This frank, honest account of the kidnapping of missionaries, Martin and Gracia Burnham and Martin’s subsequent death, will break your heart and strengthen your faith. I greatly appreciate Gracia’s willingness to admit her depression and doubt during their ordeal. Yet, through it all the hand of God was evident in their lives. She looks back today with understandable sadness, but without bitterness. To Gracia the Lord is still good although her life has been forever changed. Her example, and that of Martin’s is encouragement to all.
On the last day of Martin’s life he turned to Gracia and said, “I really don’t know why this has happened to us. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Psalm 100 – what it says about serving the Lord with gladness. This may not seem much like serving the Lord, but that’s what we’re doing, you know? We may not leave this jungle alive, but we can leave this world serving the Lord ‘with gladness’; we can ‘come before His presence with singing’ (Psalm 100:2).” What a remarkable testimony.