Along with her missionary-pilot husband Martin, Gracia Burnham served for 17 years with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines. Martin was responsible for delivering mail, supplies and encouragement to other missionaries and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities. Gracia served in a variety of roles within the ministry as well as home-schooling their 3 children.

On May 27, 2001, while celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary at Dos Palmas Resort off Palawan Island, Gracia and Martin were kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), a militant group of Muslims. They were taken to Basilan Island, an ASG stronghold. Remaining in captivity for 376 days, the Burnhams faced near starvation, constant exhaustion, frequent gun battles, coldhearted murder and intense soul-searching about a God who sometimes seemed to have forgotten them.

On June 7, 2002, in a firefight between the Philippine military and the Abu Sayyaf Group, Martin was killed and Gracia, although wounded, was rescued. She returned to Rose Hill, Kansas where she now resides.

This true story of courage, faithfulness and confronting evil has now been written into a dramatic production. Larry Belew, a Wichita actor, playwright and teacher, first wrote the script nearly five years ago. The play will be November 1 and 2 at First Church of the Nazarene in support of its mission efforts at 7:00pm.

"It's great to see it finally coming together," said Belew. "I'm honored to be working with talented volunteers who are recognizing the project as ministry."

At the encouragement of Gene and Joyce Williams, Peter Abood, Music Director of Central Christian Church, first contacted Belew to write the script. It was there Central member Will Long became involved with the project.

Long, who started acting when he was a junior in high school, says the story line provides a significant challenge to put on stage. "It is a difficult subject matter and is not a fun story to tell," said Long. "Oklahoma is a lot more fun, but the experience of Martin and Gracia is a story which needs to be told."

Long says it's his hope people will see how God worked through the entire Burnham family. "I pray we adequately portray on stage the strength and faithfulness of this family," said Long. "Just maybe the play will cause us to look within ourselves to see how we might respond."

Martin and Gracia constantly prayed for their captors and sought to reflect God throughout their captivity. In 2003 Gracia wrote In The Presence Of My Enemies telling her personal account of her 376 day ordeal about how it affected their relationship with each other and with God, about the terrorists who held them and ways in which the Philippine and US governments dealt with the capture.

Russ Jones, co-publisher of Christian Press newspaper has been cast to portray Martin and First Church of the Nazarene member Katie Murphy will portray Gracia.

"After rehearsing for several weeks I feel completely humbled and maybe even inadequate to portray the role of Martin," said Jones. "I could only hope to have Martin's same selfless attitude in the midst of incredible trials."

For more information call 316.858.1400. First Church of the Nazarene is located at 1400 E. Kellogg Dr. – Wichita, KS 67211. The play is scheduled November 1 and 2 at 7:00pm. A free will offering will be received.