Friday, December 9, 2011
Children of Congo Hostages Reunite in Miami
For those of us who forgot or never knew, Marilyn Wendler was on of the hostages rescued during this time!
In October, children of the hostages children gathered at the Miami International Airport to meet for the first time in 47 years.
In 1964, the Congo was a country locked in a brutal civil war.
The Simbas, who were backed by the Russians, Chinese, and Cuban communists, had captured the major city of Stanleyville and 1,600 European and American hostages.
Several miles outside the city, 25 missionaries were also being held against their will.
Those hostages were all women and children except Hector McMillan. Most of the hostages in Stanleyville were saved by Belgium and mercenary troops, but also by Cuban CIA contractors, most from Miami.
Those Cubans had one more mission, according to author Frank Villafana.
"I never even looked back to say thank you but I can do that today,” said David McMillan, the son of missionary Hector McMillan, who was the only person of the 25 hostages who was killed by the Simbas before the rest were rescued.
In October, children of the hostages, including three of McMillan’s children gathered at the Miami International Airport to meet for the first time in 47 years.
Back in the 1964, these now middle-aged sons of missionaries were on death's door, and the children who were among them came within hours of being slaughtered by Simba warriors.
"It is a lot of memories. It is really nice that they took their time to come and see us. It is beautiful, beautiful,” said Manuel Rivero, who was one of the CIA-contracted Cuban rescuers.
Frank Villafana, who authored the book “Cold War in the Congo,” said “a few more hours and they would have all been dead.”
Missionary Al Larson begged Belgian and mercenary troops, who freed the hostages in Stanleyville to do the same for the women and children just outside the city, but he got nothing. He persuaded the battle-weary Cubans to rescue the 25 American missionaries. They went without hesitation, Villafana said.
“Those Cuban soldiers had been fighting a war and they just look at the kids tears started down their cheeks what can we do for you and one of them got candy,” Larson said.
The Cubans had to get through a narrow jungle road to the missionary compound, and they faced armed Simba warriors at roadblocks, Villafana said.
“They had to blast through every one of those road blocks by killing everyone," Villafana said.
Jane Larson, Al Larson’s wife, who was one of the people rescued, remembers the scene.
"I had my 3-year-old daughter on my lap. I remember looking at bodies on the street and I put my head down,” she said.
It was too late to save McMillan, but his wife and children escaped.
"He was the one that was killed. My dad, was killed that morning," David McMillan said.
A total of 24 people survived and went on with their lives. They made their getaway in a jeep and a truck. They were hustled aboard a U.S. Air Force transport plane bound for America. Ultimately, if these people hadn’t been rescued the families that were created years later wouldn’t exist.
In October, children of the hostages children gathered at the Miami International Airport to meet for the first time in 47 years.
In 1964, the Congo was a country locked in a brutal civil war.
The Simbas, who were backed by the Russians, Chinese, and Cuban communists, had captured the major city of Stanleyville and 1,600 European and American hostages.
Several miles outside the city, 25 missionaries were also being held against their will.
Those hostages were all women and children except Hector McMillan. Most of the hostages in Stanleyville were saved by Belgium and mercenary troops, but also by Cuban CIA contractors, most from Miami.
Those Cubans had one more mission, according to author Frank Villafana.
"I never even looked back to say thank you but I can do that today,” said David McMillan, the son of missionary Hector McMillan, who was the only person of the 25 hostages who was killed by the Simbas before the rest were rescued.
In October, children of the hostages, including three of McMillan’s children gathered at the Miami International Airport to meet for the first time in 47 years.
Back in the 1964, these now middle-aged sons of missionaries were on death's door, and the children who were among them came within hours of being slaughtered by Simba warriors.
"It is a lot of memories. It is really nice that they took their time to come and see us. It is beautiful, beautiful,” said Manuel Rivero, who was one of the CIA-contracted Cuban rescuers.
Frank Villafana, who authored the book “Cold War in the Congo,” said “a few more hours and they would have all been dead.”
Missionary Al Larson begged Belgian and mercenary troops, who freed the hostages in Stanleyville to do the same for the women and children just outside the city, but he got nothing. He persuaded the battle-weary Cubans to rescue the 25 American missionaries. They went without hesitation, Villafana said.
