Haiti Kidnapping

[Josh]

And so what is the point of CAM's stand if they are going to look the other way when ransom gets paid? All the same disadvantages to paying ransom that you have pointed out still exist. It still encourages future kidnappings because if you kidnap Americans then ransom gets paid one way or the other. But CAM's hands are clean? Does that actually count for anything meaningful?

Yes, because CAM's deep pockets are not the source of funds.

"Americans with wealthy family" being targeted is different than "any CAM worker" being targeted. CAM has many employees and volunteers who are neither North American nor wealthy.

CAM can, obviously, not do anything about someone with wealthy family connections who decides to expend large amounts of money on a ransom.

I figured from day one that some sort of ransom was eventually going to be paid somehow. If not through official channels, then through the families. Once you get into a position where children are being held ransom your options narrow pretty quickly.

Once again, no, they don't. Paying ransoms doesn't mean the hostages actually get freed, and paying large ransoms to criminal organisations just promotes more crime.

My child being kidnapped does not justify paying money that will hurt lots of other people.

[Josh]

Unsure if they are uncomfortable letting someone go or what, honestly. You typically see it when the next generation takes over and they start hiring outside of their own church circles as the business grows.

Might be more that they just want the business to run on auto-pilot when they're on their 3rd trip to their 2nd home in Sarasota for the year.

[Soloist]

I wasn't entirely joking.

I want to hear CAM's response to this piece before I start reading into it too far. Its only fair.

Wife here. Just finished listening to Barry's recording of the talk he gave well before the article came out, and he basically addressed everything the Yonkers article later stated. Seemed pretty open and honest to me, not like they were trying to hide anything, and whether eyes were blinded or hearts were softened (either is possible), still sounds like the hand of God. After all, even if we did find out someday that the gang actually did let them escape, that would suggest a lot of adults and children praying for the gangsters' hearts to be softened may not have been so foolish after all.

[steve-in-kville]

Wife here. Just finished listening to Barry's recording of the talk he gave well before the article came out, and he basically addressed everything the Yonkers article later stated. Seemed pretty open and honest to me, not like they were trying to hide anything, and whether eyes were blinded or hearts were softened (either is possible), still sounds like the hand of God. After all, even if we did find out someday that the gang actually did let them escape, that would suggest a lot of adults and children praying for the gangsters' hearts to be softened may not have been so foolish after all.

After reading/hearing comments from family of the hostages, this is the narrative I've come to believe and accept (not that it matters what I think anyway ).

[Theophilos]

There was the following update given at the Voice of Hostages telegram group:

As with any high profile event, there is some conflicting news and false information making its rounds. It’s our desire to keep
you as informed as possible so that you can recognize the inaccurate stories when you see them. The bottom line is, the entire
happening is a testimony of God’s providential hand and we dare not minimize or take credit for it. So we have compiled some
facts that we hope will be a help to you.

In regard to the ransom:
The gang members told the hostages that they needed money before they could release them and they mentioned no other
demands, however, one of the gang leaders indicated to the hostages that they also wanted the release of a gang leader who
has been in prison for a number of years. They threatened to keep the hostages captive until all the gang leaders' demands
were met, even if this took a year. The gang members tried to make it very clear to the hostages that they as guards would be
killed if anyone escaped.
A ransom was paid to the kidnappers (by an individual or individuals) some days before the second group of hostages were
released. At one point the hostages got a slight indication from the kidnappers that a ransom was on its way or had been paid
and that a release may be forthcoming. Some gang members seemed ready to release the hostages but others did not.
However, things always seemed to fall through and in the end the ransom failed to accomplish the desired release.
The imprisoned gang leader was also not released.

In regard to the release/escape of the hostages:
Due to medical reasons a married couple was released first. Several weeks later Two ladies along with the 6 year old boy were
also released, again for medical reasons but it was quite an ordeal to get permission from gang authorities to have the boy
released at the same time.
It was then an additional 10 days until the remaining hostages were able to escape. During those ten days there was again
much praying and fasting on the part of the hostages and Christians around the world. Again, there was no indication during
those ten days if or when the gang leaders were going to release the hostages.
Due to their uncertain future and the health of the remaining hostages, an escape was attempted and it miraculously
succeeded.
At this point, the hostages and CAM representatives do not know if or when the gang leaders would have released the
hostages had the remaining 12 not escaped. It wasn't costing the gang very much to keep the hostages. The cost was basically
a little spaghetti in the morning and a some rice and beans in the evening.

In Conclusion:
Let’s be slow to believe stories coming from sources other than CAM or the hostages. Many have shared their testimonies so if
you want information please listen to their own accounts. The escape was a deliverance from God and any story that indicates
otherwise is only trying to deny the power of God or trying to take credit for itself.
As different people have noted, the important thing to note in the Haiti kidnapping story is that, the Most High rules over the
affairs of men. We can thank Him for bringing the hostages home safely and that He continues to work on behalf of the Haitian
people to bring all people to Himself.

This article was compiled and reviewed by VOH administrators and
advisors with information obtained from CAM and the former hostages.

[Theophilos]

An update on CAM Haiti Operations:

[mike]

Is the recording of Barry the CAM Haiti director’s story online anywhere? I’m listening to it from a forward on WhatsApp and it’s quite interesting.

[mike]

Is the recording of Barry the CAM Haiti director’s story online anywhere? I’m listening to it from a forward on WhatsApp and it’s quite interesting.

I found it. It’s worth listening to the story from the director’s perspective. The differences of opinion among CAM leadership is interesting and not surprising I suppose. Barry was at the incredible intersection of faith in God, US and Haitian law enforcement, the Anabaptist perspective, and the CAM organization.

A lot of the questions we banter about here in abstract terms were reality for those who went through this crisis.

http://www.accfonline.org/mp3_files/2026.mp3

[ragpicker]

I wonder if anything will come out in the next 6 months that would affect them re-opening in Haiti.

[Ernie]

Is the recording of Barry the CAM Haiti director’s story online anywhere? I’m listening to it from a forward on WhatsApp and it’s quite interesting.

I found it. It’s worth listening to the story from the director’s perspective. The differences of opinion among CAM leadership is interesting and not surprising I suppose. Barry was at the incredible intersection of faith in God, US and Haitian law enforcement, the Anabaptist perspective, and the CAM organization.

A lot of the questions we banter about here in abstract terms were reality for those who went through this crisis.

http://www.accfonline.org/mp3_files/2026.mp3

We are working on a transcript of this.