On Thursday, a spokeswoman for the Lim family, Lisa Pak, said the latest update on the pastor's well-being is that he is healthy and "not in critical condition." The family is "relieved, grateful, excited, anxious to see him home," she said.

Raymond Cho, a member of parliament who knows Pastor Lim, said Lim's release - and reported good health - is an answer to prayer. "I believe in the power of prayer," he said, "I prayed for him every night, twice a night."

Another politician who had campaigned for his release, Senator Yonah Martin said, "I had a great sense of relief but it took me by surprise only because it had been so long." ...