“None of us even thought that it would go into weeks … maybe a day or two.”
On October 16, 2021, while returning to their mission base in Haiti after visiting a children’s home, seventeen Mennonite missionaries from the United States and Canada were kidnapped. For sixty-one days the 400 Mawozo Gang held them in a gangster camp, asking for millions in ransom, as well as demanding the release from Haiti prison of the gang’s leader. The hostages endured threats of violence, insect bites that became infected, hunger, sleepless nights, and spiritual attacks.
Their family members and friends waited in suspense, wondering if they would be released or perhaps suffer injury or death through some act of violence. Tensions — and prayers — mounted as the days went by.
Now this extraordinary story is being brought to life like never before through the faces and voices of those who lived it. Visualore Media is producing a documentary bringing you the story from the hostages themselves, as well as perspectives from their parents and from mission staff and leadership. You’ll hear about the difficulties of captivity, but also about the faith that carried them through, and the work that God did in their lives while spending sixty-one days in a gangster camp.
In February, Geryll and Leon traveled to Indiana to capture the story from Barry Grant’s perspective. Barry was the administrator on the mission base in Haiti at the time of the kidnapping.
Donald Clapper is the father of Cheryl Noeker, one of the hostages. He provided valuable insight into the experiences of the parents of the hostages.
Rachel told us how it felt to watch her husband’s health deteriorate to the point that she thought he would die.
What happens when you are the board chairman and 17 missionaries from your organization are kidnapped? Tommy Wagler gave us a glimpse into the many difficult meetings at Christian Aid Ministries' office in Ohio.
Dale Wideman tells how the gang forced their vehicle to a stop.
Matthew Miller tells how the gang members killed a cat during a satanic ritual.
Melodi Korver is a great storyteller who brought to life her experiences as a mother of two toddlers while captive in a gangster camp for two months.
Carol and her husband Donald Clapper were the first interviews we filmed for the documentary.
Despite sliding off the road in snowy Ontario in February, we recorded Dale’s story as the driver of the van.
In April, Leon Traveled to Ohio for his first solo interview since joining Visualore Media. Dan Miller, the father of Matthew Miller, shared his feelings as a father knowing his son’s life might be in danger.