Autor: eabrazil

The first part of this chapter lists the priests and Levites that returned from the Babylonian exile with Zerubbabel. The lists serve to legitimize the religious life of the restored Jerusalem and Judah.

Then came the great celebration of the dedication of the rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. The Levites sang songs of thanksgiving to the sound of cymbals, harps and lyres. The priests and Levites purified themselves and the people, the gates and the wall. The leaders went up on the wall and 2 large choirs were organized. Some priests sounded trumpets and great sacrifices were offered in gratitude to God and as an expression of the people’s joy. Then people were appointed to take care of the storerooms to take care of the annual tithes of the people for the sustenance of the priests and Levites.

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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.🎅🎄

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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.🎅🎄

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 Now that the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt the repopulation of the city was organized on top of the leaders and priests who were already there. 10% of the people were chosen to live in Jerusalem by casting lots. The 90% remaining lived in the widespread towns of Judah with part being of the descendants of Judah, some from the descendants of Benjamin plus priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers and people in general. The lists of names of the people involved in this reorganization of the population of Jerusalem and Judah is laid out in this chapter.

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 Now that the walls of Jerusalem had been rebuilt the repopulation of the city was organized on top of the leaders and priests who were already there. 10% of the people were chosen to live in Jerusalem by casting lots. The 90% remaining lived in the widespread towns of Judah with part being of the descendants of Judah, some from the descendants of Benjamin plus priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers and people in general. The lists of names of the people involved in this reorganization of the population of Jerusalem and Judah is laid out in this chapter.

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Having confessed and repented of their sins in the previous chapter, chapter 10 relates the written pact which the Israelites sealed as a binding agreement of faithfulness to the Lord. Starting with the governor Nehemiah, then the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants, nobles and people in general they sealed their pact of faithfulness before God. They promised not to permit inter-racial marriage or to allow commerce on the sabbath, and they vowed to provide for the temple through their tithes and offerings. For the people vowed: “We will not neglect the house of our God”.

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 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!

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 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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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This chapter is a long detailed confession of sin by the people, confession for the sins of their ancestors, and praise to God. Initially the people fasted wearing sackcloth with dust on their heads, confessing their sins and that of their fathers. They read the book of the Law for a quarter of the day and confessed and worshiped for another quarter. Then some Levites told them to stand up and praise the Lord.

Then the people praised and exalted God as the sovereign giver of life. God is praised too as the God of Abram and as the God who delivered his people from Egypt. God is also worshiped as the giver of the Law and as the provider of food and water in the wilderness. They then confessed the stiff-neckedness of their forefathers but recognized the gracious forgiving compassion of God. God’s compassion is exalted during 40 years in the desert. God is praised for giving his people Canaan and they ate to the full and were well nourished. Yet Israel confessed disobedience and rebellion, the killing of the prophets and blasphemy. However God heard their cry for help and compassion from heaven. Despite God’s mercy they again practiced evil and God warned them to return to the Law, but as the people ignored God he had turned them over to neighbouring peoples. But the justice of God in everything was recognized together with God’s faithfulness, and Israel despite this strayed far from God. Thus it is confessed that because of their disobedience  the Jews today are slaves in their own land. So the people made a binding agreement before God to change their wicked ways.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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In the 7th month the people assembled in the square in front of the Water Gate and they told Ezra to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses. So Ezra read it aloud from day break to noon and the people listened attentively. Ezra stood on a high wooden platform so that all the people could see him and Ezra praised the Lord and all the people said amen and bowed down and worshipped. Then many Levites read the Law to the people and explained it to them. The people wept but Nehemiah, Ezra and the Levites told them to stop crying and to go and enjoy this day which was sacred to the Lord because “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. So the people celebrated with great joy because now they understood the words of the Law. And the people came to realize that they were in the 7th month when the Festival of Booths was to be celebrated so they went out and gathered branches to make booths and celebrated the Festival with great joy. So on each day of the Festival of Booths Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses and there was great celebration.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Continue Reading

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.

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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.

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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.

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 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 …

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 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 …

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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. 😋

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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. 😋

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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. 

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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. 

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To recap on our travels we got up at 5:30 am on Friday morning, had a shower and breakfast (my last Weetabix for 3 years!) and Philip took us to Heathrow seeing us safely checked in. The first flight to Lisbon was fine, and more or less on time, giving us 1 and three-quarter hours to get our second flight to Recife. I watched 4 films on this flight to help cope with the boredom, and we arrived on time in Brazil at 10 pm (1 am UK time). Our baggage all turned up and a taxi paid by the hotel took us there. The culture shock with the taxi driver was instant as he drove us as if he was in today’s Brazilian grand prix! After a good night’s sleep, thanks to air-conditioning, Clayton arrived in his car to bring us to Patos. We left Recife around 11 am and got home at 6 pm (9 pm UK time). Hence the total travelling time from start to finish was 39 hours with 2 road trips and 2 flights with a sleep in between.

We got back to Patos with our girls and grandchildren awaiting us and had a lovely time chatting about everything. The church had kindly made a ‘welcome back’ banner for us and the church ‘welcome team’ gave us a present of Brazilian sweets. It is lovely to be back and later today I will be leading the Sunday service, and young lawyer and theologian Murilo will preach the word. We ended up last night eating pizza with the family in a joyful time of reunion. 

One lovely surprise for us when we got home was that our children had had the front of the house painted for us whilst we were away! It was a wonderful surprise!

