Ola Support Team

The Ola Support Team would like to express our sincere appreciation to the many generous and caring people (both inside and outside of our parish) who have been helping and praying for Ola and her family.   We all hope and pray that 2008 will bring a successful resolution to Ola's case.

As the congregation is well aware, Ola has been in "sanctuary" since October 2006.   During 2007, there were many positive developments:

·	Financial – The outpouring of support for Ola has been most impressive!   Following the Special Vestry meeting (October 15, 2006), we received more than $10,000 in donations to the Ola Fund - and a significant amount came from Anglicans outside of our own parish.   Many other people provided special gifts of their own.   For example, Phoenix AMD donated the funds to allow Alice to participate in a number of summer activities.   All of these generous donations have provided us with funding for expenses throughout 2007 – and well into 2008.
·	Legal – Ola's lawyer revised her application for permanent residence based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and submitted it to Immigration Canada.   The new document has helped to strengthen Ola's case by providing additional supporting information.   However, Immigration Canada's review of Ola's case is a process which can take 2 to 3 years from the initial application (March 29, 2006).   Therefore, it has been necessary to undertake additional initiatives.
·	Media Coverage – To help draw attention to Ola's case, there have been many media interviews: o Toronto Sun (May 16):   "When church becomes prison" READ THIS ARTICLE o AM 640 Radio (May 21):   Interview with John Oakley HEAR THE INTERVIEW o The Anglican (May 25):   "Church tries to keep parishioner in Canada" READ THIS ARTICLE o The Toronto Star (July 7):   "Nine months hiding in a Church" READ THIS ARTICLE o CBC Metro Morning (July 10) HEAR THE INTERVIEW o Mississauga News (July 11):   "Woman finds refuge in city church" READ THIS ARTICLE
·	Political – Rev. Majed El Shafie (One Free World International) and Rev. Steven Mackison have continued to highlight Ola's case in meetings with Canada government and ministry officials - encouraging Immigration Canada to drop the deportation order while Ola's case is being reviewed.   As part of this campaign, many people have written letters of support for Ola to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Diane Finley.   In November, Steven Mackison and Bob Gadsby attended a "Consultation on Sanctuary" at Romero House in Toronto - where about 50 people discussed how to establish a network to help support and advise Canadian churches that are currently helping families in sanctuary.

Throughout all of these challenges in 2007, Ola has been a tremendous example of Christian love and courage for all of us.   With the support of her friends, Ola has become a wonderful baker.   Her cakes and bread have been highlights at many Sunday Coffee Hours ... and the sale of baked goods from Ola's Oven raised $590 for Trinity Church.   Ola has also helped with many of our church activities: the Knitting Group, Sunday School, Wednesday Vesper dinners, "Carols and Cocoa", "A Twelfth Night Out" ... and many, many more.

We are indeed blessed to be able to see Ola at work in "God's House" ... and to see God at work in "Ola's House".

Bob Gadsby and the Ola Support Team