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Job 11 (summary): Zophar replies

19 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Now is the turn for Job’s third friend or comforter to comment on Job’s predicament. His name is Zophar, (and with friends like the 3 “comforters” who needs enemies?) Zophar accuses Job of idle talk and mockery, and that Job’s hidden sin was the cause of his suffering. Nevertheless Zophar says that Job should be grateful because God was even letting him off from a lot! Zophar points to God’s mysteries as fathomless being longer than the earth and wider than the sea, and God recognizes deceitful men. The only solution, Zophar says, is for Job to put away his sin and allow no evil to dwell in his tent! For if Job puts his life right before God things will change and “life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning”. However he says that “the eyes of the wicked will fail” and “their hope will become a dying gasp”!

Christmas Hampers

19 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Liz is very busy distributing Christmas food hampers to the poor as we always do every Christmas time.

I led last night’s mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Dr Murilo gave the study on 1 John 2:1-17. It was a good service with a nice time of prayer and praise together.

Job 10 (summary): Job’s lament continues

18 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Job now continues to struggle to come to terms with why on earth he is experiencing such horrific suffering. Job starts this chapter saying he loathes his very life and begs of God that he tells him what charges he has against him. He asks God if it gives him pleasure to oppress him? Job says that God seems to be searching for his faults and probing for sin even though he knows that he is not guilty. Job accuses God of stalking him like a lion and displaying his awesome power against him. Job says he wished he’d never been born, but he just hoped for a little bit of joy before death.

Online Meeting

18 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday we held a further online meeting of our senior leadership team to discuss an important issue which I can’t mention here. The meeting went very well. We value your prayers.

Yesterday I had my ears syringed for the second time in 4 months and it’s nice to be able to hear better. I think I should set up a wax factory!

Liz has popped out to Green Pastures to take bottled drinking water ready for the crowd on Sunday morning for the baptism of 11. After the 8 am baptism we always hold a church fellowship breakfast together.

Get-together

17 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night I took part in the Men’s Fellowship’s end-of-year get-together which was held at the ‘Coreto II’ open-air restaurant where we all ate pizza and played 2 games of bingo. The first game was won by Gilmarco and the second by Isaque. It was a lovely evening of fun and fellowship.

Thanksgiving Service

16 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday we watched online the thanksgiving service for the life of the ex-chairman of the EAB Board of Trustees, Bob Dalton, who is with the Lord aged 90. I had known Bob all my life as he was a frequent visitor to my home in North Kensington when I was a child. I was present at his farewell to Brazil at a train station when he came here as a missionary. Bob visited us twice in northeast Brazil where he ministered amongst us. We thank God for every memory of Bob. The service was lovely with the Gospel clearly and carefully presented. Our thanks go to Marian Rashleigh who went to represent EAB.

Half of December has gone and still no signs of rain here. December is the month that we can get early rains before they start in earnest in January. Please pray for rain which is needed desperately. I’m dreaming of a WET Christmas!

Job 9 (summary): Job replies to Bildad

15 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

In this and the following chapter Job replies to Bildad exclaiming “how can a mortal be righteous before God”? For Job recognizes that God’s wisdom is profound and his power is vast. With beautiful poetry Job finds himself at a loss to discuss with God his predicament because God is almighty moving mountains, shaking the earth, controlling the sun and the stars. How can I dispute with God, asks Job? How can I find words to argue with God? Even if I was innocent, says Job, I could only plead with God for mercy. Job found himself snookered because he didn’t understand what had brought such terrible suffering on him, he was not aware of any hidden sin, yet there seemed that no resource existed to sort out his dilemma. In despair he exclaims that “even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me”. And Job’s further bewilderment is expressed when he says that God “destroys the blameless and the wicked”! He goes on to say how he dreads all his suffering and sees no way to prove his innocence. If only, Job sighs, there was someone to arbitrate between him and God!

Job 8 (summary): Bildad

15 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Now comes Job’s second friend or comforter called Bildad and he poured on the agony too insisting with Job, as had Eliphaz, that all his suffering was a result of hidden sin. Bildad states bluntly that Job’s children had received their penalty from a just God and Job’s only way forward was to plead with God and change his ways to purity and uprightness. Bildad insinuates that Job had forgotten God and was trusting in fragile spiders’ webs. For clearly God never rejects a blameless man, Bildad affirms, so clearly Job is declared guilty!

Cantata

15 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night I both led the service and preached on Gideon from Judges 6 – 8, but the central feature of the service was the ‘Coral Adoração’ (Adoration Choir) from our Campina Grande Catolé church which presented a wonderful Christmas Cantata called ‘God with us’ which lasted about 45 minutes and it was very good. The choir’s conductor Gideão is a professional musician and music teacher and this makes the difference. The church was packed to capacity.

It was good to see in church a recently bereaved family. It was also good to see a new deaf couple in church who have just moved to Patos from São Mamede attracted by our deaf ministry.