The Pope’s firm stance for Jesus this week is causing quite a stir here. The ‘Folha de São Paulo’ newspaper (which I read every day) had the following headline yesterday: “Jesus, and not the Virgin Mary, saved the world, says the Vatican”. This is what EAB/ACEV has been preaching here for 87 years!

6 people have been killed in southern Brazil and 750 injured by a tornado in southern Brazil in the town of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. The tornado destroyed many houses and vehicles. 

We have just received a beautiful breakfast basket from the church with every fruit, bread, yogurt etc. imaginable! Thank you very much brothers and sisters! It is 33 degrees rising to 36. 😎

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To recap on our travels we got up at 5:30 am on Friday morning, had a shower and breakfast (my last Weetabix for 3 years!) and Philip took us to Heathrow seeing us safely checked in. The first flight to Lisbon was fine, and more or less on time, giving us 1 and three-quarter hours to get our second flight to Recife. I watched 4 films on this flight to help cope with the boredom, and we arrived on time in Brazil at 10 pm (1 am UK time). Our baggage all turned up and a taxi paid by the hotel took us there. The culture shock with the taxi driver was instant as he drove us as if he was in today’s Brazilian grand prix! After a good night’s sleep, thanks to air-conditioning, Clayton arrived in his car to bring us to Patos. We left Recife around 11 am and got home at 6 pm (9 pm UK time). Hence the total travelling time from start to finish was 39 hours with 2 road trips and 2 flights with a sleep in between.

We got back to Patos with our girls and grandchildren awaiting us and had a lovely time chatting about everything. The church had kindly made a ‘welcome back’ banner for us and the church ‘welcome team’ gave us a present of Brazilian sweets. It is lovely to be back and later today I will be leading the Sunday service, and young lawyer and theologian Murilo will preach the word. We ended up last night eating pizza with the family in a joyful time of reunion. 

One lovely surprise for us when we got home was that our children had had the front of the house painted for us whilst we were away! It was a wonderful surprise!

The Pope’s firm stance for Jesus this week is causing quite a stir here. The ‘Folha de São Paulo’ newspaper (which I read every day) had the following headline yesterday: “Jesus, and not the Virgin Mary, saved the world, says the Vatican”. This is what EAB/ACEV has been preaching here for 87 years!

6 people have been killed in southern Brazil and 750 injured by a tornado in southern Brazil in the town of Rio Bonito do Iguaçu. The tornado destroyed many houses and vehicles. 

We have just received a beautiful breakfast basket from the church with every fruit, bread, yogurt etc. imaginable! Thank you very much brothers and sisters! It is 33 degrees rising to 36. 😎

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The latest Brazilian census shows that 32 people in Brazil are called Batman, 31 are called Sh_t, 36 are called Madonna and 2,443 boys are called Neymar! However the most popular names in Brazil are Maria (Mary) and José (Joseph). 

I have just had an invitation from the Christian Environmental organization ‘A Rocha’ asking me for my cooperation in re-launching the organization in Brazil. Green Pastures is already in partnership with the organization. We will have a meeting on November 24th with A Rocha.

I am very pleased to learn that our 4 geese at Green Pastures have started laying eggs and have so far laid 3 eggs.

The relative humidity of the air in Patos is down to 12% which is extremely low and desperately dry. The ideal level is between 30% and 60%. The drought in Patos is biting hard and the deep-bore wells at Green Pastures are in trouble again! Please pray for rain.

Oh dear! QPR lost the third game on the run on Wednesday losing at home to Southampton 2 x 1. 😖

We are back in Brazil! 😀Our second flight from Lisbon to Recife arrived on time at 10 pm (1 am UK time) and all our baggage arrived safely. We will now sleep in the Ibis airport hotel (it’s now 3 am UK time!) and Clayton from the Patos church will take us to Patos in the morning.

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The latest Brazilian census shows that 32 people in Brazil are called Batman, 31 are called Sh_t, 36 are called Madonna and 2,443 boys are called Neymar! However the most popular names in Brazil are Maria (Mary) and José (Joseph). 

I have just had an invitation from the Christian Environmental organization ‘A Rocha’ asking me for my cooperation in re-launching the organization in Brazil. Green Pastures is already in partnership with the organization. We will have a meeting on November 24th with A Rocha.

I am very pleased to learn that our 4 geese at Green Pastures have started laying eggs and have so far laid 3 eggs.

The relative humidity of the air in Patos is down to 12% which is extremely low and desperately dry. The ideal level is between 30% and 60%. The drought in Patos is biting hard and the deep-bore wells at Green Pastures are in trouble again! Please pray for rain.

Oh dear! QPR lost the third game on the run on Wednesday losing at home to Southampton 2 x 1. 😖

We are back in Brazil! 😀Our second flight from Lisbon to Recife arrived on time at 10 pm (1 am UK time) and all our baggage arrived safely. We will now sleep in the Ibis airport hotel (it’s now 3 am UK time!) and Clayton from the Patos church will take us to Patos in the morning.

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Now Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem and the other enemies of the Jews schemed against Nehemiah when they learnt of the excellent progress in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem so they tried to arrange a meeting with Nehemiah to do him harm. Nehemiah saw through their evil scheming and repeatedly turned down invitations. With the fifth invitation they sent a letter accusing him of planning a revolt and that he would soon be declared king! Nehemiah rejected their accusations telling them they were inventing stories. Then one day Shemaiah suggested that Nehemiah should hide from danger in the temple, but Nehemiah said no to this too, and the wall was rebuilt after 52 days work. When the surrounding nations heard this they were afraid because they realized God was with them. However Tobiah continued in opposition to Nehemiah and sent him intimidating letters.

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