Okay y'all
Its time. I've been in procrastination land long enough
I'm about to give you a glimpse into the events that have now forever marked my life...
DEPORTATION
from New Zealand, Land of the Long White Cloud
I joked around at home about how legit it would sound to be deported from another country...
its not as romantic as its cracked up to be!
Ok, maybe it would be if I had a significant other with me...but being alone make its more traumatizing than anything! HA
I dont really want to bore you with all the itty bitty travel details. The good stuff, that you will most likely find entertaining, is in the aftermath of the final word from the Immigration Officer.
The events in order:
1.5 hr flight Charlotte to San Fran
2. 6 hr layover, dinner in San Fran with Nate.
3. 13 hr flight from San Fran to Sydney.
4. 5 hour layover in Sydney
5. 5hour flight Sydney to Christchurch.
6. 4 hour interview which led to INTERROGATION in the Christchurch airport.
7. Final Decision: Entry Not Allowed into Country.
8. Immediately handed over to POLICE CUSTODY.
9. Flight to San Fran, the next day, out of the country.
Well! Im going to break down Event #8 for you...its loaded.
How shall I keep this short? I dont know.
It was hour 36 since I'd showered, changed clothes, or layed down horizontally to sleep.
The immigration officers were very cordial, and thorough and tried to help me out, but evidence was stacked against me that I had not taken the professional advice of an immigration officer in the states and decided to enter the country anyway, to the demise of my trip.
Like I said, the final decision was made and I got a piece of paper handed to me which I did not read because, quite frankly, i was shaking, in shock, giant tears spilling out of my eyes, and my lower lip quivering uncontrollably, to my dismay.
Here is what the paper read:
"To the Officer in Charge
Airport Police Station
Christchurch International Airport
The above named person has been refused entry permission to enter New Zealand having arrived on ____flight at ___time and ____ date. As a result this person is liable for turn around and is liable to be arrested and detained: refer sections 115 and 309 (a) of the Immigration Act 2009.
I now require you to arrest and detain this person in custody under section 313 of the Immigration Act 2009 in order tob place him or her on the first available craft leaving New Zealand.
Pursuant to section 327(2) of the Immigration Act 2009, you are required to inform RUBY HODGES:
-At the time of the arrest, of the reason for the arrest, and that the arrest does not relate to a criminal matter, unless it is in all the circumstances impracticable to do so;
-that he or she may contact a lawyer....
-of the maximum duration of the detention (96 hours).
If you are not in uniform, you must produce your badge or other evidence of being a constable.
Arrangements are being made to remove this person from New Zealand on the first available flight." Etc ETc ETC
OH MY HEAVENS.
So basically, what was happening inside my head at that point was absolute distress. Why? Well, yes, I didn't read the paper, but at that same moment two GIANT police officers both over 6 feet tall, over 200lbs and as thick as a truck, came charging in the room. They are accustomed to have to deport people daily, but most of them are on criminal charges. Thus they stride into the room with all their rightful commanding authority and I was stunned! The seriousness of the matter off loaded on me at that moment and I just couldn't handle it anymore.
The kind immigration officer made me sit down and got me water, told the policemen to go on dinner break, and then went to go find my YWAM friends and leaders who were waiting to pick me up and take me back to base.
Oofta. That was a rough few minuets for me!
Basically what happened after that was the policemen, realizing I was a very polite young woman, who has made some paperwork mistakes, were very kind, humorous and gracious with me.
They allowed my friends to be with me for about 30 minuets while I changed clothes and took off all my jewelry and gave them all my possessions to hold in the office until the next morning when I was to fly out.
Then, after being encouraged by my lovely friends, I walked in between two giant police officers, placed in their car, and transported to the Police Station holding cell for the night.
On the ride over there Buzz, the biggest of the policemen was so amiable, and he was a great comical conversationalist. He asked me about traveling to India, and poignant questions about how safe I felt there. He asked me what I wanted to do with my life, if I wanted to keep working in missions for a while and I told him of my dream to own a hostel/bed and breakfast. He flat out told me, Oh, you dont need to go back to school and get a business degree, You're great with people! Just go for it!"
