On the morning of March 23, 2003, into the battle zone around the Iraqi city of Nasiriya came a convoy of the 507th Maintenance Company. They were heading up a stretch of road that had acquired, the previous day, the name of “Ambush Alley.” Elsewhere, US forces were providing strong ground and helicopter escorts for truck convoys, but there were none for the 507th. They were on their own.

The Iraqi forces of “Ambush Alley” had learned how to let the armored spearhead vehicles roll past while they remained concealed. They then emerged and waited for the trucks that would be following behind. The lead truck was hit first. Other trucks pulled over, trying to set up an all-around defensive perimeter against the Iraqi fire. One Hummvee, with Private First Class Jessica Lynch on board, was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade and crashed at high speed. The ensuing battle lasted 15 minutes. The US soldiers were surrounded and didn’t have a chance.

Eleven soldiers were killed or died from their wounds. Six were captured, including PFC Jessica Lynch. Soon, many of the captured and killed soldiers were put on Iraqi television. A liberation mission now became priority. Not long after, Marines in Nasiriya found Lynch’s identification dog tag in the home of a Baath Party official. CIA operatives then learned that Private Lynch had been taken to an Iraqi hospital in Nasiriya. Navy SEALs and Delta Force personnel were to make the liberation.

On April 1, a force from the SEALs Development Group and Delta Force inserted in five helicopters. PFC Lynch was hiding in her bed when the rescuers arrived. Once of them entered her room and called her name, but received no response. Then he announced, “Jessica Lynch, we’re United States soldiers and we’re here to protect you and take you home.” “I’m an American soldier, too,” she replied. “Please don’t let anybody leave me.” She was flown immediately to a hospital, holding on to the Ranger doctor at her bedside throughout the flight (Information taken from Leave No Man Behind, by David C. Isby).

I can’t imagine the desperate terror this courageous young lady experienced as she was taken captive by enemy forces and held under constant threat. Her words, “Please don’t let anybody leave me,” wrench at my heart and draw tears to my eyes. Her rescuers brought her out and brought her home, to her family.

I think about Jesus’ words in Luke chapter 4. He says, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me… to proclaim liberty to the captives… to set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Do you think Jesus is still in the liberation and captive-recovery business? I do. Do you think we can make use of this same “anointing” to rescue hostages and liberate prisoners? I do. I bet that we see at least 10 people every day that are cowering in darkness and in fear. There are no foreign soldiers holding them. They might not have the physical wounds to mark them as prisoners of the enemy, but that’s exactly what they are.

The elite operators that rescued Private Lynch would not have had that opportunity if not for the collection of some good intelligence. I think that is our first step to becoming rescuers. We’ve got to get good at noticing the clues people drop. A little comment here or there, a depressed look – something subtle on the surface, but if you’re tuned in, you can hear the cry. “Help me! Please don’t let anybody leave me!” Begin to pray every day, “Holy Spirit, let me see people with Your eyes today; let me hear people with Your ears today.” You’ll start picking up the signal and collecting the “intelligence” you need.

“We’re here to protect you and take you home.” That’s the next step. How can we lead these fragile people home, to their Father? Here’s where I’d like your comments. Post some thoughts that come to you and then I’ll follow up in a few days with some practical “hostage rescue” ideas.

Peace.
SJB