Hey

You may remember me posting about this before ... http://www.downsyn.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=37763
Well, things are looking really bad. They have had their final refusal letter from the home office. And will be deported tomorrow.

We have done all we can to help them, and the situation seems hopeless. The only thing that will change things is if our MP intervenes. Some friends are there now with him hoping he can make a difference. Fortunately he is incredibly supportive - but no good if his government won't listen.

I am gutted. The family have been staying with me the past few days. Our children have been playing and crying together all day. It hardly seems real that these special special people could be gone tomorrow. I love the children like my own.

Brian has been asking for months if Andy and I will be his godparents as he has none. So today we had a 'ceremony' in our home where we became his 'godparents' and promised to look after him and love him and pray for him. So hard, but he needed that reassurance that we will still be here even if he's deported.

Anyway, please pray for a miracle and that they won't go tomorrow. It's breaking all of our hearts.

To complicate things, Andy, our kids and I are due to fly out to Romania early tomorrow morning to go and work with orphans with disabilities out there. We've been planning for it for months but with all that is going on with our friends, it's the last thing I want to do now. We will go, and will give all the love we can to those children. They need it, and the poverty out there is immense, but I can't focus on that with all this going on with my friends.

Anyway, please pray for all of this. I'm tired. I really, really appreciate it.

**************** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE ****************

Thought I'd best come here and update.

First thing to say is that the family didn't go home. 'Fortunately' Selina contracted Swine Flu on the Thursday before they were due to go. So she wouldn't have been able to travel. We also 'found' an expert on all things to do with Ghana based in a university in California, and he was willing to write a report contradicting the Home Office's statements - for a price. Together with other people, we were able to find the money to pay him. It was a really good report. So her solicitor handed this document, along with other 'evidence' to the Home Office last week.

The family are still not safe. They are too scared to go home, so they are living part-time with us and part-time elsewhere. Her neighbour and friend, who has a spare key to her house, has told her there have been 2 dawn raids on her home by the Immigration Police, but as they have not been there, they have been spared being taken to the Deportation Centre.

We have talked through all possible outcomes. Mum still has to sign on every fortnight to Immigration. Last week on Friday, we prepared for the worst, and expected her to be taken away there and then when she signed on. We had to prepare the kids that their mum might not be coming back. Selina and I discussed the options. She wanted us to keep the kids to spare them the distress of having to go the Detention Centre, as it so traumatised them last time. Needless to say, Friday was harrowing. But due to some administration error (it appears) she went there and came out 10 minutes later!!! THANK YOU GOD!

Everyone is bearing up. It's hard on all of us. Rachael loves her friends dearly but is finding being with them all the time pretty taxing. It's hard having 2 families living in one house but we are trying to make things as 'normal' as possible for the kids. We bought them their new school shoes yesterday, and pray that they will be able to use them. It's the little girl's first day at school, along with my Hannah's on the 3rd and they are both so excited.

I am shattered. It's not helped that I am signed off work sick due to being bullied at work, by my vicar/line manager, for the past 9mths. It's severely shaken my faith and am finding it hard to trust at the moment. I have a grievance pending against my employers and I have been waiting for a date for the hearing for months, and I found out on Sunday night when it is. TONIGHT. It won't be nice, and ultimately I know justice won't be done. Ultimately I will lose my job which I've done for 15yrs, and he will keep his which he's been doing for 1yr as he is the church leader. I will have to find another. My passion has always been for working with disadvantaged kids in my area, but I can no longer do my job. I dont' know what else to do and my confidence is pretty shattered, so it's hard.

But we are all holding up. My issues are small compared to that of my friends! We just pray things work out for them, and the Home Office listen, and they can stay here, safe, where they belong. No matter what the stress and emotional roller-coaster ride we are all on, they are worth it.

Please keep praying. Thanks

I forgot to say there is one good thing in all this ... Immigration came and did a dawn raid at their house on Tuesday morning. But Praise God, they weren't there. They were staying at a friend's house that night. So they couldn't be picked up and put into detention. So at least the family has been spared the trauma of that. And they have been able to stay in the safety of our home with us.

Anyway, thought I should tell you that too

_________________
Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael Kinza (25/07/01), Matthew Isaac - DS & Autism - (14/06/03) and Hannah Cerys (14/06/05) - my gorgeous kids!

Many prayers...I am SO sorry to hear this. Please please keep us updated if you can...hopefully a miracle will happen.

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Lisa - Mommy to Elayna 10-1-02 and Daniel (Ds) 6-7-05
Always have hope....Without rain, there can be no rainbows.

Wow, what a thing to be going through - especially when you guys are supposed to be leaving tomorrow. Praying for strength and acceptance for everyone involved, and hoping for a miracle also!!

