Wesco Family to Cameroon

[HappyChristian]

Please be in prayer for the Wesco family. This family of 10 arrived in Cameroon in recent months as missionaries. Brother Wesco was shot in the head and died either this morning or yesterday (the time difference fools me...). Anyway, all of their children are minors, so Sister Wesco is left to rear them as a single mom. Her prayer is that God will be glorified through all of this.

[HappyChristian]

It was this morning...and they were only there a week.

[Rosie]

How heartbreaking. Praying

[Alan]

Thank you for letting us know if this tragic news.

There will be great rewards for the whole family in eternity for their obedience in love in following the Lord. It is my prayer that the Lord give his wife and family peace in their time of sorrow.

Here is an local Indiana newspaper article giving more detail.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/local-man-killed-while-doing-missionary-work-in-cameroon/article_9c18ee31-f0e3-5899-a69e-1ad998bd602b.html

 

 

[HappyChristian]

Update from Stephanie (Mrs. Wesco) this morning.  She and their oldest son had not made it home after the death due to the violence in the streets. The younger children are with another missionary family and at least at the point of this update did not know their father had gone to Glory. My heart just breaks for this woman and her family.

"Thank you to all who have been praying for us during this last day, which seems like an eternity. My heart is so heavy, as I face driving on the road where my husband was killed; having to tell my precious children their Daddy is never coming home; having to start repacking and figuring out what to take back to the States and what to leave. Knowing Charles is safe in the arms of Jesus brings comfort, and I'm so thankful for promises to cling to from God's Word. Right now I'm clinging to His promise that all things work together for good for those that love the Lord. My heart's desire is that the Lord and Savior my precious Husband loved and served his whole life would be glorified and that there would be a harvest of souls brought to know Jesus as their personal Saviour from sin through his death. I know Charles is so happy to be with Jesus--he often talked of looking forward to seeing his Savior face to face... But I already miss him beyond description and just wish for one more chance to hear his voice, see his smile, hold his hand, and tell him I loved him more than he could ever know."

[HappyChristian]

Last update, both the Sinclair and Wesco families had reached the French region, on their way back to the states.

[HappyChristian]

Here is Brother Charles' obit:

https://www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com/notices/Charles-Wesco?fbclid=IwAR32ZwHHYC7DgdhJAMPMBaoVODXUchJRkcc9cdZeHch0X3WF6fudrIyBlvM

I know that we all have an appointed time. But he was so young...I look for God to do great things through this.

[HappyChristian]

Caught in the crossfire of a civil war...one of government making.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/cameroon-defense-minister-warns-foreigners-travel-58872364

[HappyChristian]

This was released this morning by the mission board the Wesco family went through.  

 

“Good Morning,

Thank you all for your prayers and concern for Stephanie Wesco and the children. On behalf of the family, you all are greatly appreciated!

The Wescos, along with the Sinclair family, made it back to their home safely, packed up, then drove out of the English section last night. They are all safe in the French section, and will be travelling today to the capital city Yaounde. The plan is for all of them to fly out of the capital on Saturday.

The other missionaries that our church works with that were based in the English section have all been evacuated out, with the exception of Glenn and Sarah Swanson. Their ministry was deep in the jungle, where they were relatively safe. Their plan was to trek out yesterday, and be flown out by missionary pilot, Tom Needham, today.

I would ask that prayers be offered for the dear Cameroonian believers who do not have the option of evacuation. They will live with this constant danger for the immediate future.

I will pass along updates as I have them, and will let everyone know of Funeral Plans when they are made.

Thank you very much for your love and concern and prayers for all of those involved.

If there is any question I can answer for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Thank you,

Jason Brenenstuhl

First Light Baptist Mission”

Continue to be in prayer for Stephanie and their 8 children.

