Kevin and Julia first went to China in 1984 as English teachers. Over the next 30 years, they lived in 7 different Chinese cities and worked in various capacities including teaching English (ESL), starting consulting companies, a training Centre, translation Co. and a Family Centre. They also operated an orphanage in conjunction with Chinese authorities, founded a bilingual kindergarten as well as working with both House and Government churches. In 2007, they moved to the Chinese border city of Dandong on the China-North Korea border and started Peter’s Coffee House. They participated in aid projects in North Korea since 2008. On August 4, 2014, they were “arrested” by the Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) – the FBI of China - and charged with spying and espionage. They spent the next 6 months in isolation being interrogated by 3 investigators up to 6 hours a day. Then Kevin spent the next 19+ months in a prison with 900 other inmates while Julia was placed in quasi house arrest - bail pending trial. They were detained for a total of 775 days in China. Julia was released in August 2016 and Kevin, after being pronounced guilty of spying, was deported on September 15, 2016 - because of the prayers of many thousands around the world. The Prime Minster of Canada, Justin Trudeau upon their release, in a statement to the press, said; “We remain deeply impressed by the grace and resilience of the Garratt family, especially Kevin and Julia.”

Were they spies? Come and listen and find out a bit about their story.