That little comment struck a chord. Thank you random police officer for speaking a profound statement into my future! Wow, those Kiwi policemen are so well rounded, deep fellows.:)
Anyway, this was when the walk of humility descended on the scene...
I was escorted to a temporary holding cell while the officers went in and briefed the station officers on duty of my...case. This cell was totally inescapable and yet very much like a fish bowl. I had no idea where to look because 8 police officers were eyeing me on one side, and there was a garage on the other side, and on the inside i was having frightful visions of crazy criminals being locked up with me and scaring the wits out of me! Now i realize and I should have just practiced my hand stands or done some cartwheels, just to lighten the mood!
(later on in the overnight cell I did realize just how jacked I would get if i was kept there for a long time, because there is NOTHING to do to entertain yourself...except workout! so i did a little workout...some pushups and squats. I felt hardcore inmate style... ok not really)
AHHH
Anyway, they come get me out, make me take off my shoes and sign some paperwork. There was one lady officer adn 5 station officers looking me up and down...they are ALL jacked. I was intimidated. But the next thing i know the young guy in charge was bringing me 3 blankets...they were more like canvas sheets...and offering his left over pizza to me. That was a very nice gesture.
Well...they locked me up.I was so jet lagged that I layed down on the plastic mat, with a plastic pillow and covered up with 3 blankets because it was about 40 degrees outside and I was quite cold...I rolled over so as not to take in the fact that my windows had shades that I couldnt control and the officers could look in at any time, and that there was the toilet, 3 feet away from me with a malfunctioning water fountain on top which was so spaztic i couldnt get it to stop spewing for about 60 seconds and there was a puddle on the floor. HA!
Oh, and if this doesnt sound crazy enough...i was OF COURSE on my period and every single officer knew it! They had to itemize every thing I wanted to bring into my holding cell for the night. They were kind and let me take a pair of fuzzy warm socks, and my Bible, but other than that they recorded my pads and tampons and I just shook my head like "Lord have mercy! GET ME CHOCOLATE!!!" hahaha
Anyway - I slept through the night fine. I woke up and immediately started crying. I had no idea how to get home and didnt realize that I was not going to have to pay for the flight back to the states. I had not a lot of extra money and I felt it a sure sign that i wasnt meant to come back and staff after all.
Thats when I was trying to read in Philippians and be encouraged...it was amazing:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I made a supplication to God at that moment - Please let all my flight expenses be free...or very cheap, if I'm meant to get back here.
Ha HA! They were all paid for my immigration, and my YWAM friends in California who helped me get from San Fran to LA, and now a very generous man of God on staff in New Zealand is paying for my return ticket once my visa comes back!!! GOD IS LOVING
Well...there is a lot more to this story..but I will finish with how humbled I had to become to handle being escorted around the airport by giant police men...and one had to fly me from Christchurch to Auckland and thank goodness he changed into civilian clothing so people wouldn't freak out when they saw me! He was rather cute...
Then the Auckland airport police were very kind and comical as well! I think I was a needed break to there usual scumbag routine. Haha, one guy talked to me about his wife's shoe collection! Then one asked me about my religion gave me 3 magazines to look at and 2 juice boxes! :) And finally they needed my holding cell for some real criminals who were caught in the airport and so the Sargent over the airport has me sit in his office and his secretary fixed me a delicious homemade scone and they teased me that they'd put me to work for them! It felt a little bit like a dream!
But not a dream come true..more like a, this is the most ridiculous situation, no one would ever make this up in real life, what the heck is happening, kind of a dream!:)
Anyway, The Lord pressed on my heart that I was being a great witness for him because as it says in Philippians:
Let your reasonableness me known to everyone.
I believe that is why I was shown such a favor and gentleness. Thank you Jesus for the spirit you placed in me and for the transforming power it has to work through me to influence any situation I am in!
Hallelujah!
That will do for now folks. I got back to California, like i mentioned, with no extra cost to myself and I immediately re-applied for the Religious Workers Visa. Please be praying that it will arrive in the mail TODAY! :)
Its time. I've been in procrastination land long enough
I'm about to give you a glimpse into the events that have now forever marked my life...
