Photo via medsovet.info

Three children ’abducted’ from Vietnamese orphanage

Christian workers visiting an orphanage in Vietnam are concerned for the wellbeing of three children who appear to have been kidnapped by authorities last week, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

In an interview via telephone with Rob Holding at Radio Rhema in New Zealand, one of the workers, calling in from Hong Kong, said: "Last night our missions organization received word from Vietnam that the Christian orphanage our team visited last weekend had had a visit from a woman and a police officer -- they took three children away from the orphanage under false pretenses (i.e. with the knowledge of the adults at the orphanage at the time). "

The worker stated it now appears they have been kidnapped.

"We are firstly very concerned for the children's safety and secondly we are concerned about why the police took the children. Details are still sketchy but we would value you broadcasting and encouraging prayer for this via Rhema on your show," the worker told Holding.

"Some of the team visited an orphanage down in Vietnam and in Ho Chi Minh City down in South Vietnam. So they were there to just spend some time with the children and also have a look around and spend some time with their contacts in the orphanage in Vietnam," the worker said.

He continued: "The team then returned earlier this week and then just overnight they got an email message from another contact who stayed behind in Vietnam with the orphanage, saying that a woman and a police officer appeared at the orphanage while the people who look after the orphanage were actually away from the house at the time, and the police officer and the woman took three of the children away."

The worker went on to say: "It appears to be a under false pretences that this was done, but since then it seems to be that the children have been kidnapped.

"So the main concern we obviously have at the moment is for the safety of the children. It is quite worrying when the State takes children away in this sort of environment in this sort of country. So our thoughts first and foremost are with the children."

Holding asked if it could be confirmed that it was police and not just people masquerading as police who took the children away?

The Christian worker responded: "What we've been told via email was that there was a police officer with a woman who visited the orphanage and took the children.

"We wouldn't have any evidence to the contrary, I think it'd be fair to say, and we certainly trust the person who's there at the moment who's reported this. So yes."

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TAGS: Vietnam Christian workers orphanage kidnapped by authorities Vietnamese orphanage

[10/29/2009]

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