Mercer And Curry To Speak In Chapel Nov. 20

November 13, 2002

by Nicole L. Anderson, Student Newswriter

Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, both Baylor University alumni, will share the powerful story of their imprisonment last year in Afghanistan during Chapel at 10 and 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in Waco Hall.
Mercer and Curry found themselves the subject of international attention last year when their group of Shelter Now International relief workers was imprisoned for breaking Muslim law by preaching Christianity. In the midst of their trial under the Taliban, the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon suspended the proceedings. After two months of imprisonment, Mercer and Curry were rescued by U.S. Special Forces on Nov. 14, 2001.
Mercer and Curry have traveled nationwide sharing their story. The women co-authored a book, Prisoners of Hope, in which they tell of their passion for the poor, which took them to Afghanistan; their arrest, trial and imprisonment by the Taliban; and their rescue.
Curry, 30, who grew up in Nashville, Tenn., received her degree in social work in 1993. Before joining Shelter Now in Afghanistan, she had served on humanitarian mission trips to countries including Uzbekistan and Guatemala.
Mercer, 25, originally from Vienna, Va., earned her degree in German in 1999. Mercer also has participated in humanitarian mission trips to Central America, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Chapel can be viewed live at www.baylor.edu/um .
For more information, contact the office of university ministries at 710-3517.