what to say?

With eyes and ears glued to the news and weather reports, our land-locked midwestern community holds in prayer our friends in and on the Gulf Coast.

As Hurricane Gustav - moving through Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba at category 4, downshifting to a 3, and expected to leapfrog back up to a FIVE before making landfall anywhere and everywhere from the Texas to Florida borders - nears the gulf coast states, what on earth do you say?

Those in our community that have served on mission teams since August 29 2005 when Katrina struck (and Rita two weeks later) have been talking to each other all weekend: "I can't believe they're going to go through this again." "I hope people choose to evacuate this time." "I wonder if the cities will be able to help (especially those who can't help themselves) get away in time." "I'm so worried about John and his mom ..." "Andre and Otha ..." "Miss Simmons ..."

It's not just 'the people who live there.' Now it's people we know. By name. Their houses, their belongings, their stories ... we know them now.

And we still don't know what to say.

We hope it is sufficient - we hope it will make do - that our most fervent prayers, our deepest compassion, our greatest blessing ... may THIS be the wave that covers our brothers and sisters in the south. May they know our love, be spared in life and limb, and when the time comes, may they know the quick and gracious response of all who can - and will - step in to help.