Mission Trip to Taiwan: My Soul Waits in Hope

by Resti Bautista

On the 14th of December 2025, an Advent Recollection organized by Sr. Cecilia Teo of the Verbum Dei missionaries, was held at St. Columban Catholic Church in Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan, with the support of parish priest Rev. Stephen Huang.  The recollection theme, My Soul Waits in Hope, was based on Psalm 130:5 - I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. Sr. Cecilia was assisted by Resti and Cecilia Bautista from the Philippines as speakers and facilitators. Participants were English-speaking parishioners, mostly Filipino migrants and some local Taiwanese.

The first talk, given by Resti Bautista, centered on the process of waiting. In this Advent season, we are enjoined to wait actively: to wait with expectation and anticipation, to make space for God, and to wait with much hope. We wait for a different kind of king, a Shepherd-King - God who comes near.  And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them; he shall feed them and be their shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:23)

The second speaker was Sr. Cecilia Teo, who focused on God who stoops down for us and makes Himself small and vulnerable for our sake. She invited everyone to reflect upon the spirituality of becoming least, small and weak. Though Jesus was in the form of God... he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7) Jesus became poor in order to enrich you and me. Though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

Lastly, Cecilia Bautista exhorted the participants to respond to the call to be hope for others. We can be the light of the world! As St. Catherine of Siena said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire."  And in our following, we have the model of St. Joseph’s obedience, faith and urgency in mission. We too can receive God’s trust, as he trusted St. Joseph to care for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus.

One participant, Ramon Du who hails from Nueva Ecija, has been living in Taipei for more than 20 years with his family. He shared his waiting and longing for a better Philippines to go home to. His personal message from God in the retreat: “Do not be afraid!” which gives him much hope for the coming Christmas and beyond. 

In our waiting this Advent, may we make space for the Word to be reborn in our hearts, our minds and our lives. And may we all find true and lasting hope in Emmanuel - God who is with us - this Christmas. Come Lord Jesus!

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Resti and Cecilia Bautista are consecrated married couple missionaries of the Verbum Dei Fraternity. Together with their son, Santino, they very much enjoyed their first family mission trip. It was a great blessing to touch base with the Verbum Dei misioneras and the Verbum Dei Family in Taiwan.