IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES by Gracia Burnham & Dean Merrill

(Tyndale House Publishers)

Best for: elementary aged children, teens, and adults

READ...

It's a story of hope, courage, and tragedy. Martin and Gracia Burnham, missionaries with New Tribes Mission, were on a short and much-needed holiday. As they slept in their hotel room the morning of May 27, 2001, they were awakened by someone banging at their door. Before they could even get their clothes on, men with guns broke down the door and hustled the Burnhams onto a waiting boat and into captivity. It was more than a year later when soldiers rescued Gracia from the jungles of the Philippines, killing Martin in the process.

In the Presence of My Enemies tells this story with grace and honesty. Gracia recounts the days of depression, the bravery of the hostages, the hopeful moments, the terrifying moments, and the feelings of despair. She and Martin longed to be freed, longed to see their children, their parents, their family and friends. Instead, they endured days without food and sleep, months of hunger, and the constant fear of being shot or beheaded by their captors, members of an Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. In the midst of it all, Gracia and Martin trusted in God, and tried to share the message of God's love with their fellow captives and even with their captors. They were, after all, missionaries.

I was struck by Gracia's willingness to be honest about the depression and hopelessness she felt through parts of her captivity. She doesn't hold herself up as a hero who never wavered in her faith. Instead she recounts the despair she felt as days became weeks that became months. And she also shares the encouragement she received from singing hymns, remembering Bible verses, and through small kindnesses of others. In the Presence of My Enemies is a wonderful book to read aloud as a family. It's the story of real people, just like you and I, who followed God and were faithful. Truly inspiring.

THINK...

• Missionaries have always been in danger as they travel to distant parts of the world. Do you think it's worth the risks involved to share God's message with those who have not heard? Why or why not? How does Matthew 28:19-20 relate to your opinion?

• Several of the hostages kept captive with Martin and Gracia were freed through the paying of ransom. What are your thoughts on paying ransom to terrorists? How does knowing the story of Martin and Gracia support or challenge your thoughts?

• The Burnhams shared about Jesus and God's love even when their lives were on the line, even with they were in dire circumstances, even when their captors kept them without food, water, or shelter. How does their ability to do this challenge you to share about Jesus to those around you?

• Who are missionaries you could support through prayer and financial gifts? Or do you think God would want you to travel to another country to spread the Gospel?

LIVE!

Read Matthew 28:19-20. What does God expect from you? We see the courage of Martin and Gracia, yet lack the courage to share about God with our neighbors. Who can you tell about God this week? Will you do it?

If you liked IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES, you might also enjoy: 

Bruchko by Bruce E. Olson (Creation House)

Bruce Olson was raised in a Lutheran home, and went to church regularly. As a teen he came to know Christ personally, and this change burned in his heart. Bruce believed God wanted him to become a missionary in South America, so he applied to a mission board. When he was turned down, he decided to detour conventional methods and simply go to South America. So he did. Bruchko (the name given to him by the Motilones) is his story.

Bruchko is at times funny, at times frightening, and always honest. Olson goes through capture, torture, disease, and other dire circumstances before he wins the trust and friendship of the Motilones. And through these friendships and Bruce's creativity, the Gospel message is shared and lives are changed. Another great family read-aloud.

Men Are from Israel, Women Are from Moab

You may wonder what a book about relationships between men and women has to do with a book about being held in the jungles of the Philippines. Good question! The reason I chose this book is that it's a study of the book of Ruth, and as I read Gracia Burnham's book I was reminded of the character qualities that she shares with this biblical woman.

Ruth was a woman who left her home and went to another land. She was regarded as an outsider and had no social standing. Gracia also left her home to travel to another land. And when she was captured by the Abu Sayyaf, she realized they regarded her on about the same level as a dog. As a woman, and a Christian woman, she had only monetary value to them as she was worth her ransom. She wasn't allowed to even touch the belongings or step over the belongings of her captors as she might "contaminate" them.

Throughout the book of Ruth, we see a woman of courage and inner strength, a woman who works hard and does what is necessary to survive. Again, I found these qualities in Burnham. There is grace and godliness in spite of difficulties.

Men Are from Israel, Women Are from Moab is a book adults will appreciate. It will challenge you in  your relationships, and open your eyes to the beauty found in this biblical story.