A letter to the next Encuentro team

 

To the next people who live in the volunteer house,

It seems like yesterday when Matthew Freeman and Jose Carlos picked us up in the white van from the Cusco airport and drove us to the town of Andahuaylillas. That same day, we were given a tour of the town that would be our home base for the majority of the summer. 

Every week, it seemed like we found something new. Over time as we got more familiar with the house, we discovered a pressure cooker, a collection of games and mostly-pirated movies, a closet full of clothes and sweaters, a bunch of yoga mats, and more. But the most interesting discovery was the journal.

Close to the end of our time in the region, our friend Paul Grammling - a veteran companion - told us about a journal that past volunteers had written in, and for the next few days we searched our Peruvian home for it. Finally, underneath the boxy TV that played movies if the DVD player was positioned just right, we found a red moleskin journal with loose pages and notes ranging from 2001 to 2020. 

It included notes and pictures from Jesuit volunteers, Spaniards, and friends - mostly in Spanish - all reminiscent of the beauty of Anda the people who call it home. As we read, we realized that despite the time gap, we shared very similar transformative experiences and feelings during our time in the region.

On July 1st, we scrambled out of the house and hopped into Jose Carlos’ van. It was our last time as a full group in Quispicanchi. Madi, Juliana, Jake and Ryan were heading back home and Santi, Olivia, Zachary, and Martin would remain for another few weeks. During the bumpy car ride and into our last meal together in Cusco, Madi wrote a journal entry in the moleskin to memorialize our experience.

Here is a bit of what she said:

"Today is my departure day from this beautiful place that is Andahuaylillas. While five weeks sounds long I've learned time is relative to your experiences. This house and this place are filled with people who have moved me in ways I didn't know possible. I laughed around the dinner table, danced in the kitchen, and learned so much along the way.

If I could give the person reading this any advice, it is to say yes. Put your embarrassment aside and learn from the people around you. 

I will be forever grateful for the relationships I have formed here. The Quispicanchi project has a little bit of magic. It has taught me the importance of showing up time and time again. Being a part of a community means viewing each other as equals. I am grateful that the people on this team put their egos aside each day to learn from the people of Andahuaylillas. Be kind, listen intently, stay optimistic, and cherish each day because it flies.”

So, to the people who fill up our small house on Estinar and Calle Grau next, we are so excited for you - keep saying yes.

Abrazos,

The Encuentro Team of 2022