Update on the John Sisters in Thailand – Fall 2025
We continue to wait for the processing from the Singapore office of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for the John sisters to come to Canada. The sisters, Nazia and Robina, provided their fingerprints in December 2024. The sisters have no immigration status in Thailand – they are not official refugees; therefore, they are treated like “illegals” and fearful at all times of being apprehended. Robina was apprehended again in July 2025, despite reporting monthly with her guarantor to Thai Immigration. Fortunately, she was released within a couple of days, but the experience is harrowing and she did not sleep for two days following her release. Robina had spent 13 months at the Immigration Detention Centre several years ago and she does not want to repeat that horrific experience.
After Robina was detained, we sent urgent messages to the Singapore IRCC but received only boilerplate expressions of concern back from that office. Robina has a letter from CBWOQ that says she is being officially sponsored to come to Canada – each time she has to show this letter, the officials ask her WHEN? We cannot answer that question.
In July, Julaine Palmer, Marguerite Adams and Rolan Hdad, from Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church met with the immigration liaison for Peterborough M.P. Emma Harrison at the M.P.’s office. That liaison person will be speaking with officials from IRCC assigned to answer questions from M.P.’s. She will follow up on the responses. Julaine is in touch with her regularly.
Meanwhile, the John sisters’ emotions move from hope to despair. The waiting is so hard. They attend church regularly in Bangkok where they teach in the Sunday School. Nazia has been taking a course online from Zion Christian College about Revelation. She received a handsome certificate for completing the course. Nazia is able to do a bit of paid work. Robina is not working, because she fears being apprehended again. The sisters are not now able to work legally in Thailand, although for more than 10 years they were formerly able to support themselves through factory work.
Please continue to pray for these women and to support their sponsorship financially, as you are able.
Julaine Palmer