Prisoners of Hope

by Dayna Curry

  I extend boundless thanks to my mother and her husband—Deborah and Del Oddy. Thank you for taking a risk and coming to support me in Afghanistan. Your presence there, and in Pakistan, meant the world to me. Thank you for doing everything you knew to do to get us released. I know it was not easy. I love you both dearly.

  To my father, John Mercer: I never once doubted you would be the first one on the doorstep of Afghanistan to bring us home. You handled yourself and the situation with grace and courage. Thank you for never giving up. Thank you for always being my greatest fan and supporter. May you and Elaine have many wonderful years together. I love you with all my heart.

  I, Dayna, want to extend a big thank-you to my hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, with special thanks to First Presbyterian Church and Belmont Church in Nashville, and to Christ Fellowship in Franklin, Tennessee. Thank you for your prayers and support.

  I am grateful to my relatives in Louisiana, particularly my aunts Jackie and Claudia, and the community of Denham Springs, for my Blanket Blast birthday party, which encouraged me and helped the Afghan people. And special love to my grandmother, Edna Curry (“MawMaw”), who went to be with the Lord five days after our rescue.

  Particular thanks to the Cassell family for their incredible help increasing awareness of our plight and raising prayer support—especially to Leanne, who volunteered to take innumerable media calls.

  I am utterly grateful to my mother, Nancy, and my stepdad, Jim. Mom, thank you so much for coming to Afghanistan to see me and for waiting for me for three months in Pakistan. I can never repay you for all the love you have shown me. Jim, thanks for allowing Mom to go to Afghanistan and for trusting God to take care of her. I am grateful for all the time you spent making the public aware of our situation. You sacrificed a lot and endured some lonely months. I appreciate you.

  I also want to thank my dad, Tilden, and my stepmom, Sue. Thanks for all you did here at home talking with government officials, giving interviews to the media, taking hundreds of phone calls, and answering letters. Thanks also for all the encouraging notes you sent to me while I was in prison and for your prayers. It meant a great deal to me that you offered to come to Afghanistan on a moment’s notice if you were needed. You all are awesome.

  Thanks to my brothers Clay and Daniel and my stepsister, Evyn. The cards you sent me in prison touched my heart and made me smile. Thanks, too, for praying for me and asking your friends to pray. I love you guys.

  To the numerous other people who supported us in any way—we thank you. Finally, we honor Jesus for his faithfulness in keeping us throughout our imprisonment. No matter how difficult our days became, he never abandoned us. All of his promises are true. Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of partnering with you on earth. We love your presence. Your friendship is steadfast, and your love cannot fail.

  NOTE: Many of the names in this book have been changed to protect the identity of people with whom we had contact.