Well, I'm home

Some Thoughts On My Trip To Ayacucho

Got home to an empty house. It was ok, as I have had time to finish my stories on my web site.
Oh, alright... King and Fletcher were here to greet me. Jada came to get me... thanks Jada. You are awesome.

I have to say that my two weeks in Peru was exactly what I dreamed it would be. I hugged a lot of beautiful children. The boys were adorable, as were the girls. All ages. I was able to meet some very special women in prison, helped build a wall for a school so a new school in an impoverished part of town could have donated playground equipment. This was more than I had ever dreamed I would do. If you've ever felt unappreciated, worthless, unnecessary... take a volunteer trip where you can touch the hearts of brown eyed children. It's like breathing clean air or diving into a cool pool of water, a taking a hot shower after a long run in the snow. I cried when I realized I was building a wall so kids could have swings and slides in a gated playground. I felt at home when I met the women in prison, maybe I could help them feel as if they are contributing to a better world... from their cells. The people who staffed the home we stayed at were so passionate about their town, and the people in it, I was inspired.

I met some great volunteers also. There were five of us at first, the sixth came later. We were from Seattle, Van Couver, Washington DC, Portland, Minnesota and England. All but on was under 25. They were so great and included me in everything. Even gave me the option for the weekend trip cause I only had one week. Thank you Chris, Mallory, Dina, Anna. And Steve. I feel fortunate to know each of you and the people and children of Ayacucho are so fortunate to have you in their midst.

Marisole, All the doormen, Rudy, Trudi and Poncho all were lights along the way. They made my trip such a delight. I wish all of you the determination to follow your heart in giving time and resources to those who are without.
I look forward to your stories too.