Day 9

After another early rise, we joined the brothers for mass, prayers and breakfast. The mass was heavenly... The brothers sang a beautiful blessing prayer over us and we returned the blessing. Ours was not quite as beautiful....
After breakfast, and many emotional farewells, we headed for the airport. It's only 40 minutes to Manila. The brothers picked us up and showed us great hospitality. The kids were over the moon to be fed first pizza and then a hamburger.
We toured the brothers facility, which Is a work in progress. The new monastery is due to be blessed and opened in two weeks. They have a medical mission and an old shack which provides a roof for 8 homeless men and a place for an afternoon program for children.
Over time a handful of kids turned into a crowd. Our kids spent a lot of time getting to know them. They then sang and danced for us. The farewell was quite emotional for such a brief encounter.
On our way to airport now.