News from the Vancouver Airport Chapel - SPRING 2021
The YVR Chapel is still open two days a week (Tues. & Friday) and God is daily leading us to passengers and employees to listen to, support, encourage and pray for.
We are glad to report that the additional Chapel facility in the new Atrium in International Departures has been completed, however, due to Covid it will not be in use until after regular international flights resume.
The Chapel is very grateful for the support of YVR Airport Authority (YVRAA) and the
Airline Operating Committee (AOC), to be able to function in this year of uncertainty and struggle. And yes, by God's grace, there is hope in the air and we plan to be part of the future at Vancouver International Airport!
People Stories:
Over the past few weeks, we have offered support and encouragement to the following persons at YVR:
- G. an employee who asked for prayer for challenging family/cultural issues she's dealing with.
- A. & O. two buddies who snowboard together and come to the Chapel to pray. They both have high hopes to continue their studies, once the pandemic abates.
- C. who enjoys sharing how he's putting his passion for fitness and food together into a career.
- H. D. F. & M. workers giving swab tests to arriving international passengers, who are grateful that they recently received their Covid vaccinations.
- N. working in Canada with 1 grown son, but left her 2 children in Philippines and hasn't seen them or her grandchildren in 8 years.
- M. an Air Canada chief mechanic who greatly appreciates the Chapel being open for prayers twice a week.
- I., a young adult who has serious cancer issues and wants to get to Mexico for help that he can't find in Canada.
- Y. from Ethiopia who shares her concerns for her family and countrymen back there, with fighting erupting and thousands harmed or fleeing.
- S. J. I. & B. former pilots who are happy to be at YVR, even though their only job is handing out swab kits to arriving passengers. They are all hopeful for the future!
- D. who owns 3 restaurants at YVR, but feels so bad that he's had to release 50 of his 60 employees.
- L. a security guard who speaks 5 languages and has a college degree, but can't be employed in Canada in his profession.
- J. a middle-aged passenger who flew back from her younger sister's funeral in Japan, waited 1.5 hours for her shuttle bus, then had to isolate in Vancouver for 2 weeks before flying home to Edmonton.
Prayer Requests:
1. For safety at the Airport for all passengers and employees, and for God's wisdom and discernment for YVRAA and the AOC, 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 for several board members and volunteers with challenging health issues.
With hope,
Dennis, for the Chapel Team
