Gracia Burnham was born in Cairo, Illinois, on January 17, 1959, and is the daughter of Norvin and Betty Jo Jones. Her father, Novin, is a World War II veteran and former pastor and Bible teacher and currently resides in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. Gracia graduated from Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1981, with a bachelor of science degree in Christian education. Gracia was married to Martin Burnham on May 28, 1983, and they graduated together from the New Tribes Mission Training Institute in Durant, Mississippi, in 1984. In March 1986, Martin and Gracia left the states for a mission aviation assignment with New Tribes Mission in Northern Luzon, Philippines. They worked as New Tribes missionaries in the Philippines from 1986 to May 2001. Gracia's responsibilities included flight following, radio net control, homeschooling her children, and assisting Martin in his responsibilities of pilot, mechanic, and field leadership. Martin and Gracia are the parents of three children, all born in the Philippines: Jeffrey (Jeff), born February 11, 1987; Melinda (Mindy), born October 17, 1989; and Zachary (Zach), born December 13, 1990. Gracia is author of the book "In the Presence of My Enemies" (Tyndale House Publishers), the story of the year she and Martin spent as hostages of the Abu Sayyaf in the jungles of the Philippines. Since the rescue attempt by the Philippine military that resulted in Martin's death and Gracia's release, Gracia has become a sought-after speaker and has launched the Martin & Gracia Burnham Foundation, which supports mission aviation and tribal mission work around the world, seeks ways to show Christ's love to the Muslim community, and offers assistance to Christians around the world who are suffering for their faith. The foundation is funded through money raised from speaking fees, sales of books, and donations. Gracia's two oldest children, Jeff and Mindy are married and she and her youngest son, Zach reside in Rose Hill, Kansas, near Wichita. Martin BurnhamMartin Burnham was born in Wichita, Kansas, on September 19, 1959, and grew up in the Philippines, the eldest son of Paul and Oreta Burnham, who have served as New Tribes Mission missionaries in the Philippines since 1969. He graduated from Calvary Bible College and Wichita Aviation Education Center and completed missionary training with New Tribes Mission. Martin served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines for 17 years, delivering mail, supplies, and encouragement to other missionaries, and transporting sick and injured patients to medical facilities. Martin was killed on June 7, 2002, in the Philippines during military action between the Abu Sayyaf and Philippine forces. He had been kidnapped along with his wife, Gracia, on May 27, 2001, by the Abu Sayyaf Group.