The picture perfect smile might be the first thing that draws a person to Davidson, but it doesn’t take long to fall deeper in love with the heart behind that smile.

Eridien, 21, is one of the most personable kids in the Philo class. He smiles a lot, and can often be found joking with staff members. He is outgoing and charismatic, and well-liked by his classmates.

Steevenson, 20, is smart. He finished at the top of his class last year and excels in just about every subject at school. His calm demeanor and friendliness have also made him a natural leader among his classmates, though he is one of the youngest in this year’s Philo class (13th grade).

It is hard to imagine Grace Emmanuel School without Ralph Roger, who has served as the school’s dean of students for nearly a decade.

As Hurricane Matthew approached Haiti, the villages surrounding Grace Emmanuel School were expected to experience 85 mph winds and torrential rain. To say we were worried about the families of the students and staff is an understatement. We knew God had them in His sovereign hands, but the unknown was unnerving.