Porter's Memorial Service

As many of you know I lost a fellow PCV and friend here in Paraguay, Porter Knight.  I first wanted to start out this post with pictures from Porter's amazing memorial service that was held in Asuncion.  Below are some pictures from the service itself.  It was a very hard time for all of the PC family but it was just great for everyone to be together and PC Paraguay had the support of the PC worldwide.  Many other PC countries and NGO’s (such as WWF) send beautiful flower arrangements.  The service itself was beautiful and we all heard from his G (the people in his group G40), his two different host families (his first training community as well as his current host family), the ambassador, and many different PCV and PC Staff.  It was a very well attended service and it was just so great to be a part of it during a difficult time for all of us.

This first picture is just of a board of some of the pictures of Porter during his time here in Paraguay, many of which are just with his friends and some of his projects and his community.  He always seemed to have a huge smile on his face.

The next picture is of his G mates and each of them took turns telling stories about Porter as well as one word that they will remember about him.  They also read a wonderful poem which I have included below that was read at the service.

Not How He Died...But How He Lived (By: Summer Sandercox)

Not how did he die, but how did he live? 

Not what did he gain, but what did he give? 

These are the units to measure the worth 

Of a man as a man, regardless of birth. 

Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed? 

But had he befriended those really in need? 

Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer, 

To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? 

Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say, 

But how many were sorry when he passed away. 

This is a picture of me saying a few words about Porter since I was the volunteer who stayed with him for just less than a week during training so I was able to talk about my experience with Porter.  Overall it was a very emotional day and very hard to say goodbye to a friend.    I was also able to write a letter to Porter’s family and the entire memorial service was recorded and sent to his family.  It was just great for the entire PC community to come together from all the volunteers to staff as well as other family and friends as well as the support from PC worldwide.  Although I only knew him for about 6 months he still was a good friend and a great loss, but I will always remember Porter and the good times we were able to spend together.