March 12, 2001--
Mike Green of Cedar City says, "Just knowing that they're alive... that's, that's what matters."
He's talking about his father and brother, who were shot by a group of men in Brazil.
The brother, Elder Brad Green, had just completed serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Both Elder Green and his father, Garth, are in stable condition. But last Saturday night, those who rescued them feared for both their lives.
Elder Brad Green had just completed his mission and was with his parents, Garth and Wendy, touring Rio de Janeiro in a car when they inadvertenetly entered a dangerous area of the city.
This morning Brad's brother, Mike Green, told KSL radio that's when they were approached by a gang of men.
Mike Green, Elder Brad Green's brother: "BRAD SAW THE GUN AND SAID, 'GO' AND THEY STARTED GOING. THEY STARTED SHOOTING AT THEM. FIRST, THE WINDOW BROKE AND MY FATHER WENT LIMP, AS MOM SAID. AND BRAD TURNED TO HIM AND STARTED TO GIVE HIM A BLESSING, AND AS HE DID THAT, BRAD WENT LIMP."
Mike Green says his mother was not hit by the bullets. She then decided to pray.
Mike Green, Elder Brad Green's brother: "SHE PRAYED FOR HELP, BECAUSE THERE WAS SURELY NO OTHER WAY TO GET HELP. AND AS SHE SAID 'AMEN,' A VAN FULL OF AMERICANS CAME AND HELPED THEM."
Father and son underwent surgery and remain in the intensive care unit. They are both alert, which is a relief to family members in Cedar City.
Jeff Green, missionary's brother: "WE DO KNOW THAT MY BROTHER'S SITTING UP IN THE HOSPITAL BED AND DOIN' GOOD THAT WAY. AND MY DAD IS ALSO STABLE AND GOOD. SO, WE DON'T REALLY WORRY ABOUT IT."
His siblings say their brother, Brad, had spoken to them on Christmas day about how much he loved the people of Brazil and their country. This incident, they say, will not stop their family or others from supporting more missionaries.
Lori Yardley, missionary's sister: "I THINK THERE'S DANGER IN EVERYTHING. BUT I THINK THE MISSIONARIES, BASED ON HOW MANY MISSIONARIES THERE ARE IN THE WORLD, ALL OVER, AND THE AMOUNT OF INCIDENTS THAT ACTUALLY HAPPEN TO 'EM. I THINK THE MISSIONARIES ARE THE MOST PROTECTED PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. SO I FEEL MOST SAFE WITH MISSIONARIES, EVEN THOUGH THIS DID HAPPEN."
Michael Purdy, a spokesman for the Church of Jesus Christ, says no missionaries are now working in the area of Rio de Janeiro where that attack occurred.
