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Women's Fiction
Prisoners of Hope : The Story of Our Captivity and Freedom in Afghanistan

Prisoners of Hope : The Story of Our Captivity and Freedom in Afghanistan

List Price: $19.95
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Rating: 1 stars
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: 1 stars
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: 2 stars
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: 2 stars
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: 5 stars
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: 4 stars
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: 4 stars
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: 1 stars
Summary: Obnoxious little twits...
Review: Here's the story of two zealots who went into Afghanistan to spread their loopy theories. Their writing is insipid and self-righteous and I have no more sympathy for them than I do for John Walker Lindh.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Thank you Dayna and Heather!
Review: I could not put this book down - what an experience these girls had!! I also can not believe all the negative feedback these girls have received here. ??? Spys for President Bush? Dumb & Dumber? Twits? Give me a break! Either these commenters are jealous, intimidated, or non-christian - some say they are christian but I've learned that all who claim to be are not necessarily walking in the spirit. I know many who claim to be Christian and have never read the bible! Dayna & Heather the bible says that you will be persecuted..... 2 Timothy 3:12, Matt 24:9, John 15:20, Matt 5:10-12... "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven... "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake... "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
You did a lot of good for many women and families - do not let anyone tell you different. You know different. You are not stupid, or naive. I commend you for all you went through to help these people - for doing good and for sharing your faith in Jesus. You picked up your cross and followed the great commission... Matt 28:12-20 Bless you! This book was great and I thank you for taking the time to write it - it is an inspiration to all and encouragement for many. I pray that my own children would follow in your example of faith. Your parents have been truly blessed. The proceeds from this book and your CD will help so many in Afghanistan - so much good has come from your imprisonment and trials.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Mixed feelings
Review: I see the reviews of this book are quite varied, from the obvious non-Christians to the staunch Christian supporters. On one hand, from a Christian perspective, here are two women who gave up their worldly lives to move to Afghanistan. How can most of us comprehand that? I can't, and I have traveled on mission trips all over E. Europe. On top of that, they were imprisoned by a known terrorist group, and became a nationwide story. They most definitely have an amazing story to tell, although I doubt they could ever truly convey their true thoughts and feelings. Given the subject, I think this is a very good read and inspirational. However, there is a down side. This is by no means a literary work of art. It is poorly edited, rushed, and in many places includes just plain uninteresting (relatively speaking) "day in the life" tales of what they ate, etc. It was written in diary form and definitely had a lot of fluff. As much as I hate to say it, and without going into detail, I am also not quite sure that the book accurately reflected the personalities of these two people who sacraficed so much. The bottom line is that what they were doing was Biblical, a great sacrafice, and made the world a better place. This is a great book to read simply because of what they experienced, hence the 4 stars. However, don't expect great writing, or editing.


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