Friday,
September 12, 2008
We are pleased
to report that John Van Wormer is spending tonight at home with his
family. He was released from custody last night after our lawyer was
able to arrange for us to post a bail bond with the court.
New
Tribes Missionary, John Van Wormer flying with UIM Aviation and
the airplane shown to the right were detained Monday by Mexican
authorities. He was charged with landing at a closed airstrip.
This action by the Mexican authorities is puzzling
considering we have flown in and out of this airstrip several times each
month for over 30 years partnering with Ron Hamilton and United
Missionary Fellowship (UMF). We are speculating that this may be
an effort by authorities to clamp down on criminal elements who also use
many of Mexico’s remote airstrips.
During this week, at least 20 people have been
working virtually day and night trying to secure John’s release and to
resolve the situation. Staff members from UIM, NTM, and UMF have all
been working together at several locations with government officials,
lawyers, and other in this effort.
Please continue to pray. The situation
has not been resolved. The charges are still pending and the legal
process continues. Our airplane is still impounded and under
guard. Tomorrow, John will have to make the 300 mile trip back to
Hermosillo for another hearing. We are unsure what the legal
process will be or how long it will take.
1.
Pray that we can find a commercial airplane to get John
there by the hearing time (our flight activities are suspended until
this is resolved.)
2.
Pray for complete exoneration of all charges against John.
3.
Pray for release of our airplane and it’s return to us.
4.
Pray for a way for us to continue to provide flight
services for the missionaries in Mexico. Without complete
exoneration and return of our airplane, it will probably not be possible
for us to continue to serve.
5.
Pray for the type of authorization which will permit us
to use the remote airstrips that the government seems to be closing.
90% of our flying is to this type of airstrip. It is where the
native people live and where most of the missionaries are working.
6.
Pray for the larger, unseen spiritual battle taking
place as Satan wants to hinder God’s work in Mexico.
For the latest information about this situation, you can go to NTM’s web site at www.ntm.org.
Please continue to keep this situation in your prayers.
