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Years in the planning... Bishop Folda & Randy Thorson Trip

“God’s timing is always perfect.”
Vatican in Peru, a relationship with
Archbishop Gualtieri is very special
for Bishops Folda and Ernesto as well
as our Mission. Archbishop Gualtieri
has already expressed an interest in
traveling to Chimbote to personally
experience our Mission and programs.

Upon arriving in Chimbote at Our Lady
of Perpetual Help parish, where we
The mission trip to Chimbote with of our Mission serving the poor of host visitors and our Mission began, the
Bishop Folda and Randy Thorson was his Diocese. Bishop Folda’s interest welcome from Jorge Villar, Executive
over a decade in development. Randy peaked with a formal invitation from Director of ACAF and Father Jertzi,
has completed 10 trips and been Bishop Ernesto in late 2023. Bishop pastor of OLPH, ACAF staff, beneficiaries
instrumental with his wife, Julie in Ernesto shared “…Your visit would be and parish staff was overwhelming.
major initiatives driving our impact we an opportunity for you to experience The joy, gratitude, love and excitement
would experience. Bishop Folda has firsthand the positive impact of your were a precursor to the entire week that
been aware of the Mission in Chimbote, generosity and for us to further carried right over into the evening Mass.
Peru since he became Bishop of Fargo strengthen the fraternal bonds that The next morning, we jumped into
12 years ago. The Mission started by unite us as brothers and sisters in faith.” seeing and experiencing all of our
Father Jack Davis and Sister Peggy Bishop Folda enthusiastically accepted Mission programs. The carpentry
Byrne, both of the Fargo Diocese, the invitation. A quote from ACAF’s shop where we are now assembling
has been experienced and supported Human Resources manager, Roxana the panels for our house building and
by thousands of Diocese members Lopez came to mind, “God’s timing is producing the furniture was a highlight.
including priests, parishioners, Shanley always perfect.” The new operational water purification
High School and seminarians. We assembled a diverse mission visit system provided by Prior Lake Rotary,
There were regular updates from FoC team. FoC Executive Directors Mike and initiated by our Board Member Michelle
Board Members Fr. Phil Ackerman and Katie Smith would lead the trip and be Jirik, was reviewed. The system can
Fr. Tom Graner. Friends of Chimbote joined by Chimbotano and longtime FoC produce thousands of 5 gallon bottles of
managers provided financial and board member Dr. Lucho Espejo, Board purified, safe, drinking water a day and
ministry updates as part of their annual Emeritus member and Spanish speaker will contribute greatly to the health of
submission to the Diocese for approval Father Tim Schroeder, Randy and Todd the poorest we serve.
to fundraise in the Diocese of Fargo. Mickelson
A very full afternoon started with
In late 2022, conditions for a visit came The morning after our arrival in Lima, meeting the Daniel and Cynthia Jakelin
together. Bishop Angel Ernesto was we met at the residence of Archbishop Sarrin family in Cambio Puente. We
appointed the new Bishop of Chimbote Paolo Rocco Gualtieri, the papal nuncio were building a home with and for the
and immediately engaged in the work to Peru. As the representative of the family during the week and we started

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