Western Aid Workers Freed

CBS News ^ | Nov. 14, 2001 | David Martin

[JohnHuang2]

Afghan Aid Worker Detainees Free -U.S. Officials

By Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eight Western aid workers held by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been released, U.S. officials said on Wednesday.

"They are in safe hands and they're on their way to Pakistan," one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A second U.S. official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the two Americans, Australians and four Germans had been lifted out by a U.S. military helicopter. No further details of the circumstances of their release were immediately available.

At a Waco, Texas, church where the two Americans among the group, Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry, were members, people greeted the news of with delight.

"We're very excited. There's been lots of hooting and hollering around here since we heard the news," said church employee Sara Selke.

Mercer and Curry were members of the evangelical, non-denominational Antioch Community Church when they attended nearby Baylor University.

The 1,000-member church has kept up a 24-hour prayer vigil for the women for weeks.

Source

[JohnHuang2]

and wondering aloud...foolishly....if Hollywood will make a movie of this.

I had similar thoughts, but I, too, doubt tinsel town would ever dare make such a ANTI-PC work of Cinema like that.

[JohnHuang2]

Bump!

[kayak]

Praise the Lord! This is wonderful! I can't imagine the joy and relief they and their families must be feeling!

[anniegetyourgun]

Herein is a healthy dose of faith-strengthening, eh? For us, for them, for the families, for the churches, for every single individual who prayed for these by name.

[EternalVigilance]

Herein is a healthy dose of faith-strengthening, eh? For us, for them, for the families, for the churches, for every single individual who prayed for these by name.

Amen.

[BoneHead]

Hallelujah!

Our church too has been praying regularly for these people. From the red zones in California!

[Hugh Akston]

How did we ever get them out without Jesse Jackson's help?

[Hugh Akston]

This is absolutely fantastic news.

Many prayers were answered here.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"How did we ever get them out without Jesse Jackson's help?"

We probably threatend to really send him if they weren't freed. LOL

[EternalVigilance]

Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!

;-)

[Redcloak]

This is good news. When I heard that the retreating Toweliban took them away from Kabul, I was worried that they might get killed accidentally by American fighters prowling the road to Kandahar. It's good to know that they're safe.

[ST.LOUIE1]

G-R-E-A-T -- N-E-W-S PING!BUMP!

I was really concerned about this group. They're very fortunate.

Thanks, *pancake* thief. : )

[Snow Bunny]

OH wow this is so wonderful, GREAT NEWS is right JH2 .

Yipppeeeee !!!!!!!

[GretchenEE]

Thank you for the flag! Such good news!!!!!

[demnomo]

Fantastic news. I just saw this story on another newsgroup. One poster had written "Praise God! Now, let's bomb the he!! out of them!" Hmmm. I guess that would be something like the old 1940's tune, "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." Only in America, kids, only in America...

[afraidfortherepublic]

When the Taliban pulled out, the opposition forces were able to rescue them.

U.S. Officials have already talked to them by phone and they are said to be in good condition. They will go first to a Pakistani military base and from there to Islamabad where their families are waiting.

Excellent news. God is good.

[afraidfortherepublic]

How did we ever get them out without Jesse Jackson's help?

ROTFLOL

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wonderful! Praise the Lord, and pass the ammo!!!

Thank you for letting me know.