An excerpt from...
A Surprise Partnership
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
January-March 2014
On August 19, 2013, Berea Bible Seminary in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, dedicated newly built married-student housing, which will provide living space for families attending the seminary. As missionaries Rick and Lori Lampen attended the service, they marveled at the miraculous way the project had come about. Married-student housing had been desperately needed for years, but funding had been difficult to procure.
Almost two years ago, the World Gospel Mission headquarters office received a phone call from Bob Swales, who was acting as estate executor for his in-laws, Harold and Ruth Sipek. No one knew how Harold and Ruth had heard of WGM, but their estate entrusted over $300,000 to WGM. Bob explained that the family wanted to choose projects that would help the church grow, equip future leaders, and make a lasting difference for the kingdom.
“From my position as field director, special gifts and blessings such as this assist in relationship building between the mission and our ministry partners,” said Rick. “I appreciate the seminary, its vision, and its mission to prepare our future leaders. When I first told the rector of the seminary, Luisa De Nuñez, about the gift, her response was: ‘Amen, amen, and amen!’ She had been praying about this need for over a year now, and had no idea where the funds would come from, but had faith the Lord would provide. This gift has truly made a substantial impact in the lives of our young seminary students.”
And still, one of the most amazing things about this gift is that it came about completely unexpectedly. Although no one knows how Mr. and Mrs. Sipek discovered WGM, God had clearly laid WGM on their hearts years ago and He gave them a desire to leave a lasting legacy for the kingdom. Because of the Sipeks’ obedience and faithfulness, many people will find the light of the gospel throughout South America and the world.
GIVE: Be a part of building the church in Bolivia by daonting to Berea Bible Seminiary. Make checks payable to World Gospel Mission and write account #422613-CALL on the memo line.
Send check donations to:
World Gospel Mission
P.O. Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948
