Categoria: News

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.

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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 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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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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Now there was a famine and the poor came to Nehemiah in their vulnerable situation saying that they were being exploited by the nobles who were charging them interest upon loans which was contrary to the law, taking their children into slavery and they were being forced to mortgage their fields in order to pay their debts. In other words for many who had returned from exile in Babylon their lot had not improved! When Nehemiah heard this outcry of charges he confronted the nobles and told them straight that what they were doing was not right and he told them to stop charging interest and to return the confiscated fields and vineyards. The nobles agreed to do this, so Nehemiah summoned the priests to make the nobles and officials take an oath to fulfill their promise. Then during the 12 years that Nehemiah was governor he did not use all his food allowance so as not to be a burden on the people as previous governors had been. 

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Now there was a famine and the poor came to Nehemiah in their vulnerable situation saying that they were being exploited by the nobles who were charging them interest upon loans which was contrary to the law, taking their children into slavery and they were being forced to mortgage their fields in order to pay their debts. In other words for many who had returned from exile in Babylon their lot had not improved! When Nehemiah heard this outcry of charges he confronted the nobles and told them straight that what they were doing was not right and he told them to stop charging interest and to return the confiscated fields and vineyards. The nobles agreed to do this, so Nehemiah summoned the priests to make the nobles and officials take an oath to fulfill their promise. Then during the 12 years that Nehemiah was governor he did not use all his food allowance so as not to be a burden on the people as previous governors had been. 

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Bob Dalton in Woking was once the chairman of the EAB Board of Trustees and today he is 90-years-of-age, so Marian Rashleigh kindly drove us there to pay him a visit before we return to Brazil on Friday. It was lovely to see him for the first time in years together with his son Ian and his carer Madu. He greeted us in Portuguese when we arrived as he was a missionary in south Brazil many years ago and had visited us twice in north-east Brazil. Bob was sleepy at first but after a while Liz’s person-to-person techniques came into their own and she had Bob responding well as she told him about the work of EAB/ACEV. It was beautiful and we certainly felt it had been a really worthwhile visit. We prayed together to end up our visit. God bless you Bob!

A terrible road accident occurred on Monday on the road we will be travelling on at the end of the week between Campina Grande and Soledade. The accident involved 2 lorries and 4 cars and killed 6 people in one of the cars and gravely injured a 7th person in the same car. The fatal victims were all from the town of Juazeirinho where we have a church. 8 other people are in hospital recovering.

Yesterday we took a train to London to go and see the new musical “Paddington” at the Savoy Theatre for which my sister Jean kindly gave us tickets. The musical is good, but not brilliant. The music is good but not inspired with the best song being “marmalade”! There are some good dance sequences especially the part with the Buckingham Palace guards dancing. It was a lovely evening out.

This will be my last post on this UK/Switzerland tour as we fly back to Brazil on Friday. We value your prayers. My next post here will be in Brazil.

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Bob Dalton in Woking was once the chairman of the EAB Board of Trustees and today he is 90-years-of-age, so Marian Rashleigh kindly drove us there to pay him a visit before we return to Brazil on Friday. It was lovely to see him for the first time in years together with his son Ian and his carer Madu. He greeted us in Portuguese when we arrived as he was a missionary in south Brazil many years ago and had visited us twice in north-east Brazil. Bob was sleepy at first but after a while Liz’s person-to-person techniques came into their own and she had Bob responding well as she told him about the work of EAB/ACEV. It was beautiful and we certainly felt it had been a really worthwhile visit. We prayed together to end up our visit. God bless you Bob!

A terrible road accident occurred on Monday on the road we will be travelling on at the end of the week between Campina Grande and Soledade. The accident involved 2 lorries and 4 cars and killed 6 people in one of the cars and gravely injured a 7th person in the same car. The fatal victims were all from the town of Juazeirinho where we have a church. 8 other people are in hospital recovering.

Yesterday we took a train to London to go and see the new musical “Paddington” at the Savoy Theatre for which my sister Jean kindly gave us tickets. The musical is good, but not brilliant. The music is good but not inspired with the best song being “marmalade”! There are some good dance sequences especially the part with the Buckingham Palace guards dancing. It was a lovely evening out.

This will be my last post on this UK/Switzerland tour as we fly back to Brazil on Friday. We value your prayers. My next post here will be in Brazil.

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Yesterday was our final service on this 2025 euro trip and we spoke to a full Christ Church Chineham in what was a lovely multi-national service full of the joy of the Lord. Pastor Jonathan led the service and my sister and music teacher Jean led the worship aided by Philip on guitar and band.

The EAB souvenirs, to work as prayer reminders, ran out as we finished the last service of this tour. The timing was perfect and we again send thanks to Liz’s brother Sam in Switzerland who made and gave all the hundreds of items. 

