WACO, Texas (BP)–Dayna Curry turns 30 on Sunday, Nov. 4, in a prison in Afghanistan, yet according to letters released by their home church, she and Heather Mercer remain in good spirits.
“It is so good to hear that so many people are praying,” Curry wrote to Antioch Community Church in Waco, Texas. “I hope they are praying for this country along with us…. We believe that is one of the reasons we are here — to motivate and awaken people to pray for this nation.”
Mercer, 24, who was also arrested Aug. 3 by Taliban authorities on charges of sharing their faith in Christ, was equally upbeat in her message to the church.
“I’m so glad we know and love the One who carries the whole world in his hands,” Mercer wrote. “I hope that in light of all the world’s changing events … your lives are carrying on with some level of normalcy.
“I have seen more clearly in my time here what an exciting hour this world is in; but equally or more so what a dangerous hour. This helps to keep me sober and thankful.”
Curry may celebrate her birthday belatedly with some reminders of home, if a gift package assembled at the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan makes it to the prison compound where she is being held.
Danny Mulkey, assistant pastor from Antioch, told the Waco Tribune-Herald that family and friends made a gift box filled with party hats, balloons, trick candles and chocolate. The box was put together in hopes it makes it onto the next Red Cross truck allowed into the prison.
“I’m still praying like crazy they’ll get out,” Mulkey told the newspaper. “If they go, [Curry] can take all that crazy stuff with her and celebrate here.”
(Attempts by Baptist Press to reach Mulkey the morning of Nov. 2 for further comment were unsuccessful.)
The two Baylor University graduates were among 24 workers with Shelter Now, a German-based ministry, who are being detained by the ruling Taliban authorities. Only the eight Western workers are presently on trial, while 16 Afghan workers also continue to be detained.
California-based ASSIST news service reported Oct. 31 that the 16 are expected to face trial, but there is no word about their circumstances.
The news agency noted that persons familiar with the situation have said the Afghans could face the death penalty for allegedly aiding Westerners in preaching Christianity in the Muslim nation.
An Oct. 31 news release issued by Antioch — which included excerpts of Curry’s and Mercer’s letters — said news during the past week has been very slow.
Senior pastor Jimmy Seibert said they are waiting to hear from an associate of Pakistani attorney Atif Ali Khan, who is attempting to enter the capital city of Kabul. He said the only recent news is the detainees were seen Oct. 28 and were still doing all right.
An evangelical news agency reported Oct. 31 that the trial of the eight Shelter Now workers is on hold. The agency, Idea, quoted Shelter Now chairman, Joachim Jaeger, as saying, “No progress is being made.”
However, the story also quoted attorney Khan as saying that the eight Christians expressed concern that a stray bomb may hit the detention facility where they are being held. However, Khan also described them as being in good spirits.
The text of the excerpts from Curry’s and Mercer’s letters follows:
Dayna Curry 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.
“Our Father in heaven is up to something great for this nation — and all the prayers are needed to help it come to pass. We are excited to see what He will do. I’m so thankful for you and all the others at home that are laboring for us. I really don’t think we would be doing so well if people weren’t praying. We have seen God’s favor in so many ways. And His presence has been incredible!”
Heather Mercer writes: “I have thought of you often and hope this letter finds you well! I never thought I’d write you from prison, at least not so soon! What a crazy place this world can be! I’m so glad we know and love the One who carries the whole world in his hands. I hope that in light of all the world’s changing events, that your lives are carrying on with some level of normalcy.
“I have seen more clearly in my time here what an exciting hour this world is in; but equally or more so what a dangerous hour. This helps to keep me sober and thankful.
“Right now I’m writing in the middle of the night, under a blanket with a flashlight. The lights across the city are shut down every evening to prepare for the aerial and fireworks show. No light is allowed. Besides it’s often hard to sleep in anticipation of the evening’s events, so writing becomes my great joy.
“I want to thank you with all my heart for every way you’ve stood with me. Really your remembrances are hope for us every day. 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!
“There are times as Paul said to his Corinthian friends that this pressure has been so great we’ve even sensed the sentence of death within ourselves, but even that is so we trust not in man nor in ourselves, but in Him who raises the dead [here the church noted said that Heather was referring to a Scripture passage, 2 Corinthians 1:9 where the apostle Paul is referring to laying down our rights and God working through us. It is not a literal statement, the release said, but spiritual in nature].
“We know He is our only hope and deliverance; therefore we are so grateful to all who call upon Him. Please remember this nation as well. Just like us they need a miracle as well. We believe for a new day a glorious day to dawn for these precious people.
“I really miss our times together and hope they come again very soon!
“Please share this letter with whoever you think would be interested. I couldn’t address it to everyone I wished, so I’ll let you two pass on the greetings where necessary. I love you all so much and hope this is soon over so we can see one another again. Stand firm! Hold on to the hope to which you were called.
“Though at times everything in me screams otherwise, we’ll soon see the purpose and glory in this mad situation. May it be to glorify our friend and to rebuild this desperate nation. My heart is with you!”
–30–
(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at http://www.bpnews.net. Photo title: AFGHAN EIGHT.
