2 Americans from the Boston area abducted in Egypt http://ow.ly/cfb0j
(NECN: Eileen Curran, Somerville, Mass.) - The family of a Boston pastor kidnapped in Egypt appealed to his captor to release him and another woman.
"We’ve been through a lot," said Rev. Jean Louis.
Family members of Pastor Michel Louis are leaning on each other and their faith in this tough time.
Pastor Louis is one of two Boston area residents kidnapped in Egypt Friday.
The 61-year-old pastor runs two Haitian churches in Dorchester, including the Free Pentacostal Church of God.
His family is hopeful for his release.
"We’re all in good spirits because we know that the God that we serve is in control of the matter," said Louis’ son, Rev. Jean Louis.
Pastor Louis was leading a group of about 23 clergy and church members on a mission to Israel, when a man boarded their tour bus and took Louis and Lisa Alphonse of Everett, Mass.
In an interview with the Associated Press, the man who takes responsibility for the kidnapping, Jirmy Abu-Masuh, said "I told them 'Nothing will happen to you. You are my guest.'"
Abu-Masuh hopes U.S. officials, such as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - who is in Egypt meeting with the new president there - will put pressure on the police to release his uncle who is in prison.
The Louis family’s main concern right now is that he’s a diabetic and needs his medication.
"The longer they hold him, I assume is not going to work in his favor," said Jean Louis.
Neighbors of Alphonse say she’s a good mother and devoted churchgoer.
Rebecca Auguste gets emotional just thinking of the situation.
"'Cuz we don’t know what the situation is, well, I don’t," she said with tears in her eyes.
Pastor Louis’ family says he has been leading missions to Israel every year for at least four years and never had a problem like this before. They are asking for everyone’s prayers for Louis’ and Alphonse’s release
