Canadians helps
stranded passengers

Tens of thousands of passengers were forced to land in Canada when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks led to the shutting down of U.S. air space.
WCG members were among those who helped the stranded passengers. Following are two accounts.

By Eric Vautour

Pastor, Moncton,
Saint John and Fredericton, New Brunswick

Sept. 11 was a tragic day. When I went to work that morning, I had no idea what the day had in store for us.

I called my wife, Edna, during the morning, and she told me about two planes flown by terrorists that had intentionally hit the World Trade Center, killing thousands of people. My heart was heavy just like the hearts of so many others.

Neither my wife nor I ever expected that our lives would be touched so personally and so memorably by this manmade disaster.

Some planes bound for the United States were diverted to the Moncton airport. About 2,500 passengers landed here and immediately the emergency service went to work to serve these people.

Early in the evening, we heard on the news that some people would need housing as they could not all stay at the Moncton Coliseum. Both Edna and I went there not knowing what to expect.

Moncton people opened their hearts wide. Hundreds of people volunteered. Food was freely provided for these hundreds of people.

We were some of the blessed ones who could serve by having people in our homes. One of the women who stayed with us was a former member of the WCG, an airline stewardess. When major changes began to happen in the church, she wasn’t able to get all the answers she sought, so she left. We talked to her about the wonderful changes God has brought in the WCG.

The people we housed soon became like part of the family as a mutual trust and a friendship developed.

After Sept. 11, Americans who had stayed in Moncton wrote for weeks in the personal section of the newspaper, talking about the warm, thoughtful reception they had received here. Many did not know where Moncton was before this. The letters commended everyone from the city officials, to the police force, to the population in general.

It was indeed a privilege and blessing to be able to do our little part to help a few cope with this tragedy.

By Mike and Esther Farrell

MONCTON, New Brunswick—One of the noticeable things about the two men who stayed at our home was how tired they were. One was from Belgium and he was quite concerned that his family know he was OK. The other was an older man from England who seemed overwhelmed by the situation.

Our main concern for the evening was allowing them to get some rest for the next day. We took them to the mall for a coffee in the morning and they shared their thoughts about their own countries and the desire they both had to return home.

One of the things that stood out was their amazement at the grandeur of our land. The man from Belgium was particularly awed by this fact. Finding a space to park is a challenge for them both, so many of their fellow countrymen share a ride, bicycle or take transit.

They have to pay for their parking, and the cost is extremely high compared to what we pay for those places where parking fees are required.

Both men expressed their thoughts on how they felt Canada was a nation blessed with so much. Listening to them gave us a greater sense of appreciation for the many blessings God has given us.

It was a blessing for us to share our home with these people. We were thankful our home is situated where we could offer our assistance.

We had mixed feelings about driving them back to the airport. It was sad that their day had been turned upside down, that their sense of security had been stripped from them. We wanted them to be safe and feel safe. Our prayers that day were filled with asking God to protect them and return them safely home to their families.

We wished them safe voyage and were saddened at the thought that they both had no desire to travel to their final destination because of the tragic events of that day. Both men canceled their plans and returned home.

It was an experience we will never forget, and we are certain that our two guests will forever have this in their memory.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2002