Guerrilla Hostage: The Dramatic Story of Ray Rising's Ordeal in the Colombian Jungle (810 Days in Captivity) [Paperback]

Denise Marie Siino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 1999

Suddenly the Colombian, who by now had caught up with him, drew a gun from his jacket. Ray froze in place ...

Millions of people around the world prayed for Ray Rising after hearing of his kidnapping by Colombian guerrillas on March 31, 1994. Many more read of his captivity in the newspaper, and the world rejoiced with him and his family when he was released unharmed on June 17, 1996. In Guerrilla Hostage, readers will experience the shadowy jungles, the uncertainty, and the ultimate joy of Risings 810-day ordeal. They will also learn what it means to live with integrity despite harsh and frightening circumstances.

After extensive interviews with Rising and his wife and a trip to Colombia, Denise Siino wrote this triumphant story of one mans faith, a familys hope, and Gods never-ending love. Rising never gave in to the despair, fear, and loneliness he experienced during his captivity. Instead, this Wycliffe missionary grew closer to his Lord and boldly shared his faith with the guerrillas who held him hostage.

Eight pages of photos and illustrations and an epilogue by Rising help make this story one that will interest readers who dream of mission work as well as those who want to read an exciting true story.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Ray Risings story is a compelling page turner that will take you to the edge of the imagination with intrigue and excitement. Not only is this the true adventure of a servant of Gods experience deep in the heart of guerrilla-controlled Colombia, it is an unveiling of Gods response to those who would demand an enormous ransom for Ray Rising's life - a life that God himself already ransomed through the sacrifice of his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Through 810 days of captivity, Rays Christian witness confounded the guerrillas, as a strange irony of events led to a surprising conclusion. This spellbinding adventure, told in a suspenseful and masterful fashion by world class journalist Denise Marie Siino, is a winner, and will make an extraordinary motion picture -- Ken Wales, veteran film-maker and producer

This book is more than a well-written and gripping adventure. As I followed Ray through the 810-day struggle of his captivity, I began to realize the value of this story. From time to time, we all experience our own imprisonments: some physical, others emotional or mental or spiritual. As Ray sought God daily for comfort and reassurance, the Lord calmed his fears, and helped him maintain a consistent Christian witness to his captors. May it be so for all of us -- Peter Marshall, Peter Marshall Ministries

About the Author

Denise Marie Siino is a journalist and freelance writer who has written for Focus on the Family, Christianity Today, Virtue, the Los Angeles Times, and Harpers.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company; First Edition edition (April 19, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800756932
• ISBN-13: 978-0800756932
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,317,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching True Story - captivating, July 13, 2004

By 

Grass Tiger (Wadsworth, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guerrilla Hostage: The Dramatic Story of Ray Rising's Ordeal in the Colombian Jungle (810 Days in Captivity) (Paperback)

About 12 years ago, I worked at Lomalinda, Colombia, where this story begins. I lived only a couple houses down from Ray and his family. I have been through the back gate, where he was abducted less than a year and a half later, after nightfall. It is dark with only one light over the gate itself. I remember thinking someone could easily hide in the trees and surprise you when you got off your motorcycle (the main transportation there) to open and/or close the gate.

This book brought back many wonderful memories and was very difficult for me to read because I connected with it quite closely. I was quite angry with the locals for not warning him when they knew something was going to happen - after all he had done for them - but then I remembered what it was like when I was there and that they could have lost their lives for telling him and then he would have been taken anyway - I forgave them.

I can attest that Ray is a wonderful man and has a wonderful family. I felt this book was written very well and captured many of the good and bad things about living in that country. We all got so used to the ever-present danger that we didn't really think much of things that were a little out of the ordinary. In this tale you are taken from the day before his kidnapping, through the event, back to the base and how they realized that he had been kidnapped and see his family struggle with the news, through his captivity to his eventual release.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how well this was written. Much of Ray's time was very boring, especially when he was not allowed to talk to anybody for long periods of time, but this book never drags. I am also quite amazed at how much Ray remembered of his time there. He eventually made friends with many of his captors and they even shook his hand and said goodbye to him when he was released. You will be swept along on this reluctant adventure; your hope in G-d restored; your belief in the goodness of men's hearts renewed and you will be strengthened in your own journey through life.

Also, when I first arrived in Lomalinda, Colombia I was handed a book called "Called to Die" by Steve Estes. I was told that if I really wanted to understand the place and people better and understand "what happened here" that I needed to read this book. I was so glad I did. I highly recommend it if you enjoyed this one.

5.0 out of 5 stars guerrilla hostage book, February 14, 2011

By 

granny jo "kitchen cookin'" - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Guerrilla Hostage: The Dramatic Story of Ray Rising's Ordeal in the Colombian Jungle (810 Days in Captivity) (Paperback)

Probably not the best written book but the drama of the real life story forgives that and makes it a hard to put down story.

4.0 out of 5 stars Reads Like Fiction, July 4, 2006

By 

Richard R. Blake (Bridgman, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Guerrilla Hostage: The Dramatic Story of Ray Rising's Ordeal in the Colombian Jungle (810 Days in Captivity) (Paperback)

Guerrilla Hostage is the dramatic story of Ray Rising's kidnap and confinement in the jungle of Colombia, South America. On March 31, 1994 Ray was taken captive by guerilla terrorists.

Los Angeles Times journalist, Denise Marie Siino, relates Ray's story as told to her. Denise traces the history of Colombia leading up to the political climate of the years 1980 through 1996.

In October 1966 Ray and Doris Rising joined the Wycliffe team at the SIL center at Lomalinda to begin their ministry. Over the years Ray established a rapport with the Colombian people as he served the Wycliffe branch in roles of public relations and security. He worked with officials as well as with the common folk of Puerto Lleras near the Lomalinda Wycliffe base.

It was in Puerto Lleras that Ray was kidnapped by a group of guerilla terrorists. The book details his twenty six months of being held hostage in the South American Jungles. It is a testimony of Rising's faith in the midst of cruel and fear-provoking circumstances. Battling fatigue, loneliness, depression, and fear, Ray demonstrated God's love to his captors.

This is a testimony of God's working in Ray's life during physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual imprisonment. It is the story of God's comfort, hope, peace, and ultimate victory through Rising's release.

Although the story took place ten years ago, the message is timely, and the promises eternal. This is a book for every Christian. It should be in every church and Christian school library and on every church mission's reading list.