The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness- 

on them light has shined. - Isaiah 9:2

The beginning of November I was in Houston for the ELCA Youth Leadership Summit and met Pastor Deb Grant. Pastor Deb leads the congregation of Faith Lutheran Church in Dickinson, TX, where most of the city was under at least 3 feet of water due to Hurricane Harvey, and the church was a complete loss. You might have seen this picture from their sanctuary that made the rounds on social media. Debris piles sat on the berm for weeks waiting for removal from a city stretched beyond its capacity. Residents are still waiting for word from insurance companies and FEMA. Night brings dark neighborhoods, with perhaps a light in an upstairs room as residents wait to rebuild.

Is this not Advent - powerless and at a complete loss, we wait in darkness for the Light of the world. This Advent, many of our brothers and sisters in areas affected by this year's hurricanes are entering the phase of disaster recovery - of waiting - that often brings depression, anger and hopelessness. What has us in a place of darkness? Where does our waiting bring us?

Last week I was back in Galveston planning for the Synod Journey and stopped in to see Pastor Deb. I heard more painful stories. But she also shared how life giving it was for their congregation to be invited in by the Episcopal church to worship together in their space until they rebuild. She shared how their congregation chose to put off rebuilding the sanctuary so they could first start a book pantry for the numerous children living in poverty in the area. She shared how they are revisioning their ministry future to invite non-profits to office in their building so they can better serve the community. Before we left I asked what we could do. "Share our story. Remember us. Tell people that God is indeed Light in the darkness. We wait. But we wait with hope."  

May you also find hope and Christ's light in your waiting this season.