With our trip coming to a close and with our return flights to Brazil this Friday, November 7th, we thank everyone who has made this ministry tour such a success and blessing. Thanks to all the pastors, missionary secretaries, friends and family for their kindness and welcome. This was the best trip ever for which we praise the Lord!

When we got out of the service the sad news reached us of the home calling of EAB member of the Board of Trustees David Shearing ages 88. David had been in the EAB Board meeting last Saturday week and I spent a long time talking to David at the EAB tea and celebration. David was one year old when EAB/ACEV was founded and his father Winston Shearing was EAB’s first home superintendent. David will be sorely missed, but he is with the Lord which is far better. Our prayers are with all the family.

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Yesterday was our final service on this 2025 euro trip and we spoke to a full Christ Church Chineham in what was a lovely multi-national service full of the joy of the Lord. Pastor Jonathan led the service and my sister and music teacher Jean led the worship aided by Philip on guitar and band.

The EAB souvenirs, to work as prayer reminders, ran out as we finished the last service of this tour. The timing was perfect and we again send thanks to Liz’s brother Sam in Switzerland who made and gave all the hundreds of items. 

With our trip coming to a close and with our return flights to Brazil this Friday, November 7th, we thank everyone who has made this ministry tour such a success and blessing. Thanks to all the pastors, missionary secretaries, friends and family for their kindness and welcome. This was the best trip ever for which we praise the Lord!

When we got out of the service the sad news reached us of the home calling of EAB member of the Board of Trustees David Shearing ages 88. David had been in the EAB Board meeting last Saturday week and I spent a long time talking to David at the EAB tea and celebration. David was one year old when EAB/ACEV was founded and his father Winston Shearing was EAB’s first home superintendent. David will be sorely missed, but he is with the Lord which is far better. Our prayers are with all the family.

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The book of Nehemiah shows that Nehemiah was a man of vision, initiative and courage, but above all else he was a man of prayer. The book has more prayers than chapters with 14 prayers in its 13 chapters. May we all follow his example!

Yesterday Liz went to Winchester with Philip, Gylmara, the boys and Marian to visit the Rifleman’s Museum in Winchester as Pastor Frank Dyer (Liz’s father) was a rifleman in the second world war.  He received a DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) from the hand of the King for his extreme bravery and courage in the Battle of Tossignano in Italy in 1944. In this battle Pastor Frank was shot, but survived, and saved various fellow soldiers’ lives carrying them to safety under fire over a period of 3 hours. It is interesting to know that in this battle the British army received air cover from the Brazilian Air Force!

Today I travelled to London with Philip and Lucas to watch QPR play Ipswich. It is the first time I have seen my team play for 7 years. Sadly QPR lost 4 x 1. 😓

Last month this blog was visited and read 9,231 times. Thanks to one and all!

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The book of Nehemiah shows that Nehemiah was a man of vision, initiative and courage, but above all else he was a man of prayer. The book has more prayers than chapters with 14 prayers in its 13 chapters. May we all follow his example!

Yesterday Liz went to Winchester with Philip, Gylmara, the boys and Marian to visit the Rifleman’s Museum in Winchester as Pastor Frank Dyer (Liz’s father) was a rifleman in the second world war.  He received a DCM (Distinguished Conduct Medal) from the hand of the King for his extreme bravery and courage in the Battle of Tossignano in Italy in 1944. In this battle Pastor Frank was shot, but survived, and saved various fellow soldiers’ lives carrying them to safety under fire over a period of 3 hours. It is interesting to know that in this battle the British army received air cover from the Brazilian Air Force!

Today I travelled to London with Philip and Lucas to watch QPR play Ipswich. It is the first time I have seen my team play for 7 years. Sadly QPR lost 4 x 1. 😓

Last month this blog was visited and read 9,231 times. Thanks to one and all!

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The opponents of the Jews, Sanballat and Tobiah, ridiculed the Jews’ building endeavors saying that the walls were so fragile that just a fox could break them down! Nehemiah didn’t argue with them. He prayed asking God to turn their insults back on their own heads, and the building continued with the walls now reaching the half-way stage. In the light of this the opponents of God’s people plotted to attack them so Nehemiah prayed and posted guards day and night. In the light of possible imminent attacks half the men worked and half the men guarded. Then too men worked with one hand but had a weapon in the other hand, but nothing could stop the Jews progressing with their building work for the glory of God.

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The opponents of the Jews, Sanballat and Tobiah, ridiculed the Jews’ building endeavors saying that the walls were so fragile that just a fox could break them down! Nehemiah didn’t argue with them. He prayed asking God to turn their insults back on their own heads, and the building continued with the walls now reaching the half-way stage. In the light of this the opponents of God’s people plotted to attack them so Nehemiah prayed and posted guards day and night. In the light of possible imminent attacks half the men worked and half the men guarded. Then too men worked with one hand but had a weapon in the other hand, but nothing could stop the Jews progressing with their building work for the glory of God.

