Parents of both American prisoners - Dayna Curry, 29, and Heather Mercer, 24 - have been in Pakistan for a week hoping to obtain visas.

The two Americans - Heather Mercer, 24, and Dayna Curry, 29 - were caught by the religious police in an Afghan home, itself an offense.

The book highlights several profiles of "modern day Esthers" including Rebecca St. James, Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry.

"My name is Heather Mercer," one statement began.

One of the Americans, 24-year-old Heather Mercer, reached her left arm behind her chair so she could maintain clasped hands with her father.

On a church-sponsored field trip to Austin, Tex., two years ago, Heather Mercer met a homeless teenager who had no shoes.

Heather Mercer (b. 1977) is an American Christian missionary.

Notable in the movement's history is the imprisonment of Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry by the Taliban on August 3, 2001.

August 3 - Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer were arrested at the home of an Afghan family and accused of teaching Christianity.

Their names are Dana Curry and Heather Mercer, and they are said to be in their mid-20's.