6 were baptized at Soledade yesterday. PTL!

Nest

14 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

We have found a nest in our garden on a cactus plant which is about the size of a large fist but it has a small entrance. We will keep observing it to see of which species it is, but I suspect it is that of the Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) which lays 3 to 6 reddish eggs.

Sadly QPR lost away to Middlesbrough 3 x 1 yesterday. 😞

Somebody kindly presented me with my ancestry DNA test whilst I was in England and I have now received the results. These show that my ancestral roots are 31% in northern Wales & northwestern England, 28% southeastern England and northwestern Europe, 17% central Scotland and northern Ireland, 11% west midlands, 8% southern Wales, 2% east midlands, 2% northeast England, and 1% Ireland.

I had last night off from my usual Saturday night preaching at the Green Pastures church because they held their Christmas party with a lovely time of fellowship and food being had by one and all. So I had time to relax reading 3 more chapters of Mike Hollow’s book ‘The Soho Murder’. I’ve now read 32 of the 45 chapters and it’s very good.

Happy birthday to our daughter Lynn! May God richly bless you.

Job 7 (summary): Job continues to reply

13 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Job now continues to struggle to understand his horrific suffering saying that he feels like a slave who endures nights of misery tossing and turning. His “body is clothed with worms and scabs”, and he thinks about death. Job complains in the bitterness of his soul that he would prefer to be strangled to death! Job says that he despises his life because his days have no meaning. Job asks God in what way has he sinned because he feels like he is God’s target who has become a burden to God. Job asks God why he does not pardon and forgive him?

Job 6 (summary): Job replies

13 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

In chapters 6 and 7 Job replies to Eliphaz expressing his extreme anguish and misery that he is experiencing, saying that the arrows of God’s poison are in him. Job rejects Eliphaz’s criticism as saltless food or the flavourless white of an egg! Job then repeats his desire to end his life in the light of his extreme suffering. He expresses his frailty faced with such overwhelming adversity, and says that not even his friends stick with him and are like dried up streams in the drought! Job’s friends, like Eliphaz, “have proved to be of no help” because they imagine dreadful things and are afraid. Job tell his friends to “show me where I have been wrong” and their arguments prove nothing and are very hurtful. He accuses Eliphaz of treating “the words of a despairing man as wind”. Job says bluntly that he is righteous and wouldn’t lie to anyone’s face! He says that his integrity is at stake and tells Eliphaz to reconsider his arguments and not be unjust.

Job 5 (summary): Eliphaz continues

13 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Here Eliphaz continues with his theory that hidden sin is bringing its consequences to Job’s life. Eliphaz insinuates that Job is a fool for not realizing and admitting that what Job is going through is from God as a result of hidden sin because “hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground”. Eliphaz proposes that Job should “appeal to God” and lay before him his cause. He says he should “not despise the discipline of the Almighty” because he will wound but also will heal, God will ransom from famine and save from the sword in battle. In other words Eliphaz says that God will do all this for Job and give him more children making his “descendants like the grass of the earth” if he puts right that which is necessary in Job’s life.

Southern Wren

13 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I have just heard the Southern Wren singing in our garden for the first time since we returned from the UK just over a month ago.

Our worker Missionary Guilherme Santos has been ministering in our Diamante church to where he will be moving permanently next month. Please pray for Guilherme.

Last night I led the Christmas service at the senior citizens complex called “Cidade Madura” (Mature City) on the south side of Patos. There were about 60 people present. Speakers were Liz, Adriana, Romildo, Claudia and Pastor Rafael and music and song came from Sacha, Rogaciano, Letícia and Vasti. It was an excellent service.

Job 4 (summary): Eliphaz

12 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

This chapter and the next contain the first speech by Job’s friend or comforter Eliphaz. Eliphaz insinuates that Job’s suffering is a result of hidden sin. For “should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?” For the innocent do not perish, Eliphaz says, nor are the upright destroyed. But those who sow trouble reap what they sow! Eliphaz even cites some sort of vision where a spirit questions human piety before God saying “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his maker?” For human sinners “are crushed more readily that a moth!

Senior Leadership Meeting

12 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday afternoon we held an on-line meeting of our senior leadership team which lasted an hour and a quarter and was very good. We discussed a problem and a couple of more minor issues. We value your prayers.

Yesterday I continued my keep fit endeavours with Pilates in the morning and Aquarobics in the afternoon. 🏃

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Rafael gave the study on the Great Day of the Lord in Zephaniah 1:14-18. The praise was led by Rogério and Rogaciano.

Yesterday was a difficult day bidding farewell to David Shearing. It was he that invited Liz to travel to London in October 1966 which led to Liz and I first meeting. David was such a faithful supporter of EAB and always proposed that the minutes were correct at the trustees board meetings. He was a lovely brother!

