Early in 2025 I was given notice of a ‘code’ on my police file. Those with codes find themselves unable to re-enter the country after a trip, some have received orders to leave the country in ten days. I had not been contacted directly by police or received deportation orders, so I continued to travel in the country to say goodbye to friends as I was already planning to leave. It was a blessing to visit almost all of these friends in different parts of the country until…
…the authorities intervened. On arrival at the airport two plain clothes policemen from the terrorist department were waiting for me at the arrival gate. What followed was a long evening and night of questions and transfers to different departments. One of the policemen was very understanding and
confused as to why I was there. I was not the typical ‘terrorist’ they picked up.
While in their office I still had my phone and called the Canadian embassy, a lawyer, and friends to pray. They tried for many hours to find a way to release me but eventually the police had to surrender me to the uniformed airport police who escorted me out of the airport into a flashing vehicle destined for a large detention centre.
There, I had more conversations with different officers and detention staff, all of whom were surprised to see a Canadian. I was told that because of the seriousness of the code, I would not be released except for deportation. I had already booked a flight to Canada in three weeks’ time. “You will have to stay here until your flight leaves”, they said. I was processed together with a group of Somali women, all our belongings, except some clothes, were taken. We were given a blanket, pillow, and soap, and ushered to the women’s floor to find an empty bunk. I was in a room with five women, a lovely woman from Tajikistan welcomed me and found me a spare mattress from somewhere to place on the empty bunk.
While I was sad to think I would have to spend my last three weeks in the country away from loved ones and not able to pack up my belongings, I had such peace and assumed God had prepared encounters for me with the women held in the centre.
However, the following day, I was called and taken through several locked doors to an upper office where an official simply said, “We’re releasing you. You have legal rights.” I soon found myself outside the gates, reunited with my backpack and calling my very surprised lawyer. I believe it was a miracle. I know that people were praying, I learned that some had felt prompted to pray that night without knowing the reason. I am thankful to have experienced even a small taste of the injustice that many suffer, but sadly without people to pray for them. I remained in the country until my flight left for Canada – and preached a message on gratefulness at church.
by Amy