Gracia Burnham
Gracia Burnham was a Christian missionary when she was taken hostage by terrorists along with her husband, Martin Burnham, at a resort in the Philippines in 2001. Burnham was was rescued a little over a year later by the Philippine military. During the rescue, Burnham's husband was killed.1
Fast Facts
- Gracia and Martin Burnham were missionaries in the Philippines for 17 years before being taken hostage2
- They were kidnapped from a Philippine resort on May 27, 2001, by the Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf1
- Gracia Burnham was rescued on June 7, 20022
- Martin Burnham was shot to death during a gun battle between terrorists and the Philippine military
- Gracia Burnham has written two books since her 2002 release from captivity: In the Presence of My Enemies and To Fly Again2
The FARC Hostages
Gracia Burnham was interviewed by several media organizations following the dramatic July 2, 2008, rescue of several hostages in Colombia from the terrorist group FARC. Burnham said she understood what the rescued hostages were going through. She said she spent her first July Fourth holiday after her rescue in fear of fireworks.1
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