Bush Meets With Freed Aid Workers

AP Yahoo ^ | Monday, November 26th, 2001 | SANDRA SOBIERAJ, Associated Press Writer

[2Jedismom]

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush welcomed home two American aid workers held captive for three months by Afghanistan's Taliban, calling the women's experience ``a story of joy, story of hope.''

Bush met privately in the Oval Office with Heather Mercer, 24, and Dayna Curry, 30, who arrived in the United States Sunday. Vice President Dick Cheney was also on hand to welcome the women and their families to the White House.

The two women had only been trying to help people and ``their faith led them to Afghanistan,'' Bush told reporters in the Rose Garden.

Theirs ``is a wonderful story about prayer, about a faith that can sustain people in good times and in bad times,'' Bush said. ``Their faith was a source of hope that kept them from becoming discouraged. I talked to them right after their release, their freedom, and I sensed no bitterness in their voice, no fatigue, just joy. It was an uplifting experience for me to talk to these courageous souls.''

The two women, who worked for a private charity, were arrested Aug. 5 on charges of attempting to convert Muslim Afghans to Christianity. Standing at Bush's side Monday, they credited their release to prayer.

``I'll never be able to thank America and the different Christians around the world who prayed for us,'' said Curry.

``I think if we had a whole lifetime to say thank you we wouldn't do it right,'' said Mercer.

Both women talked of returning to Afghanistan - especially ``now that it's free and there is more openness to work with the women and children there than ever before,'' as Curry put it.

From the White House, the pair went shopping for an agent and new wardrobes before heading to New York City for the evening.

``Some people offered to buy us some clothes for some of our news interviews, which is such a blessing because we lost everything that we had,'' said Curry.

After their release Nov. 15, they described endless hours inside Taliban prisons and weeks without any contact with the outside world. To pass the tedium, they prayed, sang, exercised, washed their clothes, played cards and even killed flies. The boredom was broken by the thunder of the U.S. bombing raids in and around Kabul that began Oct. 7.

Mercer and Curry have been on a spiritual retreat in Germany since their release. A homecoming celebration is planned for Dec. 7-8 at Antioch Community Church near Waco, Texas, where they attended Baylor University.

For discussion purposes only

[oldvike]

I know. I'm sure the author of the article was just dying to show that 2 devout christians would dare to hire a money grubbing agent. I'd probably do the same thing if I were in the girls' shoes. Let the agent handle all the publicity.

[Miss Marple]

Yes. Also the press didn't ask them ONE question...just ignored them. I think it ticked the President off a bit. He despises rudeness...and that reporterette who was so rude about the VP will not be called on again for a while, I think.

[2Jedismom]

Ping!

[ohioWfan]

Praise the Lord!!! I knew this might be shown in its entirety, so I stuck in a tape when I left for work, and just watched the whole thing.

The truth of God's love through Jesus Christ, His Son is being celebrated in the Rose Garden, and broadcast throughout the world!

Our President is truly a man of God, and these two dear sisters in Christ recognize it! May God receive all the glory!!

[Hildy]

I don't want to be a nitpicker but...there were people who were not Christian, like myself, who prayed for them too.

[ohioWfan]

Ping!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Amen!!!

[anniegetyourgun]

But to whom?

[Hildy]

What the Hell does that mean? My prayers don't count because I'm Jewish?

[anniegetyourgun]

It's a question - that's all.

[folly]

What I found interesting was the way he handled the question. quote: Q Mr. President, does the current threat justify the Vice President remaining in an undisclosed location? And even though he's not -- THE PRESIDENT: I just ate breakfast with him. It's no longer undisclosed. (Laughter.) And he looks great. I think my -- was swell, he still looks swell. Why would he mention that Cheney "looks great" and that "he still looks swell." Why wouldn't he look swell? I agree that it wasn't an appropriate time to ask the question, but the question itself wasn't unfounded.

[nancetc]

Geez Annie...the person prayed for those women. What was the gist of a comment like: But to whom? JESUS WAS NOT CHRISTIAN and when we quit acting like a bunch of superior than thou because we are Christian then we will a better representative of Christ.

[demnomo]

...And the sleazebag in Chappaqua.

Here, here!!!

[nancetc]

The problem is with the question: The press is still trying to A) Make it look like Cheney is not involved in the administration ... he's just hanging around basements; B) That there is no reason for the security and reasonable steps to ensure the progression of leadership should something happen to the President; and C) That perhaps the administration is using this situation "national security" to hide the fact that something is terribly wrong with Cheney and that's why he is not being seen.

With a bunch of inane folks in the media there is NO NATIONAL SECURITY.

[Licensed-To-Carry]

BTTT

[Saundra Duffy]

Yes, that was a wonderful moment. For victory & freedom!!!

[whoever]

Thanks for the flag here.

[califordubya]

Thanks for the flag...I listened to the ceremony on the radio today and the President and the girls really honored the Lord....it was a blessing to hear!!!Praise the Lord!!

[anniegetyourgun]

I repeat - it was a question. There are folks who pray to lots of entities around here. Excuse me for not knowing Hildy's faith background.