Autor: eabrazil

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire with Mordecai firmly his second in command. Mordecai was preeminent amongst the Jews and highly esteemed by them “because he worked for the good of the people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews”.

On exactly the day planned for decimating the Jews under Haman’s evil plan the pro-Jewish decree from King Xerxes came into force and completely turned the table in favour of the Jews. Thus the Jews assembled in their respective cities and attacked them that had been seeking their destruction. The governors and king’s administrators helped the Jews for fear of the power of Mordecai. In the capital Susa the Jews killed 500 men as well as the 10 sons of Haman who were hanged, and the following day the Jews killed another 300 enemies. Around the provinces the Jews killed 75,000 people but they took no plunder. Then the Jews held a day of feasting and joy after 2 days of killings and this day became a day of giving gifts to one another. So Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews getting them to celebrate annually on the 14th and 15th day of the 12th month remembering how on these days their mourning had turned into celebration. This festival came to be known as Purim and was confirmed by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai in a second letter with absolute authority.

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.

 King Xerxes gave the estate of the hanged Haman to Queen Esther and she made her cousin Mordecai overseer over it, and the King gave him his signet ring. Then again Esther interceded on behalf of her Jewish fellow countrymen and the king authorized the writing of a decree on behalf of the Jews which could be signed and sealed with the king’s signet ring which Mordecai now had. Thus the king’s edict granted the Jews right to assemble and protect themselves, being able to kill in self defense if necessary, and the couriers rushed the edict to all sectors of the kingdom. And Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments and there was great rejoicing in Jewish communities far and wide including the capital city of Susa.

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. 

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. 

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. 

 King Xerxes and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther and the king asked her what her petition was. She replied that her request was for her people the Jews to be spared as they were threatened with annihilation by the evil Haman. The king was furious and got up and left his wine so Haman approached the queen to beg clemency and the King was even more angry and accused him of trying to molest the queen! Then one of the eunuchs informed the king of the gallows Haman had erected to hang Mordecai, and the King had Haman hung there.  

One night the king couldn’t sleep so he requested the reading of the records of his reign and came across the incident when Mordecai saved his life by warning him of a planned assassination attempt. The king then realized that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai so he told his attendant to call in whoever was present in the court and it was Haman. The king asked Haman what he suggested should be done for someone who he delighted to honour? Haman, thinking it was for himself, proposed that the man be paraded through the city on a royal house in royal robes. The king accepted the suggestion and ordered Haman to go and lad Mordecai through the city in the way he had suggested, and Haman was devastated! Then the king’s eunuchs arrived to take Haman to Queen Esther’s banquet.

One night the king couldn’t sleep so he requested the reading of the records of his reign and came across the incident when Mordecai saved his life by warning him of a planned assassination attempt. The king then realized that nothing had been done to reward Mordecai so he told his attendant to call in whoever was present in the court and it was Haman. The king asked Haman what he suggested should be done for someone who he delighted to honour? Haman, thinking it was for himself, proposed that the man be paraded through the city on a royal house in royal robes. The king accepted the suggestion and ordered Haman to go and lad Mordecai through the city in the way he had suggested, and Haman was devastated! Then the king’s eunuchs arrived to take Haman to Queen Esther’s banquet.

On the third day of fasting and praying Esther adorned her royal robes and went to see the King who received her warmly extending to her the gold sceptre. When the King enquired as to what she wanted she invited him and Haman to a banquet the next day. Haman was thrilled by the invitation and boasted to his family and friends about it and his wealth and his sons. However he was still angry when he saw Mordecai unwilling to bow before him and he ordered the building of a gallows to hang Mordecai on. 

On the third day of fasting and praying Esther adorned her royal robes and went to see the King who received her warmly extending to her the gold sceptre. When the King enquired as to what she wanted she invited him and Haman to a banquet the next day. Haman was thrilled by the invitation and boasted to his family and friends about it and his wealth and his sons. However he was still angry when he saw Mordecai unwilling to bow before him and he ordered the building of a gallows to hang Mordecai on. 

When Mordecai heard about the antisemitic edict he was devastated and he put on sackcloth and ashes and mourned and wept together with all the Jews. Esther tried to get him to wear normal clothes, but he refused, and she was perplexed when she learnt of the edict. Mordecai asked Esther to go to the King and intercede for her people, but she was reticent to do this as going to the king without being summoned was punishable with death. Mordecai pleaded with Esther not to remain silent and said that who knows if she hadn’t come to royal position for such a time as this. So Esther asked everyone to fast and pray and after 3 days she said she would risk all and go and speak to the king.

Now King Xerxes gave Haman a seat of honour higher that all the other nobles and all the royal officials knelt before him paying him honour as commanded by the king, but Mordecai refuse to comply. When Haman heard about this he was enraged and thus plotted to not only kill Mordecai in revenge, but to irradicate all his people, the Jews, in the Persian empire. Haman proposed this annihilation on a specific day in the 12th month chosen by lot. Thus the King gave his backing to Haman’s plot so that on the 13th day of the 12th month all Jews would be slaughtered and the edict was published and became law. 

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!

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!

 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.

 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.

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. 😀

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. 😀