STORIES ~ Taiwan
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
~ Ephesians 2:10
Mr. C is a teenager, wheelchair-bound, who has lived at Bethesda ~ Home for Challenged Children and Adults in Hualien, Taiwan, for a number of years. Even though he came from a difficult Buddhist home, it was evident upon his arrival that he had a great hunger to hear about God, to experience God’s love, to learn to pray and read the Bible.
It was therefore no surprise when one day he announced he had invited Jesus into his heart and now Jesus was his Lord and Savior. He said that he would love to become a pastor someday. It’s marvelous to see him witness! He tells Bible stories to children at school and is eager to share God’s love with his classmates.
What a joy it was several months ago when Mr. C asked if he could be baptized! We asked him whether he truly understood what it means to be baptized. He did. We then told him he would need his mother’s permission for baptism. This would be a step of faith. He had great assurance, however, that God would work in his mother’s heart and asked me and many others to pray.
One day, Mr. C called his mother to ask for her consent. Miraculously she agreed, though she herself would not attend. A month later, Mr. C was baptized in our Bethesda chapel. This was not only an important day for him, but also for the entire Bethesda family. Our residents and staff were touched by the clear and concise answers he gave to the pastor’s questions regarding his faith in our Lord Jesus. They also participated in the service by choir numbers, leading in prayer, giving cards, gifts and blessings.
We praise the Lord for Mr. C ‘s strong faith! Pray that he may continue to grow in grace as he reads the Word and spends time in prayer and fellowship with other believers at Bethesda. To God alone be honor and glory!