Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
“Here to Stay” With the help of The Salvation Army, Blessing and her family found a new home free from fear. by Linda Leigh
Photo: Joel Johnson
Trauma, Hope and Survival Blessing and Samuel at The Salvation Army’s 614 Corps in Toronto, where they both volunteer
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fter years of being hunted down by a dangerous and deadly cult in their home country of Nigeria, Blessing and her family escaped to Canada for safety and solace. Today, she is in a place better than she could have imagined—and The Salvation Army helped to get her there. Fear and Intimidation “In Nigeria, I lived a good life, had a boyfriend and a successful career
12 • MARCH 2020 I faithandfriends.ca
as a criminal lawyer,” says Blessing. “Then everything changed when a cult wanted Samuel’s obedience, time and money. “Samuel wanted nothing to do with having evil on his hands,” continues Blessing. “But when you refuse to co-operate with the cult, you are in immediate danger.” Samuel went into hiding for years with only a handful of people knowing his whereabouts. When he eventually married Blessing, he