“Those Cuban soldiers had been fighting a war and they just look at the kids tears started down their cheeks what can we do for you and one of them got candy,” Larson said.
The Cubans had to get through a narrow jungle road to the missionary compound, and they faced armed Simba warriors at roadblocks, Villafana said.
“They had to blast through every one of those road blocks by killing everyone," Villafana said.
Jane Larson, Al Larson’s wife, who was one of the people rescued, remembers the scene.
"I had my 3-year-old daughter on my lap. I remember looking at bodies on the street and I put my head down,” she said.
It was too late to save McMillan, but his wife and children escaped.
"He was the one that was killed. My dad, was killed that morning," David McMillan said.
A total of 24 people survived and went on with their lives. They made their getaway in a jeep and a truck. They were hustled aboard a U.S. Air Force transport plane bound for America. Ultimately, if these people hadn’t been rescued the families that were created years later wouldn’t exist.
Monday, May 2, 2011
News from Cuthrells
I received this e-mail today from Luke and Nancy Pretzman Cuthrell. We really need to pray for them.
Dear Friends,
I was near ground zero and involved in the rescue operation when the attacks came on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. That event changed all of our lives. Strangely, the events of this morning have taken place just a few miles from our house. It seems that the instigator of that calamity, one Osama, the son of Ladin, had taken up residence in our town. He was occupying a large, heavily fortified campus between the hospital and the town center where the US strike occurred in the wee hours of this morning. Some of our colleagues heard the explosions and firing though we slept through it.
While this may represent a long-sought goal for the US, it is unfortunately not the end of the militancy and terrorism for which he has become the icon. We are safe, and today was business as usual at the hospital. But we ask you to pray for this country and for safety for the work here. There will no doubt be reactions, both locally and country wide—stirred up by opposition parties and certain religious elements. Please pray for peace for this troubled country and the people whose lives are so often disrupted by the violence of this place. The vast majority of the people we serve are not party to the violence, but victims. These are very difficult times for them.
Thank you for your concern and prayer for us. We are certain we are where God wants us to be and have peace in our hearts. We want to be able to offer the gift of the Prince of Peace in these tumultuous times.
Dear Friends,
I was near ground zero and involved in the rescue operation when the attacks came on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. That event changed all of our lives. Strangely, the events of this morning have taken place just a few miles from our house. It seems that the instigator of that calamity, one Osama, the son of Ladin, had taken up residence in our town. He was occupying a large, heavily fortified campus between the hospital and the town center where the US strike occurred in the wee hours of this morning. Some of our colleagues heard the explosions and firing though we slept through it.
While this may represent a long-sought goal for the US, it is unfortunately not the end of the militancy and terrorism for which he has become the icon. We are safe, and today was business as usual at the hospital. But we ask you to pray for this country and for safety for the work here. There will no doubt be reactions, both locally and country wide—stirred up by opposition parties and certain religious elements. Please pray for peace for this troubled country and the people whose lives are so often disrupted by the violence of this place. The vast majority of the people we serve are not party to the violence, but victims. These are very difficult times for them.
Thank you for your concern and prayer for us. We are certain we are where God wants us to be and have peace in our hearts. We want to be able to offer the gift of the Prince of Peace in these tumultuous times.
Ambassador Gration
Scott Gration appointed Ambassador to Kenya
This is what Judy DeYoung Gration says:
We wanted you to know that we are moving to Kenya on May 15th.
Scott has been appointed the US Ambassador to Kenya.
We will be there at least 18 months and maybe longer depending on US elections in 2012.
While we are so excited about going back home and living in Nairobi, it is difficult to leave our children and grandchildren.
Please pray for us as we represent America as diplomats in Kenya.
Our new address will be:
Ambassador and Mrs Scott Gration
Unit 8900, Box 5
DPO AE 09831
This is what Judy DeYoung Gration says:
We wanted you to know that we are moving to Kenya on May 15th.
Scott has been appointed the US Ambassador to Kenya.
We will be there at least 18 months and maybe longer depending on US elections in 2012.
While we are so excited about going back home and living in Nairobi, it is difficult to leave our children and grandchildren.
Please pray for us as we represent America as diplomats in Kenya.
