A Daughter’s Tribute

To:  Rex and Rita Stuckless

On the Occasion of:  their Retirement from full-time Missionary service

Date:  December 2008

I consider myself to be an incredibly blessed person.  Mark and I have talked many times over the years of how much we appreciate our spiritual heritage.  Being a child of a pastor or a missionary is not always easy, but it is a tremendous privilege.  I have learned so many things from the life and ministry of my parents.

Rex and Rita Stuckless began their ministry many years ago in the province of Newfoundland in Canada.  In the first years, they were pioneers.  They would travel by boat for many hours just to get to these villages.  They were isolated places and very difficult to get to.  Many times they would even get sick on the boat because of how rough the ocean was.  I was born during those years.  I don’t remember much about it myself, but I have heard so many stories of how God provided miraculously just at the hour of need.  I learned that in the times when I have great needs, I should trust in my God to take care of me.  Even in the midst of difficulties in ministry in a place that was not always open to the Gospel of Jesus – even living in places that were not always comfortable – they raised their children, invested in people, and worked untiringly.  I learned that God’s people and God’s work have priority over our own personal comfort.  It is GOD in first place.

When I was eight years old, my parents obeyed the call of God to go to the country of Brazil.  With 5 children between the ages of 8 and 3, they moved to the city of Fortaleza in Northeast Brazil and started to learn the Portuguese language.  Over the years I learned that even in the difficult hours of life, God’s grace is sufficient.  God guides us and keeps us in all circumstances.

I learned the importance of prayer.  We always had our family devotional time before we went to sleep.  I remember kneeling beside my dad, listening to his voice as he called out to God for each of us, for his family in Canada, and for the work of the Lord in the province of Ceará.  Sometimes I would peek out at him with one eye.  I loved to watch his mouth as he prayed.  But the truth of the importance of prayer was penetrating my heart.  One day, I remember climbing the stairs that led up to my dad’s office, and I heard him in there praying all by himself.  No one was watching him.  It was a moment between him and God, but it made a great impact on my heart.  I learned that prayer and communion with God are the fountain of life in our work for the Lord.

I saw my parents go through many difficulties and disappointments in ministry.  I learned that the power of God is demonstrated in an even greater way through our weakness and our inadequacy.  Sometimes the people in whom we most invest, in the end turn their backs and do something that hurts us very much.  But I learned through my parents’ example that in those hours, if we depend on the grace and power of the Lord, we ourselves are strengthened and the work of the Lord goes forward.

When I left home to continue my studies in Bible School I was only 17 years old.  It wasn’t long before I had many friends and a myriad of activities occupying my time.  Sometimes I would forget to write home.  I know they were worried about me.  But in each letter I received from them, they reminded me that their love for me had not changed.  Even long distance, they gave me good advice and taught me to continue walking with the Lord.

During the years of 1995 until 1999, Mark and I also went to Brazil as missionaries.  Unfortunately, our area of ministry was in Southern Brazil.  It would take us 5 days and nights by bus to get to where my parents were.  How often we said in those days how nice it would be if we could one day work side by side in ministry.  But nothing worked out.  However, God heard the desire of our hearts.

In 2002, Dad and Mom, Mark and I with our three children came to Mozambique together.  Very early on, Dad and Mom moved a two day drive north to the province of Zambézia to begin the work of the Bible School and invest in the lives of people.  In 2005, God made our dream become a reality when He called us to work side by side with Dad and Mom here in Zambézia.  What a privilege!  Not only have we worked side by side, but we even lived together for a year in the city of Quelimane before moving to the town of Nicoadala where we are currently.

During these years here in Zambézia, I have seen once more the servant heart that the two of them always have.  When God opened the doors, they would to anywhere, making use of their 4x4, going into places where there were no roads, where bridges had caved in, where it seemed like the mosquitoes would carry them far away … and all of this at 60 years of age!  Everywhere they went, they always showed respect and friendship for the Mozambican people.  I have learned from their lives that I should always look for the best in people and believe in God for impossible things.  I learned from being on the receiving end how to encourage the timid that have God’s call on their lives.  In a gentle but firm way, they gave me little nudges moving me forward in the work of the Lord.

I am truly blessed, Dad and Mom.  The prayer of my heart is that I want to be a faithful servant to my God for all of my life just as I have observed in your lives.  Thank you for surrendering your lives and spending them in service to your God.  Thank you for living a life of integrity before your children.

We will miss you very much here.  But I know that in the years to come, the Lord will have two more faithful servants working in Canada and investing in the lives of many more people yet – including your children who are there and your grandchildren.  Keep faithful, and we will never tire of praying for you!