PRAYER ALERT: CANADIAN CPTER REFUSED ENTRY TO U.S.

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CPTNet

December 31, 2001

PRAYER ALERT: CANADIAN CPTER REFUSED ENTRY TO U.S.

On Thursday, December 27, Stewart Vriesinga, a Canadian Quaker from

Lucknow, Ontario, was refused entry into the U.S. while traveling by

car to Chicago for CPT’s Peacemaker Corps training. Immigration authorities

searched his belongings and confiscated his e-mail address book, then told

him not to come back for six months until he could prove “permanent

residency and employment.”

Vriesinga had been caring for his mother full-time for the past six

years until her death last spring. He applied to join CPT as a full-time

Corps member for a three-year term. Vriesinga recently sold his mother’s

house and moved to a farm where friends offered him free housing during his

time with CPT.

CPT immediately faxed Vriesinga a letter of invitation explaining the

organization, assuring full financial support during his stay in the

U.S. and verifying that his full-time ministry will be supervised through

the CPT Canada office.

Vriesinga returned to the border with the letter and was once again

detained. This time he was interrogated for 5 hours and given a 5-year

ban from entering the U.S. CPT is working with Vriesinga to prepare

documentation requesting a reversal of that ban.

At this time CPT asks for your undergirding through prayer as we

discern further action.

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Septermber Supper Fundraiser

Will you host a dinner party for CPT?

CPT really needs your support in raising $10k in September. Unfortunately, we are behind our financial targets and need your help. We want to dedicate the month of September to bringing people together around the dinner table. You can choose the date, who you invite and what you cook (though our teams have some great recipes prepared!) We’d love to hear if you’d be interested. 

There’s no commitment needed at this stage.

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