Guerrilla Hostage: The Dramatic Story of Ray Rising's Ordeal in the Colombian Jungle

by Denise Marie Siino

Book Overview

Suddenly the Colombian, who by now had caught up with him, drew a gun from his jacket. Ray froze in place ... Millions of people around the world prayed for Ray Rising after hearing of his kidnapping... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800756932
• ISBN13: 9780800756932
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Reads Like Fiction

Guerrilla Hostage is the dramatic story of Ray Rising's kidnap and confinement in the jungle of Colombia, South America. On March 31, 1994 Ray was taken captive by guerilla terrorists. Los Angeles Times journalist, Denise Marie Siino, relates Ray's story as told to her. Denise traces the history of Colombia leading up to the political climate of the years 1980 through 1996. In October 1966 Ray and Doris Rising joined the Wycliffe team at the SIL center at Lomalinda to begin their ministry. Over the years Ray established a rapport with the Colombian people as he served the Wycliffe branch in roles of public relations and security. He worked with officials as well as with the common folk of Puerto Lleras near the Lomalinda Wycliffe base. It was in Puerto Lleras that Ray was kidnapped by a group of guerilla terrorists. The book details his twenty six months of being held hostage in the South American Jungles. It is a testimony of Rising's faith in the midst of cruel and fear-provoking circumstances. Battling fatigue, loneliness, depression, and fear, Ray demonstrated God's love to his captors. This is a testimony of God's working in Ray's life during physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual imprisonment. It is the story of God's comfort, hope, peace, and ultimate victory through Rising's release. Although the story took place ten years ago, the message is timely, and the promises eternal. This is a book for every Christian. It should be in every church and Christian school library and on every church mission's reading list.

Touching True Story - captivating

About 12 years ago, I worked at Lomalinda, Colombia, where this story begins. I lived only a couple houses down from Ray and his family. I have been through the back gate, where he was abducted less than a year and a half later, after nightfall. It is dark with only one light over the gate itself. I remember thinking someone could easily hide in the trees and surprise you when you got off your motorcycle (the main transportation there) to open and/or close the gate. This book brought back many wonderful memories and was very difficult for me to read because I connected with it quite closely. I was quite angry with the locals for not warning him when they knew something was going to happen - after all he had done for them - but then I remembered what it was like when I was there and that they could have lost their lives for telling him and then he would have been taken anyway - I forgave them.I can attest that Ray is a wonderful man and has a wonderful family. I felt this book was written very well and captured many of the good and bad things about living in that country. We all got so used to the ever-present danger that we didn't really think much of things that were a little out of the ordinary. In this tale you are taken from the day before his kidnapping, through the event, back to the base and how they realized that he had been kidnapped and see his family struggle with the news, through his captivity to his eventual release. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well this was written. Much of Ray's time was very boring, especially when he was not allowed to talk to anybody for long periods of time, but this book never drags. I am also quite amazed at how much Ray remembered of his time there. He eventually made friends with many of his captors and they even shook his hand and said goodbye to him when he was released. You will be swept along on this reluctant adventure; your hope in G-d restored; your belief in the goodness of men's hearts renewed and you will be strengthened in your own journey through life.Also, when I first arrived in Lomalinda, Colombia I was handed a book called "Called to Die" by Steve Estes. I was told that if I really wanted to understand the place and people better and understand "what happened here" that I needed to read this book. I was so glad I did. I highly recommend it if you enjoyed this one.

A Story of Incredible Faith Under Incredible Stress

This is an amazing story of Ray Rising's 810 days of captivity by Colombian guerrillas. He is very candid about his struggles with boredom, loneliness and frustration as he was held hostage the entire time in crude shelters in the dense jungles. Clear also is his testimony of trust in God to deliver him in the way His will would be best accomplished. An inspiring story for all ages.