Jeffery Woodke, a missionary and humanitarian aid worker affiliated with YWAM, was released on Monday after more than six years in captivity. “I’m gratified and relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over 6 years in captivity,” U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, tweeted on Monday.

Jeffery was abducted in Abalak, in the country of Niger when men stormed his home, killed two of his guards, bound him up, forced him by gunpoint into a vehicle and drove towards the Mali border.

Jeff Woodke is a Christian missionary from McKinleyville, California, and was passionate about serving and loving those who kidnapped him. He is fluent in the local languages of Tamasheq, as well as Fula and Arabic and used his language skills and his background with a Masters of Science and International Development degree from Homboldt State University to serve the people of Niger for 32 years. Jeff’s wife of more than 30 years campaigned for his release and today, it seems that her prayers have been answered.

Photo Credit:  https://www.bringjeffhome.com/