Escape, homecoming a spiritual boost—Gason

Press, 28 December 1989, Page 3

Escape, homecoming a spiritual boost—Gason

PA Auckland Vince Gason says his escape from Somalia and flight home should be a spiritual boost for all New Zealanders. “My coming home has been a good thing for myself and my wife, Anne, of course,” he said, “but I want to stress that it has also been a good thing for New Zealand — especially coming at this time of year. “There is a spiritual side to this. Anne and I are both Catholics, but people from all denominations have stopped me in the street since I have been home, telling me their churches had special prayers for me. “In Mogadishu, an old Somalian woman came to my room and prayed regularly and I know Anne and I prayed that I could somehow come home.

“For it to happen just before Christmas — well, we’re just thrilled.” Mr Gason said he had at last got his feet back on the ground after the homecoming euphoria and knew he was back in reality when Anne handed him a list of household jobs. “Having been away for a year,” he

said, “there’s a bit to do. “But the most important thing for us is to somehow personally thank all those New Zealanders who wrote, called and offered support to Anne and me while I was away. “I never realised the extent of interest right throughout New Zealand in my plight. When I was in Somalia, I got occasional phone calls — and they were terrific morale-boosters — but I didn’t know the tremendous interest and support coming from here. “In the past week, strangers have stopped me in the street and welcomed me home.

“One day, I really wanted a meal of roast pork and we went to the hotel where there was a group of elderly ladies having their Christmas lunch. One came straight over and gave me a hug and all the others stood up and clapped. “Things like that I find quite emotional.”

The Gasons plan a quiet holiday at home. He said that having fought for nearly a year to get back, why go away again. -