Hope and Help International

Long-time friend of HHI and Philippine missionary, Marilee Noland, remembers her friendship with the Burnhams and the events surrounding their capture.

“I left the Philippines the day before their abduction. Gracia and my friend Cathy were praying for safe travel on my trip home. They were at a missions conference and left a day later to celebrate their anniversary on the island of Palawan. They were abducted from the resort where they were staying by the Muslim terrorist group known as the Abu Saif. They were held in captivity for one year constantly being moved from place to place. During that time they shared the love of Christ with their captors. Later, one of their abductors would give his life to Jesus as a result of their testimony. After a year, the Philippine military was able to track their whereabouts and attempted to rescue Martin and Gracia. Martin was killed in the crossfire during their liberation, but Gracia was safely rescued. During his time in captivity, Martin wrote a letter to his children every day. Gracia saved them and was able to grab the letters and bring them with her as the gunfire started. The Burnhams are two of my heroes.”

REMEMBERING MARTYRS: On this day in 2002, Martin Burnham was killed in a firefight between the Philippine Army and the Islamist group that had kidnapped Martin and his wife, Gracia. The Burnhams and others were kidnapped and forced to travel through the treacherous jungles of the Philippines for months. Martin and Gracia, though enduring much suffering, gave thanks to God for the opportunity to share the gospel with the guerrilla fighters.