It’s hard to believe that we returned to Peru one year ago today – especially during this space time continuum of COVID-19 and endless months of quarantining at home.

Even though we returned to the same city and same apartment, this year has been very different from our first 8 years here. We returned to a new ministry partner with new roles and this time, with a 3 year old. Our monthly bus trips and flights from before have been replaced with weekly park explorations (pre-COVID of course).

Here are just a few photos from the past year.

Billy presenting on the effects of trauma to public school teachers with Will listening in the back

Driving through the Andes, stopping at 13,200 feet above sea level

Will’s first wedding

Visiting with our friend Carmen

Will accompanying us to a school assembly

Spending time (pre-COVID) with Jimmy & Anna

First swim in the Pacific Ocean 🐟

Visiting the girls at Hope House

Will’s first public bus ride

Spending time with Alex

Seeing friends from Nashville in Lima

Visiting the Girasoles home in Ica

Making new friends

Riding in a taxi, watching the streets of Ica through Will’s eyes

First day of school before it all went virtual

Virtual preschool includes lesson videos from Will’s teachers

Like everybody, this past year has been very different than we expected – ministry programs have been delayed or completely restructured for Zoom, Will’s first year of preschool changing from in-person to completely online and we’ve spent more time in Lima (and at home!) than we ever have before. Despite all of the uncertainty and change that has been 2020, we’re happy to be back in Lima and closer to friends that we still just see on FaceTime and Zoom for right now 🤦🏻‍♀️ 😕

Celebrating a friend’s birthday over Zoom

Billy leading a training over Zoom about mentoring

Both Billy and I are so thankful for the opportunity that you have given us to be part of this ministry here in Peru. Thank you for your generous support through prayer and donations. We would not be able to continue working here without your help.

We can’t wait to see what the next few years bring to the lives of the young adults we work with.

The best is yet to come.

– Kate & Billy