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Billy, Kate & Will in Perú

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Michigan

A Change in Scenery

Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2014 1 Comment

Michigan: where God painted the lakes and carved the land to remind us we’re always in the palm of his hand.

Earlier this week Billy and I arrived to Metro Detroit for our first furlough/home ministry assignment since we moved to Peru. As always, the week prior to traveling was hectic. A few days after returning from installing a clean water system in Kusi with a team from Living Waters for the World, Billy had the Girasoles house directors come to Lima for a 3-day training and planning for 2015. In addition to helping with the training, I spent quite a bit of time at immigration to renew my residency for another year before we left (sounds ironic, I know) since it would expire soon. We also spent a day at Hope House where we helped them inaugurate a new classroom at the home where the girls can study.

IMG_4466

We’re finally taking that “longer trip to the States” that we have told many of you about and was also postponed a few times in the past. Unfortunately this doesn’t mean that Billy’s application for Peruvian citizenship has been approved, we’re still waiting for that to finish…

We will be in the States until the beginning of February. During this time, we are raising support for the Girasoles boys ministry in addition to spending time with friends and family. Scripture Union is still facing a deficit for the future and we are working to grow our supporter base to be able to further the ministry.

Continue reading…

Posted in: Peru | Tagged: Girasoles, Michigan, Peru, photos

A Michigan Review

Posted on Monday, May 28, 2012 2 Comments

Billy and I have been back in Lima for almost 2 weeks now and we jumped right into the busy volunteer season a few days after getting back.

While in Michigan, we spent almost 3 weeks with friends and family and soaked up everything “Michigan” that we could. We had meals at our favorite restaurants, get-togethers with friends, went to Indy to visit friends & siblings, shared about what we were doing in Peru with Scripture Union, and were able to spend time in worship with our respective church families. We even attempted to go to a Tigers game, but sadly the only game we could possibly go to was rained out.

In addition to all of this, we attended the wedding of Billy’s brother Matt to his beautiful bride Bekah.

While it seemed like a quick trip, it was nice to spend real, face-to-face time with people we’ve missed over the past year or so. While I love Skype and think modern technology is great, I can only agree with the little six year old that told me “having you here is so much better than Skype!”

But in the meantime, Skype, Google Talk, and email it will be!

Posted in: General, Peru | Tagged: Michigan, photos

Michigan Awesome.

Posted on Friday, April 27, 2012 Leave a Comment

Ah Michigan… the land shaped like a hand.

But also, it is the land of drinking water straight from the tap, family, driving, longtime friends, four distinct seasons, Supino’s Pizza, Tigers baseball and so many familiarities.

And, it’s my first time back after almost a year in Peru (324 days to be exact). I know that at some point, I will accidentally greet somebody with a kiss on the cheek, or will forget and will put toilet paper in the bathroom trash (Peruvian plumbing typically can’t handle toilet paper), or I’ll mistakenly ask a shopkeeper or waiter for something in Spanish. But nevertheless, it is good to be back – even if it is just for a short 3 weeks.


Jhon, originally uploaded by katherinebruder.

During these next few weeks, I’ll be traveling around, trying to spend quality time with as many friends as possible. I will also of course be sharing. If you’re interested in hearing me share about my experiences during the past 11 months in Lima, I invite you to join me on Sunday, May 6th during the education hour (9am) and worship service (10am) at First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn (600 N. Brady, Dearborn).

Michigan: where God painted the lakes and carved the land to remind us we’re always in the palm of his hand.

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Feel the same way I do about this great state? You will want to check out Michigan Awesome. It’s a celebration of hometown love, disguised as a t-shirt company. Both Billy and I sport our Michigan Awesome sweatshirts around Peru!

Posted in: General, Peru | Tagged: Michigan, Peru, photo

Chloe

Posted on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 Leave a Comment

Over the past few months, I have been taking care of three little girls after school until their parents come home from work. Usually, it’s a couple hours each day, meeting them at the bus, doing homework, getting snacks, and taking them to various activities like gymnastics, soccer, and Wednesday night church events.

Every once in a while, when they have school vacation, I stay with them all day, planning activities, making lunches, and everything else.

This week, the Dearborn Schools have a particularly unusual schedule, with a half day on Monday, and a full day on Friday. That’s right, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, there is no school.

Since the two older sisters (7 and 9) were away on a business trip with their father to Chicago, it was just the little one and I today.

We had quite a busy day, starting with riding bikes the few blocks from their house to the church, a visit to the park, many games of chess & checkers, another trip to the park with the dog, games of bingo, and the library.

During the second trip to the nearby park, we walked along the sizeable river that runs through the lower portion.

As we walked towards the playground, a flock of ducks floated on by down the river. The little 5 year old I was with was quickly mesmerized. We spent a good twenty minutes watching and talking about the ducks.

After a few minutes of silence, and watching the ducks go up and down the river, I heard:

“I wish I was a duck.”

I asked if I understood her correctly, and she said again, “I wish I was a duck. I like how they just swim up and down all day, playing in the water. They are going on field trips!”

I started to think about how life would be if we were ducks. Were they watching us, standing on the bank of the river, thinking “I wish I was a person. They have fun.” After my runaway thoughts caught back up with me, the little 5 year old was tugging on my jacket, and said “let’s go, the ducks can’t play on the playground.”

I guess it’s better to be a person.

Posted in: General | Tagged: Chloe, Dearborn, ducks, Michigan, park, photo

M-22.

Posted on Thursday, April 8, 2010 Leave a Comment

(This post is originally appeared in the Photo365 Project. See more photos from my project online at 365.katherinebruder.com)


Cherry Republic (53 / 365), originally uploaded by katherinebruder.