Amy Gough

11 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

A young Bible College student from Southampton, Amy Gough, will be joining us next month for just over 2 weeks with the focus on participation in this year’s 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade. She will also be visiting Barra de Oitis, Diamante, Vazante, Caroá, Manaira, Princesa Isabel, Juru, Tavares, Imaculada, Matureia, Teixeira and Green Pastures, ending up with a day on the beach. 😎

Yesterday we had our second doses of the vaccination against Shingles. I understand that in the UK the Shingles vaccination is only one dose, but here it is two with one before we went to Europe and the other now.

This morning we had the sad duty to watch our dear friend David Shearing’s funeral service in Southampton online via YouTube. There was a good crowd present. David was a faithful servant of God till the end, aged 88, and was at the EAB AGM on October 25th of which he was a trustee. We had a long chat on that day.

Job 3 (summary): Job Speaks

10 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

After 7 days silence Job cursed the day of his birth. Job poetically struggles here to come to terms with his horrific suffering. Job wished that the light of his birth become darkness. He curses the joy of birth calling on the monster of the deep Leviathan to be roused in its place. Job wished that his mother’s womb had been closed, or that he had been still born, or that he had died soon after birth. Job lamented the knees that had nursed him and the breasts that had fed him. Job asks why those who long to die are not allowed to and talks of the joy of reaching the grave! Job says his groans pour out like water and that what he most feared had come upon him and he had no peace.

São Mamede

10 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night I travelled with the Patos Men’s Fellowship to the town of São Mamede where I preached on Mark 4:21-25 and ‘The Lamp on a Stand’. Chief of the police and deacon Esau led the service which was very good with about 40 people hearing the Gospel in the middle of the street.

Last night QPR beat Birmingham 2 x 1 at home and find themselves in the playoffs section of the Championship! 😎

Tomorrow will be the funeral of our dear brother and EAB Committee member David Shearing at the Millbrook Christian Centre, Southampton at 12 noon. The service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InN3MrkrlA

David Irish

9 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

It was lovely to receive David Irish’s Christmas letter from Australia. Our good friend David was a missionary with his late wife Margaret in Papua New Guinea for many years and went back there this year. Next year he will be going to Zimbabwe to visit his brother Peter. David has a special place in our hearts as it was he who arranged the lunch for Liz at my house on Good Friday, 1967 when our courtship started.

I am now posting my news daily here on my blog, and no longer every other day as previously, so as to keep news shorter.

2 armed men stole 8 engravings by French artist Matisse and 5 from Brazilian artist Portinari from a library in São Paulo. The value of the works stolen is said to be “incalculable”.

Our granddaughter Louisa and her husband Tiago have flown to England to spend Christmas with Louisa’s family.

3 were baptized at the weekend from our Tavares church and 5 were baptized from our Belém church.

Please pray for our little church at Travessia where the local catholic priest is threatening people with a ban on christenings and the likes if they attend services at our church. Please pray for Pastor Francinaldo who ministers there every fortnight.

Our dear brother Bob Dalton’s funeral will be on December 15th. The committal will be at 10:30 am at Bowstridge Lane Cemetery, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4RB. The thanksgiving service will be at 1 pm at the Heathervale Baptist Church, Heathervale Road, New Haw, Surrey, KT15 3NW. Afterwards at the Foxhills, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, KT16 0EL.

An acted poem

8 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I led last night’s communion service in Patos together with my co-pastor Rafael. 7 members of our drama group presented a text written by Thyago Nóbrega of our Campina Grande Catolé church in colloquial country bumkin Portuguese telling the Christmas story from beginning to end. It was very good. Then came the sermon from lawyer Murilo which was on ‘The Branch from Jesse’ (Isaiah 11) which was very good. Parallel to this our children had a special Christmas Feast which went really well too.

QPR

7 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

The glorious QPR won a glorious victory at home against West Brom 3 x 1 yesterday! 😄And I see Scotland’s first game in next year’s World Cup will be against Brazil! May the best team win!

Last night I both led and preached at the weekly Green Pastures service where there were some people present from the town of São Mamede as well as the regular locals. Sister Nega led the worship very well. I preached on ‘Life through the Son’ from John 5:16-30. It was a good service. I brought milk home afterwards as we buy fresh milk from a local farmer who is a Christian.

I loved the Christmas decorations that the Green Pastures church put up. Especially nice is a dead tree from the drought which they have decorated beautifully. It looks really good.

Well inauguration

6 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday was a good but tiring day as we drove 4 hours for a well inauguration at Água Grande in the municipality of Santana de Mangueira, and then drove 4 hours home again. We were surprised to see 2 sets of traffic lights now installed in the Princesa Isabel high street on the way, saw the potholes had been fixed between there and Manaira, and saw some amazing mirabolic Christmas decorations at São José de Princesa the likes we have never seen!

