Father and daughter who were abducted said God kept them

(CMR) A pastor and his daughter, who were kidnapped in Haiti last month, said God kept them through the ordeal.

Dr. Elie Henry, president of the Seventh Day Adventist Inter-America Division, and his daughter Irma Henry were kidnapped at about 6 pm on Christmas Eve after leaving Haiti's  Adventist Hospital, where Irma works as the chief of Physical Therapy.

Their abductors demanded a US$5 million ransom; however, they were released four days later.

In an interview with Revival For Mission on Hope TV, Pastor Elie said it was a surprise for them when they found themselves in that situation, but their faith kept them strong. He said,

“I don't understand why he (God) took us through that experience, but we felt that he was not far from us. He was really close to us and continued gving us the support we needed to continue praising his name.”

Irma, who has lived and worked in Haiti since 2018, said as a missionary, she knew that there was uncertainty about what may happen out in the field, and she has learned to depend on God in all circumstances; however, she did not expect to be kidnapped.

“My first thought- and it shocked me- was that ‘God is good'.  I am thinking, ‘why am I thinking that God is good when this is not how we planned to spend our Christmas'. I think that was the Holy Spirit trying to encourage me, to encourage us that he is still good in the circumstances even though it is not what you expected,” Irma said.

Elie said even in that difficult moment, they recognized God at work because they were blessed to be kept together and were able to support each other.

They sang together and encouraged each other with scriptures from the Bible.

 During the ordeal, they did not feel alone,  Elie said. He added,

“God answers prayers and he showed his love for us.”

Ketlie Henry, Elie's wife, said although she had no idea where her husband and daughter were, “Every day of that four-day period God gave me a new song.”

Elie and his wife Ketlie, who live in Florida, were in Haiti to spend some time with their daughter and with Ketlie's 94-year-old mother. Ketlie's mother has since died.

Dr. Elie Henry, a native of Haiti, has served the Adventist church for over 40 years and was selected as president of the Seventh Day Adventist Inter-America Division in 2018.  This division comprises Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and parts of South America.