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

cross built in our carpentry shop was
installed and dedicated at San Pedro
Cemetery where the very poor are
buried.
A perfect culmination to the week on
Friday was the despedida (farewell)
Mass at OLPH and the blessing of the
home for Daniel and Cynthia and their
family. Smiles, hugs, blessings, full
hearts, contented exhaustion and an
abundance of grace filled the day.
Upon returning from Peru and with days
to reflect, Bishop Folda shared some
thoughts and feelings. The experience
helped him understand why people have
encouraged him to visit Chimbote and
by moving all of their belongings out to refurbish the facility to support the our Mission. It provided an opportunity
of the home so it could be demolished. growth of our Mission to grow in his faith as he truly
The afternoon progressed with a tour After witnessing the impact of our experienced the beauty of the universal
and review of ACAF programs in Cambio church and our responsibility and
Puente. work in Cambio Puente, the next obligation of charity and service with all
day we experienced the needs of that we have been given. He witnessed
Over the past 4 years in Cambio the community of nearby Coishco, the spirit, faith, love, dedication and
Puente, we completed the San Miguel where we are in the early stages of passion of Bishop Ernesto and the staff
soup kitchen, a daycare, a tutoring/ a community development plan. In of ACAF for the poor we serve who are
learning center, social services offices, following our model to Listen, Learn, filled with faith and working to escape
a kindergarten, park and sports field, a Believe and Serve, community and faith poverty and care for their families.
water storage and distribution system to leaders shared the challenges of severe Bishop expressed confidence that this
each home and built 80 homes as part poverty and lack of infrastructure in Mission has a singular purpose in the
of our Better Home Better Life program. the community. The interactive session Fargo Diocese with relationships built
St. Michael’s parish in Prior Lake, MN was followed by a fish and loaves over many decades and we can commit
and mission visitors have been integral distribution and delivery of furniture to it in a very direct way to fulfill our
in funding and building many of the and home goods to a family. obligation to care for our brothers and
projects. The ACAF staff, in collaboration The next to sisters. Amen.
with FoC and community leaders last day was
identified, planned and managed all of
the projects as part of our community again a day
development model to empower and of faith and
service. We
transform lives.
experienced
The following day, Bishop Folda, Father the chapel
Tim Schroeder and Lucho Espejo spent on the hill in
an enlightening morning with Bishop the morning
Ernesto and his team while Randy, Mike and a Mass at
and Katie, Todd, Jorge and key members the Cathedral
of his team spent time at the former in the
hospice facility, now the San Mateo afternoon.
Center. We are replacing the condemned In between,
perimeter wall and developing plans a beautiful

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