Rating:  Summary: Self-serving Review: A lot of people sling mud at Christians just because it's an easy and safe thing to do, but I don't see how the actions of these two undercover missionaries live up to their professed faith, whether in Afghanistan or after their return home. The book is a little too self-serving for my taste.
Rating:  Summary: Empty story of Christian hubris. Review: After reading this book, you'll be left scratching your head at the authors' apparent belief that they actually did some good in Afghanistan. Where is the evidence that anyone was helped by their presence? Other than put a lot of people in grave danger, damage the efforts of real aid workers, and generate a lot of media attention and a book deal, Curry & Mercer seem to have done precious little to help anyone other than themselves. Perhaps that's not surprising, because it becomes clear that these two young women were uniquely ill-prepared for their journey. They had no professional medical or logistics training; no experience in humanitarian aid; didn't speak the language; did not appear to possess - or show any interest in developing -- any cultural understanding of Afghanistan. They appear to have spent most of their time wandering the streets looking for people to hear their Christian testimony - a stealth attempt at religious conversion that was a crime under Afghan law. Far from inspiring or courageous, this is an innocents-abroad story about two naïve twenty-somethings who -- in their simple-minded zeal to spread Jesus no matter how many people they endangered -- flew off on an evangelism adventure that inevitably went very wrong. It's a true tale of missionary hubris that should be instructive to other Bible-bangers, but is frequently whitewashed over as a tale of "heroism" by those who define "heroes" as earnest ignoramuses who get themselves, and others, into trouble.
Rating:  Summary: An encouraging book for folks of faith! Review: As a Christian and a journalist (in that order), I looked forward to reading this book so I could discern for myself whether these two women really went to Afghanistan to "preach Christianity," as my more liberal brethren in the media were implying, or if they were seriously trying to offer humanitarian aid. (And let me be clear: as someone who believes Christians are COMMANDED to spread the gospel, I wouldn't have a problem with an evangelical motive; the problem would have been if the gals got to Afghanistan under false pretenses.) So, let's see ... they gave away food to the hungry; they put shoes on the feet of kids who didn't have any; they visited the sick in hospitals; they helped some people go into business for themselves ... call me crazy, but I consider those things humanitarian aid! (I really do not understand these folks who oppose doing good when good is motivated by Christian beliefs. And those separatists who say "believe what you like, just don't act on it" simply do not understand what faith is all about.) I'm not surprised to see a few negative reviews from those who are (apparently) intolerant of Christianity. Wish they'd have said what THEY have done lately to help the poor. (I serve with the local homeless shelter, the only one in town, which is a Christian ministry. The local atheists, Muslims, etc. have not undertaken any ministry to the poor in my community. Yours?) The book's only disappointment for me was that it ended without saying more about Dayna and Heather's future plans. For instance, I'd like to know if their parents would approve of their going back to Afghanistan. All in all, I thought this was a very encouraging book for believers, and it made me determined to have a greater heart for reaching the lost. So thank you, Dayna and Heather, and God bless!
Rating:  Summary: I should of give it 1 star , but ... Review: But I gave it 2 stars . Why ? Because I think that books , written by sereal killers or rapists are worse than this one . Now they making quick bucks on thear own stupidity and criminal behavier , for which they was arrested in Afghanistan . They knew , that they going to break the law ( advertising Christianity is illigal in Afghanistan ) and lied to get in . I call it premeditated criminal . It also shows me level of thear intelligence - no respect to other country culture and laws . By thear actions they put other people in danger and , from my point of view , did opposite job . This book is so boring and badly written , that for the first time in my life , I couldn't finish it and gave up in the middle of it .
Rating:  Summary: good story but.......... Review: but I had a very hard time getting into this one. it just wasnt written in the manner of a story that I am drawn to.I like something that flows, but this one, for me, kept gettin gtripped up in its efforts to share their love for God. I dont knock them for loving Jesus and God(Im catholic myself) I just think that it got in the way of them telling their story. I loved the story when I read the description but after I started it,I found myself feeling as if I were being cornered by over zealous people on the topic of religion. I am very catholic and its very important to me, and while I feel that the girls were just being enthusiastic, I think they went a bit overboard. I guess it just got a little bit unobjective (their manner of presentation)and overzealous, to be appealing.
