lisa ling gets a phone call from laura

If I'm not mistaken, this marks the 17th week that Laura Ling and Euna Lee have been imprisoned in North Korea. The two American journalists were sentenced to twelve years hard labor on charges of illegally entering the country to conduct a smear campaign.

This week, after a long stretch of silence, Lisa Ling received a call from her sister: Sister hears from journalist held in N. Korea.

She said her sister "was very specific about the message that she was communicating, and she said, 'Look, we violated North Korean law and we need our government to help us. We are sorry about everything that has happened, but we need diplomacy.'"

Yes. Hell yes. They need diplomacy. Nothing is going to happen on any level if the United States and North Korea refuse to engage in diplomatic talks. Everyone seems to be saying the same thing, and saying it over and over again, yet no one in a real position to do something is doing anything.

So here's what you can do to help. First, sign the petition for amnesty for Laura and Euna. You can also send a letter to the North Korean government, as well as your own local representative in Congress.

According to this Facebook group, they're also collecting postcards to send to Laura and Euna. For more on what you can do to help and spread the word about their situation, go to this website: Free Laura Ling & Euna Lee. And this Facebook page: Laura and Euna. And continue to pray for their release and safe return.