A longtime missionary in Venezuela says the country is experiencing a mix of fear and quiet hope following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Dan RC, who has served in Venezuela for 26 years, said he and his wife are currently safe, though heavy police and military presence remains common. He described the public mood as “silent rejoicing,” with many Venezuelans too afraid to celebrate openly, fearing arrest, kidnapping, or worse.
“Everywhere I go, people tell me, ‘Tell your president we say thank you,’” Dan said, noting widespread gratitude toward the United States and Donald Trump. He added that the moment has opened doors to share the gospel, reminding people that “God is in control of it all.”
Dan also shared that members of his church have previously been arrested as political prisoners, including elderly believers detained simply for witnessing at a voting station. Recent reports of prisoner releases, he said, came not from goodwill but pressure.
Though he and his wife had planned a short furlough, Dan said they decided to stay. “When things get rough, you don’t leave the people,” he explained. Instead, they are feeding families, distributing food, and sharing Christ through both action and word.
His prayer request is that the Church would advance boldly in love and truth, trusting that “the gates of hell will not prevail.”
