Prisoners of Hope

The Story of Our Captivity and Freedom in Afghanistan

by Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer with Stacy Mattingly

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I was genuinely surprised and impressed by this book! I admit I had been ignoring it because it was receiving so much press and hype and my stubborn side was preventing me from picking up something that was already getting so much press. I'm a bit odd that way - I don't want to read what everyone else is reading just because everyone else is reading it! However, somehow this book landed in my house and after putting it aside in the ever growing pile of books to read, I decided to pick it up. And I am glad I did!

This book touched me on so many levels! Either of the women could have been me (not that I am inclined to hop a plane and become a missionary in Afghanistan!) because they are real, human, normal, young women. I could identify with them.

They had personal struggles with their faith while in such a trying situation (in confinement with the barest of necessities provided to just survive and bring little comfort.) which is something we all go through from time to time (not the confinement in a foreign country, but questioning God's plan in our lives during a particularly challenging time.)

The women were real about their shortness of patience and frustrations with one another. This book did not communicate that everything was "nicey nicey" between the women. They had some real problems with one another from time to time, but they did manage to resolve them. (Let's face it, two or more women confined to a small space with the barest of necessities would evoke a range of hostile emotions after a short amount of time!)

I really thought the passages where the women (particularly Dayna I think) had to get away to pray, sing and praise God by themselves was beautiful. How I long for that to be my response when in such a hopeless situation!

One of the most vivid images that remains in my mind is the description of Heather having to sleep under the bed or table because she was so afraid of the bombs dropping around the city and was afraid one would hit their prison. What a human response. I totally get that.

This is an amazing story of courage, personal strength and weakness, and faith in God presented in an achingly real and genuine way. I really, really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone! The women are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for being real, genuine and open about your experiences. You have shown us it is okay to be honest about our fears and questions about God's plan. He isn't surprised and neither should we be.