Seized Missionary Released Unharmed
Five car thieves seized a Speed the Light
vehicle driven by U.S. Assemblies of God missionary Lance
Hines at gunpoint September 9. The incident occurred after
Hines transported Bible School students to their homes
following a church service in Lusaka, Zambia's capital.
Taking Hines hostage, the carjackers drove around Lusaka for
45 minutes. "The Lord gave me grace," says Hines, who has
been in Zambia since July. He is grateful that his wife,
Mindy, and three children weren't with him.
"I thought I was dreaming," he says. "But when I saw the
AK-47 in my face and 9 mm pistols on both sides, I knew it
was for real."
Surprised at Hines' calm demeanour, the thieves asked why he
wasn't nervous and upset. After Hines explained that as a
Christian he sensed God's presence, the abductors mocked
him. Undaunted, Hines continued to witness to his
adversaries, and by the end of the ride they were listening
to Christian music in the Nyanja language. When Hines was
released 15 miles out of the city, the thieves asked him for
prayer.
Hines asked the carjackers for some of the money that they
had stolen from him so he could return to Lusaka. They gave
him $9. Hines contacted his wife, who called a taxi to pick
him up. "God definitely gave me grace right when I needed
it," he says. "He took care of me the whole time."
The car has not been recovered. Hines' abduction was one of
five in Lusaka that night. One person was shot and killed.
Paul Fritz
PPaulfritz@aol.com (Received on
Friday September 21, 2001)
