Page 6 - Winter 2023 Newsletter FINAL

FoC Container Arrives

Connie Altringer - FoC Board Member

Did you know there are over 50 bible help build a home, distribute fish
verses that reference ‘to whom much is and loaves, and revitalize a church
given, much is expected’? Luke 12:48 has garden. Our family also sponsored
always spoken to me - From everyone to a park beautification effort. Our
whom much has been given, much will entire group planted 100 trees, built
be required; and from the one to whom benches, and added playground
much has been entrusted, even more equipment. The next day we went
will be demanded. back to the area for a baptism
I have been blessed to retire early from celebration and I immediately was
a great career at Great Plains Software/ brought to tears as the park was full
Microsoft and find my adult children of community members enjoying the
moving on with their lives. With both updated surroundings. My desire to Let me leave you with one thought…
my parents recently passing, I was at a volunteer with FoC and help the poorest picture a family living in a one room
bit of a pause in my life. What was God of the poor was greatly reaffirmed! hut in a desert with dirt floors, no
calling me to do since I had been given I am currently transitioning to manage electricity, and no running water. El
so much and how could I make an impact the Container Program. This vital Nino unleashes torrential rains (as it did
in others’ lives? It only took one meeting program is an annual shipment of a 470” March 2023), their home is flooded, and
with Todd Mickelson to help me hit long x 93” wide x 105” high shipping their belongings ruined. Where do you
the play button toward an enormously container filled to capacity with electric turn to start over? One of the donation
fulfilling volunteer opportunity. wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, opportunities we send on the Container

As Todd and I talked that day, I was crutches, canes, clothing, blankets, is called a ‘Home in a Box.’ It is a plastic
tote containing tarp, rope, duct tape,
fondly reminded of a mission trip to diapers, backpacks, school supplies and plastic dishes, silverware, towels &
Chimbote, Peru in 2018 that my son and other necessary needs for the people other necessities to build a shelter and
I took with a group from Shanley High of Chimbote and surrounding barrios. prepare meals.
School. Our family also chose Friends of Donations are collected throughout the
Chimbote (FoC) as one of our charitable entire year in the Shakopee, MN area. If you are interested in donating a Home
organizations over the years. Todd and I have set an aggressive but achievable in a Box, tarps, blankets, quilts, or other
I talked about my organizational skillset goal to send a second container from vital items, please reach out to me at
and how that could fit into FoC’s needs. the Fargo, ND area in 2025. Each year, connie.altringer@outlook.com.
We talked about my family’s passions we work with our sister organization in I am very interested in engaging with
in supporting FoC including areas of Peru (ACAF) to create a prioritized list church or civic groups who would like
technology and community building. of the needs. In addition to the above to add this international component to
And viola – I found my niche! mentioned items, we would like to send their philanthropic mission. I am also
more computers, a large emergency
In June, I was approved on the FoC Board. tent, a generator, office chairs, a looking for coordination assistance in
My daughter and I recently returned skidsteer, an air compressor and various Shakopee and Fargo. Thank you for
from the FoC Board visit and mission trip tools. considering your blessings and sharing
to Chimbote. We had the opportunity to them with the people of Chimbote!

2023 Container just arrived in Chimbote October 31st

PAGE 6 friendsofchimbote.org