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That's not good enough. The Philippine government and military have repeatedly blown this operation. There are credible (though unproven) allegations that Philippine military officers have colluded with Abu Sayyaf, taking bribes and allowing the guerrillas to escape. Other military operations have proven ineffective or incompetent. Meanwhile, New Tribes Mission and Martin Burnham himself have lamented the government's refusal even to talk to the terrorists about freeing the Burnhams.

Thousands of American troops are in Basilan to train the Philippine military. But it's time for politics to give way to protection. The U.S. military should insist on taking immediate, decisive action to free the Burnhams. Debates about wiping out Abu Sayyaf or making the world free from terror can come later. Besides, 75 percent of the Philippine population wants the U.S. to take a more active role. Only 54 percent believe the Philippine military can beat Abu Sayyaf without American support.

New Tribes Mission, which is facing additional expenses for lobbying Washington and informing the public about the Burnhams' plight, could use some extra support as well. But one place not to give, as New Tribes is telling anyone who will listen, is to ransom efforts.

A $300,000 ransom paid to Abu Sayyaf in March went famously wrong. The Burnhams are no closer to freedom, and the terrorists now have more resources to kidnap more people. And that's exactly what ransoms mean: more kidnapping. The mission is trying not to damage its relationship with the elder Burnhams for their part in the ransom payment, but it's right to remember that such actions put all missionaries and other Americans abroad at serious risk.

By rejecting ransoms and operating by the book, New Tribes isn't compromising its commitment to the Burnhams but maintaining it. Likewise, says New Tribes spokesman Scott Ross, the Burnhams are still alive largely because they are following carefully planned procedures for hostages. It's time for the church and the U.S. and Philippine governments to do what they must do to bring Martin and Gracia back home again.

Copyright © 2002 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

New Tribes Mission Online has regular updates on the Burnhams.

For further developments on the Burnhams, see Christianity Today's Weblog, The Wichita Eagle, Yahoo's full coverage and ABS-CBN News.

PrayThemHome.com is run by Gracia's college roommate.

Even before the high-profile kidnapping cases of the Burnhams and Daniel Pearl, the U.S. government was revisiting its policy on ransom negotiations. A Christianity Today online exclusive looked at the implications of the policy on Christian mission organizations.

Previous Christianity Today articles on the Burnhams includes:

Families of Hostage Couple WaitMen's prayer group for Burnhams perseveres six days a week. (Feb. 26, 2002)

Agency Disputes Rumors about BurnhamsAll indications say the hostages are still being held captive in the jungles of Basilan Island. (Feb. 26, 2002)

Missionary Couple Remains in LimboThe apparently poor condition of the Burnhams has given the case a new urgency. (Jan. 17, 2002)

Kidnapped Missionaries Reported SafeBut danger increasing for Burnhams—and for workers around the world. (June 26, 2001)

New Tribes Missionaries KidnappedMuslim rebels in Philippines threaten to kill Martin and Gracia Burnham and 18 others if military intervenes. (May 29, 2001)

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June 10 2002, Vol. 46, No. 7