South Florida Missionaries Return Home After Burkina Faso Attack
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PEMBROKE PINES (CBSMiami) – More than a dozen South Florida missionaries made their way back home after a terrorist attack in West Africa.
Fifteen Christian missionaries from the West Pines Community Church were flying to Africa to do good works.
They were supposed to meet their inspirational leader, Michael Riddering, last Friday night at a cafe in the small country of Burkina Faso.
Just as their Air France plane was set to land, al Qaeda-linked militants stormed the area and opened fire.
Riddering was among 28 people killed in the attack and the missionaries' flight was rerouted.
The team returned to Burkina Faso on Saturday while waiting to travel back to the U.S.
Church members turned out in droves to welcome the group back.
There was plenty to talk about as families hugged and kids cried.
"I know it was hard on you guys," Jeff Barnes said.
And they heard about how the missionaries laid low until they could get out of the country.
It was the spirit, the image of Mike Riddering that loomed over the bitter sweet reunion.
"Dropping everything he had, selling everything he had. Moving to this small country," said Erin Wilson. "Being a father to 46 orphans who for the second time have lost their only father."
Burkina Faso is a predominately Muslim country. It's also a former French colony that now joins the list of victim nations hit by radical Muslim terror.
"We got the news, needless to say, it was extremely sad. We got together and just prayed," said Steve Englund. "God has a reason for all of this."