"BBC correspondent Alan Johnston disappeared on his way home from his Gaza City office on 12 March. He is feared kidnapped in the lawless territory, where he is thought to have been the only international correspondent still working. Intensive efforts have been made to secure his release. " BBC News, May 14, 2007.

I do wonder where he is and how he is surviving. I remember reading an auto-biography of Terry Waite, the envoy of the archbishop of Canterbury, who was held captive in Beirut for five years between 1987 and 1992. I remember him saying that someone, somehow had sent him a postcard of John Bunyan - the writer of Pilgrim's Progress - who was imprisoned for about twelve years in 1660 for preaching without a licence. Terry's comment was that 'at least John Bunyan had a window' meaning that the conditions John was kept in looked better than those Terry had been kept in.

At this two month mark I hope that Alan is being treated with dignity, is healthy, and has not lost hope. I also pray that all the negotiations going on behind closed doors - and I am convinced there are many - will be successful - soon.