Rating:  Summary: Worth the wait!!!! Review: Could not put this book down.Well written, informative and inspiring.
Rating:  Summary: An amazing story of faith Review: Dayna and Heather are two incredible women and I was so moved by following their story in the news last year that I eagerly bought and read this book in just a few days (it usually takes me weeks!). I was impressed with the way their different (sometimes really different) personalities came across in the way they told their stories. The book alternates between one of them telling their story and then the other one picks up. But even though they are different, it is beautiful how they share an amazing devotion to their Christian faith. They are quite forthright about being Christians, which I find refreshing since it often seems like some people just want you to keep it to yourself. This was fun to read and I hope they get to go back to Afghanistan some day like they say they do.
Rating:  Summary: A True Accounting Review: First, let me mention that these two young women never claimed to be writers. They have tried, in the best way possible, to relate their experiences in Afghanistan. I was pleased to be at a Women of Faith conference recently where they were the guest speakers. The humor that they were able to see in the different trials that they suffered was amazing. Second, there is always the possibility that the editors removed a majority of Christian references so as not to offend the non-Christians. This book is a well written documentary of their time. I was in awe of their initiative, and the faith that led them to service in Afghanistan. Well done, and if only there were more people like this (and I don't mean preaching the Gospel), but just those to go out and help then the world would be a much better place. This is an example to all that nobody is perfect, but you try and do the best that you can in whatever situation occurs.
Rating:  Summary: A story of compassion Review: Having followed the story of their arrest on the news, I eagerly snatched up this book. Once I got into its pages, I could see that many will be offended by this story. Why? Because they will not understand it. You can understand what drove these women only if you have experienced similar faith and have lived a similar ministry. I can understand where Dayna and Heather are coming from. We get their religious background, how they came to know and love God. We see how they felt drawn to Afghanistan to help the downtrodden. I was touched by their ministry to the poor. So much of it was practical, such as giving clothing and food. But the two also realized how these people, living under so hard a regime, needed hope. So the two walked a fine line, giving hope without actively converting. Maybe some will see Dayna's and Heather's weaknesses, as when they were imprisoned and discouraged. But I saw their strengths, how they never stopped loving, how they continued to minister--giving food, clothing, etc., to fellow prisoners. I saw how they continued to give hope, teaching songs, telling stories,... Even cold, ill, or hungry, they still put others before themselves. And I was touched at the goodness of the Afghani people, their hospitality. Dayna and Heather displayed no bitterness or resentment in their story. We see this story as part of their personal spiritual growth. I feel those who know them are lucky.
Rating:  Summary: A story of compassion Review: Having followed the story of their arrest on the news, I eagerly snatched up this book. Once I got into its pages, I could see that many will be offended by this story. Why? Because they will not understand it. You can understand what drove these women only if you have experienced similar faith and have lived a similar ministry. I can understand where Dayna and Heather are coming from. We get their religious background, how they came to know and love God. We see how they felt drawn to Afghanistan to help the downtrodden. I was touched by their ministry to the poor. So much of it was practical, such as giving clothing and food. But the two also realized how these people, living under so hard a regime, needed hope. So the two walked a fine line, giving hope without actively converting. Maybe some will see Dayna's and Heather's weaknesses, as when they were imprisoned and discouraged. But I saw their strengths, how they never stopped loving, how they continued to minister--giving food, clothing, etc., to fellow prisoners. I saw how they continued to give hope, teaching songs, telling stories,... Even cold, ill, or hungry, they still put others before themselves. And I was touched at the goodness of the Afghani people, their hospitality. Dayna and Heather displayed no bitterness or resentment in their story. We see this story as part of their personal spiritual growth. I feel those who know them are lucky.
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