In the first 2 months I spent my working time mostly in the bakery and the pecan plant, as it was product season. I cut dates, made fruitcake, baked brittle and got to know new people every day.

In the month of November we did the peace presence, Ramadan fasting and meditation at the peace pole at noon. We did a lot of talking and discussing, and for me as a stranger it was interesting to hear the US people talk about their views.

As time went by I learned more about the local problems, especially concerning racism.  I was surprised to hear about the subtle ways of racism that are still going on. I'm especially thankful for meeting so many nice and interesting people who are connected with Koinonia, for example John Cole Vodicka from the prison and jail project or Bob Burns, who built a $ 100 house himself and lives by dumpster diving, Sanders who lives at Koinonia since 7 years and shares a dome house with his 4-person family. Also each one of the volunteers makes this place special. It was a time of my life when I learned things you cannot learn at any university, or study in any book.

Koinonia seems to be a spiritual nourishing place - there are so many "offsprings" of Koinonia that do great work in several other places now: New Hope house, Open door Community, Prison and Jail Project etc.

Me too, I feel like I've become more religious since I've been volunteering here.

   To me it seems Koinonia is always developing, growing, falling down, rising up again. This place has hard struggles but they make it since 60 years. The seed is good, the fruit needs care. So I wish that the hope never gets lost and that there are always People who have the strength and commitment to solve these problems so that Koinonia may become / stay a focused community and a well organized farm.