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Hart Dunkard Brethren Church Shares Update On Family Taken Hostage In Haiti

All of the American missionaries held hostage in Haiti for two months are back in the United States, including six from Hart in Oceana County.

The mother and five of the children in the Noecker family taken hostage in Haiti never lost the support of their faith community in Oceana County, who are praising god for the best possible outcome.

“I was very elated,” said Carlton Horst, a member of the Hart Dunkard Brethren Church. “It was just a great, great joy that they were finally free, that this had come to an end.”

The leader of Dunkard Brethren Church, Ron Marks, read a statement Tuesday from Ray Noecker, husband and father of the now free hostages.

“My family is all together and in good health,” wrote Noecker. “We are rejoicing together over the many ways that God answered the prayers of his people from all around the world. I want to thank everyone who joined together to pray for the protection and release of the hostages. Please continue to pray for those in Haiti and around the world who are still being held against their will.”

The church is not aware of any health issues among the once-captive family, and expects them to come together again Jan. 2.

As for the captors, “I have, I have compassion for them. I have concern for them, because the lifestyle that is being lived is that of a kidnapper, it’s not the way of god,” said Horst.

The church says the family plans to tell their full story when they are ready, and are very likely to return to missionary work.

“I don’t see this as being the thing that will stop them from continuing to reach out outside of the U.S.,” said Horst.

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