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 Two Latter-day Saint volunteers detained for nearly three weeks for allegedly teaching English without a license in Novorossiysk, Russia, have left for the United States and their families are rejoicing and expressing relief.

Elder Kole Brodowski, 20, was near the end of his volunteer service and is returning home to Garden Grove, California. Elder David Gaag, 19, will be reassigned to serve as a church missionary in a different mission.

Brodowski’s father exulted in a Facebook post, saying, “God is there, our prayers were answered” and “Hallelujah it’s over.”

“It’s finally over!” Kyle Brodowski wrote. “Kole is headed home, and his companion will receive another call. I want to thank the thousands of people worldwide that prayed for him/us and sent messages of comfort and support. There were many people I’ll never meet that worked day and night for the past three weeks to free these young men. Thank you to all.”

He used the term superhuman heroes to praise President Eric Ottesen, president of the Russia Rostov-na-Donu Mission, and his wife, Elizabeth, for their efforts to help the young men since they were arrested on March 1.

“Each day they drove six hours round trip to the detention center to visit and provide support to our boys, also calling and emailing Laura and I daily, in addition to dealing with many other worried parents,” Brodowski wrote, adding, “To be half a world away and helpless, with many dark and empty nights, President and Sister Ottesen were our ministering angels!”

To read the full article on the Deseret News, CLICK HERE.