Waiting and Hoping

So many of my loved ones are waiting. My mom waits for relief of life-depleting back pain. My aunt waits for a break in chemo-induced nausea. My friend Ron soon begins an intense regimen of treatment for recurring leukemia and waits for a life-saving bone marrow transplant. Others I care about wait in hopeful expectation for news that will significantly impact life. We are a waiting people. How long, O Lord?

Yesterday Greg and I visited a non-profit called Homeboy Industries in downtown LA. Some of you know I've been inspired by the ministry of Father Gregory Boyle to gang members in LA, and the book that describes it, Tattoos On The Heart.

Elena gave us a tour. Elena was abandoned by her parents and lived a horribly jagged life on the streets. She was incarcerated as a teenager and released at 33. Longing for new life, new hope, she discovered Homeboy Industries. This ministry offered her not only practical services and programs like counseling, tattoo removal, and job training, but also a sense of kinship, belonging, and spiritual nourishment. Elena now speaks about her life and the impact that Homeboys/Homegirls has had on it.

Elena too waits. She waits to see more and more gang members given a second chance at life, and for far too many, a truly first chance. She waits to see more and more gang members leave their gang affiliation behind to come in and work shoulder to shoulder with hated enemies. She waits for our broken world to believe and embrace the truth that over hatred, violence, and fear, love wins.

We are a waiting people. How long, O Lord? Come, Lord Jesus. We wait with hope.

These words from my most treasured Christmas carol sound in my heart today for all who wait.

Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.

The pictures show Elena and I first of all next to the laser machine. Elena has endured many removal sessions which cause her skin to blister badly before the healing happens. The second picture is a computer lab at Homeboys/Homegirls where job searching, resumes, and school assignments are worked on. In the final picture, Elena and I are standing in front of a wall garden. What a useful and practical idea for a wall that gets plenty of sun!