DEPORTATION
from New Zealand, Land of the Long White Cloud
I joked around at home about how legit it would sound to be deported from another country...
its not as romantic as its cracked up to be!
Ok, maybe it would be if I had a significant other with me...but being alone make its more traumatizing than anything! HA
I dont really want to bore you with all the itty bitty travel details. The good stuff, that you will most likely find entertaining, is in the aftermath of the final word from the Immigration Officer.
The events in order:
1.5 hr flight Charlotte to San Fran
2. 6 hr layover, dinner in San Fran with Nate.
3. 13 hr flight from San Fran to Sydney.
4. 5 hour layover in Sydney
5. 5hour flight Sydney to Christchurch.
6. 4 hour interview which led to INTERROGATION in the Christchurch airport.
7. Final Decision: Entry Not Allowed into Country.
8. Immediately handed over to POLICE CUSTODY.
9. Flight to San Fran, the next day, out of the country.
Well! Im going to break down Event #8 for you...its loaded.
How shall I keep this short? I dont know.
It was hour 36 since I'd showered, changed clothes, or layed down horizontally to sleep.
The immigration officers were very cordial, and thorough and tried to help me out, but evidence was stacked against me that I had not taken the professional advice of an immigration officer in the states and decided to enter the country anyway, to the demise of my trip.
Like I said, the final decision was made and I got a piece of paper handed to me which I did not read because, quite frankly, i was shaking, in shock, giant tears spilling out of my eyes, and my lower lip quivering uncontrollably, to my dismay.
Here is what the paper read:
"To the Officer in Charge
Airport Police Station
Christchurch International Airport
The above named person has been refused entry permission to enter New Zealand having arrived on ____flight at ___time and ____ date. As a result this person is liable for turn around and is liable to be arrested and detained: refer sections 115 and 309 (a) of the Immigration Act 2009.
I now require you to arrest and detain this person in custody under section 313 of the Immigration Act 2009 in order tob place him or her on the first available craft leaving New Zealand.
Pursuant to section 327(2) of the Immigration Act 2009, you are required to inform RUBY HODGES:
-At the time of the arrest, of the reason for the arrest, and that the arrest does not relate to a criminal matter, unless it is in all the circumstances impracticable to do so;
-that he or she may contact a lawyer....
-of the maximum duration of the detention (96 hours).
If you are not in uniform, you must produce your badge or other evidence of being a constable.
Arrangements are being made to remove this person from New Zealand on the first available flight." Etc ETc ETC
OH MY HEAVENS.
So basically, what was happening inside my head at that point was absolute distress. Why? Well, yes, I didn't read the paper, but at that same moment two GIANT police officers both over 6 feet tall, over 200lbs and as thick as a truck, came charging in the room. They are accustomed to have to deport people daily, but most of them are on criminal charges. Thus they stride into the room with all their rightful commanding authority and I was stunned! The seriousness of the matter off loaded on me at that moment and I just couldn't handle it anymore.
The kind immigration officer made me sit down and got me water, told the policemen to go on dinner break, and then went to go find my YWAM friends and leaders who were waiting to pick me up and take me back to base.
Oofta. That was a rough few minuets for me!
Basically what happened after that was the policemen, realizing I was a very polite young woman, who has made some paperwork mistakes, were very kind, humorous and gracious with me.
They allowed my friends to be with me for about 30 minuets while I changed clothes and took off all my jewelry and gave them all my possessions to hold in the office until the next morning when I was to fly out.
Then, after being encouraged by my lovely friends, I walked in between two giant police officers, placed in their car, and transported to the Police Station holding cell for the night.
On the ride over there Buzz, the biggest of the policemen was so amiable, and he was a great comical conversationalist. He asked me about traveling to India, and poignant questions about how safe I felt there. He asked me what I wanted to do with my life, if I wanted to keep working in missions for a while and I told him of my dream to own a hostel/bed and breakfast. He flat out told me, Oh, you dont need to go back to school and get a business degree, You're great with people! Just go for it!"
