Missionaries’ captivity ‘has taken a toll’

NASHVILLE — A year of captivity “has taken a toll” on the health of kidnapped missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham, New Tribes Mission acknowledged in a May 14 statement issued in light of various news reports about the Burnhams’ well-being.

The New Tribes missionaries were kidnapped in the Philippines by an Osama bin Laden-related terrorist group on May 27, 2001.

The Burnhams “have suffered from malnutrition sores on their feet and mouths, malaria and wounds,” New Tribes Mission stated. “This ordeal has also taken an emotional toll on them and their families.”

The NTM statement also recounted, “Recent unconfirmed reports indicate that, after nearly a year in captivity, kidnapped NTM missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham are not well. It is being reported that Martin is suffering from, or has recently suffered from, malaria. Gracia is said to be seriously ill from an infection. It is even being reported that the kidnappers are considering releasing Gracia, lest she die. However, like many reports over the last year, none of this can be confirmed.”

NTM said its crisis teams in Manila and the United States “are continuing to work around the clock to track down reliable information about Martin and Gracia.”