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Watch Alert: Reverand Donald Beisswenger, 2004
Reverand Donald Beisswenger was arrested for Actions on the Ft. Benning base, November 2003 to Close the infamous School of the Americas (renamed the "Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation"). |
04/06/2004 Dear Friends: To each a gift is given, to each there is a call. Yesterday (Tuesday, April 6, 2004) on a gorgeous afternoon a few of us (Don's son, Philip, Judy Pilgrim, Roger Golden, and Cinny Poppins from Nashville, Stever Monhollen from Lexington, and me)were privileged to be with Don Beisswenger as he continued his deep commitment to stop the violence directed towards our sisters and brothers in Latin America and around the world. After a shared meal of good food and conversation at a local park in Manchester, we drove him to the prison facilities. Before reporting we were able to share some last words of prayerful hopes for him and a blessing song that affirms that freedom walks beside him and he’ll not ever be in chains. Indeed! The image that stands out for me yesterday at Manchester Federal Prison is one of Don, all alone, being escorted by a prison guard alongside the tripled-layered, razored fence to the special entrance into the high security prison for processing. Later he would be driven to the friendlier setting of federal prison camp a short distance away. Framed against the bleak prison compound he walked with his head held high knowing that his 6 months sentence for last November’s action of nonviolent civil resistance demanding the closure of the School of the Americas at Ft. Benning, Georgia, would take him out of his familiar paths. Yesterday it separated him from his family and friends in ways yet unfathomed and thrust him out into a spiritual journey he will meet with an open heart and mind. And it is his heart, seasoned with compassion over his 73 years, that will be his inviolable refuge over the next 6 months; God’s covenant of love is unmistakably written upon it and will carry him into the far-reaching wilderness of incarceration.This gentle teacher of the Word has led untold numbers of people over the years in the endeavor to listen to the Word and respond faithfully. How richly blessed are the suffering men at Manchester to be the recipient of their new friend; he will be a marvelous presence and teacher to the hundred of men who are unjustly housed at this facility. For me, it was difficult to revisit the place where I spent 6 months (9/02-3/03) and to see and experience the heartache of watching him enter, a sorrow that was tempered with vibrant joy. While there was deep pain in saying goodbye there was also much joy; for Don imparted the strength of joy to us as he expressed gratitude and wonder for where this journey has already taken him and the people who have accompanied him thus far. So we who are left “outside” are left to find, like Don, the peace in our faith. Don carried two Bibles, hoping at least one of them will get through. Obviously he carries the Spirit in him to nourish Christ’s brothers at Manchester in the riches of God’s grace. He entered yesterday, my friends, as a free man and today and all the days of his time there he will walk in the freedom that has, by God’s grace, been gifted him. May each morning he awaken to God’s love that he may live in the joy and peace he has blessed us to see in him over these past few months. Blessings too for his family and those dearest to him. Erik Johnson - 04/06/2004 You can write him now at: Donald Beisswenger 92091-020 Manchester FCI P.O. Box 4000 Manchester KY 40962 (Note: his housing unit should be added later when that becomes known.) |
Donald Beisswenger 92091-020 Manchester FCI P.O. Box 4000 Manchester KY 40962 Peacehq Home |