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Sukkau Newsletter December 2007 |
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November 27 was a very important date in our calendar. Erika celebrated a very important birthday, the big 60. Since I was recovering from my operation, I was not in shape to surprise her with a big birthday party as I did when she hit 50, but thankfully the ladies of our church came through with a wonderful party complete with cake and chicken. Here Erika and Adriana (on the left), a charter member of our church, both celebrate because Adriana’s birthday was the day before. As her husband I am delighted that we have been together for about 36 years and have enjoyed relatively good health during all that time. I can honestly say that there has not been a moment in all this time where I have been sorry that I married Erika. “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the Lord.” (Prov. 18:22)
Life is full of surprises. I have been in and out of the hospital this past month recovering from a successful operation that removed a benign tumor that was connected to my prostate. Unfortunately I contracted a severe infection during the operation which has slowed my recovery considerably and put me back in the clinic, but thankfully I am out of danger and have been at home now for half a week recuperating. I hope to be back to normal by Christmas. There were some tedious moments at the hospital, but I received many visits from friends from the church and I read a passage that encouraged me. I have been going through Romans in my devotions and the passage that hit me was Romans 5:3 – 5: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us – they help us learn to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. Our thanks to those who prayed for me during this time, and our apologies to those who did not hear of my operation. I did not have internet access at the hospital so could not write you. Two pastor friends prayed for the doctor before the operation and he was quite surprised that they did so, but after he commented how that prayer had helped him during the operation.
December 2 was a very important date for our congregation. Our church voted in Sergio la Rosa as assistant pastor. He is the gentleman in the middle of the picture. Sergio has been attending our church for almost three years. We hope to transition with him so that at the end of March, 2008 he can take our place as lead pastor. He is a Peruvian missionary and seminary professor and native of Trujillo who has a lot of experience in ministry and received his seminary training in Chicago. He is married and has two college age kids. He is a true answer to prayer.
November 1 – 3 we had a retreat of all the Pastoral Teams of the Peruvian MB churches at a resort by the ocean in northern Peru. It was an enjoyable affair because there was considerable free time to walk on the beach and connect with others and to catch up on our sleep. During the meetings we talked about leadership and plans for the future. In the picture we are praying at the end of the retreat. After that everyone gives everyone else a big hug to say goodbye.
We would like to finish the construction of our church building within the next year. Groups of people willing to come to paint, build book-shelves, make banners, etc. and relate to the people will be showered with love. Some of the group could also teach English as a way of reaching out to people. If you are interested please contact an MBMSI office or us directly. Financial contributions to our building project C0152 will also be received with much gratitude. We are still lacking funds to complete the walls on the third floor and finish the pastor’s apartment.
Prayer Requests
(1) Please continue to pray for our leadership team in Trujillo as it plans for the future, especially Sergio la Rosa as he prepares to take over the pastorate (see above). Erika is busy now preparing the Christmas program for December 22.
(2) Pray for Trujillo which is growing rapidly. On one hand two large, beautiful shopping malls have just opened. Now we will have the “privilege” of going out to McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and KFC. But on the other hand the city is becoming more violent. One day last week three people who took a taxi were each held at gunpoint by the driver and his friends and lost their cash and bank cards. The thieves demand the PIN numbers and empty out their accounts before letting them go.
(3) Pray for the government and other agencies as they deal with providing aid and rebuilding in the area hit by the earthquake a few months ago in southern Peru. According to many reports much of the aid from abroad is not reaching the people affected by the earthquake. Opportunists are selling the aid to the highest bidder.
Thanks for reading this far. Christmas greetings from us to you. “You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9
In Christ’s Service,
Bob and Erika Sukkau
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