in their words, part 2

From tonight's meeting:

"This morning was one of the best things I've ever done."

"I wish I had gone on this trip every single year...I've learned so much about myself and about God."

"It's humbling to see how joyful the patients at the leprosarium are with practically nothing. We have so much, and we're not happy with that."

"I don't have the words, but I saw your hearts this morning at the leper hospital, your tears, your sensitivity and your love were evident as you sat with the patients."

"Saying good-bye to the children...to everyone was so sad."

From Lennox: "I remember being one of those kids outside the bus, wondering if I would ever see those Americans again, so happy they came to share their lives with me."

From Mission Emanuel's short-term mission director: "It was so refreshing to see your hearts at Cielo, at the leper hospital, at Quita Sueno, at the hotel...you represented your school, the mission, and Jesus Christ so well."

From one of the Dominican translators who spent the week with us: "You made me feel like family; I felt closer to God today, and the peak was listening to your singing together tonight."

And finally, a poem written by some of the students, which began as a fun competition between two tables at the Chinese restaurant on New Year's Day. The result is a poem that describes our experience here and the heart of each student:

The sun rises in the late morn
2013 has started
Ready to serve, faith has been born
But our old life has been parted

The sun has reached it's highest point
We have come to love like the rain
It is for him that we anoint
Brick by brick and through all the pain

The clouds come in, the sun is gone
The children smile the rain has come
The love has brought a brand new dawn
The sun has set our day is done

The next sun rise we serve once more
We long to see what is in store