[HappyChristian]

This is from Stephanie this morning:

"The words to this song were on my mind immediately upon waking up this morning. Even in the midst of all that has happened these last several days, I see so many ways the Lord has guided, protected, blessed, and strengthened us all. Precious memories with my husband are something I'm so thankful for. The 8 sweet children the Lord gave us together here on Earth are my greatest treasure in the world now. I'm so thankful for the military escort we were given out of the danger zone. The kindness of the soldiers to my children... One of the men was giving Emmy chocolate, which is her favorite.  My heart broke as we passed the place where Charles was shot, but I know the Lord was our protection and shield as we left our home, I'm so thankful for that safety in passing through that area. I'm so so thankful for our Co-workers, the Sinclair family. This whole tragedy has welded us together as a group, and I fully believe the Lord still has plans for us, even though right life feels so uncertain in so many ways. I'm so thankful for everyone who is praying and supporting our family in ways I don't even know about. The body of Christ has taken in new meaning for me. The Lord keeps reminding me though His word and everyone's words of encouragement that he hasn't forsaken us. He is always good, always. 
Thanks to God for my Redeemer,
Thanks for all Thou dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem’ry,
Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime,
Thanks for dark and stormy fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten,
Thanks for peace within my soul!
Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered,
Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered,
Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure,
Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure,
Thanks for love beyond compare!
Thanks for roses by the wayside,
Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fireside,
Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow,
Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow,
Thanks through all eternity!"

[HappyChristian]

This update was posted a couple of hours ago. 

 

"Update: The man going over to retrieve Stephanie & the children got to Brussell's at 2:30am. He is on the second leg of the journey to Cameroon.
As of last night, Charles’ body has not been released yet from Cameroon. 
Thank you for your continued prayers & support for the family! 
For those asking about sending cards & gifts to help this dear family that I posted about earlier that lost their husband/father to a shooting. 
100% of the gifts will go to them (go fund me takes a percentage)
This is their mission board through which you can send gifts to bring this family home & help this family through this difficult time! 
Thank you for praying & sharing! 
Checks can be mailed to:
Wyldewood Baptist Church
First Light Baptist Missions
3030 Witzel Ave
Oshkosh, WI 54904

Website: Wyldewood.org
It is on the website home page. There is a link that takes you to “Quick Give” no login required.
Gifts are tax deductible"

[HappyChristian]

From this morning:

They are HOME!!!  ALL OF THEM!! PRAISE THE LORD!! 
They had several long flights and some layovers that were very long. They are all understandably exhausted. 
Obviously their greatest need is prayer, but I know how great financial stresses can be for just one person. 
Stephanie, being a mother of 8, this stress will be compounded. I cannot even imagine how difficult these next few weeks will be for them! 
Putting myself in her shoes, with the little that I’ve heard keeps me praying & sharing with others constantly. 
Will you continue to pray? Will you share with your friends, churches & family? Will you pray about giving? 
God sure has blessed me with amazing friends!! 
Sure appreciate each of your hearts for others! 

[DaveW]

One thing I have seen in situations where a missionary has to leave the field and return home is that a nu.ber of supporting churches will immediately stop support because the missionary is no longer working in missions.

I can't understand how people could be so heartless,  but I have seen it. More than once. 

Pray specifically for their financial situation,  as well as for their general spiritual and emotional strength. 

[Alan]

We have been praying for the wife and children. We will be sending a love offering to the church for them.

Edited November 5, 2018 by Alan
grammar

[Invicta]

On 10/30/2018 at 10:19 PM, Alan said:

Thank you for letting us know if this tragic news.

There will be great rewards for the whole family in eternity for their obedience in love in following the Lord. It is my prayer that the Lord give his wife and family peace in their time of sorrow.

Here is an local Indiana newspaper article giving more detail.

https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/local-man-killed-while-doing-missionary-work-in-cameroon/article_9c18ee31-f0e3-5899-a69e-1ad998bd602b.html

 

 

Thanks Alan, but I couldn't access that site as it is not available in countries operating the EU data protection policy.

451: Unavailable due to legal reasons

We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time