From Pastor Scott Distler of the Grace Brethren church in Lititz, PA:
My daughter, Joy, is one of several Lititz Christian School students who have been in Italy for the past more than two weeks on a missions trip. They were scheduled to arrive back in Philadelphia this evening (Tuesday) after a layover at the Heathrow Airport in London.
As you might imagine, with all of the terrorist attacks lately in the U.K., security is at a very high level. You may have heard on the news that there was an incident at the Heathrow Airport this morning due to a suspicious package that was found.
As a result, they completely evacuated one full terminal. This happened to be the very terminal where our team was to catch their connecting flight. Dozens upon dozens (more than 50 last I heard) of flights were cancelled as a result including the flight our team was to be on to Philadelphia.
At last report, our team was standing in a 2.5 mile long line to get to a counter to make arrangements. Cindy Wilson is the leader of our group. Her husband, Rich, has spent much time on the phone with the airline. The most current information I have heard is that they will not be able to get a flight home before July 5 (Thursday) which would mean at least two nights in the Heathrow Airport.
Would you please pray for this team? Here are some specific requests:
1. Pray that they would be able to get a flight home much sooner than expected
2. Pray for wisdom for Cindy
3. Pray for the demeanor of the students
4. Pray for the safety of the team
5. Pray that the team would have opportunity in the airport to share their faith
6. Pray for peace and comfort for the parents and families of the team members
One thing I know for sure…Joy and the team are as safe in the Heathrow airport as they would be if they were in their own bedrooms. Why? Because we serve a God who is all-knowing; who is all-powerful; and who is present everywhere all at the same time. He is in control. For that, I am truly thankful and give Him praise!
Thanks for your fervent prayers!
More on the Heathrow situation may be found at http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/07/03/heathrow.travel.reut/index.html