Brian Lydall – Seafarer
Turned Volunteer
By Tiana Chitty
Volume 11 Issue 1
Brian Lydall is one of LHM’s volunteers
at the North Vancouver Seafarers’
Centre. He enjoys the kind of peace that
comes from knowing he’s in the right
spot. For approximately a year he has
been working about once a week doing
what he can for the visiting seafarers.
Brian likes being of practical help in the
activities at the Centre and his knowledge
of the local community is very useful for
the visitors’ questions and concerns. According
to Brian, seafarers also appreciate
a sympathetic ear because they can
face many challenges in their lives at sea.
He says this with authority, having had
experience locally as a seafarer.
Brian spent twenty years on the west
coast with BC Ferries. Th e very early
hours and long days of work required
by his employer had a signifi cant infl uence
on this retired chief mate’s life. As
a result, when Brian completed his employment
with BC Ferries he felt that a
big “hole” in his life had developed. Although
this former seafarer knew that it
was time for him to fi nish working with
BC Ferries, he also had a need to be busy
and to have meaningful work. So, he
looked for volunteer work that wouldn’t
require a long commute and discovered
that, apparently, God had a plan for him
at LHM.
LHM is a charity that Brian had supported
financially for years but he had
actually never visited its premises. One
day he was out for a walk and ended up
walking by the North Vancouver Seafarers’
Centre, which is only a few blocks
from his home. Although the Centre
is normally closed during the daytime
hours (regular hours of operation are 6
p.m. – 10 p.m.), on the day of Brian’s
walk there happened to be some people
inside. So, he walked in and found Paul,
who gave him a tour of the facility. Brian
volunteered on the spot and shortly
thereafter began visiting the Centre regularly,
getting acquainted with the other
staff and volunteers
and learning
the routine
for the Centre’s
operation. Eventually,
Brian felt
comfortable taking
on his own
evening shift and
has now become
a regular volunteer.
As a volunteer
Brian has especially
enjoyed the
Chinese Church
evenings with
LHM Chaplain,
William Lam,
and his wife,
Mona. He says
that you can really
feel the spiritual
energy. Brian
has also had
the privilege of
witnessing seafarers
being led
to the Lord (the
goal of LHM’s
work). Currently, this “seafarer turned
volunteer” is happy to be assisting in
the work of LHM and, thereby, helping
to advance God’s Kingdom. In Brian’s
words, “Honour God first and He’ll take
care of the rest.”
“Neither is there salvation in any other:
for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be
saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Next: Letter from a Seafarer >>
