12 Degrees South

Billy, Kate & Will in Perú

  • Home
  • About Us
  • How Can I Help?
  • Instagram
  • Contact

Detroit

Detroit – Mexico City – Lima

Posted on Thursday, June 9, 2011 1 Comment

Yesterday could not have been any smoother. Despite being overly tired from lack of sleep the past few weeks, I experienced absolutely zero hiccups throughout the day – from leaving Detroit all the way through making it to bed that night. So, those few things I asked you to pray for yesterday (safe flights, no issues with luggage, easy entry into Peru)? Thank you.

Zero lines at the Delta International check-in counter and airport security made for a great start to the day. And if it couldn’t be better, my flight from Detroit to Mexico City was not full at all, so I didn’t have to sit next to anybody. Space on an airplane? Wonderful.

We arrived in Mexico City and navigated the immigration department (where I received a Mexican stamp in my passport – but it covers another one…), gathered my luggage and dropped it off at the AeroMexico baggage claim.

Three hours later, after a considerable amount of people watching, reading and just sitting around, I boarded the next flight, from Mexico City to Lima. Again, the plane was barely full and I didn’t have to sit directly next to anybody. And, where I was sitting the first 2 rows of the Coach cabin was called “AeroMexico Plus+”. Nobody directly next to me, slightly larger seat, nice headrest and lots of leg room? Perfect.

There were maybe 10 people sitting in front of me on the flight, so it made for an easy exit off the plane and a very quick stop in Immigration. My luggage came off the flight quickly and when I pushed the customs button, I got the green light.

For anybody that has been to Peru before, sometimes this last part of the trip – from when you land in Lima to getting in your transportation from the airport – can take a lot of time. You have to wait in line at Immigration, it takes a long time for your baggage to arrive, you get the red light at customs, and then you exit into the airport to a sea of people anxiously waiting for their loved ones, or taxi drivers constantly asking, “taxi? taxi?”.

I walked out from the restricted area into literally a sea of people all staring right at the door. My transportation from the airport to the apartment was a hired taxi driver that I had never met before. To find him, I was supposed to look for a sign with my name on it, among the dozens and dozens of other signs around the airport. Usually, this takes me a while. They are never standing near the front of the group, their sign is small with some creative spelling of my name, and I don’t know who I’m looking for. But not last night – Cesar was standing right in the front of the large group and unbelievably easy to find.

He helped me to his car and we were off into the streets of Lima.

And so the adventure begins.

Posted in: Peru | Tagged: Detroit, Mexico City, Peru, travel

The Amazing Race

Posted on Saturday, May 29, 2010 Leave a Comment

After an eventful journey from Detroit to Lima, I finally made it to a bed around 3am on Saturday morning.

My first flight from Detroit to Atlanta was slightly delayed, which left a very short layover in Atlanta. Thankfully, for me my second flight from Atlanta to Lima was going to be delayed because of some big weather problems in Atlanta. We were supposed to be taking off at 5pm, but did not end up leaving the ground until almost 7:30pm.

When I arrived in Lima, the plan was to be met by Billy Clark, my boss, at the airport and be taken to his house. Thankfully, I was able to quickly check my email before leaving the States and noticed a change in plans: I was to meet a taxi driver at the little café outside of customs/immigration who would take me to my final destination. He would have a letter for me with instructions for the next few days before I fly up to Iquitos for the summer. I felt like I was a contestant on The Amazing Race – just without the partner and challenges.

“Tonight when I arrive in Lima, a taxi driver will meet me with a letter with instructions for the next few days… This is so Amazing Race.”

I successfully met up with the taxi driver and after being delayed for so long, I finally made it to a bed around 3am. With all the excitement of being back in Peru, I just couldn’t fall asleep.

On Saturday afternoon, I met up with a group of high school seniors from Southlake Christian in North Carolina who were on their senior class trip. They had just returned from spending a week in Kusi with Rachel, a fellow SU worker and Billy. After trading emails back and forth with Rachel for the past few months, it was nice to finally meet her. And it is always nice to be in the same time zone as Billy!

So for the next few days I’ll be here in Lima. The plan is that I will fly up to Iquitos with Billy Clark on Tuesday morning to meet the new house parents and get settled into Puerto Alegria before my first team arrives.

Posted in: Peru | Tagged: Amazing Race, Detroit, Lima, Peru, Scripture Union

Feeding the Needy

Posted on Sunday, November 15, 2009 Leave a Comment

Front end Crew, originally uploaded by The First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn.

Earlier today, members of the CREW Youth Group at First Presbyterian Dearborn ventured out into downtown Detroit to set up tables in front of the Neighborhood Service Organization Tumaini Center.

Every month, CREW prepares a hot meal to share with 175 hungry people in Detroit. This particular meal they served, was a generous portion of Panko Chicken, roasted red skin potatoes, steamed butternut squash, green bean medley, pumpkin pie/apple crisp, fresh baked rolls and a bottle of water. Each full-course serving costs less than $2 per person.

This is, by far, one of our most popular events with the members of CREW.

More photos from the meal can be found on Flickr.
A video about the project can be found here.

Posted in: General | Tagged: CREW, Dearborn, Detroit, Feeding the Needy, video

Micah 6:8

Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009 Leave a Comment

For those of you familiar with the NOOMA videos by Rob Bell, this video might seem familiar. It was written & directed by my brother Randy for a youth service at our church. The actors in the video are all members of the youth group and are participating in preparing meals for the needy in Detroit, something they do every month.

Posted in: General | Tagged: Detroit, Micah 6:8, video

Subscribe to our updates

katebruder

When your uncle comes to visit, you wear your matc When your uncle comes to visit, you wear your matching shirts together (with a flashback to his last visit in January 2020) #littlewilliamnoah
Explored Arequipa, the white city, for the first t Explored Arequipa, the white city, for the first time all together and spent many hours outside under the blue sky. #littlewilliamnoah
The @monasteriodesantacatalina is one of my favori The @monasteriodesantacatalina is one of my favorite places in Peru. There is beauty around every corner and the colors, sillar streets and potted geraniums along the walls are just amazing. This trip we were able to visit as the sun was setting and see the former monastery in a new way. #littlewilliamnoah
Spent a few days outside under blue skies in the C Spent a few days outside under blue skies in the Colca Canyon #littlewilliamnoah
Just a small glimpse into what we did during July Just a small glimpse into what we did during July in 60 seconds #littlewilliamnoah
Celebrating Fiestas Patrias with dancing los capor Celebrating Fiestas Patrias with dancing los caporales 🇵🇪 #littlewilliamnoah
Ready to perform la danza de los caporales with hi Ready to perform la danza de los caporales with his classmates at @coloringdreamsperu to celebrate Fiestas Patrias 🇵🇪 #littlewilliamnoah
All of the people in these photos are now Peruvian All of the people in these photos are now Peruvian! When I first traveled to Peru in 2001 at 15 years old, I never expected that one day I would be a living here as a citizen. After 11 years of living in Lima, I have joined @wngreenman and @greenmanbilly with dual citizenship! 🇵🇪 🎉 🇵🇪 #littlewilliamnoah
We spent the morning with the llamas of @llamapack We spent the morning with the llamas of @llamapackproject and community partners from Cancha Cancha learning about how llamas are used for social development within local communities and to conserve and protect the environment in the Andes. #llamapackproject #littlewilliamnoah
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 12 Degrees South.

Theme by Randall Bruder.