Gracia Burnham will speak Aug. 7 at Eastmoor church
Gracia Burnham will speak at 3 p.m. Aug. 7, at Eastmoor United Methodist Church, 105 Eastmoor Drive, Marion.
For 17 years, she and her husband Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines. Martin was a jungle pilot and delivered mail and supplies, and transported sick and injured patients to medical facilities.
On May 27, 2001, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmos Resort off Paiawan Island, the Burnhams were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group, a militant Muslim group.
During their 376 days of captivity, the couple faced near starvation, exhaustion, frequent gun battles, and murders.
On June 7, 2002, during a firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group, Martin was killed and Gracia was wounded and freed from her captors.
She and her children, Jeff, Mindy, and Zach, returned to the U.S. Currently they make their home at Rose Hill.
Gracia has authored two books, "In the Presence of My Enemies" and "To Fly Again."
Following her presentation, a reception and book signing will be held in the Wesley Family Center at the church.
