Story number 1 for 24 Apr 2001

(Peru)–Topping the news, questions are lingering as conflicting reports from Peru and the United States trickle in over the missionary plane that was shot down April 20th. 35-year old Veronica Bowers and her 7-month old daughter, Charity, were killed by Peruvian gunfire in a case of mistaken identity. The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism’s President Dr. Michael Loftis. “We’re not interested in finger-pointing. We are interested, however, in some kind of guarantee or some kind of assurance from both governments that our missionaries can conduct their ministries safely.” Loftis says the tragedy has opened the door for the Gospel. “This is making clear to many people who have no idea what missionaries do, to understand that missionaries are normal people. They go through all the levels of suffering that any other person does, but they do it with the help of God and with the confidence that they have a message to give through the Good News.” Jim Bowers, and his six-year old son, Cory, survived the crash. Pilot Kevin Donaldson is recovering from his injuries.