Before I
left, Freddy Newburger a US Veteran of World War Two I interviewed told me that
¨2 years isn´t an afternoon.¨ He was right.
In two
years a LOT has changed. Matthew bécame a doctor, Katherine and Duffy got
engaged, married and Matthew and Jessica got engaged. Mom and dad celebrated 30
years together. When I arrived Antonela was 1 and now she´s 4,
when I came she stared and said a few words, she now talks, argues, plays,
dances marinera and takes clases in Italian! Buon Giorno!
On the
world stage much has changed and stayed the same. Americans will have a more
secure health care plan but continually struggle against an Economic depression
that won´t budge. The Middle East celebrated the Arab Spring at the same time
Syria continues to shed its blood. Peru elected a new reformer president but
continues to struggle against an international mining
crisis as old as the conquistadores themselves.
But here I
still am, with my feet on the ground, one more time in Yanacoto. Many times
before, during and after your service you may be questioned (and you´re often
the one asking it), what have you done?
But if
there´s one thing you learn especially, it´s that real change takes time. One
step at a time, most things stay the same but if you stay determined you can actually move the marker even just a bit.
Oh yeah and you can´t even get that far without great friends.
2 years 2
months later and I´m ready to get on another flight. Same as last time, I´m anxious
and unsure about what is to come, but a little more confident in myself, and ready
to take that next step. But for now I´ll leave with the words that I saw in
action every day for the past two years and two months:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever
has.” –Margaret Mead
Thanks for reading for the two years, and now I´m ready to
share and hear your stories in person.
With deep gratitude and love for all those have supported me
during these two years,
Un Abrazo,
Vermont2PeruBack2Vermont,
John William Meyer
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