Awake

BC Ferries Incident Impacts Copper Island Volunteers

Just received this urgent prayer request from Jennifer Dudenhofer. Her husband, Jeff, is director of a summer camp for native youth on a small island in the Port Alberni inlet, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The camp starts this next week, with volunteers arriving imminently. But, a BC Ferries boat ran aground yesterday causing delays in ferry service from the continent to Vancouver Island. I was a counselor at this camp a couple of years ago; this is a key ministry to native youth in the area.

Dear Friends,
Thanks to those of you who prayed for Jeff's travels up island. He did make it back early this afternoon, in time to make a previously scheduled meeting even on time!

We have an urgent prayer need. A BC Ferries boat crashed this morning in Vancouver. (BC Ferries is the transportation all our staff use to get from Vancouver to Vancouver Island). One camp staff member made it across before the back-up. However, my dad, a camp cook, and the boiler from Portand, are stuck somewhere in the line-up. Please pray they make it in tonight, as the first SeaHaven (mission boat) run from Port Alberni to Copper Island with camp staff and stuff is scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) morning. Also, please pray for the rest of the camp staff members traveling by ferry on Saturday, that the delays would be removed by then. This is the Canada Day holiday weekend (equivalent to our July 4) so travel was crowded as it was without this major delay.

Thanks for praying!
Blessings, Jennifer

Here's an exerpt of a BC Ferries news release of the incident:

QUEEN OF OAK BAY LOSES POWER AND RUNS AGROUND Horseshoe Bay — At approximately 10:10 a.m. today, the Queen of Oak Bay, which sails between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, ran aground while coming into Horseshoe Bay. The vessel drifted into Sewell’s Marina, damaging several boats. Preliminary reports are that the vessel lost power. An investigation is currently underway. Emergency and regulatory authorities have been contacted. No injuries have been reported at this time.

... There will be delays at Horseshoe Bay terminal. Customers travelling between Vancouver Island and the mainland are advised to choose the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route. More information on the Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay schedule will be provided as soon as possible.

#1 QUEEN OF OAK BAY LOSES POWER AND RUNS AGROUND