Their families were told to be prepared to pick them up this week and they did just a few hours ago.

After being in prison for over 8 months, their health is suffering so please continue to pray for their quick recovery.

As more details trickle in, we’ll be sure to post them here as quickly as possible.

Praise the Lord!

We received this exciting update from Elam Ministries earlier this morning. The folks there are asking that supporters continue to pray for the full and unconditional release of the women, as well as for their safety and quick recovery from all prison-incurred ailments.

The freethemm team thanks you for all of your support and prayers for Maryam and Marzieh over the past few months. We look forward to sharing more wonderful news with you tomorrow after the women are free. Check back soon!

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/10/jailed-iranians-stand-by-god/

The article is a great recount of their story. We are thrilled to be seeing that they are getting more press and media, we want their story was widely spread as possible.  We had really hoped to hear a significant update on the girls but haven’t yet… Please continue to pray that the judge will acquit all their charges and free them.  We’ll be posting as soon as we hear anything.

Yesterday morning (Oct. 7), the two women were unexpectedly taken to appear before the court. They faced three charges:

1. Anti-state activities

2. Propogation of the Christian faith

3. Apostasy

A new judge presided over their case, and unlike the judges they had seen before, he was sympathetic. He acquitted the women from the first charge of anti-state activities. This rarely happens in such a case. Maryam and Marzieh are relieved, and their lawyer is very pleased.

As a result of the acquittal, their case has been transferred from the revolutionary court to the general court, where their other two charges will be considered.

Additionally, we have just spoken to one of our contacts in DC who confirmed that things were moving in the right direction and that the awareness raised through this site and by others around the world is making a difference.

Please pray specifically that the girls are released next week and that their story can be used as a bridge-builder between Christians and Muslims around the world.

After seven months in captivity, Maryam and Marzieh continue to maintain that they will not deny their faith.

In an interview with the Voice of America Persian News Network, their lawyer said: “My clients are not prepared to lie about their faith under any condition.”

The women continue to struggle with their health. On October 4, Maryam began to suffer from severe food poisoning, and after much insistence, was eventually given medical attention.

The testimony of these two Christians continues to spread across the world. Their unwavering faith has challenged countless believers. Because of Maryam and Marzieh’s example, many Iranian Christians have become even more courageous as they follow Jesus in a hostile environment.

Maryam and Marzieh are aware that Christians all over the world are praying for them. They are encouraged to realize they have not been forgotten, and they have a message for you:

“Thank you for praying for us. We are humbled and strengthened by your prayers and we are determined to remain faithful to Jesus even unto death.”

Source: NPR http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113374403

“Iranian businessman Bijan Khadjedpour was one of the people arrested after Iran’s disputed presidential election. His name came up last week when Steve Inskeep asked President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad why people were put in jail for opposing the results of the election. Ahmadinejad said no one was put into prison for opposing him and he said he would look into the case. The president’s office said the case did get looked into, and Khadjedpour was released on bail Wednesday.”

Please continue to pray for Maryam and Marzieh’s health and quick release. This news gives us hope that the Iranian government is considering the release of their inmates and Maryam and Marzieh could be in the near future.

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.

It’s no secret that many people view the Middle East as a bully to the rest of the world.

Especially post-9/11, fear and a general distrust of Arabs run rampant.

The last thing we want is for the information on freethemm.com to create even more uneasiness toward the Middle East. We simply want to spread the word about Maryam and Marzieh, who happen to be imprisoned in Iran.

Taken straight from the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy’s site, here are a few facts about Iran that we hope our readers will remember.

- There were no Iranians among the attackers on 9/11.

– Iran was the first Islamic country to condemn the 9/11 attacks.

– Iran has never funded or supported Al-Qaeda or the Taliban. In fact, Iran cooperated with the U.S. to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan.

– The Iranian people do not hate the United States. The large majority, especially the younger generation, want a better relationship with the U.S.

While we pray for the release of Maryam and Marzieh, let’s also pray that God will help us better love our Arab neighbors.

Maryam & Marzieh – Not Forgotten from Free Themm on Vimeo.

Craig’s post–a great reminder that Jesus loves the forgotten. And while we haven’t forgotten Maryam and Marzieh, we imagine that there have been days where they have wondered, “Does anyone remember? Does anyone know? Are we alone in here?”

Watch this great video from Craig and read his post on his site here.