A 1,300 mile romance. It wasn’t meant to be that way, but get Government involved in anything and it will be far more complicated and a lot harder to survive, even in love. I’ve wanted to share this story for two years, but I feared reactions from the government on either side that might create further issues with all involved.
This is the story of my nephew Clarence and his bride, Bethany. It’s a story that’s as sweet as it is frustrating and story of the two most godly and patient young people I know. Their story began in the Covid 19 era. That alone should tell you it’s going to be difficult to stomach. But Clarence, who is the son of my sister SarahJane and her husband Rob Smith were missionaries in Amherst, Nova Scotia, Canada; pastoring the Gospel Light Baptist Church. For greater than ten years they’d served in a few cities in Canada, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
At the latter part of their stay in Canada, October 24-30, 2021, Rob held a revival at their church. The Canadian laws were much more strict than that of the United States and were enforced to the extreme. Rob had followed the letter of the law for the Revival meeting. The screen shot below was taken November 15th, 2021, but it was the law that was in effect during the time of the revival. Clearly showing that the meeting could be held without limitations, with the exception of vaccination requirements which were also met by the church.
Following the revival, 3 area people passed away with covid. The first person was sick prior to the Revival meeting, but Rob was blamed. The second person was a woman who lived at a care home who came into contact with a revival attendee. The third person who passed away was a man who’s wife was a nurse in the care home who took it home to her husband. Things escalated quickly.
The Government became involved, railing on Rob’s decision to hold the revival, accusing them of meeting without making sure people were vaccinated and the entire event became a National scandal on Rob and his church with Rob being held accountable for the illness spreading. This continued until Rob was charged criminally, at one point they considered charging him with “wrongful death,” but fined him in stead, and the fine was dropped with Rob being told it was because there was “no hope for conviction.” Rob received phone calls and countless threats until they stopped answering the phone. Multiple News agencies covered the story. The Premier (Governor) and Canadian Health Minister of Nova Scotia elevated the story to even higher levels of attention, accusing Rob of being anti vaccinattion. However, 70% of the Gospel Light Baptist Church was double vaccinated including the entire Smith family. This went on with false accusations against the church which led to the Smith family’s provincial nomination being revoked and forced their immediate departure from Canada.
Multiple people came to their defense, but the actions against them were being used to push an agenda by people of power. All charges and fines were dismissed. But there was no choice but to leave Canada.
Rob, SarahJane and their four children, sold their home and prepared to return to West Virginia. This is where the love story begins. Nineteen year old Clarence had fallen head over heals in love with a young woman named Bethany and was engaged to be married. The two married with plans to begin their life together in the United States. On the advice of an attorney they were told that, as Clarence’s wife, Bethany could travel to the United States and take care of the paper work there. The two were set to travel.
The family left for the United States in March of 2022. Just two weeks after the wedding of Clarence and Bethany. When they arrived at the U.S.A. and Canadian border, the worst case scenario occurred. Bethany was pulled from the vehicle to be questioned. She could not come into the U.S.A. even if she was married to an American citizen. Clarence and the remaining Smiths were forced to leave, but Bethany was forced to stay. A broken hearted Clarence left his bride and the family continued to West Virginia believing it to be a small matter of filing of papers and Bethany would be on her way.
This was the furthest thing from the truth. At every attempt to get Bethany and Clarence together in America, the United States stopped the process for two years. While we watched the disgusting siege of illegal immigrants welcomed on the southern border by the American government, this innocent young lady, who wanted nothing other than to be with her husband, was disallowed to enter the United States legally. For two years, Clarence and his family fought, with the need of an attorney, to get Bethany home.
On Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 Bethany and Clarence took their picture as they entered the State of West Virginia. Home at last, together.
Throughout the two plus years of the event, Clarence and Bethany not once took the law into their own hands, but steadfastly stayed the course to get Bethany home legally. Clarence was told before he could bring his bride into the United States he had to have a job and a home. And yet, we are housing and financially supporting millions of illegal immigrants. The slap in the face for America continues to get worse.
Clarence did get a home and a job in Braxton County, West Virginia and complied with all rules of our nation to bring Bethany home. They have began their life in the strangest of places, Strange Creek, West Virginia. (It’s actually one of the most beautiful places). It’s there that they serve in the church his older brother Robert Smith pastors, The Strange Creek Baptist Church.
For the family it was a lesson in faith, endurance and prayer. For the citizens of America it’s a question of whose best interest our government has.