Tuesday, November 6, 2001

Detained Baylor alumnae write from Afghanistan
By Stephen Dove
The Lariat

WACO (U-WIRE) – In letters released by their church Wednesday, two Baylor University alumnae detained in Afghanistan said they remain hopeful for their release and request continued prayers for the people of Afghanistan.

The hand-written letters from the Dayna Curry, 29, and Heather Mercer, 24, were delivered to Danny Mulkey, assistant pastor of Antioch Community Church, last week by the women's lawyer. Mulkey is currently living in Islamabad, Pakistan, where he is representing the church in meetings with the women's lawyer and U.S. State Department officials.

In the opening excerpt from her letter, Curry, who turns 30 on Sunday, writes: “It is so good to hear that so many people are praying. I hope they are praying for this country along with us. I’m sure they are. We believe that is one of the main reasons we are here — to motivate and awaken people to pray for this nation. If we weren't here I don’t think near as many people would be lifting this place up.”

Curry and Mercer are among eight foreign aid workers, including four Germans and two Australians, who were arrested by Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Aug. 3. Original reports indicated that the charges against the women were related to preaching Christianity. However, Jimmy Seibert, senior pastor of Antioch, has said the official charge against the two women is limited to being in the home of an Afghan family, a crime for foreign visitors in the country.

Seibert also has said the women acknowledged their personal Christian faith to the Taliban supreme court and admitted that they were showing the Jesus video in an Afghan home the night they were arrested.

All of the aid workers have been held in Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan, since their arrests.

In her letter, Mercer describes the dangerous surroundings of Kabul as U.S.-led bombing continues around the city.

“Right now I’m writing in the middle of the night, under a blanket with a flashlight,” Mercer’s letter says. “The lights across the city are shut down every evening to prepare for the aerial and fireworks show. No lights are allowed. Besides, it’s often hard to sleep in anticipation of the evening's events, so writing becomes my great joy.”

Both women write that prayers from church members and other friends are keeping their spirits high during their detainment.

“Really, your remembrances are hope for us every day,” Mercer writes. “When I am afraid, I remember that our Father in heaven hears the cries of his children and answers them, to know that you and others cry out day and night for a good outcome gives me great joy and faith.”

Seibert said the church released excerpts from the women's letters in order to “help their voices be heard in the midst of all that is happening.”

He also said the flow of information about Curry and Mercer has been limited since last week, but the women were seen earlier this week and were reportedly fine. The lawyer for the detainees is currently applying for a visa to reenter Afghanistan so that he can meet with Taliban supreme court officials.