Americans Slain by Somali Pirates Were Delivering Bibles

Americans Slain by Somali Pirates were Delivering Bibles

Americans Jean and Scott Adam were on a mission to distribute Bibles around the world when their yacht was hijacked by Somali pirates, friends of the couple said.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command said the Adams, along with Philis Macay and Bob Riggle, had been killed by their captors.

A U.S. Navy ship had been trailing the captured Americans after their yacht, Quest, was overtaken by pirates on Friday.

“As (U.S. forces) responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors,” the statement from U.S. Central Command said. “Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds.”

While their faith may not have played a role in their death, it was a motivating factor for their sailing adventure around the world.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Central Command said the Adams, along with Philis Macay and Bob Riggle, had been killed by their captors.

A U.S. Navy ship had been trailing the captured Americans after their yacht, Quest, was overtaken by pirates on Friday.

“As (U.S. forces) responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors,” the statement from U.S. Central Command said. “Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds.”

While their faith may or may not have played a role in their death, it was a motivating factor for their sailing adventure around the world.

They also spoke openly about their faith on the site, saying the goal of the Bible distribution was, “friendship evangelism – that is, finding homes for thousands of Bibles, which have been donated through grants and gifts, as we travel from place to place.”

The Adams passed out Catholic Bibles from the American Bible Society and New International Version Bibles from the International Bible Society, according to their website. They said they brought two different versions of the Bible because, “Catholics have a slightly different Bible than Protestants. We carry both Bibles, and at several different reading levels.”

On their website they said many of the teachers and pastors who received the Bibles also used them for teaching English.

This is a developing story. No information is available yet on extended families of the victims. (Sources: CNN, Associated Press, Fox News, BBC News, CBS New)

As the Lord leads, please pray now:

• For the families and friends of Jean and Scott Adam and Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle as they grieve their loss.
• For the many other hostages being held by the Somali pirates.
• For the actions of the U.S. and international community as they determine to stop piracy on the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.
• For God to multiply their efforts among the many who received Bibles from them.

Keep updated by visiting PRAYER WATCH – a 24/7 prayer tool.

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