There aren’t many people who can truly relate to Maryam and Marzieh’s reality for the past 200 days. Try as we may to sympathize, most of us don’t have a clue what it’s like to be imprisoned because of something we believe.

Heather Mercer is one of the few who can identify with Maryam and Marzieh from a firsthand experience.

In March 2001, she and her American friend, Dayna Curry, arrived in Afghanistan as aid workers. They both had a passion for helping the citizens of a country stricken by war and poverty.

In August, the Taliban caught Heather and Dayna as they shared their Christian beliefs inside a private home. They were arrested, and under the Taliban’s interpretation of Muslim law, faced possible sentences of death. A joint trial for the women began Sept. 1, but was suspended after the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City.

Heather and Dayna were held captive for more than three months before being freed by anti-Taliban forces.

We invite you to watch as Heather briefly shares with us some ways we can help Maryam and Marzieh.

Heather Mercer – FreeThemm from Free Themm on Vimeo.