The Philippines

Pastor Steve Riggle and Becky Riggle: Taken Hostage by Prisoners and Almost Killed

In their late twenties and on their first missionary trip in 1978, they were taken hostage by four prisoners while ministering in a large prison in the Philippine Islands. Loaded into a van by the prisoners and escaping the prison compound, they encountered a roadblock set up by the prison guards and police.

As the prisoners attempted to kill Steve and Becky by stabbing them, the guards fired into the van with automatic weapons, killing all four prisoners. Becky was stabbed and inadvertently shot—the bullet ripping through her leg and blowing out four inches of her femur bone. Steve was stabbed seven times and came as close to dying as one could.

Their amazing story of God's miracle healing power—as Becky spent nine months in a body cast with five major surgeries and another nine months learning to walk again— has been a great encouragement around the world.