MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 My father is in cuba right now (yes, he got there legally with government approval), everything was going great, until he was apprehended by the Cuban government while he was taking pictures in a hospital (he's a photographer) because they were "suspicious" about his Visa. He had some interviews and we thought the problem was solved, and he was going to fly in to O'Hare by 9... but we just found that "John Walton" never got onboard the flight from Cuba... he hasn't called since Tuesday (I was the last person from the US to talk to him)... please... pray for my dad, because right now, that's all we can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoxStar Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 ;_; All i can say man :[ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Seeker Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 ... please... pray for my dad, because right now, that's all we can do. You got it man. Let us know what happens, and remember to stay strong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 We got the call at about 4:00 today but I was at band practice... then class... so I just heard about it. We were first worried that something was wrong when he didn't call from the Bahamas (his first plane stop) like he normally would. It's not the first time he's been to Cuba either... it's his third, and he was planning to go back once or twice more this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samnmax221 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hope he's alright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrion Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 We got the call at about 4:00 today but I was at band practice... then class... so I just heard about it. We were first worried that something was wrong when he didn't call from the Bahamas (his first plane stop) like he normally would. It's not the first time he's been to Cuba either... it's his third, and he was planning to go back once or twice more this year. So wait, do you know that everything's okay now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 no, that's when we heard he wasn't on his flight. Right now the last anyone from the US has heard from HIM was Tuesday, when he called me saying that he was on his way to Havana for an interview with Immigration. However, it turned out that officials came to him, and took him from his group back to Havana. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astrotoy7 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 thats terrible the prayers are OK, but you can do more... in things like this, unless you act quickly - it can stagnate. The effect on families is terrible. Especially since your dad had "government approval" (ie. didnt sneak in), that should make a big difference. There would be some record of it *somewhere* You just need the right people to chase it up. *please see your state/region's federal member/congressman etc *get some legal advice from experienced international lawyers *contact the Cuban US embassy *contact local newspapers/TV stations. The media is often a pain in the a$$, but the exposure they can give to topics can move things along quickly. Ive learnt this lesson well through my work in Indonesia for unicef. The pen/TV is indeed mightier than the sword at times... Also, from a personal point of view. Its not a shameful thing to speak to you teachers or a counsellor about it. It would be a really stressful thing to handle. Hope it turns out well for you, your Dad and your family mtfbwya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 Yes, the corporation my dad works for has already "contacted the state" (as they put it) but as I said I just found out about all of this... and it still hasn't quite sunk in yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hope everything turns out OK for you man. Your dad will be in my prayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kjølen Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Basically what everyone else has already said. However, contrary to popular belief, Cuba is not stupid. I'm sure their concerns were legit, and they'll have your dad back on a plane home once they realize he's not suspicious. I've prayed for him nonetheless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabretooth Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Wally check this out. I just found it and thought it might be useful. Your dad will be fine, believe me, I wouldn't even think otherwise. As for you, you keep trying to reach out to your dad. As Astro says, contact the Cuban Embassy and let them know about things and how you can contact yo dad. I'm a realist, and my philosophy is this - Prayers don't work all the time, if they work at all. You need to work fast and work yourself. Take Heart, brother. God is with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK-8252 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 I have to agree with Sabre - take action. I'm not one to put much faith in prayer... contact anyone and everyone you can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 Thanks for all the support guys For those that wanted some more information, my father works for AWANA, meaning that he's basically a missionary photographer who goes around for awana taking pictures of their programs and such for videos that are made. The interesting this is, taking pictures in a church did not get him in trouble (as one may assume), but taking pictures in a hostpital did. And no one else in his group were taken, only him. Also, they aren't giving him a chance to call home (because we are positive that if he had the chance, he would have done so multiple times). And while we may be overreacting, just the whole concept is somewhat overwhelming. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IG-64 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 I'll pray for your father, dude. I'm sure he'll be ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrion Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Yeah, I doubt Cuba would do anything really crazy. Afterall, he's an American out there on legitimate buisness; Cuba is not dumb enough to cause a stirrup for the hell of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samnmax221 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 They'll just confiscate any images that would reveal to the world what a **** hole the supposed socialist paradise is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiE23 Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 He'll be fine. It may be scary but countries aren't allowed to just detain people for no reason, even if it is Cuba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kain Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 ****ty man. If I prayed, you and yours would be in them. For now, you atleast got support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TegSkywalker Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Living in Florida, we have a huge Cuban population coming INTO the country via Miami but I really doubt many of them want to go back. It still seems like a dangerous country with Castro and Communism. Hopefully your papa will make it back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurgan Posted May 6, 2006 Share Posted May 6, 2006 Hope he's alright. I agree with others on taking action as best you can too. I'll be praying for him as well. Let us know as soon as you find anything out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 6, 2006 Author Share Posted May 6, 2006 Some good news: My mother just got off the phone from the Swiss Embassy in Cuba. And the American she talked to is personally looking into my father, and is even going over to the hotel he was last seen in to see if he can get any information as to where he is. UPDATE: This morning at about 2ish we got a call saying that some Cubans who are connected with the corporation my father was looking for found him! However, he is still not allowed to communicate to anyone outside of Cuba and he still has more interviews with immigration, meaning they arne't letting him out. Yet. And, they made him delete his pictures... which was probably the hardest part personally for my father Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoxStar Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 so he's ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWally Posted May 8, 2006 Author Share Posted May 8, 2006 Well, to use their wording "He's in a prison for foreigners, but it's not as bad as it sounds. At least he has air conditioning and three meals a day." So I guess it could be worse? Also, he has another interview with Immigration tomorrow, so hopefully, if all goes well he will be released! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BongoBob Posted May 8, 2006 Share Posted May 8, 2006 Damn man, that sucks. I hope he gets back soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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