Imagine being on the brink of an ordinary business trip, only for it to spiral into a tale of survival against all odds. This episode brings to light the arresting narrative of Jose Angel Pereira Ruimwyk, a Citgo oil and gas executive in the US, whose life was changed forever when he was falsely imprisoned in Venezuela on espionage charges. Jose describes the eerie forewarning that presaged his ordeal, and the subsequent struggle for sustenance within the walls of a Caracas prison. His poignant recount of isolation, health battles, and the flicker of hope reignited by a precious phone call with his wife is nothing short of a testament to human resilience.
As we dissect Jose's journey through the darkest days, we expose the life rafts that kept him afloat: the clasp of hope, the power of a positive mindset, his faith, the Bible, his family and fellow prisoners, and the crucial role of spirituality. He shares the strategies that shepherded him through the tempest—focus, calm, and a resolute spirit nourished by prayer, exercise, and the truths in the Bible. With inspiration from the apostle Paul, Jose also becomes a beacon in adversity, reminding us that solidarity, community support, and faith can illuminate the path to resilience and reclaiming one's life from the jaws of despair.
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I'm wishing you lots of love on your own hero's journey,
Karen
xoxo
Connect with Karen Hall
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Connect with Jose Angel Pereira Ruimwyk
Jose Angel Pereira, former CEO of Citgo, is one of the Citgo 6, a group of Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage and abused in Venezuela for almost 5 years because he is an American. Beforehand, he spent 35 Years as an Oil Company Executive.
After returning on October 1, 2022, Jose wrote his memoir while advocating for other Americans unlawfully detained and helps to change US policy on dealing with hostages by leveraging his international experiences to empower others in making positive changes in the world and in their life. His motto is never to give up and never lose faith.
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