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This chapter relates how the re-building of the wall of Jerusalem was organized with different groups made responsible for different sections of the wall. This was team work with everyone doing their part for the benefit of all and for the glory of God. Thus sections such as the Sheep Gate, the Fish Gate, the Jeshanah Gate, the Valley Gate, The Dung Gate, the Fountain Gate, the Water Gate, the Horse Gate and the Inspection Gate and their respective sections of wall were divided between all the workers available and committed to the task.

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In the 20th year of the reign of Artaxerxes Nehemiah was serving the king with wine when the king noticed that Nehemiah was low in spirit and asked him what was the matter. Nehemiah said that he was sad because his homeland’s capital city of Jerusalem was in ruins and the gates had been burnt down. He then plucked up courage and asked the king to send him to Jerusalem to rebuild it. He asked for covering letters to guarantee him safe passage and to give him the supplies necessary for the building work, and God answered Nehemiah’s prayers and the king granted his requests. However Sanballat and Tobiah, regional officials, were opposed to all this.

But Nehemiah therefore went to Jerusalem with King Artaxerxes’ blessing and after being there 3 days he set out on a secret mission of appraisal of the precise situation of the city, but he told nobody of his plans at this stage. When he had a complete understanding of the situation Nehemiah approached the priests, nobles and officials of Israel calling them to join him in rebuilding the walls and telling them how God was with him in giving him the backing of the king, and the Jews agreed with Nehemiah’s plan. But when Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem heard this news they mocked and ridiculed them suggesting that in fact they were conjuring up a rebellion. Nehemiah rejected their criticism saying that God would give them success in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. 

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Frank Dyer served with EAB/ACEV between 1949 and 1987. Our school in Patos bears his name as does a street in Patos. Now we have just been informed that a street in the state capital of João Pessoa has also been named after him. ACEV also has a street named after it in the town of Tavares and Albert Mundy, EAB/ACEV’s founder, also has a street named after him in Patos. All glory be to God for these recognitions of the service of these men of God.

On Tuesday there was a staggering battle between the police and the Red Command organized crime gang in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro which killed 132 and saw 81 arrested. The gang even attacked the police with small bombs dropped from drones! However my friend Pastor Antonio Carlos Costa of Rio de Janeiro says that the crux of the problem in the favelas is social and dealing with this is what will best solve the problem.

On Wednesday we had a lovely video meeting with Peter and Corinne White of Billericay Baptist Church catching up with their news and sharing our news with them.

I have finished the résumé of the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, which means I have now covered nearly 35% of the chapters of the Bible with 413 chapters done out of 1,189. Now on to Nehemiah. 

Yesterday we made a nice visit to by nurse sister Joy at High Wycombe and had lunch with her. We then went with her to visit her 80-year-old husband Laurence who is in a care home with dementia. We were sad to see the condition he is in but happy to see him laughing a lot. He clearly recognized Philip and spoke his name but I am not sure if he recognized Liz and I. It was good to see that he is being well cared for.

Liz has given me an early Christmas present! It is an absolutely beautiful calendar! It is a QPR calendar! 😀

Destruction of the Amazon rain forest is at its third lowest level in history it has just been revealed. The minister of the environment Marina Silva is an evangelical Christian.

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Frank Dyer served with EAB/ACEV between 1949 and 1987. Our school in Patos bears his name as does a street in Patos. Now we have just been informed that a street in the state capital of João Pessoa has also been named after him. ACEV also has a street named after it in the town of Tavares and Albert Mundy, EAB/ACEV’s founder, also has a street named after him in Patos. All glory be to God for these recognitions of the service of these men of God.

On Tuesday there was a staggering battle between the police and the Red Command organized crime gang in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro which killed 132 and saw 81 arrested. The gang even attacked the police with small bombs dropped from drones! However my friend Pastor Antonio Carlos Costa of Rio de Janeiro says that the crux of the problem in the favelas is social and dealing with this is what will best solve the problem.

On Wednesday we had a lovely video meeting with Peter and Corinne White of Billericay Baptist Church catching up with their news and sharing our news with them.

I have finished the résumé of the 15th book of the Bible, Ezra, which means I have now covered nearly 35% of the chapters of the Bible with 413 chapters done out of 1,189. Now on to Nehemiah. 

Yesterday we made a nice visit to by nurse sister Joy at High Wycombe and had lunch with her. We then went with her to visit her 80-year-old husband Laurence who is in a care home with dementia. We were sad to see the condition he is in but happy to see him laughing a lot. He clearly recognized Philip and spoke his name but I am not sure if he recognized Liz and I. It was good to see that he is being well cared for.

