1959 – 2002
“If I have to go, I want to go out strong for the Lord.” Those were some of
42-year-old Martin Burnham’s last words before he was killed.
Martin and Gracia Burnham, New Tribes missionaries, were kidnapped last year by
a Muslim extremist group called Abu Sayyaf while celebrating their 18th wedding
anniversary at a beach resort in western Palawan Province, Philippines. During
their time in captivity, Martin was a source of strength for all the hostages.
Gracia said, “He was a good man and died well.”
Days before his death, Martin was prompted to write a goodbye letter to his
three children— Jeffrey, 15; Melinda, 12; and Zachary, 11. The letter, which
Martin gave to Gracia, was lost in the firefight between the Philippine Army and
Abu Sayyaf rebels that killed Martin and Filipino nurse Ediborah Yap but was
later discovered by troops who went back to look for it.
According to a July 8 report from the Maranatha Christian Journal, friends and
former hostages remarked that Martin gave his life for Christ and his mission to
help others. They mentioned that although Martin and Gracia appeared frail and
frightened in taped interviews, the couple was steadfast in their faith. Francis
Ganzon, a Filipino who was released by the guerrillas two weeks after she was
captured with the Burnhams, said that when other hostages were praying to be
released, Martin was praying, “Thank you, Lord.”
Former hostages also said that Martin led the group in singing inspirational
songs. He kept his faith despite tremendous difficulties. The captors had Martin
carry bags of rice in the rain. Wearing severely worn shoes, he would slip
often. “He fell down many times but never complained,” said Oreta Burnham,
Martin’s mother, who with her husband, Paul, have served in the Philippines
since 1969.
Although reports have concluded that Martin was killed by a bullet in the
crossfire between the Philippine Army and Abu Sayyaf rebels, a June 24 report
from the Gulf News online edition states that “Abu Sayyaf leader Abu Sabaya had
ordered his subordinates to kill American missionary Martin Burnham if the
Philippines soldiers came too close.” Adzmar Aluk, one of the arrested Abu
Sayyaf members, revealed this during a taped military interrogation. Aluk said:
“Sabaya ordered Martin’s killing. He told my companions, guarding Martin, to
shoot and kill him if the soldiers come near us. It was Ibno (Abu Lukman) who
executed the hostage.”
On Friday, June 14th, hundreds turned out to celebrate the life of Martin Burham
at a Wichita, Kansas church. Letters from relatives were read by Martin’s uncle,
Rev. Galen Hinshaw. Martin’s daughter Mindy wrote, “My dad was the most generous
person I have ever known.”
Living one’s life to share the gospel at all costs is a generosity that the
Burnhams know well. It’s the ultimate gift that we, as members of Christ’s Body,
can also give as we ask the Lord to open doors to share His love with others,
even those who may not receive it with kindness.
Continue to pray for the Burnhams. Pray for strength and encouragement as they
face their loss and the Lord’s gain. Praise God for the strong witness of Martin
and Gracia to their captors and fellow hostages. Pray God will use their
testimony to lead others to Christ, even their kidnappers—members of Abu Sayyaf.
With permission from Job Anbalagan
gloryofhiscross@yahoo.co.in
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