A Haitian gang kidnapped 17 North American missionaries on Saturday, including 5 kids.

The missionaries, who serve with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries founded by Amish and Mennonites congregations, were taken by the Haitian "400 Mawozo" gang while they were visiting an orphanage near the capital.

The 400 Mawozo abducted 16 American citizens, one Canadian from the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries. A total of five children, seven women and five men were taken in the Croix des Bouquets suburb while they visited an orphanage, according to the group.

This was reportedly a screenshot of a conversation with one of those kidnapped:

Two French priests were also kidnapped earlier in the day by the same group. The gang has been known to request ransoms of $1 million per person and to kill hostages if they are not paid.

Christian Aid Ministries asked for prayer in a statement and added this:

As an organization, we commit this situation to God and trust Him to see us through. May the Lord Jesus be magnified and many more people come to know His love and salvation.

The 400 Mawozo gang kidnapped a group of Catholic priests and nuns earlier this year before eventually releasing them.

Haiti has continued to destabilize since the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in July, followed by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in August.