Deported

I left Ecuador at the beginning of July because I had been gifted a round trip ticket with the main purpose of seeing my brother and other family members. My plan was to return today to Quito and stay 3 weeks. Among my very lengthy to-do list was to sell all my stuff (including a vehicle), turn in my apartment, visit all the Miracles, get some medical stuff taken care of, and get some legal stuff taken care of for the official turning over of Precious Miracles, and pack up some stuff to come back to the states with.

After a long day of traveling I got up to the little window with the customs agent and hand him my passport. He runs it through and gets a strange look on his face. He says, did you leave here with an expired missionary visa?
Ok so let me back up a little. I've been a resident in Ecuador for the past 9 years as a missionary. Every 2 years I needed to reapply and renew said visa for about $250. This last year I saw that it ran out in May and I left in July. I did a whole bunch of paperwork and paid a $200 fine and I thought that was that.
BUT.... just to make sure I asked (before I left) if the stamp in my passport saying I had let a visa expire and a fine was paid would affect my reentry to the country. I was assured that it would NOT. The officer said that I could return as a tourist and not as a missionary. No problem right?

So back to tonight.... the officer looked up at me and said I have to deport you. You are not allowed reentry into this country. I looked at him and said, "You are NOT serious?!?" But he was. I was escorted by an armed police officer to a corner of the airport (still in plain sight of all the other passengers). As the different officers tried to figure out what to do with me, I called several people apologizing for waking them up at midnight. No one could help me. Even a police officer friend of mine said there was nothing he could do. So after bawling my eyes out and begging them to understand my situation, it became very clear to me that I was not going to win this one. I asked what will you do with me. They said they'd lock me up for the night. Yes you read that right. They'd lock me up for the night and then put me on the first flight out in the morning.
I even offered to have someone escort me to my apartment just so I could leave all the gifts I had brought people and at least fill my suitcase up with some clothes. They said they couldn't. I asked if I could give my suitcases to a friend because it was filled 100% with stuff to stay here for people. They said they couldn't do that either.
So here I sit in my little cell that consists of a toilet and two grungy bunk beds. But notice that I'm writing this online. So... there are no sheets for the bed or soap to wash my hands but they have WIFI. I'll probably laugh about that some day... not now though.

I told my Dad earlier that I thought it was going to be very difficult to leave this country. You know what? Now? not so much. I'm pretty sure I'll leave shaking the dirt off my feet. I'm a little bitter.

As for all the stuff I was going to get done? Well, I have to figure out some stuff like someone else is going to have to try to sell my stuff and empty my apartment. Obviously I can't do medical or legal stuff. Obviously I can't go see the kids and say goodbye. I'm not sure why this is happening but once again I will remember that God is in control. He either ordered this or permitted it. And I am safe and protected. I'll update when I can.