Pastor Robério led the inauguration and thanksgiving service for the well and I preached. Pastors Valdemy and Francinaldo also gave short words of greeting as did Liz too and local leader Sandra Nogueira. It was a lovely service which ended with us all joining hands around the well’s water tower as I made a prayer of thanks, dedication and consecration. Then the local folk served cake and pop drink to one and all.

Empty arm

5 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I have an empty arm having done routine blood tests yesterday! (The joke will be appreciated for those who remember Hancock’s Half Hour on BBC radio & TV from 1954 to 1960) We have routine blood tests 2 or 3 times a year and I am glad to say that my glucose levels are good and my potassium & sodium levels (which were the problem when I was ill 3 or 4 years ago) are perfect. I am grateful to God.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and lawyer Murilo started a new series of studies on the First Epistle of John. Yesterday Murilo did an introduction and chapter 1. It was very good.

Webinar

4 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday I took part in an LST – London School of Theology ‘Faith seeking understanding webinar’ on the topic of ‘Christianity and Nationhood’ (flags, immigration & patriotism). It was a very interesting event started by a dialogue between David Holborn and Nick Spencer and then with added contributions from Sunil Chandy.

Liz and I had an important counselling session with a sister from our church which ended with a time of prayer.

Good news from England is that Liz’s cousin Joyce Sims had surgery for a heart valve replacement on Monday and she is already home and fine! PTL! Now PLEASE rest Joyce!

A racoon in the USA got into an off-license and drunk alcohol so much that it was found passed out on the floor!

Our worker at Imaculada Antonio Gelsheuchter is home after open heart surgery for a triple bypass and thanks everyone for their prayers.

Men’s Fellowship

3 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night the Men’s Fellowship met in Patos and the meeting was led by Chief of Police Esau. It was a good meeting. I brought the word on Hebrews 10:19-25 on the topic of Fellowship. We also discussed the purchase of land at Ipueira to build a little church there. We discussed as well the setting up of a team to operate the church fire extinguishers if they were ever needed and we also discussed the end of year party for our fellowship group.

Another young man is going to drug rehab near João Pessoa this week as part of our drug recuperation work. Please pray for this young man who can’t be named.

Job 2 (résumé): Job’s second test

2 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

On another day the angels and Satan had an encounter with God and God remarked to Satan about Job’s uprightness despite all he had just gone through. Satan retorted that Job was so resolute because his own flesh and blood was untouched and that if Job was subject to physical suffering he would curse God. So the Lord handed Job over to Satan to torment him physically as long as he didn’t kill him. Then Satan afflicted Job with a mass of sores from head to toe. Job’s wife suggested that he curse God and die, but Job rejected this and remained without sin. Then Job’s 3 friends or comforters, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, went to visit Job and were devastated by what they found and wept out loud at the sight of Job’s suffering. The friends stayed with him for 7 days and remained in total silence in respect for Job’s catastrophic suffering.

Big Water

2 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

On Friday we will be travelling to Água Grande (Big Water) where I will be preaching at the inauguration service of the new well drilled and equipped for the community. Água Grande is about a 4 hour drive south-west of where we live in Patos and is in the municipality of Santana de Mangueira. It is in the region of our Caroá, Mandacaru, Pinheira and Manaira churches. The well produces 1,000 litres of water per hour and attends 134 very needy people.

Sadly a man was killed in João Pessoa after climbing into the lions’ enclosure at the zoo! I have just learnt that the man had mental problems so that is very sad.

We are listening to beautiful Christmas Carols sung by the choir of King’s College, Cambridge. I love these carols and this choir! How about you?

I have now finished my résumé of the 17th book of the Bible, Esther, so I’ve now covered 36.7% of the Bible’s chapters. I now move on to Job, with 42 chapters, and Psalms with 150 chapters. When I finish these next 2 books I’ll be over the half way point of the whole Bible.

Job 1 (résumé): Prologue

1 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

The book of Job is a book about suffering. The suffering of a righteous man who loses wealth, family and health at the hand of Satan, permitted by God. There ensues long discussions of the predicament involving Job’s friends and comforters, and eventually his life is restored.

Chapter 1 initially tells us about Job in the land of Uz who was blameless before God. He was wealthy and blessed with 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys and many servants. He was the greatest man of the east.

One day God pointed out Job to Satan as someone who was upright shunning evil. Satan retorted that Job was so perfect because he had everything going for him, but if his good fortune changed he would soon curse God. So Satan left God’s presence.

Then a series of catastrophes overtook Job and he lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels and sons and daughters! Yet Job reacted with worship saying that the Lord giveth and takes away so praise be given to the name of the Lord.

The Lamb that was slain

1 de dezembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Our daughter Sacha, who graduates with a degree in theology later this month, preached a wonderful sermon on ‘the Lamb that was slain’ and Revelation 5 last night in Patos. All glory be to God! The church was full and it was a lovely service.