Our new address will be:
Ambassador and Mrs Scott Gration
Unit 8900, Box 5
DPO AE 09831
Monday, January 10, 2011
Christmas Letter from Donna Barber Tyree
The Tyree Family Christmas Letter
Christmas 2010
“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” II Chronicles 29:11
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you, our dear Family and Friends! For us, 2010 has been a year of both joys and sorrows. Yet our faithful God has proved true to His many promises in scripture, and we marvel at His goodness to us.
Glenn completed his twelfth year with Clariant and continues to enjoy the challenges of being National Sales Director for the paper chemicals division. He travels quite a bit, but it just makes us treasure the times even more when we’re both at home. Running is one of his passions, and he completed 2 5K’s this year. His goal is to do a 10K next spring across the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston. Glenn fishes and golfs when his schedule permits and has gotten back into woodworking, recently building a bookcase for Rowan. At church, Glenn teaches S.S. for the 4th and 5th graders and leads our Bible study group.
I still work part-time with breast cancer patients as a Nurse Navigator at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Reading books (especially on the beach!) has become one of my favorite pastimes along with cooking, baking, and traveling.
I wrote and taught two women’s Bible studies this year and am leading a mentoring group of seven younger women at church.
When we’re at home on Saturdays during growing season, you will find us at the Gastonia Farmers Market where we buy lots of local produce and eat fresh and healthy meals all weekend. Charleston, SC has become our new favorite place for an overnight getaway. At just three hours away, we can be on the beach in no time! Our love of the Charleston area led to the rental of a house on Folly Beach for a week in September where all the kids and grandkids were able to join us. It was the perfect vacation!
Scott and Jana welcomed Liam Jacob into their Noblesville, Indiana home in March. Big brother Rowan and the grandpups have adjusted well to this handsome new addition to the family. When not working at his sales and marketing job at Financial Forms and Systems, Scott played on two church sports teams, did some home remodeling, and put in a huge vegetable garden. Jana has loved being a mom to her boys, and she also enjoys decorating their home and trying new recipes (she’s a great cook!). In November, she ran a mini-marathon after training with Scott for several months.
Rowan, 2 ½, loves going to preschool at his church one day a week (and we have artwork to prove it!). He enjoys playing with trains and trucks and “helping” Daddy in the garden. Liam’s smile melts your heart, and he has been a joy for us to hold and spoil. We love being “Nana” and “Deetz” (Rowan’s name for Glenn) to these two precious grandsons.
Matt and Leah, still in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, had their own new addition to the family this year. Her name is Molly, and she is a Portuguese Water Dog. Koa, their Bengal cat, was not too sure about having a new sister, but he is “teaching her the ropes” so that he isn’t always the one in trouble. Leah is taking her to obedience classes, but Molly is already a wonderful pet. Matt and Leah love to fish and camp whenever they get a chance, and Molly may soon join them for one of the trips. Matt has also done a lot of renovations to their historic home when he hasn’t been studying.
Matt worked as a fish biologist on a short-term contract for Fisheries and Oceans Canada earlier this year. When his term was up, he began his master’s degree in Fish Biology through the University of Nebraska. Many of his classes are on-line which is a blessing considering his distance from the University. Leah began her second year as an RN in the progressive care unit at St. Paul’s Hospital. (Any of us would be thrilled to have her as our nurse-- she is so caring and competent.) Leah made the decision this year to participate in believers baptism at their church. We wish we could have been there to witness that step of obedience to the Lord, but are thrilled for her nevertheless.
On a sadder note, we lost Glenn’s stepmother this year shortly after she and Dad relocated to Dayton, Ohio. A few months later, he moved back to Michigan to live with Glenn’s sister and her family. He is content and well cared for, and we are so grateful for their provision for him. Our dear brother-in-law Skip died suddenly in June of complications from renal failure, just three weeks before I was scheduled to give him one of my kidneys at Indiana University Hospital. Even though both deaths were unexpected, we know the Lord orders each of our steps according to His perfect will.
Lord willing, we will have all the kids, both grandsons, and two grandpups with us for Christmas this year. We trust that you, too, will have the joy of being with family and friends at this special time. May we all rejoice in our wonderful Savior and His great gifts to us!
Love, Donna (for all of us)
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