February 8, 2008
Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

At the close of a recent mission trip to Guatemala, the mission team was sitting in a circle on the floor in a well-prayed-in place,  the eighteenth-century ruins of the convent in Antigua known as Las Capachinas. Our week together had been very formative, transformative really, especially because we had traveled day after day up a windy, dusty road to one of Guatemala’s poorer and more remote communities, discovering among the Quiché people such annimated hope and much gratitude for the scholarship program this PC(USA) church had instituted. As we reflected on our time, one of the persons in the group expressed her depth of feelings: “For the first time in my life I have really felt like I have been the answer to someone else’s prayer.”

Though I could never have expressed my feelings in such an articulate way, she captured something that resonates within me, as Jeannene and I come to the end of our three years of mission service in Guatemala. When I left the church I had served as pastor for 26 years, the next chapter was completely blank. Over these three years, wonderful stories have been written about chicken coops being built, coffee fields being planted, cement floors being poured, vacation Bible schools being held, eye examinations being done. The list goes on and on. But more importantly, friendships have been built, partnerships have been renewed, and Presbyterians have discovered what solidarity looks like across the great cultural divide.

Jeannene and I have been so grateful for those of you who prayed us into this position, giving us the chance to be the answer to someone else’s prayers. What a privilege to bear witness to the large-heartedness of Christ that many of you have offered to and received from the people of Guatemala.

Though serving as PRESGOV coordinator has been sometimes difficult, challenging, and even exasperating (what ministry hasn’t been?) it has ultimately been very gratifying, and much of that has been because of the dedication and determination that we have seen in many of you. Together we have discovered something of the slow hand of God at work in Guatemala, beside our brothers and sisters here. I trust that will continue for many years to come. Primero Dios.

I am grateful for the affirmation extended to us by both Louisville and the PRESGOV committee in inviting us to continue for another three-year term of service. But we feel  that this three-year assignment has been just right. We will return to the United States for two months of interpretation in May and June, including serving as Missionary Advisory Delegates at PC(USA)’s General Assembly this June. Following that, we hope to continue to serve the PC(USA) in a new arena of ministry. Though some very exciting opportunities are emerging, we still see this as care-full discernment time. Another blank chapter is soon to be written.

Louisville staff and the PRESGOV committee are working together to determine the shape and form of PRESGOV’s  continued ministry and the people who will provide leadership. I trust they will let all of us know when that is in place, and I hope PRESGOV will know the pleasure of being the answer to PC(USA) and IENPG prayers for mission partnership.

Gratefully and faithfully yours,

Rev. J. David Wiseman, PRESGOV Coordinator
PC(USA) Mission Co-worker, Guatemala

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 258