Yesterday Pastor Antonio and Pastor Robério baptized 4 new converts in the Felipe, Saboeiro church in the state of Ceará. We rejoice!

Please pray for my brother-in-law Laurence Levermore, aged 80, who has been taken into hospital in High Wycombe. 🙏

This blog was read 10,138 times during the month of November. Our thanks go to one and all.

Jumble Sale

30 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday morning Liz was up bright and early and she left at 7 am to go and run a jumble sale with the sisters of the Patos church which raised £140 for the church and blessed many people with access to good clothes cheap and with dignity.

Last night I preached on the ‘Pool of Bethesda Healing’ from John 5:1-15 showing that Jesus was greater than the local legend and that he is greater in us than anything else. The service was the weekly service at Green Pastures and it was very good with a good crowd present.

Sadly QPR lost away to Norwich 3 x 1 yesterday. 😒 However Philip is happy because his team Flamengo (from Rio de Janeiro) beat Palmeiras (from São Paulo) 1 x 0 in the final of the Copa dos Libertadores which is the South American Cup, equivalent to the European Champions League.

Christmas Party

29 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Liz went yesterday afternoon to the ‘Young at Heart’ 60+ group’s Christmas Party which was held at the ‘La Doçura’ restaurant which means sweetness. A lovely time of food and fellowship was had by one and all.

Early every morning at Green Pastures Francisco puts out ground maize on the 2 bird tables near the meeting hall. This “bird breakfast” attracts a wide variety of birds like Red-cowled Cardinals, White-naped Jays, Campo Troupials, Pileated Finches, Red-legged Seriemas, Caatinga Cacholotes, Rufous-bellied Thrushes etc. There are three times the number of species of birds in Brazil than there are in the UK.

The principal threat to the native wildlife of wild cats, foxes, giant lizards, armadillos etc. are wild feral dogs and wild feral cats. These are a worse danger than poachers and hunters. There are 30 million stray feral dogs and cats in Brazil!

Bible College Graduation

28 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday it took us 3 hours and 20 minutes to drive to Campina Grande for this year’s graduation service at our Bible College which saw 13 students graduate. We arrived with 10 minutes to spare and it was a lovely ceremony at which I was one of the speakers. After the service we had a look round the improvements on the church building before staying the night at Pastor Wostenes’ house. After breakfast this morning it took us 3 hours to drive home tired but rejoicing.

Teixeira

27 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday we received the visit of our leaders up in the mountains at Teixeira who are Pastor Maésio and his wife Fia. Teixeira is only 30 km from Patos but it takes quite a while to get there owing to many hairpin bends and an extremely steep climb. We had a good discussion on the church there. It was a blessing.

I am pleased to have concluded my résumé of the book of Nehemiah chapter by chapter. This is the 16th book of the Bible completed, with a total of 426 chapters, which is almost 36% of the Bible. Now it’s on to the 10 chapters of Esther.

We are off back to Campina Grande this afternoon for the graduation service of our SETEBRAE Bible College at which I will be speaking. After the service we will be having a meeting with Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice. We will then stay there for the night returning to Patos in the morning. Our granddaughters Alice and Bia will be going with us as they are good friends with assistant pastor Jânio’s daughters.

The mighty QPR beat Blackburn away 1 x 0 last night and are now bang in the middle of the Championship table in 12th position and only 2 points off the play-offs. 😀

Fera School

26 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night I led and preached at a thanksgiving service of year 9 students of the FERA school in Patos. These students were concluding High School and came to church at the request of the school to give thanks to God. The church was packed out with the students and their parents who all heard the Gospel loud and clear. It was a lovely service.

Parallel to this the Patos Men’s Fellowship travelled to the town of São Mamede to hold another street service there. This also was blessed of God with a good crowd present.

The Christmas lights up in Patos are quite spectacular this year. Congratulations to who designed the beautiful display and a big well done to the Town Council for a great job done! Our Christmas lights at home are in the process of going up yesterday and today.🎅🎄

Christmas & New Year Services

25 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

As always December is a happy time of Christmas celebrations and this year will be as follows: 5 – Inauguration of Well at Água Grande with me preaching / 7 – Christmas Poem with Murilo preaching / 12 – Christmas service at Old People’s Assisted Living Community / 14 – Campina Grande Choir to sing a cantata with me preaching / 19 – Christmas service in the Rua do Meio / 21 – Baptism of 9 in the morning and Choreography and Deaf Choir at night with Pastor Rafael preaching / 24 – The main Christmas play ‘Son of Promise’ / 27 – Inauguration of the new playground with Christmas service at the Pastor Frank Dyer School / 28 – Sacha preaching in the final Sunday of 2025 / 31 – Last service of the year with multiple 5-minute slots for the church members to take part. I will blow a hooter for whoever goes over 5 minutes!

Yesterday I spent the day preparing my message for tonight when a High School will come to church for a thanksgiving service for them having finished year 9 and can go on to college. These are wonderful opportunities to preach the Gospel to a large number of students. I also prepared my message for our Campina Grande Bible College graduation on Thursday.

