On January 4, a refugee crossed the border and suffered frostbite from the extreme cold. But the frostbite was nothing compared to what awaited him if he was deported.

Kangni Fiowole-Kouevi spent a number of hours outside in the beginning of January, walking from the States into Canada before being found by emergency workers. Fiowole-Kouevi suffered frostbite on both hands.

"The left hand was more seriously damaged," said Karin Gordon, executive director of settlement at Hospitality House Refugee Ministry. "He may lose just the fingertips, his thumb will be OK."

Fiowole-Kouevi is living with Gordon as he recovers from his journey, a journey that Gordon says he felt that he had to make.

"He can't go back," she said. "If he goes back, he will be killed."

Over half the population in Togo follows what Gordon describes as a "voodoo-type religion," which is an indigenous belief of many in Togo and involves things like animal sacrifices. 

Fiowole-Kouevi can't go back because his father was a well-known witch doctor in the area, and as his only son, he was expected to take over. But a friend introduced Fiowole-Kouevi to Christ, and he became a Christian soon after.

"Much of the community was very angry," Gordon said. "Many of his father's friends and colleagues threatened to kill him, so he had to leave the country."

Fiowole-Kouevi was denied asylum in the United States, and Gordon says Fiowole-Kouevi felt that he had to flee because he could not risk being deported back to Togo. She says it's a small country and "they would find him."

Fiowole-Kouevi has already asked Gordon if he could attend her church, which Gordon believes is a sign of strength.

"He's a fine young man and we're hopeful that his claim will be heard favourably," Gordon said.