In the Presence of My Enemies

by Gracia Burnham

Paperback, 1709

Status

Checked out

Due 28 January 2024

Call number

959.9048092273

Genres

Biography & Memoir

Religion & Spirituality

Publication

Living Books (1709)

Description

In the Presence of My Enemies, the gripping true story of American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham's year as hostages in the Philippine jungle, was a New York Timesbest seller and has sold nearly 350,000 copies. This updated edition contains never-before-published information on the capture and trial of the Burnhams' captors; Gracia's secret return trip to the Philippines; and updates on recent events in Gracia's life, ministry, and family.

User reviews

LibraryThing member jeaneva

A fascinating look at a couple dedicated to spreading the gospel, taken hostage in the Philippines by Muslim terrorists. Since the Burnhams were from Kansas where I live, this was a more meaningful story to me perhaps. I was especially touched by her heartfelt pleas for her captors, forgiveness and

compassion!

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LibraryThing member jgaryellison

Toward the end of the book, the author made excuses for God, explaining why He was unable to save her husband instead of allowing a biblical perspective to influence her thinking. God saved Peter from Herod's sword, but did not save Stephen from being stoned. She missed an opportunity to declare

that the Gospel is so glorious and our God so great that people will risk their lives to tell others so that they too may know the one true God.

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LibraryThing member gdill

Overall this was a good read. Tells of the harrowing story of Martin and Gracia Burnham's kidnapping in the jungles of The Philippines by the Abu Sayaaf, an al Quaeda terrorist cell. Told from the perspective of Gracia Burnham who survived the hostage-for-ransom ordeal. Through all the tough times

the Burnhams kept their faith and relied on God's daily provisions. On numerous occasions their lives were in limbo in firefights between the Abu Sayaaf and the Philippine Army. Gracia tells of her many emotional struggles and lack of privacy and inconveniences. She relied heavily on her husbands strength to get her through this ordeal. And, eventually she did make it, while her husband did not.

Although the story is intriguing, the story seemed to run on at many times. A lot of repetitive narrative that could have been easily compressed by at least 60-75 pages. Nevertheless, this a great story of persistence and faith with a joyful reunion in the end. If you liked, "Through Gates of Splendor" by Elisabeth Elliot you will also like this one. The stories are eerily similar in many ways.

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LibraryThing member PiperUp

The strength that Gracia & Martin drew from their love for each other & God is certainly inspiring. No way would I have lasted more than 48 hours in their situation. No way.

LibraryThing member fuzzi

Satisfactory read about a missionary couple kidnapped and held for ransom in the Philippines for over a year. The flashbacks were distracting from the survival story, which was actually interesting.

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