Kidnapping victims released from captors

SOLOLÁ — A man kidnapped for ransom Wednesday has been released after family members paid the perverse scoundrels all money they could — a fraction of the demand — to obtain his freedom. A woman kidnapped here Thursday has also been released.

Kidnappers released the man in the early morning hours today about 45 minutes from here, and family members retrieved him, taking the man home.

“They beat him up, but thanks be to God he’s alive,” my friend told me, whose brother-in-law was kidnapped.

Another friend’s cousin’s wife, kidnapped here Thursday, has also been freed, although we’re not sure how. Somehow or another, police were involved in bringing her home from another town, also about 45 minutes from here. I haven’t heard much about her case.

King Solomon had something to say about scoundrels who prey on the lives of innocent people: “They say, ‘Come with us, let us lie in wait to shed blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them alive like Sheol (hell). We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil.’ For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. But they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners,” Proverbs 1:11-19.

Thanks for your prayers.

*****

A story in Wednesday's Prensa Libre notes an increase in kidnappings nationwide, 60 this year. Police have identified at least 10 different bands of kidnappers. Most kidnappings are believed to go unreported because people don't trust the police very much.