That little comment struck a chord. Thank you random police officer for speaking a profound statement into my future! Wow, those Kiwi policemen are so well rounded, deep fellows.:)
Anyway, this was when the walk of humility descended on the scene...
I was escorted to a temporary holding cell while the officers went in and briefed the station officers on duty of my...case. This cell was totally inescapable and yet very much like a fish bowl. I had no idea where to look because 8 police officers were eyeing me on one side, and there was a garage on the other side, and on the inside i was having frightful visions of crazy criminals being locked up with me and scaring the wits out of me! Now i realize and I should have just practiced my hand stands or done some cartwheels, just to lighten the mood!
(later on in the overnight cell I did realize just how jacked I would get if i was kept there for a long time, because there is NOTHING to do to entertain yourself...except workout! so i did a little workout...some pushups and squats. I felt hardcore inmate style... ok not really)
AHHH
Anyway, they come get me out, make me take off my shoes and sign some paperwork. There was one lady officer adn 5 station officers looking me up and down...they are ALL jacked. I was intimidated. But the next thing i know the young guy in charge was bringing me 3 blankets...they were more like canvas sheets...and offering his left over pizza to me. That was a very nice gesture.
Well...they locked me up.I was so jet lagged that I layed down on the plastic mat, with a plastic pillow and covered up with 3 blankets because it was about 40 degrees outside and I was quite cold...I rolled over so as not to take in the fact that my windows had shades that I couldnt control and the officers could look in at any time, and that there was the toilet, 3 feet away from me with a malfunctioning water fountain on top which was so spaztic i couldnt get it to stop spewing for about 60 seconds and there was a puddle on the floor. HA!
Oh, and if this doesnt sound crazy enough...i was OF COURSE on my period and every single officer knew it! They had to itemize every thing I wanted to bring into my holding cell for the night. They were kind and let me take a pair of fuzzy warm socks, and my Bible, but other than that they recorded my pads and tampons and I just shook my head like "Lord have mercy! GET ME CHOCOLATE!!!" hahaha
Anyway - I slept through the night fine. I woke up and immediately started crying. I had no idea how to get home and didnt realize that I was not going to have to pay for the flight back to the states. I had not a lot of extra money and I felt it a sure sign that i wasnt meant to come back and staff after all.
Thats when I was trying to read in Philippians and be encouraged...it was amazing:
Philippians 4:4-7
English Standard Version (ESV)
I made a supplication to God at that moment - Please let all my flight expenses be free...or very cheap, if I'm meant to get back here.
Ha HA! They were all paid for my immigration, and my YWAM friends in California who helped me get from San Fran to LA, and now a very generous man of God on staff in New Zealand is paying for my return ticket once my visa comes back!!! GOD IS LOVING
Well...there is a lot more to this story..but I will finish with how humbled I had to become to handle being escorted around the airport by giant police men...and one had to fly me from Christchurch to Auckland and thank goodness he changed into civilian clothing so people wouldn't freak out when they saw me! He was rather cute...
Then the Auckland airport police were very kind and comical as well! I think I was a needed break to there usual scumbag routine. Haha, one guy talked to me about his wife's shoe collection! Then one asked me about my religion gave me 3 magazines to look at and 2 juice boxes! :) And finally they needed my holding cell for some real criminals who were caught in the airport and so the Sargent over the airport has me sit in his office and his secretary fixed me a delicious homemade scone and they teased me that they'd put me to work for them! It felt a little bit like a dream!
But not a dream come true..more like a, this is the most ridiculous situation, no one would ever make this up in real life, what the heck is happening, kind of a dream!:)
Anyway, The Lord pressed on my heart that I was being a great witness for him because as it says in Philippians:
Let your reasonableness me known to everyone.
I believe that is why I was shown such a favor and gentleness. Thank you Jesus for the spirit you placed in me and for the transforming power it has to work through me to influence any situation I am in!
Hallelujah!
That will do for now folks. I got back to California, like i mentioned, with no extra cost to myself and I immediately re-applied for the Religious Workers Visa. Please be praying that it will arrive in the mail TODAY! :)
