Thu Sep 19 07:01:00 UTC 2024: ## American Traveler Held Captive in Syria for 63 Days Shares Story of Faith and Resilience
**Washington, D.C.** – Sam Goodwin, a seasoned traveler who had visited over 180 countries, found himself unexpectedly detained in Syria for 63 days in 2019. In his new book, “Saving Sam: The True Story of an American’s Disappearance in Syria and His Family’s Extraordinary Fight to Bring Him Home,” Goodwin recounts his harrowing experience and the crucial role his faith played in his survival.
Goodwin’s journey to Syria was part of a larger ambition: to visit every country in the world. While in the country for only a few hours, he was apprehended by armed men and held in solitary confinement for 27 days. Goodwin describes the experience as a complete loss of freedom and possessions, but stresses how his faith gave him the strength to endure. “No matter what, I knew that my faith was absolute,” he says. “What I learned most significantly in that cell is that we’re never less alone than when we’re totally alone with God.”
After being transferred to a cell with other prisoners, Goodwin spent another 35 days in captivity, facing accusations of espionage. Throughout this period, he was unaware of his family’s tireless efforts to secure his release, and the unlikely intervention of a friend God would use to help set him free.
Goodwin’s book details his travels across the globe and the profound impact his faith had on his journey, particularly during his time in captivity. His story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith in the face of adversity.
First Piper 