Missionary Pilot Imprisoned in Mozambique denied bail

A court in Mozambique has denied bail for Ryan Koher, a pilot for the U.S.-based ministry Mission Aviation Fellowship and two of the organization’s South African volunteers who were arrested more than four months ago, allegedly on suspicion of supporting insurgent activity. The ministry says the pilot has “peace from God and is committed to His will.”

Koher, 31, and two South Africans — 77-year-old W.J. du Plessis and 69-year-old Eric Dry — were detained in the coastal city of Inhambane on Nov. 4 while they were loading supplies into the aircraft to be taken to church-run orphanages in the Montepuez district in the troubled Cabo Delgado Province. Their request for bail was denied earlier this month.

In an update Friday, MAF said Koher’s wife, Annabel, is thankful for the continued prayers and fasting on behalf of her husband.

Koher has been experiencing a deteriorating medical condition, causing him to suffer from itching that affects his sleep, Annabel said, adding that Koher recently had a better night’s sleep, which she attributed to the ongoing prayers and fasting by MAF staff and other Christians worldwide.