Sterling College alumni shot at during Ethiopia mission work

DSterling College alumni shot at during Ethiopia mission work

A pair of Sterling College alumni who have long served as missionaries in Ethiopia were injured last week when armed bandits shot at their vehicle .

According to the Presbyterian Mission Agency, John and Gwen Haspels are recovering after being attacked while traveling to help build a house in Moga , Ethiopia . Reports indicate John Hapsels drove four hours to the nearest hospital after bandits shot at their car .

He suffered injuries to his eye and was grazed by several bullets . Gwen was in surgery for seven hours and has been placed in a medically induced state of sedation to alleviate stress on her body . They have been moved to a facility in South Africa , and both were last reported in good condition. Hunter Farrell , director of Presbyterian World Mission, said in a report that the attack was a "random act of violence " and the couple was not targeted .

The couple have served in Ethiopia since 1974. John Haspels was born in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , and grew up in Ethiopia , while Gwen was born and raised in Sudan . Both attended high school in Alexandria, Egypt , before graduating from Sterling College – John in 1969 and Gwen in 1970. Last year, the college honored the Haspelses with the 2013 Distinguished Service Award for their years of missionary work . The attack comes 31 years after John Haspels was taken hostage by Sudanese guerrillas and held captive for 15 days , according to previous reports in The News .

Cards and letters of support may be sent to : Presbyterian World Mission , John and Gwen Haspels , 100 Witherspoon , Louisville KY 40202 .

Source: www.hutchnews.com