There’s nothing like spending an entire day in and out of airplanes, airports, customs, etc. etc. only to be rejected at the final destination. I left home yesterday morning at 4 am to get to YVR for my 6:30 flight. At check in, I had no problems and was sent right through. My connecting flight in Denver – same deal, open door. Houston – same. After 19 hours of travel i finally reached Quito, Ecuador only to be told by their immigration officers that my passport expires about 2 months too early (i have about 4.5 months left and you apparently need to have 6 months and they didn’t care that i was only staying for 9 days and had a flight out booked). Now I had heard about this rule right before I left and had called the Ambassador of Ecuador (in Canada) and my airline to enquire if this was legit. I was told by both that I should have no problem. So once I cleared my first gate I figured I was in. I explained this to multiple guards numerous times (in Spanish and English) with no success, they immediately sent me on a 6 hour flight back to Houston (30 minutes after arriving).
During this time i wish i could say i handled myself gracefully, however, after 3 flights, minimal food consumption, combined with extreme exhaustion and frustration i was a sprinkler – if sprinklers turn red, get all puffy faced and sob uncontrollably in front of hundreds of strangers, HA! not my best moment!
But you know, once i got back on the plane (and yes i was escorted like a criminal) i sat down in my seat, cried some more and then decided that it was time to process and get some comfort from the Big Guy and He did not disappoint, whipping out some of my favourite verses:
“Be joyful always [even when you are deported], pray continually [especially when you are distraught], give thanks in all circumstances [even when you look so awful that even your mom would think twice about acknowledging you in public], for THIS is God’s will for you [Kayla] in Christ Jesus”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“[Kayla], Reflect on what I am saying for the Lord will give you insight into all this”
- 2 Timothy 3:7
“Consider it pure joy, [Kayla], whenever you face trials of many kinds. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything”
– James 1:2-4 (After this one i told God that i would rather be in Ecuador than mature…)
“Blessed is [Kayla] for she perseveres under trial, when [she] has stood the test, [she] will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” – James 1:12
My biggest regret was not dealing with my passport sooner and the pain came from feeling 100% guilty knowing i could have prevented it had i prepared sooner. However, during my 13 hour layover in Houston today (yes, 13! I got in at 5:30am and did not leave until 6:30 pm) I had time to reflect and realized that while i could have checked the requirements sooner and yes i could have just renewed my passport earlier – hindsight is always 20/20. I had investigated the timeline and been informed that i should have had zero problems as i was leaving well before my passport expired. I was misinformed. Now I guess most people would maybe be angry at God “why did this happen” etc. etc. But that maybe crossed my mind for a millisecond, God is able to move mountains and if i was supposed to get in i would have. I no longer see myself as a foolish, incompetent, estupida and do not see this situation as a complete failure – it is a learning experience! I tend to learn things best when i fail/make mistakes. I know that God is for me and will use this experience to better me, it was not a waste of time!
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The reality of being denied at immigration pierced me so profoundly I am compelled to share. On my way back to the plane it occurred to me, this rejection will happen one day to those who pass away without accepting Jesus Christ into their lives!
People are going to go thinking “i was a good person, i did nice things” and expect to be going to Heaven. Then they will get to the gate and will be told “I'm sorry you cannot come in, you don’t have the needed requirements” and they will reply (like i did at immigration):
“well i was told that if i was nice and didn’t murder anyone i would go to heaven”
But that won’t matter! The problem will be:
“Did you believe that Jesus Christ died for you to pay for your sins?”
(does your passport have 6 months on it?)
“Did you accept Him as your Lord and Saviour?”
That’s all you needed to do!!!
It’s so easy, so simple, aaaaah!!!! SO awesome!!! “Dear Jesus, I am a sinner, that is lame but I believe that you died for me and paid the price for all my sins (past, present and future), I think you’re the cats meow, lets be friend forever! Amen”
Its pains my heart; some of you who will read this do not believe in God, that is your prerogative and i do not agree with forcing my beliefs on to you. But please know that i pray for you and am grieved every time i think about the reality that you could get to immigration and be sent away! I love you, and want to party with you forevah and evah!!! (yes i did just break out into song in my head)
Lastly, I do have prayer requests:
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Today i spoke with the airline representative at the airport and she informed me that i should not have been let onto any of the planes (they should have all known better) and therefore she explained that the company had failed me (not just once but 4 times) and advised me to call tomorrow and see what the airline will do for me to amend the situation. So please pray that I get a sweet deal!
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That God will show up big time for me and that the reason for my needing to be here will be revealed
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For blessings to all the people i interacted with yesterday and today, God really blessed me with my plane neighbours i had a lovely woman on my first flight, Dee, she was very positive and energetic (good for a 6:30 am flight). My second flight was a guy who used to fly planes for mission organizations in Africa and the Middle East, my third flight i did not have a chatty neighbour (she just drank haha), thankfully on my flight back to Houston i was alone in the row (if i had had a neighbour they most likely would have drowned in my tears) and then on my last flight I had Rob, who was excellent! He gave me some tips about passport stuff, bought me a little bottle of wine (he said i deserved it after my journey) AND it even turned out we had mutual connections,he is friends with a guy i used to work! There were many others but i didn’t get everyone’s names, the point is while it seems silly to think I spent the past 2 days riding airplanes, i got to meet a lot of people and only God knows the affects of those interactions.
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For those who will read this and decide, “HEY! that Jesus guy is for me!!!” Pray they are able to get connected with a legit life group/church!
Okay I think that’s enough, sorry for the essay but I've had a lot of time to think :) If you made it this far CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You win a hug* the next time i see you!
*disclaimer, you will need to initiate said hug
