My first day at L'Arche was the day the community left for vacation near Gettysburg.  I really had no idea what I was getting myself into because I had never been a part of a L'Arche community and was joining the development staff.  However, the second I arrived, Andrew took my hand and introduced me to everyone in the room.  It didn't matter who I was or who the other person was, Andrew was going to have me meet everyone, some people two or three times just to make sure.  By the end of vacation, I felt comfortable around everyone and knew that my time at L'Arche was going to be different from anything else in my life so far.

Andrew's gift of welcoming brought me into the community and continues to give me life at L'Arche.  I will never forget that moment when Andrew just took my hand and wouldn't let go until I had met everyone else, until I was no longer the stranger.

- David Uhl, Development Staff 2007-Present