner, respecting all ethnic, tribal and religious groups.
• The families and colleagues of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing uncertainty.
• All expatriate Christians working in Yemen will know the Lord's guiding and protecting.
• The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.

To post a prayer for these believers, visit our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall. For more information on persecution in Yemen, go to our Yemen Country Report.

Continued prayer requested for Christians abducted in Yemen

The Hentschels

June 12 marked the second anniversary of the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, northwest Yemen, three of whom were murdered and two of whom were freed last May, reports Middle East Concern.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine Hentschel, a German couple, and their young son, Simon, or of Tony, a British man. Johannes and Sabine’s daughters, Lydia, 6, and Anna, 5, are currently living with relatives in Germany and reportedly in good health.

It is understood that both German and British investigators have stopped the active search for the missing believers. Those close to this situation remain hopeful that those still missing are alive and ask for continued prayerful intercession on their behalf.

You can help by praying!

• Pray the status of the missing Christians will be made known.
• Pray that, if they are alive, they will rest in the Lord’s care and soon be released unharmed.
• Pray the families and loved ones of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing speculation and uncertainty.
• Ask God to encourage and guide Yemen’s Christian minority, most of whom are foreigners working in the country who are often isolated from one another in their walk of faith.

Pray for kidnapped hostages in Yemen

It can become far too easy, as time goes on, to forget the names and faces of our persecuted brothers and sisters we have prayed for in the past. This week, an update from Middle East Concern thankfully returned my attention to the kidnapped foreigners in Yemen who remain missing.

In your prayers today and in the coming weeks, please do pray for the hostages who remain missing and for those who have been returned to their families.

In recent months we have requested prayer following the kidnapping on Friday 12^th June 2009 of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards. Recall that two were freed unharmed on 17^th May.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, aged 2) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (5 and 4, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May are with relatives in Germany.

The Muslim fasting month of Ramadan started on Wednesday. Therefore, Johannes, Sabine and Tony (assuming they are alive) will probably be forced to fast during daylight hours, which are approximately 4:15 am to 6:30 pm in northern Yemen.

Christians in Yemen thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. Please pray that:

1. The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly

2. They will lack nothing during Ramadan

3. Efforts by those seeking to secure their release will be successful

4. Lydia, Anna and their relatives will know the presence and peace of Jesus

5. The families and colleagues of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing speculation and uncertainty

6. All expatriate Christians in Yemen will know the Lord’s guiding and protecting at this time

7. The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.

Christian hostages released in Yemen

For nearly a year, VOM has been following the story of six Christian hostages -- a family of five from Germany and a British engineer -- who were kidnapped along with three other women in June 2009 (click here for more information).

It is the kind of story that caused a lot of fervent prayer and concern right from the beginning. With little to no updates on the situation of these believers as months went on, it was often difficult to know how to continue to most effectively pray for them. And yet, many believers around the world persisted in prayerfully beseeching the Lord on behalf of Johannes and Sabine, their children Lydia (6), Anna (4), Simon (2), and their friend Tony.

Today, it was reported that Lydia and Anna have been released!

Needless to say, this news is a cause of rejoicing for many. It is remarkable to read that both of these young Christians are in “good health” and that there are plans to fly them home tomorrow. Praise God!

The need for prayer remains abundant, however, as young Simon is believed to have died. The status of Johannes and Sabine remains uncertain. And so we encourage you to continue to commit the situation into the hands of the Lord. Pray for guidance and comfort for Lydia and Anna. Pray that as they heal from the terrible ordeal they have endured, they will know the Lord's love in their lives. Pray for protection and health for their parents and for Tony. Pray for strength for the loved ones of these believers in these uncertain times—particularly amid the recent news regarding Simon.