MODESTO-
As they worship with readings about the biblical walls of Jericho falling in the face of God’s power, these Assyrians in Modesto are celebrating the crumbling of what seemed to be another impenetrable circumstance – ISIS has released 19 Christian hostages taken February 23rd in the northern Syrian province of al-Hasakah.
“It was great news simply because it was an answer…our prayers have been answered. That’s why we were packed here on Friday,” said Rev. Genard Lazar of Saint Zaia Cathedral.
Hundreds of those prayers were offered up at Saint Zaia for Romel David’s relatives.
“My brother-in-law is among them and his son and his two children,” David told FOX40 Friday.
David’s brother-in-law lived in Modesto until two years ago when he left for Syria to try and bring loved ones there to safety here in America.
He’s concealing their names for their protection.
The David family was home Sunday when word of the hostage release started to spread, but given the stress of the waiting they were too exhausted to speak on camera and said they hadn’t received any specific news about their family.
Others in the community who’ve had to run from Christian persecution in the Middle East themselves are speaking out.
“I believe we should have boots on the ground. Number one mistake Mr. President Obama did was telling them we were not going to have any boots on the ground. We just opened up ourselves to letting them know…showing them our cards,” said Jordan Aivaz of Modesto.
“Be the voice for the people that don’t have a voice….for those kids for the women and children that are being persecuted for Jesus Christ,” he said.
For Aivaz, this first hostage release is both exciting and bittersweet.
According to ISIS, ransoms were paid for those freed Sunday.
“It’s wonderful, but these people still need our help,” he said.
Two hundred people remain captive.
As always, Reverend Genard Lazar says faith is the greatest weapon.
“We knew that by coming together God would provide…his divine intervention and we leave it up to God’s perfect plan,” he said.
