Taiwan Missions Report at Fellowship Baptist Church

June 26, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

This coming Sunday morning (June 28th) we will be sharing details of our ministry in Taiwan with our home church, Fellowship Baptist Church of South Bend, Indiana. Our presentation will be in the morning service which starts at 10:30 AM. If you are able to join us, we would love to see you.

It is a challenge to cram three weeks into one short presentation! Please pray that we would be able to adequately share the burden on our hearts regarding the needs in Taiwan and similar needs that we see here in the United States.

Thank you for your prayers. We are learning to seek the Lord for His will and not our own.

In Christ’s service,
Stephen & Evelyn Wesco

eNews: We are Home from Taiwan

May 14, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

We have arrived safely back! Thank you for your prayers for us over the past three weeks.

The Lord truly blessed our ministry and time in Taiwan—The Republic of China. Stephen had the privilege of preaching eleven times, including seven Chalk Talks. Evelyn ministered in music with piano and harp, shared her salvation testimony and godly heritage, and led a ladies Bible study.

The climax of our time there was seeing two souls come to know the Lord as their personal savior this past weekend! The seed was planted months ago, and watered by God’s faithful servants since. It brought tears of joy to see God give the increase after the Chalk Talk Saturday evening. To God be the glory!

We crisscrossed the island from Taipei to Kaohsiung to Taichung to Taitung, meeting most of the Baptist missionaries there and asking hundreds of questions. As we write, my brain is overwhelmed with the information we gathered. Many long hours were filled with serious questions and answers about Taiwan’s history, culture, land, government, politics, climate, religions, and educational system. The most important questions, however, centered on the great spiritual needs of Taiwan. We learned about the trials, blessings, struggles, and victories involved with ministering in Taiwan as well as the practical aspects of being a missionary.

We are looking forward to reflecting on all that we have learned and experienced as the Lord continues to lead in our lives. We anticipate finding His direction as we pray, meditate on God’s precious Word, and also as we share our impressions and experiences with you, our pastor, our friends, and with our families. Please pray with us that we will be in the center of God’s will.

In Christ’s service and loving it,
Stephen & Evelyn Wesco

eNews: Wesco's Update from Taiwan

May 3, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

Thank you so much for your prayers. This last week has been a full week as the Lord has taught us much regarding the needs of Taiwan and the world and how small our human strength is. But at the same time, He has taught us how great His love and power is.

We traveled up to Taichung for two days to see the ministries there. Taichung is located in the middle of the country. Stephen had the opportunity to preach a chalk talk to a children’s program at Lighthouse Baptist Church, along with teachers and parents.

Throughout this week, we have spent many hours talking with the Baptist missionaries from the Kaohsiung and Taichung areas. They have given us great insight regarding the challenges and blessings of working in the Taiwanese field and missions in general.

On Saturday, Stephen preached a chalk talk at Mountaintop Baptist Church’s youth meeting. Even though it was a “youth” meeting, the church invited everyone to attend and made it an outreach ministry. On Sunday, Stephen shared our testimony during the Sunday school hour, and preached again through chalk talks in the morning and evening services. Evelyn also provided music for the services. It is a challenge to preach through a translator since Chinese grammar and syntax is often opposite to English grammar! But the Lord blessed.

During the morning service, the pastor and his wife decided to have the young children attend the main service to hear the chalk talk. These youngsters were wired and had no idea how sit still for more than 5 seconds! Yet, as Stephen started to preach, a quiet fell over them and they paid attention. Praise the Lord!

Thank you so much for your prayers. Physically, we are doing very well. Baby is growing and is apparently very active. The mosquitoes love us dearly (especially Evelyn), but the Lord is very good. Please continue to pray that we would be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and His will for us. We want what He wants, and not our own will.

In Christ’s service,
Stephen & Evelyn Wesco

eNews: Greetings from Taiwan

April 26, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

The Lord brought us safely to Taiwan! We arrived in Taipei on Thursday, April 23rd at 9:30 PM. The journey was tiresome with over 24 hours of travel, but we were very grateful to have reached our destination. Everything went very smoothly, including the security and customs. Both of us have traveled internationally before, and we both agree that this was the smoothest international flight we’ve ever had!

We rode the Taiwan High Speed Rail down to Kaohsiung. Initially, we were concerned that our 180 lbs. of luggage might have some problems getting onto the train, but again, praise the Lord, hardly anyone raised an eyebrow at all our luggage.

During the 90 minute train ride down, we were able to get a glimpse of Taiwan outside of busy Taipei. We saw many cities with high-rising buildings and apartments, lush rice paddies getting ready for harvest in a couple weeks, orchards, and gorgeous mountains. Another thing that stood out to us was the number of Buddhist temples, shrines, and sites for ancestor worship. We were told in Taipei that Buddhism and superstition were actually not prevalent, since Taiwan was “modernized.” However, after seeing so many temples and shrines, we can only conclude that the spiritual bondage is still very great!

On Sunday (April 26th), we shared our testimonies during the Sunday School hour. Stephen shared his salvation testimony and our calling, with Pastor Matt Hanna translating. Evelyn also shared her salvation testimony in Chinese. For the evening English service, Stephen preached the message encouraging the believers to walk by faith and not by sight. Evelyn also played the piano.

We greatly appreciate your prayers that the following two weeks would be fruitful. We also thank you for your prayers regarding our health and the baby. Evelyn and Baby have done very well through all the traveling. We have also adjusted well to the time zone change. Keep praying for us and for our fellow laborers and for the field!

In Christ’s service,
Stephen & Evelyn Wesco

eNews: Stephen & Evelyn Wesco Going to Taiwan

April 19, 2009

Dear Praying Friends,

The Lord has given us the opportunity to minister for three weeks in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. However, this is not just a short-term mission trip. We are seeking the Lord's will regarding His direction for us in long-term missions.

During our single years, the Lord laid a burden on both of us individually regarding missions. We are now seeking His will for us as a married couple and for our family. An opportunity opened up for us this year to spend several weeks with missionaries already established in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

The missionaries will be involving us in their ministry, giving Stephen opportunities to teach and minister in chalk art, and for Evelyn to assist in music. We will also be helping in practical needs within the church, such as cleaning and building maintenance. In addition to their local ministry, the missionaries will introduce us to other ministries and needs in Taiwan.

Even though Taiwan has received heavy western influence, the needs are great, especially with 93% of the population believing in Buddhism and Taoism. In addition to idolatry and superstition, materialism and worship of education have permeated the society. Kaohsiung is located on the southern portion of the island and has a population of about 1.5 million. It is the second-largest city in the country, after Taipei. The field is wide open for harvest!

"Brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified!"Specific prayer requests:

1. Safety in travel (20 hours travel time one way)
   
2. Safe transportation of equipment and supplies
   
3. Health - pray for us as we adjust to the tropical climate and new time zone. Pray also for Evelyn and Baby's health.
   
4. Cornerstone Baptist Church and the missionaries with whom we will be ministering
   
5. Effective ministry - that the Word of God would have free course and be glorified
   
6. Pray for Stephen as he is scheduled to preach and teach several times
   
7. Pray that God will give us His love for each soul that we meet
   
8. Lord's leading as we seek His will regarding the possibility of long-term missions in Taiwan
   

In Christ’s service and loving it,
Stephen & Evelyn Wesco