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Jenita
Mommy to Blake (Nov 14, 2008)

They always deport the people willing to give something back to the community!! Why is it that the people that comes in and sits on their ass and claims every benefit that gets to stay? Its not fair!! I feel for the poor children that will suffer. Hopefully your MP can help!!

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Karen- Mum to the world's cutest baby!! Ben

I'm sorry to hear this Helen. I'll be praying for a miracle.
Mary Beth

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Mom to Rick 30, Stephanie (27), Elizabeth (25), Robby(22), Samuel (12 DS, TOF), Shane ( 11), Katarina (7 DS, AV Canal Defect)

I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are out.

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~Christine~
Mom of 6
Brandon ADD/ADHD 17, Chelsea 14, Connor 12, Logan 6, Cody 4 & Austin 1 ( DS & Hirschsprungs pull through 12/8/08 )
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/austinpaquin

I have tears thinking about this. I am praying Helen!!!

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www.1familytogether.blogspot.com

It is a terrible thing that they are being deported. Is there any way they can leave their country again quickly and try another place to move to? Or is it possible for them to apply to come again to your country? I will pray for them. I can't imagine how hard this is for them and for you.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Helen due to holidays and school issues ( having to go to tribunal but thats another story ) i haven't been on here for 2mths

whats the latest, I saw on facebook group an update but it wasnt as detailed as this, we have got our church praying for them

Also there is a job as a youth worker going at our church, seriously I think you'd be great at it, please consider applying for it

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Please visit Hannah's webpage read all about her journey
Hannah's Video

They are still here! We found an expert from US who wrote a report countering all the Home Office's claims that they would be safe if returned. However, whether they will be granted leave to remain is another issue. Home Office seems to really clamping down at the moment.

Another of my close friends, Carol, who has 3 young boys (including one who my Hannah intends to marry!) is at risk of being returned to Congo very very soon, even though it's blatantly obvious, from her story and her evidence, that she is at risk of death if she is returned.

Anyway, Selina and the kids are safe, at the moment. In fact, the whole family is now permanently living with us since the summer and will be for however long they need to. They do not feel/are not safe at home. 3 dawn raids and one time in detention means the children are traumatised, as is mum, ane we want to spare them from that happening again. It's a tight squeeze and strange adjusting to having 3 extra people in the home, but it's worth it if they are safe. Life goes on and we just keep praying that they stay safe.

On a very positive note, though. As a result of all this, along with my horrible work situation and being off sick, I came up with an idea. I took it to our local partnership forum, the City Council, the refugee/asylum seeker groups here, and lots of others organisations, and they are all really enthusiastic and keen to get it up and running. Selina has come on board since, along with other friends who are asylum seekers, or have been through the process or are parents/community members who see a need in our area.

We intend to start a project offering play opportunities and support for all children who are affected by the asylum process - ie children like Selina's and Carol's, children like my own and all children who live in our area (all of whom will have children seeking asylum in their classes.) We have been offered workers, volunteers, 3 different venues, training, support and loads of play equipment all for free! We are holding an open meeting for parents, community members and professionals on Monday and from that, hope to get funding and have this project up and running very soon. Very exciting!

And so nice that my work situation and grievance, etc, and the almost deportation of a very dear family - which have been horrible situations for me - have now become opportunities for good. I am getting my strength and passion back, and trusting God that things will work out, and other people can be blessed as a result.

So keep praying. Selina is not safe. Carol is not safe. Lots of families are suffering. But pray that we can make a difference. Thanks xx

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael Kinza (25/07/01), Matthew Isaac - DS & Autism - (14/06/03) and Hannah Cerys (14/06/05) - my gorgeous kids!

I am very happy to hear that they are still with you. I will continue to pray for them.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Good News!!! Thanks for the update. Stay Strong.
Mary Beth

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Mom to Rick 30, Stephanie (27), Elizabeth (25), Robby(22), Samuel (12 DS, TOF), Shane ( 11), Katarina (7 DS, AV Canal Defect)

Helen

When reading your first post in this thread I was telling myself to write and
say I had a strong feel that only good would come from both these interconnected situations.....you loosing your job and your friend loosing her home!
And then I read on down and see your most recent post!

Truly amzing Helen! All things happen for a reason in life!
I am glad that reason has been revealed to you!

Keep up the good work my friend!

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Linda & John
mom to Hannah Kate (Age 12 ), Robert (Aged 6 - DS)


First day at school

Your problems are not small. I am still praying for you. At this point in my life I have no idea why things happen and God works in the strangest ways, but I know he works. You do to Helen. It sure would be nice if he would tell us how, huh! I will pray for peace, comfort, and God's will. ~HUGS my friend~

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www.1familytogether.blogspot.com