After much discussion and prayer, the 12 remaining missionaries from an Ohio-based groupdecided on a brazen planto escape from their Haitian captors.

Officials from Holmes County-basedChristian Aid Ministries outlined the daring December 15 plotduring a press conference on Monday and offered new insight into the group's ordeal.

The missionaries were "nudged" by God to attempt an escape, said Weston Showalter, CAM spokesperson. The group banded together and put their plans in God's hands despite the danger, he said.

The group prepared byputting on their shoes and packing water in their clothes. They found a way to slip out of the room where they were being held despite the blocked door. With guards all around, the group got out quickly and headedtoward a mountain they saw in the distance.

After walking for hours through bushand brambles, the group came upon a person whohelped them call for help as dawn approached.

During the press conference, CAM shared photographsof the 17 missionaries taken by members of the 400Mawozo gang on Oct. 16, a short time after visiting anorphanage.

Thegroup, including 12 adults and five kids, can beseen smiling in the photos. A father, who was not kidnapped, joined members of his family who were part of the kidnapped group for the picture.

Other photos show a smiling 10-month-oldand a 3-year-old boy reading a book.

Showaltersaid the children appeared to have been well cared for by their captors.

He spent some time with the group over the weekend, saying it was nice to see the kids playing and reading books aftertheir ordeal.

The group remained strong and relied on each other to keep up their spirits, singing and praying.

"They are very resilient," he said. "They faced a lot. It hasn't been easy."

Their faith –and the prayers of their loved ones and people around the world –carried them through the ordeal, he said.

Courtesy(excluding headline) The Independent