June 20

About 20 days ago we set out on this adventure, trip, journey.There was plenty that we felt unsure of... who will my roommate be? what will the food be like? Is natural bug spray really going to work? Should we flush the toilets? How many people can fit in a concho? Can anyone share a muffin? Simultaneously addressing the questions of logistics and living, there were 'bigger' questions. How can I feel at the center of the group? What does it mean to be a collective? What is our vision? And, of course, the ever-impending question: what is Justicia Global?

As I begin to write this, my eyes swell with tears. Tears of systemic frustration, bureaucratic monopolies, cross-cultural oppression, unequal distribution of wealth (and power), and the absence of human rights. It's not fair. It's not fair to fall into this brainwashing capitalist power our society has raised us in. It's not fair that basic human rights are neglected across the world. In the past three weeks we have extended our comprehension of just how far the unfair, unjust, unequal world extends. We have analyzed oppression. We have despised capitalism. We have searched for alternatives. We have, at times, felt helpless.

But through all these dark, stormy clouds (as we witnessed literally on the bus ride home from Las Yayitas), there were so many rays of sunshine. University and high school students - so articulate and well informed on the political and social happenings and the history of their country. There were poems and poets that transcended passion across a language barrier. There were songs and instruments that touched our souls (Oh, rock me Momma like a wagon wheel!), there were testimonies of strength in the face of the government seizing rural land. New perceptions of medicine, nature and solace were introduced. There were faces of beautiful, innocent, youthful children that tugged on our heart strings. More people offered "bienvenidos/as" than we could have imagined. There was dancing, shared experiences, and cooperative games. There were realizations of cross-cultural values. There was work...that transformed our views of connections, bonds and the concept of working together. There were shared abrazos. There were exemplary people who demonstrated the strength of unity, in the face of time. There were people we spent only a day with, who truly loved us. There was inspiration, in so many forms.

If those rays of sunshine aren't enough, there was one more, which, as I begin to write it, brings about different tears. There were and there are 22 wonderfully amazing people that I was lucky enough to share everyday with. Each one of you all continues to inspire and empower me with your histories, your goals, your deep reflections, your POTENTIAL to bring about great change in this world, wherever you may go.

Maybe a week from now we will be a part of the workforce. Maybe we will be somewhere special with family and friends. Maybe we will be doing nothing because we still aren't sure. Regardless of the answer, let's focus on each other. Check up, check in, ask questions. And in the fall when the temporary connotation all too often associated with summer fades, keep checking. And never, ever give up. Hold on to the hope of inspiration and use it to make the change. Abre los ojos.

Let's go forward, together, in unity.

Contributed by Jill Petty