Today we made the M-22 route through the Leelanau Peninsula to the little towns to Glen Arbor, Leland, Northport, Omena, and Suttons Bay. I love this route around the peninsula – the homes are beautiful, the view is gorgeous and the towns are quaint the cute.

We made a stop at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, which is self-explanatory by its name. They sell everything cherry in their three rustic buildings at the storefront in Glen Arbor.

M-22 North between Glen Arbor and Leland.

Historic Fishtown in Leland.

Posted in: General, Photo365 | Tagged: Cherry Republic, M-22, Michigan, photo, Suttons Bay, vacation
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katebruder

Happy fourth birthday to our little Will! You have Happy fourth birthday to our little Will! You have made our world a whole lot sweeter and you are our greatest adventure 🤍 We love you forever! #littlewilliamnoah
Last night the Peruvian president announced a two- Last night the Peruvian president announced a two-week lockdown covering 1/3 of the country, including Lima, amid a significant rise in COVID-19 cases here. The new lockdown will run from January 31 through February 14. New restrictions include the closure of all non-essential shops (only pharmacies, grocery stores/bodegas/markets and banks are allowed to be open) and a ban on domestic air and land travel. The ban on flights coming from Europe (and now Brazil) is extended. As of right now, the border remains open to all other international flights. Only 1 person is allowed to go grocery shopping at a time, and we are no longer allowed to use our personal cars. We also are only allowed outside for 1 hour per day for exercise/mental health, and should be at home the remainder of the time. 

We are experiencing a second wave of infections and with the variants, it sounds like there will be more positive cases this time than we had a year ago during our first quarantine. Experts are predicting that we will not hit our peak until April. According to Johns Hopkins University, Peru has reported more than one million cases and about 40,000 deaths related to COVID-19. 

This evening Will and I went for a walk through our neighborhood to squeeze in a little more outside time before Sunday when it will become harder to complete our 1000 hours outside. 

It’s difficult knowing we have to go back into a lockdown, but we are thankful for our health and that we have a safe place to quarantine at home. Join us in praying for the country of Peru and that these measures taken will make a positive impact on the pandemic here. 

#littlewilliamnoah
Working towards spending #1000hoursoutside and put Working towards spending #1000hoursoutside and putting many kilometers on Will’s scooter and bike this year 🚴‍♂️🛴#littlewilliamnoah @1000hoursoutside
To end what has been a long, unexpected year we di To end what has been a long, unexpected year we did a little staycation at a hotel in Lima. We walked around a new neighborhood, had a picnic in the park, watched movies, studied the city from above, spent time swimming in the pool and watched fireworks being set off over the city of Lima as the clock struck midnight and we entered the new year. 

While 2020 may not have been what we envisioned it would be a year ago, I am thankful for my little family, our health and the opportunities we have had this year. 

May 2021 be filled with adventure, laughter and hopefully being able to see family again! ✈️ #littlewilliamnoah
It was a quiet Christmas at home for the 3 of us i It was a quiet Christmas at home for the 3 of us in Lima this year but we enjoyed a slow 2 days, lots of good food (including, per Will’s request, funfetti cupcakes for Baby Jesus’ birthday), Zoom calls with family and time together. 

(Also don’t let the first gift your child opens to be a costume of one of their favorite characters unless you want all of your photos of the child to be in that costume 🤦🏻‍♀️) #littlewilliamnoah
Today was Will’s last day of 3 year old preschoo Today was Will’s last day of 3 year old preschool. It was bittersweet way back in March when we took him to his very first day of school. I wondered how it would go for him not knowing Spanish and his first time being away from family, and if he was really ready to start school (or, more like if I was ready!). Little did I know that Will would only have 1 week of in-person classes before switching to @greenmanbilly or I assisting with Zoom preschool at our kitchen table. While there were challenges with balancing school and work, I am thankful we were able to be a part of the start of Will’s academic career. It was fun to see him learning Spanish, and as the year went on, interacting with the other students and teachers. Will also was fortunate to have wonderful teachers, specifically Miss Dani, his Spanish teacher. She truly made this year a joy and encouraged Will in their daily Zoom calls. I don’t think there has been a day since March that Miss Dani has not come up in conversation. She has set the bar high for future teachers ❤️ So now it’s summer break and next year we will have a pre-kindergartener! #littlewilliamnoah
After many months of staying in our city apartment After many months of staying in our city apartment due to the pandemic (and 2 weeks of very cautious quarantining ahead of time), we rented a house through @airbnb for a few days. It didn’t matter that the property was only 30 minutes south of our apartment and still within the province of Lima - it had a lawn, beautiful outdoor space and a pool! We were able to relax (as much as a 3 year old lets you), read under a tree, fly kites in the field, swing in a hammock and take deep breaths of fresh air with friends. #littlewilliamnoah
The little cookie elf was busy this weekend making The little cookie elf was busy this weekend making (and decorating) sugar cookies and chocolate dipped shortbread 🎄 #littlewilliamnoah
As you may know, tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! As mi As you may know, tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! As missionaries in Peru, @greenmanbilly and I rely on a group of people to financially support us as we work with at-risk teens and young adults through a mentorship program with @pathsofhopeministries. Every month we receive our giving statement from @uwmorg and we are humbled to see the list of people who God used to love on us that month, and people that want to invest in what God is doing here in Lima. It never ceases to amaze us. You know who you are, and we appreciate you.
If you’d like to partner with us here in Lima, it would be an honor. Giving link is in my bio. (📷: Christmas 2019, pre-COVID 😕)
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