MICHELLE BRYANT

In this memoir, Walker recounts how his years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Central America and the Caribbean launched a career dedicated to service and, eventually, global philanthropy. His training in Latin American studies led to thirteen years of rural development work, some of it in war-torn Guatemala, and a life that has straddled cultures and borders.

Glenn Blumhorst, RPCV Guatemala

President of NPCA (National Peace Corps Association)

Mark's vivid reflection of his time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala reminded me of my own enthusiasm and eagerness to make a difference in the world, and a career launched by serving in the Peace Corps. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will surely see themselves in his experiences, but all will benefit from his perceptive recollections and astute observations of living and working in Guatemala. It’s one of the best RPCV memoirs I’ve read (and I have gone through quite a few).

Ambassador (ret.) Edwin G. Corr

(A career Foreign Service Officer and US Ambassador to Peru, Bolivia and El Salvador)

Mark Walker's valuable and pragmatic "lessons-learned" are delightfully described and taught in this well-written book! Professionals in international affairs and development will profit by reading it; and persons interested in foreign relations and foreign cultures will enjoy the author's insights. Mark, whom I have known for a quarter century, has "been there and done that. "He draws on five decades of working, living and traveling, not only in developing countries on three continents but also in Western Europe. Rare are Americans who have immersed themselves into both Latin American and African cultures; truly have lived, worked with and known as friends and relatives) foreigners in their own environments; and have contributed successfully to foreign poor communities' development by working with private organizations and government entities at all social/economic levels. Mark has done all this. If you read this book you will not only gain knowledge and understanding, you will enjoy it.

Alana DeJoseph, RPCV

Award winning Producer and Director of Peace Corps documentary “A Towering Task”, www.peacecorpsdocumentary.com

He is searching day and night for truth, learning and meaning.” wrote Hubert Smith, chancellor of the Law-Science Academy of 20-year old Mark Walker. And through this book it is obvious that he never stopped. Walker finds the humanity in all of us, from ranchers in rural Colorado, farmers in the throes of civil war in Guatemala, to peoples around the world where the ripple effects of Walker’s work continue to be felt. An inspiring read for those of us who want to get to work in the world community.

Charles F. “Chic” Dambach, RPCV Colombia

Past President, National Peace Corps Association, President of the Alliance for Peacebuilding.

Mark Walker recounts a delightful life journey filled with adventures, fascinating people, and remarkable achievements to help build a better world. Like many of us, the Peace Corps was a life-changing experience that shaped his values and launched a search for life’s larger truths. Along the way, he discovered multiple truths and he shares them with us in this marvelous book.

Buck Deines, RPCV Guatemala

Held executive roles with Medical Teams International, World Concern and Food for the Hungry.

As I’ve read through the various chapters you sent I’ve experienced a virtual rollercoaster of emotions. At times your vivid descriptions provoke a sense of deep warmth, smiles, laughter as your narrative brings to mind my own fond memories of living and working among the amazing people of Guatemala. But reading the chapter GUATEMALA, GUATEPEOR* — your reflections on the inequities, injustice, the corruption, the violence, and the role of the US government in the midst of all that — brings back tears and long suppressed feelings of anger and outrage towards the evil of it all. It surprises me at times how strongly those memories still affect me after all these years.

Ellen Urbani Hiltebrand

RPCV Guatemala 1991-1993. Author of, “When I Was Elena: A Memoir.”

Mark's socio-political overview of the multi-decade cultural and civil war in Guatemala is both insightful and accurate, and a timely primer on human rights injustices and their insidious perpetration by authoritarian rulers the world over. It is a lesson we should all be studying as we prepare to address the possibility of such changes in our own countries and communities.

Ray Buchanan

Founder & International President, “Stop Hunger Now” and Co-Director of the Society of St. Andrews

I have known Mark and counted him as a friend and mentor for more years than I care to admit. He writes with the same passion that he lives, and like him, his memoir is full of life and the joy of service. Reading Mark's memoir not only inspires one to get involved, it provides a framework for making a difference in a hungry and hurting world. Writing with clarity and insight, Mark has distilled his decades of service into a valuable resource for all of us.

Ambassador (ret.) Edwin G. Corr

(A career Foreign Service Officer and US Ambassador to Peru, Bolivia and El Salvador), former board member at MAP International.

Mark Walker's book is a "must-read" for fund-raisers for civic and religiously inspired non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that help the "needy" in developing countries. Mark's success during a half-century of work with poor communities, his immersion in Latin American and African cultures, and his remarkable success with fund-raising in North America and among wealthy elites of developing countries make his "lessons-learned" valuable and effective. Enjoy learning, and have a good read!

Jeff Cotter, Executive Director SG Foundation and MEG Family Foundations,

Executive Director, Allan Hancock College Foundation, National Pastorates, United Presbyterian Church, USA

You are a strong fundraiser as the examples attest from your book. Mark, the book does you justice, describes who you are and what you believe in, your remarkable abilities to move things forward with great sensitivity and gentle persistence, your way with all people but especially those with large discretionary funding who you were able to identify and reach and offer them the great gift of the opportunity to match what they wanted and needed to accomplish with their charitable funds with real need and opportunity that truly has changed lives. They truly wanted to change the world and you led them to the fulfilment of their dreams. And, you are also an expert in international community based development…And, of course, your leadership and experience in Latin America, particularly Guatemala, have been without equal… I really enjoyed the last chapter you sent on where you ended up spiritually. I think I liked it so much because it describe where I have landed too in terms of soul winning and long term sustainable development.

Bill Brackett, Former CEO World Neighbors

I love the personal warmth that I feel as I read each chapter… Well, Mark, I learned so much as I walked with you thru your 40+ years. Thank you for the opportunity. Peace Bill

John Harbison, Engineer, Past President

of Grand Island Rotary Club and Past Chairman of Rotary District 7090’s International World Service Committee

If you use Mark's book as an inspiration and a guide as I did, there is nothing that can stop you, if you put your mind to serving the needs of those less fortunate than yourself. It's what the world needs, so volunteer yourself and see what you can accomplish!