“I was sitting in a Vancouver prison cell. In less than a month, my two young children had been separated from their mother and now their father. I was about to be deported from Canada and sent to a country I was no longer familiar with. The immigration officer had declared, “You need a miracle, and that miracle isn’t going to happen”. Handcuffed and shackled, it was one of the darkest moments in my life . . . until Gabriel entered my cell.”
Carlos had arrived as a visitor to Kelowna. The plan was to eventually have his wife and two children, Christopher (6), and Fey (10) join him as soon as he had made the proper arrangements for their stay. A church member, Dave Levinski, had helped sponsor Carlos because of a contact made on a mission trip.
Separated from his family for months, Carlos now envisioned his family being reunited with him in their new home in Kelowna. He was unaware that within a few days that dream would turn into a nightmare.
A day in November had been set for Carlos’ sister to bring his two children to Kelowna. On that same day his wife, Yadira, would fly to Vancouver from Mexico. It was a time of great expectation! Once again their family would be together. But what started as a perfect day soon turned into a nightmare. Yadira called from the airport saying that immigration had refused her entry. She was being sent back to Mexico. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing! For months their children had been without their father -now must they be without their mother?
Just a few days later, in Kelowna, Carlos returned a phone call from an immigration officer wanting to talk to him in person. You can imagine Carlos’ chagrin when upon arriving at the immigration office for what was thought to be a routine visit, he is arrested and handcuffed. Apparently, his wife’s attempted entry into Canada had opened a study of his complicated immigration folder. The officer’s conversation with Carlos was terse: “Carlos you will be sent to Mexico.”
“This can’t be happening” Carlos cried, “Please study my papers. There is an explanation. My children have already been taken from their mother. Please don’t take their father from them!”
Carlos was put into a Kelowna prison cell. Given permission to make one phone call to a lawyer, he was unable to make it as he couldn’t afford that option. Sitting in that cell he begged God to help make sense of his situation. “Why, God, are you allowing all of this? Why are you hurting my kids? After being away from them for such a long time, I need to give them security”, he pleaded.
His pastor, Troy McQueen of the Kelowna Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the entire congregation were praying for a miracle. On December 8, 2007 Troy had preached a sermon on the wise men being led by God. He had challenged the congregation to believe that for all who are willing to be led like the Magi, God can perform miracles today.
After two days in prison, Carlos was flown to Vancouver to meet the judge who would determine his fate. Upon reading more of Carlos’ file, the immigration officer informed Carlos that his was one of the saddest situations he had ever seen, but quickly assured him that there was nothing he could do about it. “The only way for you and your family to ever be together in Canada will take a miracle . . . and that ain’t gonna happen”, he said.
Carlos went on to tell me more of the story in these words:
“It was embarrassing to be guided through the Vancouver airport in handcuffs and shackled like a criminal. During that trip to jail, I was chained to 5 other angry men. I told them “I know you want a better lifestyle, but without God in your life it will never happen”. Three of the guys started crying and asked me to pray with them again. Upon arrival at the downtown Vancouver jail, I was placed in a holding cell.
While there I prayed, “Dear God, help me understand your plan. I know you don’t want families to be apart”!
Carlos had no idea what to do next! Just then a stranger entered his cell.
He was in his 30’s and appeared kind and comforting. He began the conversation with these simple words, “Are you Carlos? I am your attorney and my name is Gabriel.” Carlos explained that he could not afford a lawyer but Gabriel responded, “I am not employed by the government or any other organization, but I have been retained for you. What is your request?”
Upon leaving Carlos’ cell, Gabriel promised he would return when it was time to meet the judge. Amazingly, a few minutes later Carlos was in a room with the judge, a district attorney, and Gabriel by his side.
The judge gazed at Gabriel and demanded, “What is the request?” Gabriel answered, “My client wants the opportunity to stay in Canada. He would be an asset to this country.”
Asking no other questions, the Judge looked at Carlos, stamped an official document and declared, “Request granted!” Carlos couldn’t believe his ears! A few minutes later, he had the status to receive work permits, a social insurance number, permission for his children to attend BC schools and the possibility of his wife joining him. He left the courtroom a free man.
Carlos later told me, “I had asked God for cake and He gave me cake with the icing”.
This Christmas story continues. A few days later when he had made arrangements for his wife Yadira to fly back to Canada, Carlos received a surprise phone call from a professional immigration lawyer. The lawyer said, “My name is Shepherd. I would like to offer my services if your wife encounters any challenges getting into the country. I know of your case because a lawyer named Gabriel just called me.”
Just one week later, unchained and unshackled, Carlos is once again standing in the Vancouver BC airport. In a loving embrace, he welcomes Yadira to Canada.
Centuries ago the angel Gabriel changed our world by announcing miraculous Christmas news. Today, Carlos and his family would tell you that a lawyer named Gabriel was used by God to bring another miracle at Christmas.
Like the Magi of old, to those who allow God to lead, miracles still happen!
And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.” Luke 1:19
Article written by Gordon Pifher, President for the Seventh-day Adventist Church British Columbia Conference, and printed in the December 18, 2007 edition of the BCalive newsletter.
