News from the Vancouver Airport Chapel - Winter 2021/2022
The YVR Chapel is now open 7 days a week, 8am-8pm, and God is daily leading us to listen to, support, encourage and pray for many passengers and employees. We have seen a gradual increase of flights and passengers over the Fall, and that will likely increase this Winter, especially during the holidays.
YVR is happy to announce that they have received the Skytrax Award for Best Customer Service in North America for a record 12th year in a row... wow! CONGRATULATIONS to the whole YVR Community for making this happen!
Recent People Stories:
1. A student in China wrote YVR to ask if she could take an exam here while in transit from Shanghai to Montreal (it was the only time being offered for the test). Customer Relations at YVR asked us to facilitate this and we were able to plan a quiet desk for her in our facility, with Public Safety Officers overseeing the 2 hour period. She later wrote from Montreal to express her joy and thanks at being able to complete that important step in her studies. Yeh!
2. A UBC student returning from Ecuador hurriedly entered the Chapel, seeking a phone to use for a job interview, which she said had to start in 15 minutes... and her phone card didn't work! Wow, nothing like pressure, eh? We tried my phone but no success. With 10 minutes to go, I offered the use of my desktop computer and with 5 minutes to spare, she connected with her zoom interviewer.... whew! Two days later she called to say she got the job and was just gushy in her thanks for our assistance. Wow, God is at work in small things, eh, and it's so fun to watch Him at work!
3. A chartered plane of 115 seniors with physical and mentally disabilities arrived at YVR one afternoon in August . They had been forced out of their care homes in the Okanagan by heavy smoke and their caregivers were up with them late the night before preparing for this unique trip. Those same committed workers laboured many hours the next morning to get all of them safely on the plane, then flew with them, and finally took great pains to get them and their walkers off the plane and ready to board waiting buses. Wow, thank God for caring workers like these!
The Chapel was called to offer fresh energy into the chaos of keeping everyone reasonably happy during that long ordeal (because all Covid protocols had to be followed ). We also learned that neither the seniors nor their helpers had had a bite of food since 6am that morning, due to feeding regulations, wow! Happily, by 7pm, the buses finally took those beleaguered folks to Lower Mainland care homes and greatly relieved YVR and healthcare workers retreated to a calmer place! I was more thankful than ever for my physical and mental health!
Prayer Requests:
1. For safety at the Airport for all passengers and employees, and for God's wisdom and discernment for governments, YVR Airport Authority and the airlines to know when and how to further expand services.
2. For our team of chaplains to keenly hear the prayer needs of current YVR passengers and employees, and to offer caring support for each of them and their families.
3. For continued prayers for Chaplain Emeritus Layne Daggett, and prayer for our Board leaders to know when and how to involve our Volunteers in the Chapel's service again.
With great hope,
Dennis, for the Chapel Team
