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Besel Prayer Cabin
Be Ever Secure in the Everlasting Lord and in His Love
The birth of the Besel Prayer Cabin. The Besel Family has been involved with The Wilderness for over 30 years. While Rich and Kris Besel were serving on summer staff in 1982, Rich helped Randy build the walls of the Fellowship Center, then years later came back to help build the Klawitter Prayer Cabin and the Timothy Prayer Cabin. The extended Besel family got involved putting up the final build of the Westrom Prayer Cabin on a wintry weekend in February of 2008.
The seeds of building a fifth retreat cabin in honor of Rich’s mom and dad and to the glory of God were planted and slowly watered. Pretty soon pencils hit paper and designs began to show up.
The Besel project really took off when Reinhart and Mildred Besel (Patriarch and Matriarch of the Besel clan) let us know that they wanted to infuse the project with the financial backing needed to move us off paper and into the dirt. So we gathered one beautiful fall day in 2013 and after reviewing a few potential building sites, the choice was unanimous and the project was off and running. On July 14, 2016, Reinhart Besel went home to be with Jesus His Lord. The vision and legacy he and Millie leave through this prayer cabin will be a great blessing to hundreds of people for years to come.
Having been a school teacher and now a farmer’s wife, the ABC’s of history, golden harvests, oinking of pigs, the cackle of chickens and Millie’s desire for learning and teaching had a profound impact on the family generations. This impact continues to this day. With over ten of the Besel Clan already involved in the education field, it only seemed right that “Teach Me Thy Ways, Oh Lord” became the theme of this beautifully handcrafted, dovetailed, log building.
God also used the base of a good farm to teach the Besel family His ways. This truth was lived out before them each day as they would depend upon the Lord to teach them the Biblical principles of sowing and reaping through planting and harvest, while taking responsibility for growing animals and caring for the land. Therefore, these farming themes are woven in and throughout this comfortable and cozy little cabin all wrapped up in the Father’s Love.
Early on they saw the opportunity to give the letters of their name B.E.S.E.L. a deeper meaning and want you to “Be Ever Secure (in the) Everlasting Lord (and in His) Love” while visiting this cabin. Now after 2 years of building, the Besel Family invites you to come and Abide in His presence.
The Besel Prayer Cabin is a handcrafted, dovetail-type log building tucked into the woods and set into the cove of a steep hillside. With it’s “single level” floor plan it truly is a little log cabin suite. It boasts a beautiful gas fireplace, electric heat, air conditioning, microwave, toaster, refrigerator, coffee maker, a few basic dishes, silverware, a sink and water jug for drinking and cooking needs, and miscellaneous utensils.
To make your stay as comfortable as possible a queen-sized bed, table and chairs, swivel/glider rocker, and a comfortable twin sleeper chair are provided.
Both a very modern, well lit, heated pit toilet is near the cabin and a fully modern bathroom with shower is available close by. View a photo tour of our shower house and outhouses.
To access the prayer cabin, a short downhill hike is required.
There is a fire ring area that the Prayer Cabin guests can share and firewood for campfires is available for purchase on site. Check with the office.
How the Besel Cabin was built!
Hit the Play button, below, then click the Full Screen icon in lower right corner.
Besel Cabin is a short downhill walk from the parking area to the cabin. The steepest part of the hill is approximately a 14 degree slope. If you have mobility issues, please take this into consideration.
- Bedding for queen size bed: sheets, blankets, pillow, sleeping bag, etc. Bedding MUST be freshly washed and machine-dried.
- Bath towel
- Toiletries / personal care items
- Simple food that can be cooked in the microwave or hot pot
- Flashlight
- Reading material
- Bible
- We suggest slippers