I have just received an email from a sister in Christ at Verwood in Dorset who is to be baptized on December 7th aged 83! Glory be to God!

Sunday service

24 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I took part in an online meeting of the Christian environmental organization ‘A Rocha’. 2 of its leaders João Martinez and Júlio Reis conducted the meeting from Rio de Janeiro though they are based in the UK. I think that the conclusion of the meeting was that ‘A Rocha’ will not resume its previous activities in Brazil, although organizations like Green Pastures will remain as “friends of A Rocha”, but I might be wrong.

I led the main service of the week last night in Patos and Pastor Rafael preached on Psalm 133. Most of our musicians were away so we just had Rogaciano on acoustic guitar and Sacha and Fabio on vocals.

Campina Grande

23 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Yesterday we drove 2 and a half hours east of Patos to Campina Grande. We arrived at Pastor Wostenes’ house before 4 pm where we had a good meeting discussing different aspects of the work. We then had a meal before going to preach at the church’s 57th anniversary meeting which was held in the road in front of the church with a proper stage and hundreds of people present. It was a wonderful service really blessed of the Lord. We travelled back to Patos after the service and got home at 1 am tired but rejoicing.

QPR beat Hull 3 x 2 yesterday at home, twice coming back from behind.

Drought

22 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

The drought here is catastrophic. I have just returned from Green Pastures and the only thing green is the name. Everything is grey, wilted and dismal. Plants and trees are dying right, left and centre. Our lake has been bone dry for months. The Farinha reservoir for Patos is down to 2% of its capacity and the Jatobá reservoir is down to 13%. The reservoir in Coremas from where the pipeline comes to Patos, for which we fought years ago, is down to 30%. In the borough where we live water rationing means we are totally without water on Tuesdays and Fridays.

With the drought birds are more difficult to see. Today I saw and heard Chalk-browed Mocking Birds, Roadside Hawks, Caatinga Cacholotes and Red-legged Seriemas. I also saw lots of burrows of 6-banded Armadillos.

Oasis

21 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Our architect grandson Felipe, and his architect partner Viviane, have flown to São Paulo to see the UK band Oasis on Saturday night. The concert will be in the Morumbi Football Stadium which has a normal capacity for 66,000 people.

I have finished translating 15 of the 16 EAB Action Child reports and sent them to Marian. The remaining school is late sending the report to me. I have also sent Marian 2 child sponsors letters and am awaiting the others to reach me in the office. Marian has put together a report for EAB Action School and Child sponsors and is sending it out. Anybody who would like to see this report please let me know.

A serious fire broke out in the COP30 Climate Conference in Belém, north Brazil, and has disrupted the closing proceedings.

World Cup

20 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

With Brazil, England and Scotland qualified for the World Cup Finals I forecast that these teams will make it to the semifinals! 😀🏆

We have had further pastoral encounters and counselling sessions. We value your prayers. It’s non-stop. I am also working on the EAB Action Schools and Action Child reports for this second half of 2025 reminding you that the school year in Brazil is the same as the calendar year. I am in the process of translating all the reports and sending them to Marian. So far I have done 7 of the 16 schools and 1 child’s letter.

Our daughter Lynn and her husband Hutan have gone to João Pessoa to take part in a 5 km road race on a coastal route. They are certainly keeping fit!

Pastoral Meeting

19 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

We have had a very good meeting with Pastor Oseias and his wife Lucia who lead our Itaporanga church. How good it is to share together about the work of the Lord and live in His forgiveness, grace and blessing.

I have just returned to my sessions of aquarobics which is wonderful physical exercise to add to my Pilates.

Last night we held a Patos Church Council meeting. We approved the names of the 9 to be baptized next month and we approved the names of those from our church who will be part of the team at January’s 10-day Outreach at Soledade. We also discussed the change of church cleaner as Linda, who has been doing it for 32 years, cannot cope anymore after suffering a mild stroke. It was also decided to hold a women’s conference next March and it was also discussed improvements for work with the youth including a youth workshop next year. The meeting was full and productive.

Cultura Inglesa TEFL School

18 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Last night we took part in the inauguration of a branch of our daughters’ English Language teaching school called ‘Cultura Inglesa’. The branch school is in the prestigious Patos Shopping Centre where it will be on the front line of the town’s commercial and social activities especially favoured by the youth. The architects for the branch school were our grandson Felipe and his partner Vivi who did a brilliant job. The inauguration was animated by 2 mascots with one as a Buckingham Palace guard and the other as an English policeman! Many doctor friends were there together with directors of different schools, military authorities and many other friends. It was a lovely evening.

