Originally posted on 10^th June 2011

Greetings in the name of Jesus, who came that all may have life

Sunday 12^th June 2011 marks the second anniversary of the kidnapping of nine foreigners in Saada, north-west Yemen, three of whom were murdered shortly afterwards. Recall that two were freed on 17^th May 2010.

There continues to be no news of Johannes and Sabine (a German couple), Simon (their son, aged nearly 3) or of Tony (a British man). Lydia and Anna (6 and 5, daughters of Johannes and Sabine) who were freed in May 2010 are with relatives in Germany and are reported to be in good health and developing well.

German and British investigators are understood to have stopped their active search. However, a few of those close to this situation remain hopeful before God that those still missing are alive and will be released one day. Some are hopeful that current events in Yemen, whilst disturbing in themselves, may lead to information about the missing four becoming available.

Christians in Yemen and others close to this situation thank us for our prayers and request our continued intercession. They ask us to pray that:

1. The missing four (assuming they are alive) will know the peace, presence and daily provision of Jesus and will be released unharmed shortly
2. Information about their whereabouts will be forthcoming
3. The families and colleagues of those missing and murdered will know the peace of Jesus amidst continuing speculation and uncertainty
4. All expatriate Christians working in Yemen will know the Lord’s guiding and protecting
5. The perpetrators will be convicted by the Spirit and drawn to the forgiveness, love and true life offered by Jesus.

May be circulated to general mailing lists and quoted from freely citing "Middle East Concern" as the source of the information.