Stranded Christians flying home (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Stranded Christians flying home

12:10am Thursday 22nd April 2010 in News By Andrew Napier

A GROUP of Christians from Winchester was last night due to return to the UK after being stranded in India under house arrest for nearly a week.

The party from the Winchester Family Church and Life Church Southampton were marooned in a Delhi hotel without visa authorisation, making them liable to arrest.

They say they were abandoned by their airline and at one stage were forced to eat naan bread smuggled out of the hotel by guests stuffed up a jumper.

The group was stuck by the flight ban after trying to return to Britain from missionary work in Nepal.

Winchester Family Church leader Dave Lockyer, speaking to the Hampshire Chronicle from the plane on the tarmac at Delhi Airport, said they expected to be home last night (WED): “It has been an emotional roller coaster, very straining. We have been having to deal with all kinds of things, negotiating for hours with the airline and immigration, the embassy. But one positive is that it has bound us a team through the whole experience.”

The ordeal for their families at home has also lifted. Candy Tiley, wife of Dan, from Stanmore, said the week had been a strain. “It has been very tense. We have four children aged two to ten and I have seen the tension in them. They miss their dad.

“All the wives have been in constant contact supporting each other and we are having a prayer meeting.

“We have had to stay positive here, not knowing what is happening. We are going to all apart when we see them.”

John Groves, senior pastor at the family church, based in Middle Brook Street, said: “It has been very challenging for everyone. But it has drawn them together. There has been a real Dunkirk Spirit among the Brits in the hotel.”

Chris Kilby, a former leader at the family church, said the group had come under intense pressure to stay at the airport in 45 degree heat with little water, food or sanitation.

Speaking on Sunday, he said: “We are not allowed to leave the hotel, so we are basically under house arrest. The airline said if we did not go to the airport, the immigration authorities will arrest us.”

Mr Kilby said spirits were kept up by the group organising a quiz night and a Sunday service.”

The problems arose because their airline, Jet Airways, took their passports and officially the 15-strong group did not have permission to be anywhere other than the chaotic airport. Despite being threatened with arrest, the group refused to leave their hotel for several days.

The threat lifted on Tuesday when the party were handed back their passports and temporary visas.

The Winchester party is Dave Lockyer, Neil Keyworth, his wife Sarah and 14-year-old daughter Elisha, Rob Goulding, Dan Tiley, Laurena Brown, Jess Mills and Cara Gannon.

The party from Southampton is Mr Kilby, his 17-year-old son Joseph, Pete White, Nick Kellman and Peter and Mary Silly.