3 Baptized

17 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

3 men were baptized by Pastor Esequias at our Juru church about a 2-hour drive west of Patos on Saturday. Praise God!🙌

Last night I led the service in Patos and I preached too on Psalm 116 especially verse 12: “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” I also dedicated 2 lovely baby girls. First it was 2-month-old Milena and then it was 4-month-old Thayla. I gave the babies their first children’s Bibles as I always do at dedications. It was a lovely service with a full church.

Science Show

15 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Liz and I went to see our granddaughter Beatriz’s scientific demonstration at her CCREI school, which is run by nuns. Bia and her classmates explained the positive affects AI is having on astronomical studies. From there we visited an agricultural show in the centre of Patos where Sacha and her husband Biba were selling homemade shortbread and where 2 brothers from church, Romildo and Eduardo, were selling chickens.

Thanks to all who write comments at the bottom of this blog, but don’t forget that if you don’t put your name to it I have no way of knowing who wrote it. Please put your name!

I have just got home from leading and preaching at the Saturday night service at Green Pastures. It was a lovely service with about 30 local farmers and their children present. It is great to see Manoel (got converted through me giving him a lift home when he was drunk) and Miriam’s family coming more. They have 8 children, 32 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren! Fabrícia and Fernanda are doing a great work with the children at church. I preached on John 4:27-54 talking about the Samaritan woman evangelist, the Samaritan revival and Jesus’ second miracle.

I have just been informed that David Shearing’s funeral service will be held at Millbrook Christian Centre, 51A Wimpson Lane, Southampton, SO51 6AB at 12:00 noon on Thursday, 11th December. This will be followed by cremation at 14:00 at the Test Valley Crematorium.

Mid-week service

15 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I led the Thursday night mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study. Erika, Rogaciano and Netinho led the praise; Vasti and Espedita sang solos and Pastor Rafael brought the Bible study on Zephaniah 1:1-6. The context of Zephaniah’s prophecy is that it was during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2 Kings 22 and 23) which was a period of rampant paganism, idolatry and corruption which Josiah worked to reform.

I went to Green Pastures and saw some White-naped Jays and a Crested Caracara.

Today is Liz and I’s 56th wedding anniversary. We were married at the Millbrook Christian Centre in Southampton by Pastor Winston Shearing, assisted by Pastor Albert Mundy, Pastor Reuben Gunter and Pastor Jack Dyer. Other pastors present were Pastor Frank Dyer, who gave away the bride, and Pastor Colin Whittaker whose wife Hazel sang a solo. Our 4 sisters were the bridesmaids and my life-long friend Peter Miles was the best man. We have much to praise God for with 4 wonderful children and 9 amazing grandchildren. God is good! I gave Liz a bouquet of roses this morning and tea in bed! She is a fabulous wife!🌹

The Brazilian airplane manufacturer EMBRAER is promoting its small Super Tucano plane as a ‘drone killer’, for the European market, in the light of the Russian drone threat. The Brazilian plane is much cheaper to run for this job rather than using big military planes.

With the Lord

14 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I have just received the sad news of the passing of our dear brother Bob Dalton whom we visited in Woking 11 days ago. Bob had been chair of the EAB Board of Trustees and a fervent supporter of EAB. He is with the Lord which is far better. Bob was 90 years of age. We send our condolences to his sons Ian and Marcus and all the family at this sad time. May God really comfort you.

Pastor Frank Dyer

13 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Liz’s father Frank Dyer was a faithful missionary and pastor here in northeast Brazil from 1949 to 1987 when he went to be with the Lord. However prior to his service here he served his country valiantly in WW2 and received the DCM – Distinguished Conduct Medal from the hand of King George VI for his service in Africa and Italy, especially for his bravery in Italy when the British Army received air cover from the Brazilian air force. We knew Frank had received the medal but we had never seen the official report of how he received it and we certainly didn’t know all the heroic details. So it was with immense joy that we thanked Marian Rashleigh for having gone to the Rifle Brigade’s museum in Winchester whilst we were in the UK and unearthed, with the help of historians, the original document which I will now relate to you word for word. The capital letters are as they are in the original document.

“FRANK DYER – For gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on TOSSIGNANO 0823.

At 0600 hrs on 14 Dec 44 L/CORPORAL DYER’S Platoon was ordered to seize a house on the southern side of TOSSIGNANO to relieve pressure on C Coy 2 RB being counter-attacked in the Western end of the village. The entry into the house was forced and the platoon established on the ground floor which consisted of only one room.

At first light the enemy counter attacked and the Bren Gunner covering the street was killed. L/CORPORAL DYER immediately manned the Bren gun and was himself hit in the leg almost at once. He refused attention and continued to fire the Bren with such good effect that the attack was temporarily stopped.

Later the house was attacked with bazookas, the ceiling blown in and the room set on fire with petrol so that the platoon was free to withdraw down the hill. L/CORPORAL DYER with his pl comd and Rfn Alldridge covered this withdrawal engaging the enemy at very short range.

