This morning was a highlight for me. We went for our weekly trip to the leprosarium, which I had been unable to go to with the first team because I had a nasty cold and didn't want to infect anyone. I was really excited to go this week, because this care facility for lepers is one of the most powerful places I have ever experienced. It is always an honor to go and share the love of Christ with these amazing men and women.

While the huge group of families held a party in the main area of the facility, a group of 5 of us went room to room to sing to the patients who were unable to leave their rooms for the party. I have done this every year, and these are some of the most vivid memories I have from all of my time in the DR. This morning did not disappoint!

The first room we went to was a woman who has been at the leprosarium for all of the years I have been visiting, so this has been her home for at least 6 years. Today, her daughter was there visiting her. For most of these patients, visits from any friends or family are rare or nonexistent, so their contact is mainly with staff and groups like ours who come for visits. I was so thankful to see that this woman was loved and cared for well by her daughter. We sang them several songs, while the daughter cried, prayed, and called out 'Gloria a Dios!' (Glory to God). The patient sat quietly, listening and rocking back and forth on her bed while we sang for her. She thanked us when we finished, and her daughter spent some time talking to us about how much it means to both of them that we would come and share with them.

We left their room and walked down the hall to a man's room. I have seen this man for years, and have sung to him many times. He is mostly blind, missing the majority of his fingers and his right foot, but he has an incredible smile. He welcomed us in and allowed us to sing to him. As I was singing in Spanish, I started really thinking about how powerful it was to come and sing these particular words to this man. The song is called 'All Ye,' and the words in English are:

All ye heavy-laden

All ye heavy-hearted

All ye heavy-laden

Come, for the Lord will give you rest

Come, the Lord will give you rest

Oh come and be filled

Oh come and be healed

Oh come and be filled

By the Spirit of the Lord

By the Spirit of the Lord

What a powerful message for a man who is certainly in need of healing, rest, and the presence of the Lord. As I sang and cried, I felt so thankful that we indeed have a God who gives us rest, a sense of peace, and is filling us when we need it. This man reminds me to be thankful for the God we worship and serve. We all need rest, we all need to be filled, and we all need the Spirit of the Lord. After we prayed and hugged this man, he looked up at us and said, 'Thank you for bringing the bread of life."

Amen