{"id":1952369,"date":"2023-06-20T19:57:02","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T23:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wife-of-missionary-who-was-held-captive-by-islamic-terrorists-for-years-unleashes-on-biden-admin-and-fbi\/"},"modified":"2023-06-20T19:58:26","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T23:58:26","slug":"wife-of-missionary-who-was-held-captive-by-islamic-terrorists-for-years-unleashes-on-biden-admin-and-fbi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wife-of-missionary-who-was-held-captive-by-islamic-terrorists-for-years-unleashes-on-biden-admin-and-fbi\/","title":{"rendered":"Missionary&#8217;s wife criticizes Biden Admin and FBI over captivity by terrorists."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwife-of-missionary-who-was-held-captive-by-islamic-terrorists-for-years-unleashes-on-biden-admin-and-fbi%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1952369&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>An American Missionary&#8217;s Harrowing Experience in Captivity<\/h2>\n<p>An American missionary who spent six years as a captive in Niger had a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watch-pound-sand-desantis-issues-election-integrity-proposals\/\" title=\"WATCH: \u2018Pound Sand\u2019: DeSantis Issues Election Integrity Proposals\">blunt assessment<\/a> of his time at the hands of Islamic extremists.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIt was hell,\u201d Jeff Woodke, 62, said, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/hostage-jeff-woodke-africa-alqaida-white-house-dec90e5d53ebef7a9caa0ab3068c2d49\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>He and his wife shared the sentiments that while he endured privations, the U.S. government was not doing all it could to get Woodke released, with AP characterizing their view of the process as \u201cfrustrating interactions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Woodke was freed in March. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/minnesota-vikings-assistant-coach-out-after-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-report\/\" title=\"Minnesota Vikings Assistant Coach Out After Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine: Report\">exact circumstances<\/a> of the deal to free him were not revealed.<\/p>\n<p>Els Woodke, the missionary\u2019s wife, said she told Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the process for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/bloodthirsty-haitian-gang-demands-colossal-ransom-payment-free-17-missionary-hostages\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ransoming captives<\/a> favored the rich.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI said, if it was you that had been kidnapped, you would be free in a week because your wife is free to take from your money and buy you free. So because you are rich, you can pay the ransom. But a poor person is never able to do that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>Els Woodke and Robert Klamser, a negotiator working for the Woodkes, told AP they believe the FBI misled them and withheld information while they were working with another government to communicate with the extremists.<\/p>\n<p>Klamser said they learned after the fact in 2021 that Jeff Woodke\u2019s captors wanted three million euros and the release of prisoners from West African jails.<\/p>\n<p>Negotiators who were not working with the family got the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wife-of-missionary-who-was-held-captive-by-islamic-terrorists-for-years-unleashes-on-biden-admin-and-fbi\/\" title=\"Missionary's wife criticizes Biden Admin and FBI over captivity by terrorists.\">release demand dropped<\/a>, but then the ransom doubled.<\/p>\n<p>The AP report noted that that strategy accomplished a U.S. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/psaki-biden-seeks-diplomacy-to-constrain-iran-nuclear-program\/\" title=\"Psaki: Biden seeks diplomacy to constrain Iran nuclear program\">foreign policy goal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re not things, we\u2019re not bargaining chips, we\u2019re not cases \u2014 we\u2019re people,\u201d Jeff Woodke said. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to sit under trees in chains. Our families don\u2019t want to have to suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Els Woodke said she tried to raise money for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/pilot-taken-hostage-islanders-shown-surrounded-spears-bows-arrows\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ransom<\/a> but was unable to do so.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have also had so many restrictions imposed by the U.S. government that any meaningful attempt to raise a ransom is effectively prohibited,\u201d she said in 2021, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/africa-niger-west-africa-al-qaida-d7e640fb49e807ebe1a060fe23cae389\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Associated Press<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI said it worked \u201ctirelessly\u201d to have Woodke freed but did not address any criticisms.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs you know, I have no higher priority or focus than bringing home any unjustly detained American, wherever that is in the world,\u201d Blinken said in March after Woodke was freed, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcnews.com\/news\/us-news\/american-aid-worker-jeff-woodke-kidnapped-west-africa-released-6-years-rcna75744\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NBC<\/a>. \u201cWe won\u2019t rest until they\u2019re all home and like Jeffrey reunited with their families.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>During an appearance shortly after his release, Woodke said he was \u201ctreated brutally and without humanity\u201d during his captivity, according to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.northcoastjournal.com\/NewsBlog\/archives\/2023\/03\/31\/i-was-a-hostage-mckinleyvilles-jeff-woodke-talks-about-his-six-years-held-by-al-qaeda-in-africa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">North Coast Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was beaten and held continually in chains for 16 hours a day, every day, seven days a week. I was kept in isolation. I suffered injuries and illness, which were never medically treated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The couple said <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-wife-missionary-held-hostage-jihadists-praises-god-answering-prayers-christians-everywhere-release-announced\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">faith<\/a> sustained them.<\/p>\n<h3>Does the Biden administration do enough to free Americans held hostage abroad?<\/h3>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-container\" class=\"one-half\">\n<div class=\"firefly-poll-question\">Does the Biden administration do enough to free Americans held hostage abroad?<\/div>\n<div id=\"pollFormBox\" style=\"display: none\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>No<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"firefly-poll-disclaimer\">\n\t\t\tCompleting this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/about\/privacy-policy\/\">Privacy Policy<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/about\/terms-service\/\">Terms of Use<\/a>.\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-results\" style=\"display: none\">\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-results-yes\" style=\"width: 0%\">\n\t\t\tYes: 0% (0 Votes)\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div id=\"firefly-poll-results-no\" style=\"width: 0%\">\n\t\t\tNo: 0% (0 Votes)\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cI remember when it first happened, I cried out to God, \u2018I want my husband home,\u2019 and he did not say, \u2018No.\u2019 And I believed that God has never changed his mind when he did not say no six and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cuba-sees-biggest-anti-government-protests-in-decades\/\" title=\"Cuba Sees Biggest Anti-Government Protests in Decades\">half years ago<\/a>, he did not say no every day. So, I kept my faith that Jeff would be home and lived every day in faith he would come home,\u201d Els Woodke said.<\/p>\n<p>Jeff Woodke admitted to losing hope, but not faith.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou might end up at the end of your faith as a human being, but faith is a funny thing \u2014 it stays with you whether you like it or not, I think,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wife-missionary-held-captive-islamic-terrorists-years-unleashes-biden-admin-fbi\/\">Wife of Missionary Who Was Held Captive by Islamic Terrorists for Years Unleashes on Biden Admin and FBI<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\">The Western Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An American missionary, Jeff Woodke, described his six-year captivity in Niger as &#8220;hell.&#8221; He and his wife believed that despite his suffering, the U.S. government did not provide adequate support.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":661,"featured_media":1952370,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[548],"tags":[4496,3620,22243,3763,5591,29228,4780,4410],"class_list":["post-1952369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-conservative-news-daily","tag-admin","tag-biden","tag-captivity","tag-criticizes","tag-fbi","tag-missionarys","tag-terrorists","tag-wife"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1952369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/661"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1952369"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1952369\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1952370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1952369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1952369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1952369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}