The Hostages

The Hostage Tribute Page

This page is in memory of the three American missionaries that were held hostage, and believed to have been martyred in Columbia, South America.
These are pictures of Rick, Dave and Mark.

Rick Tenenoff Dave Mankins

Mark Rich

On January 31, 1993, armed guerrilla terrorists stormed a Kuna
village in Columbia, South America. One of the three American
missionary couples working in the village was Rick and Patti Tenenoff.
Patti is my husband's oldest sister. They were doing
a wonderful job on the field. I often say that
I know the kind of man that
Rick was, he would have been witnessing to his captors,
and I can't wait to see how many
he was able to lead to the saving knowledge
of a risen Saviour when we get to Heaven!

Update

This is the NTM announecment:
UPDATE .
After 8 & 1/2 years, both NTM leaders and the wives are in agreement that in light of all of the compelling evidence, that the time has come to bring closure to this horrible ordeal. We are thankful for that blessed hope!!! We know that we will see Rick again one day!!

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The following poem was written by our niece, Dora Tenenoff. I cry as I read it. I am very proud of the great job she did on it!

THERE ONCE WAS A MAN....
There once was a man, a man I once knew.
Who told me stories every night, laughed at my jokes, and held me tight.
He told me, "Don't quit! Always fight the good fight!"
He said, "Love the Lord with all your heart,
and serve Him with all your might!"
He begged me, "Do right!"

There once was a man, a man I once knew.
Who taught me how to tie my shoe,
and gently smiled at every picture that I drew.
He told me, "When you start something, don't stop until the job is through."
He said, "I love you."

There once was a man, a man I once knew.
I saw him in my dream, and it made me scream,
I called out, "Daddy!"
but he told me nothing,
He had nothing to say.
For what can you say,
When you are far, so very far away?
"Daddy? I said,
then a voice echoed in my head.
I lay quiet and still in my bed.
Again the voice,
Your daddy made a choice,
a choice to serve Me with all his might,
To not give up,
to fight the good fight!
He is doing a job for me and is not yet through,
so remember: I love you!"

There now is a man, a man I now know
He lived and He died to save men from their sin.
He made it possible for us to be born again.
I know because my daddy told me so.
And even though he's no longer here,
My God will always be near
To fill in the gaps and show me which way to go
I miss my dad so much,
But God has a plan.
So for now I'll just wait and watch the work of His Hand.

There once was a man,
A man I once knew
He's now just a memory slowly fading away.
"Dead or Alive?" you ask,
"I don't know." I say.
So I beg you, Please Pray!!
Pray my daddy knows that every night,
I whisper, "Daddy, I love you!"

There now is a man, a man I now know.
Every day He becomes more real to me
Every day in Him, I grow.
Every day I pray that my love for Him will show
I've made a choice, to serve Him with all my might.
To not give up, to fight the good fight.
Here on earth, I may not see my dad again,
but that's all right.
'Cause when my life is through,
I'll finally hear them both say
My child, I love you!!"

Dora Tenenoff

At the NTM website there are downloadable pictures
and information.

Visit the New Tribes Missions hostage page for
current information and updates.

Enter here

To contact me: