Freed hostage catches up with children

? Gracia Burnham is enjoying the pleasures of motherhood after more than a year as a captive of Muslim extremists in the Philippine jungle.

Her children Jeff, 15, Mindy, 12, and Zach, 11 lost their father in the June 7 rescue attempt that freed their mother from the Abu Sayyaf group.

Since Gracia Burnham returned to her in-laws home in Rose Hill earlier this month, the family is seldom parted. Sometimes the children stay with her all night, sleeping on blankets spread on the floor of her bedroom.

“Her first priority is still the children,” said Oreta Burnham, Gracia’s mother-in-law. “She’s not doing speaking engagements or anything that would take her from her family.”

Gracia Burnham, 43, was shot in thigh during the rescue attempt that killed her husband, Martin. She’s getting around on crutches now, though she still uses her wheelchair to elevate her leg, family members say.

The swelling from the bullet that passed through it has gone away.

Gracia Burnham and the children will leave Rose Hill this weekend for an annual family reunion in Arkansas, where Gracia’s parents live. Last year, Gracia’s side of the family gathered in Canada, praying for the safe return of the missionaries after they were kidnapped.

After the reunion, Gracia Burnham plans to return to Rose Hill, Oreta Burnham said. Though no plans are final, the children may enroll in Rose Hill schools next fall.

“She said she doesn’t want to uproot the kids again,” Oreta Burnham said. “Rose Hill has sort of become a home to them.”

Rose Hill has been home to most of Martin Burnham’s family while Martin and Gracia were held hostage. Some of the family members also are missionaries overseas.