Philip and Bacilia Beisswenger Update
Guatemala
Greetings Guatemala mission partners and friends!
“We have come from a far country,” said the Gibeonites to the Israelites. “Now therefore, make a covenant with us.” (Joshua 9:6) Thus we note the enduring biblical interest in making international connections. The practice continues today in “far countries” like Guatemala, with covenant partners witnessing personally to one another, enabling Christ’s mission to grow deeper and wider.
Presbyterian Complex: Five amazing groups traveled to Cobán, getting involved personally in all areas of ministry.
♦ March: 13 people came from St. Giles Kingsway Presbyterian Church, Toronto, Canada to initiate digging for the multi-purpose ballcourt, also squeezing in a visit to Chajul.
♦ June: 11 from John Knox Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC labored with Guatemalan partners to level and fill the ballcourt area. Then, 26 from Trinity Presbyterian Church, Fairhope, AL endured 5:00 a.m. start-times to pour the ballcourt’s concrete slab and erect goals on each end.
♦ July: A youth team of 14 from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Charleston, SC grouted and painted at the theological center, signed a covenant with the La Patria Norte Protestant School and broke ground for a new school building. A team of 12 from Cincinnati’s Northminster Presbyterian Church continued the grouting and painting, helped build an outdoor kitchen area and led a children’s Bible school.
Partnerships Elsewhere: Three more wonderful teams came to partner in God’s work in other parts of Guatemala.
♦ March: Six from Middle Tennessee Presbytery visited the Petén in support of ongoing scholarship and animal husbandry projects and to help with church construction in San Juan Acul.
♦ June: Seven from Williamsburg Presbyterian Church traveled to Chajul and Guatemala City to renew their three-way covenant, meet with scholarship students and initiate development of a Presbyterian middle school.
♦ July: 15 from Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Dothan, AL helped tile the floor of a church in the Canaan community, led Bible school and renewed the covenant between the South Alabama and Chiséc presbyteries.
“Fire Volcano”: In June a major volcanic eruption near Guatemala City destroyed several villages, with a death toll of 159. Cobán wasn’t directly affected. Thanks for your prayers for victims.
Family: Matthew is now in Bentonville, AR for a year, in 10th grade and staying with Philip’s brother and his wife. Manny plays bass in the praise band and still competes in soccer locally. Stefi continues with her inline skate team and was crowned Niña La Patria Norte. Bacilia finished her nursing degree requirements and graduated in October. Daniel is scheduled to deploy again to Qatar for six months. Please pray for him, his wife and girls. Last May, missionary families with The Antioch Partners (us included) gathered from around the globe for a partners’ retreat in Siófok, Hungary, a nice opportunity to recharge and reconnect.
Our family is deeply grateful for the covenant that we share with so many of you and for your bonds with people like us in “far countries.” We send our blessings your way!
Philip, Bacilia, Matthew, Manuel and Estefana Beisswenger
email: pbpres@bellsouth.net
Prayer Requests
Theology center and ball court, Cobán (nearing completion)
Covenant renewal in Chajul, Quiché
Groundbreaking for school building, Cobán
Read more about the Beisswenger’s ministry HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking $25,000 for support funds for the Beisswengers and $25,000 to assist with remaining construction of the John Knox Theological Center in Cobán.