Recently we assisted 36 students from Korea International School (KIS) on an exciting journey of construction and service in Cambodia.

Today, we received the following poem that they wrote while on service. We thought it was a nice thing to share with you.

The Turnaround

It was eight in the morn’ and we clambered aboard
Of the coach that was waiting outside of the door.
Off to the orphanage to work and to play,
sweat in the sun and and enjoy the day.
But the morning was tough – the kids were all tired;
It wasn't long until our projects got mired
In tempers and boredom and flat-out exhaustion.
By lunchtime we knew that we really had lost them.
Nothing was getting done very well;
Students were whining and frustrated as well.
Pizza revived them; we were making progress
And wanted to see them improve, not regress.
So we had a short chat right after we ate
Where the students began to self-contemplate
Solutions to the doldrums they encountered that morn’
And how to improve their feelings forlorn.
Their thoughts were right on; they knew what to do,
So we headed on back with our then revived crew.
It was simply astounding to watch the group shift
to a focused team rather than a floundering ship.
The projects picked up with astonishing speed
With every person fulfilling the needs
Of the team rather than focusing on self,
Or the heat, or the task, or the time that was left.
You wouldn't believe how quickly time flew
And before we could blink every project was through!
Ahead of schedule, students cheered and they smiled
And congratulated each other for running that mile.
The tile inside has been beautifully set
While outside the paint looked quite majestic.
Tomorrow's schedule has now been freed up
So we can paint murals and do trash clean up.
We'll play a few games with the kids and then
Eat lunch as we celebrate each one of them.
You would be so impressed with how they turned things around
And turned a rough start into a day to astound.
We wish you could be here to see how they've grown
As expressed in their efforts and the comments they've shared.
So think of us often in the next day or two.
We're thinking of you and will see you all soon!