Last Monday we officially said goodbye to Ted Hoekstra as a volunteer. Ted started volunteering for the Mission in 1992 for the Mission. For 20 years he faithfully drove to the Vancouver Airport and picked up magazines and newspapers. As time progressed he expanded his driving to Abbotsford where he would visit two thrift stores where clothing, stuffed animals and other items were waiting for him to be picked up. For twenty years he also would pick up Christmas presents from the Christian Reformed Churches in Abbotsford and bring them to the Mission to Seafarer's Center in Vancouver. Every Monday morning we knew that Ted would arrive with a load of ' goodies '.
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| Simon and Ted |
When everything was ' delivered ' in the basement, Ted and other staff members would go upstairs for coffee and lunch. We always had wonderful time of fellowship. Many friends showed up to show appreciation for everything he has done all these years. Several of us gave speeches, looking back at how things have changed since Ted began his work as volunteer. Magazines and even newspapers are a thing of the past! The computer has changed almost everything - also in the life of a seafarer.
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| Many friends came to attend Ted's farewell. |
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| From Frisian stock |
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| On Ted's right Rev. Henry Numan. On the left Mr. Hank Hamstra, chair Ministry to Seafarers. |
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| Ted between ' twenty years ' of chaplains! |
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| Ted and former chaplain Rev.Simon Wolfert. |
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| Frank Vink, another faithful volunteer. |
By way of appreciation we the Ministry to Seafarers presented Ted a clock with an inscription, a book and a bouquet of flowers for his wife Femke. We ended our time of fellowship with the singing of " Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow ". We give God the glory for all the work Ted has done for the sake of the seafarers that come to the Port of Vancouver.
We welcome Ted anytime, Monday mornings for a cup of coffee. Thanks Ted for all the good memories!
