Prayer of the People as shared by Cheryl Drake (Delta Flight #37)
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Friendship United Methodist Church
Wyoming (Cincinnati), Ohio

I can't tell you how good it is to be home. I was in transit from London Gatwick to Cincinnati when the attack occurred on Tuesday, September 11 and was diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. I had the honor of spending 2.5 days with the richest people in the world-the people of Gambo, Newfoundland.

You may wonder how these people in this remote area of North American can be so rich…Let me explain.

The people of Gambo, Newfoundland truly lead the abundant life. They're rich with God's love-giving of themselves so selflessly and freely to assist the more than 800 strangers who invaded their small, peaceful town. (In the entire Gander Airport area there were about 7000 passengers who had arrived on 37 airplanes.) These people opened their fire houses, schools, churches, community centers, Salvation Army halls-any facility that had ample square footage, a kitchen, and rest room facilities.

The people of Gambo are rich in their undying energy that helped them pull everything together needed to care for their guests within 3 hours of hearing that we had arrived. When we didn't get to their church until 15 hours later (we were on our airplane a total of 30 hours before we were able to get off), they greeted us warmly and asked, "Where have you been? We've been waiting for you."

The people of Gambo are rich in God-given talents. Whether it's their scrumptious cooking, their warm smiles, their gentle spirits-they were always asking, "How are you doing? Is there anything you need? Do you want a warm shower . . . come to my house to get refreshed."

Many times my fellow travelers and I searched for ways to express our appreciation. What could we do to repay them for all of their kindness? They were humble when we offered them money. One of the flight attendants came up with what I think is the best suggestion-pay it forward. Whenever we have a chance to help others and can extend to them the generosity that the people of Gambo extended to us, we'll be, in turn, expressing our thanks for what we had received from the rich people of Gambo.

I'd like to close with a prayer that was used during our prayer service at the St. George's Anglican Church in Gambo on Thursday, September 13 at 2:00:

Let us pray for Hope:
Almighty God, you have all power and might. You reign over all that exists. You are our source of comfort and hope. You sent Jesus into the world to be the light of the world. We pray that you would help us now to see the light of hope. Fill us with faith that we might trust in your never ending love, your boundless grace, and your power to save us.
Amen