Under cover of some rocks at the foot of the hill L/CORPORAL DYER tended 3 wounded men and then on his own initiative crossed 200 yards of open ground under observed MG and mortar fire to get help from the Coy HQ at Pt. 222. Smoke was put down but more men were hit near pt 222 while crossing the open ground. Seeing this L/CORPORAL DYER improvised a red cross flag from a white handkerchief and the blood of a wounded man and repeatedly went forward in the face of heavy MG and Mortar fire each time helping back a wounded man.

Finally as a result of L/CORPORAL DYER’S determined and courageous efforts the enemy recognized the red cross flag and it was possible for stretcher bearers to collect the remaining wounded who would otherwise have spent the day lying in the open exposed to enemy fire. Altogether 12 wounded were brought in, and L/CORPORAL DYER continued …

Pilates

13 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

I’m back to Pilates as physical exercise is very important. I missed Pilates while I was in Europe. I have just had a good hour’s session and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do it twice a week.

Snakes at Green Pastures have killed 2 African Love Birds and 1 Peacock. The snakes are very cunning waiting by the water bowls to attack when the birds come to drink.

On Tuesday afternoon I visited our Pastor Frank Dyer School in the borough of Jatobá on the south side of the River Espinharas in Patos. Work is going well on the construction of a playground for the children and should be finished by the end of the month. The school is going well in general.

Another thing I’m back to is couscous. Our main meal is eaten around midday in Brazil and in the evening we eat something light, like couscous, which is cooked ground maize mixed with scrambled egg, chopped coriander and chopped tomato. Delicious before I went out to preach in the town of São Mamede.

A man is being taken to the drug-rehab on Saturday. He is a middle-aged policeman who has got hooked on heavy drugs. His daughter contacted us asking for help. Please pray for this man whom of course I can’t name.

On Tuesday evening I went with the Patos Men’s Fellowship to the town of São Mamede. I preached on ‘being welcomed to the family of God’ (Mark 3:31-35) and ‘welcoming the word of God’ (Mark 4:1-20). Chief of the Police Esaú led the service which blocked off the street with nearly 50 people gathered to hear the Gospel.

Yesterday Pastor Valdemy was sworn in as a Councillor for the municipality of Manaira. He is pastor of our church at Caroá in the Manaira municipality. This is the second time Valdemy has been a councillor there. Please pray for our brother as he takes on this added responsibility.

The critical drought situation in Patos and surrounding region means that as from next Monday water rationing will be imposed by the water board. Each borough will be without water for 2 days a week. Please pray for rain! 🌂☔☂☁⛈

Yesterday the ‘Life Squad’ (Pastor Rafael, Roberto Tiburtino and Iara) evangelized the Men’s prison and 3 men made commitments to Christ. Please pray that they be truly converted.

Last night I ate Brazilian cassava tapioca pancake with an egg and curd cheese. 😋

Driving

11 de novembro de 202512 de maio de 2026eabrazil

Now I’m back in Brazil I’m back to driving after nearly 3 months being driven by Philip, Marian and Jean in the UK. Liz reminded me to make sure I drove on the right side of the road! What surprised me on the way to church was that the Christmas lights are already up and look very nice too.

I led the service in church on Sunday. The church was full and we were given a very warm welcome back. There was a welcome banner outside the church too and we were given a welcome gift by the church. It was a lovely night and I noticed it was 31 degrees as I left church a little before 9 pm.

Phew! I am very happy to tell you that I have just had my haircut for the first time since August! What a relief! I hope you like it? 👨

I have scheduled us preachers in Patos, which are me, Sacha, Murilo and Pastor Rafael, up to the end of January 2026.

You should have received the EAB magazine ‘InTouch’ edition #104 by post by now, or it will be arriving any day. You will see the Christmas gift list as well which will now function with ecards. Please send your donations to the EAB treasurer and send us the email addresses of the people you want us to send Christmas cards to by email.

I see that it is 12 degrees in Basingstoke and raining, and here it is 36 degrees and extremely dry. Please pray for rain for the interior of northeast Brazil as the situation here with the worst drought in 10 years is desperate. The Green Pastures wells are almost completely dry as underground water levels have collapsed. Please pray! “I’m dreaming of a WET Christmas”!

There is a fascinating article on the BBC website about the fight to preserve the endangered Amazon pink river Dolphins. The international COP 30 environmental event is happening this week in Brazil and Prince William is here.

Yesterday I went for a walk at Green Pastures with Francisco who runs the day to day side of things there, sees off would-be poachers, feeds the donkeys, pony, cockatiels, rabbits and guinea pigs which we have there for the children’s events and camps, and waters the plants. The drought is devastating! The worst for 10 years. One well has dried up and the other is drastically reduced. I saw the gaggle of 4 geese, with one on its nest, plus the 3 peacocks and 1 Guinea Fowl. I also saw Picui Ground Doves and Chalk-browed Mocking Birds.