Jacob George, 1982 - 2014

Jacob George had come to Urbana a few years ago, and spoke at the Mennonite church here. As people arrived he was sitting quietly on the back steps, playing a banjo. When the event started and we assembled in the church, he led us all in song...

Jacob told us of how akin he felt to the Afghan people he'd met, as a hill person among hill people - who don't want our assistance, but just to be left to be the resilient people they are and to grow their potatoes in the mountains. Of women who realized that the best chance they had of improving women's lives was by educating men, so they organized a school and did that. And many other stories, political and personal, of working for peace. It was very moving.

It was clear even in that brief meeting that Jacob was a great human being, and I'm so sorry we have lost him so young. Take care, Sarah, and all who knew him.