Pastor Denis Beausejour (left) had surgery earlier this month. He's recovering well and sends this update from home.
     Thanks to each of you for your prayers, cards, and meals. Your support has been a source of comfort and strength during this time of trial. We have felt the power of your prayers. You have been a living example that the church is not the buildings, nor is it the pastor. It is God's people, in prayer and obedient action, motivated by His great love, guided by His Word and His Spirit.
     I am confident that God is with us and that He will use all this for our good and for His glory. We've only just begun to see His power and His great love for MCC. I am sensing more every day just how much He loves me. I pray that each of us will seek Him and experience His love in greater measure in 2008, and that we would grow in the wonders of His love as we learn to practice His presence more and more.

I am having a very encouraging recovery from the surgery. The incision is healing well and my lungs and breathing are normal, allowing me to walk and gain strength. The pain is coming under control, and I am comfortable most of the time.
 
The doctors are telling me that I will not be doing much for six weeks. I can't put more than five pounds of pressure on my arms, so I cannot lift anything. I also cannot drive during this time. One of the common results of this type of surgery is fatigue as the body directs energy to healing; recovery is natural through diet and rest - usually in four to six weeks.
 
So my plan is to rest and seek God during this time. He is doing a significant work in my inner being right now, and I am enjoying the quiet with Him. My prayer is that my concentration and strength would grow to allow me to spend more quality time in His presence. I am enjoying reading John and the Proverbs, and thoroughly enjoying meditating in the Imagine devotional for 2008. [John Journal]
 
I am reading some wonderful books besides the Scriptures. One is "The Imitation of Christ " by Thomas A Kempis. I am also re-reading "Prayer " by Richard Foster. These are wonderful resources that are encouraging my spirit, and I recommend them to you. Lastly, I am reading the classic "Uncle Tom's Cabin", which is a wonderful piece of literature I had never read. It is heart-breaking and yet fuels my prayer for unity between blacks and whites in the Body of Christ. How much pain have our brothers and sisters endured?
 
Our daily schedule has shifted a bit since Mariel returned to school. She had an awesome time in Thailand. We have quiet time,  breakfast, and morning exercise. More reading and napping. A few phone calls. Perhaps a doctor's appointment. Then we have lunch and rest. More walking and exercising. A call or two. Thank you for the delicious mealsThen dinner with Mariel - thank you for the delicious meals you have been bringing! We might do more reading, reflecting and walking. Then usually a movie and bed time by 11. Just what the doctor ordered.
 
My biggest enemies right now are germs and inadvertent use of my arms (that includes strong hugs!) I have been fortunate with no infections, and have pretty much remained isolated. This is probably the biggest reason the doctor has me staying away from church. I am thankful for your refraining from visiting and phone calls, just a matter of healing and conserving limited energy.
 
That is where the action is - living in Jesus. I do hope to worship with you in the next few weeks and hopefully to begin preaching again soon, subject to doctors' orders. In the meantime, please continue to pray for me and my family. I also encourage you to practice the presence of Jesus every day - using the resources from our series in John. That is where the action is - living in Jesus.
 
In His Great Love,
 
Denis