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A Dream Rekindled...

Josephina’s New Beginning

Pastor Sam Coleman of Riverstone Church in Bismarck, North Dakota,
wrapped his arms around 73-year-old Josephina as they prayed
together, overwhelmed with gratitude. It was a moment of profound
joy—Josephina had just received the gift of a new home. With
tears streaming down her weathered cheeks, she stood before the
Riverstone Church Mission Team and bravely shared her heart:

"I thought I would be forgotten because
I am an old woman. I thought my time of
dreaming was over."

Her words pierced the room with quiet power. Her story began
months earlier when guests of the Friends of Chimbote (FoC) Board
met Josephina during a visit. They were deeply moved by the harsh
reality of her living conditions. Her home, barely standing, had become too dangerous for her
beloved grandchildren to visit. Her loneliness was crushing, made worse by the silence that
had settled in her once-lively home.

In that moment, the FoC team made a
decision that would change everything.
Through the Better Homes…Better
Lives program, they pledged to build
Josephina a safe, dignified place to live.
That promise blossomed into a reality—
and into something even greater.

But Josephina’s story doesn’t end there.

With a new home came a new light in her eyes. The spark of hope that
had once flickered now burns brightly. Her laughter fills the rooms that
were once empty, and her smile never seems to fade. Inspired by the
gift she received, Josephina has become a beacon in her community.
She founded a senior group in Upper Cambio Puente and now passionately advocates for her peers—encouraging them
not to give up, no matter their age. Her home, once a place of sorrow, now welcomes neighbors with open doors. Her
grandchildren visit three times a week, bringing warmth, love, and laughter back into her life. Josephina’s transformation has
become a catalyst for change. Her story has inspired ACAF and Friends of Chimbote to shine a light on the often-forgotten
elderly in their communities. These elders are not burdens—they are the foundation of the community. They deserve to live
with dignity, to be seen, celebrated, and deeply valued.

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