The last of American ISIS
captives, Kayla Mueller has been confirmed dead by the White House. At the heel
of her death confirmation, her family released a letter written by their
daughter while still in captivity.
The family revealed that they
were contacted by an anonymous ISIS member who told them about her death. The
source claimed that her death was caused be the Jordanian air strikes.
The Jordanian government
dismissed the allegation as propaganda. It should be recalled that that the
Jordanian government commenced a serious air strikes against the terrorist
group, ISIS after a video footage showed the fundamentalists burning the
captured Lt. Kassasbeh, a Jordanian pilot, alive in a cage.
Amman vowed to avenge the blood
of the brave soldier who was captured on 24th December by the ISIS
when his plane crashed during an air operation against the Islamic group.
President Obama in a condolence
message described her as representing what was best about America.
Mueller is the fourth American
to die in ISIS captivity. Journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were
beheaded by the group in August and September 2014 respectively. Aid worker
Peter Kassig was killed by the group in November 2014.
Below is the transcript of the
Kayla Mueller’s letter released by the family; some of which have been
redacted.
Everyone,
If you are receiving this
letter it means I am still detained but my cell mates (starting from 11/2/2014)
have been released. I have asked them to contact you + send you this letter.
It’s hard to know what to say.
Please know that I am in a
safe location, completely unharmed + healthy(put on weight in fact); I have
been treated w/ the utmost respect + kindness. I wanted to write you all a well
thought out letter (but I didn’t know if my cellmates would be leaving in the
coming days or the coming months restricting my time but primarily) I could
only but write the letter a paragraph at a time, just the thought of you all
sends me into a fit of tears.
If you could say I have
“suffered” at all throughout this whole experience it is only in knowing how
much suffering I have put you all through; I will never ask you to forgive me
as I do not deserve forgiveness. I remember mom always telling me that all in
all in the end the only one you really have is God. I have come to a place in
experience where, in every sense of the word, I have surrendered myself to our
creator b/c literally there was no else….+ by God + by your prayers I have felt
tenderly cradled in freefall.
I have been shown in
darkness, light + have learned that even in prison, one can be free. I am
grateful. I have come to see that there is good in every situation, sometimes
we just have to look for it. I pray each each day that if nothing else, you
have felt a certain closeness + surrender to God as well + have formed a bond
of love + support amongst one another…
I miss you all as if it has
been a decade of forced separation. I have had many a long hour to think, to
think of all the things I will do w/ Lex, our first family camping trip, the
first meeting @ the airport.I have had many hours to think how only in your
absence have I finally @ 25 years old come to realize your place in my life.
The gift that is each one
of you + the person I could + could not be if you were not a part of my life,
my family, my support. I DO NOT want the negotiations for my release to be your
duty, if there is any other option take it, even if it takes more time. This
should never have become your burden. I have asked these women to support you;
please seek their advice. If you have not done so already, [REDACTED] can
contact [REDACTED] who may have a certain level of experience with these
people.
None of us could have known
it would be this long but know I am also fighting from my side in the ways I am
able + I have a lot of fight left inside of me. I am not breaking down + I will
not give in no matter how long it takes.
I wrote a song some months
ago that says, “The part of me that pains the most also gets me out of bed,
w/out your hope there would be nothing left…” aka - The thought of your pain
is the source of my own, simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source
of my strength. Please be patient, give your pain to God. I know you would want
me to remain strong. That is exactly what I am doing. Do not fear for me,
continue to pray as will I + by God’s will we will be together soon.
All my everything, Kayla
Comments
Post a Comment