I can SO relate to that! I've even had some of them get hostile with me because, you know, they watch the news and all, so they know wo much more than I do about the region and what's really happening.
Be safe and please keep us all posted. You've got a LOT of people from all over the place pulling for you.
I'm a little concerned that we should have heard from him by now. I assume he's okay but his communications line is down. I hope he got his registration filed with the State Dept.