Liz has given me an early Christmas present! It is an absolutely beautiful calendar! It is a QPR calendar! 😀

Destruction of the Amazon rain forest is at its third lowest level in history it has just been revealed. The minister of the environment Marina Silva is an evangelical Christian.

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The book of Nehemiah may well have been originally one book together with Ezra as it covers the same historical period when the Jews were returning to Jerusalem from their Babylonian exile. Nehemiah was an Israelite in Persia who led the re-building of Jerusalem’s walls and led the spiritual renewal of God’s people. He was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. 

Nehemiah learns of the sorry situation in which Jerusalem finds itself with its walls broken down and its gates burnt. He learns that the survivors of the exile are in great trouble and disgrace. Nehemiah mourned, fasted and prayed about the situation because above all else Nehemiah was a man of prayer. Nehemiah therefore confessed his own sin and that of the people. He acknowledged their disobedience and wickedness. But he beseeched God’s mercy and help as he is about to intercede with the king on behalf of Jerusalem and its people.

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As Ezra prayed and confessed sin in tears the people gathered round him weeping also. Then Shekaniah proposed a covenant to Ezra saying that the Israelites should divorce all foreign women sending them away with their children. And as Ezra considered this in mourning he spent a period in a total fast without food or water. Then everyone was summoned to Jerusalem and Ezra declared that Shekaniah was right and all foreign women and children were to be sent away. The book then closes listing all the 113 men who had fallen into the sin of inter-racial marriage.

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As Ezra prayed and confessed sin in tears the people gathered round him weeping also. Then Shekaniah proposed a covenant to Ezra saying that the Israelites should divorce all foreign women sending them away with their children. And as Ezra considered this in mourning he spent a period in a total fast without food or water. Then everyone was summoned to Jerusalem and Ezra declared that Shekaniah was right and all foreign women and children were to be sent away. The book then closes listing all the 113 men who had fallen into the sin of inter-racial marriage.

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 Ezra was evaluating the spiritual state of Israel and the leaders informed him that widespread inter-marriage had been going on between pagan nationals and Israelites against the law of God. This practice was even rife amongst priests and Levites! This news devastated Ezra who tore his tunic and cloak and pulled his hair out, and at the time of the evening sacrifice with the people gathered round him he fell on his knees and prayed a prayer of confession. Ezra said before God that he was ashamed and disgraced. He admitted and confessed that his people had forsaken God’s commands, practicing evil deeds of great guilt involving inter-racial marriage.

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We are looking forward to our return to Patos in the state of Paraíba, in north-east Brazil next week. Our Euro trip has been excellent and perhaps the trip we have most enjoyed and felt blessed in over the years. Our thanks to Philip, Gylmara, Lucas and Luis for being so kind to us and thanks to everyone else who has helped and contributed to the success of our visit. May God bless you all and please pray for us as we return.

On our final Sunday in the UK on this trip we will be speaking this Sunday at Christ Church Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8LT at 10 am. Please join us if you can!

Donkey Haven news from Brazil is that a husband has been found for our female donkey Merrylegs! He is King Solomon! Our haven now exists in the light of the slaughter of donkeys in Brazil that has wiped our 94% of Brazil’s donkeys. Animal lovers can help us save the Brazilian donkeys by sponsoring a donkey for just £10 a month to cover feed and care. Perhaps your Sunday School children might like to do this?

We believe in team work in the work of God. We have a team of 11 leaders leading our churches at a general national level. We have a team of 11 leaders leading our Patos church at a local level. We have a team of 8 leading our social action projects. We have a team of 5 leading our annual 10-day evangelistic outreaches. In other words EAB/ACEV always work in teams! We do not have one-man bands! Team work means a discerning of God’s will together. Team work means a sharing of the load. Team work means opportunities for everyone. Team work guarantees continuity. Jesus didn’t chose one disciple. He chose a team of 12!

Yesterday we went to the Vyne historic house and grounds owned by the National Trust, and it was a very interesting and healthy day. The Vyne was built between 1500 (when Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese) and 1520, and was visited by King Henry VIII. The 16th century construction transformed an earlier medieval manor house. The Chute family bought it in the 17th century and revamped it. All this is to show that old beautiful houses can be preserved and cared for. It was lovely to see many apple trees laden with fruit in the Vyne’s grounds with Red Kites swooping overhead beside a lake.

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We are looking forward to our return to Patos in the state of Paraíba, in north-east Brazil next week. Our Euro trip has been excellent and perhaps the trip we have most enjoyed and felt blessed in over the years. Our thanks to Philip, Gylmara, Lucas and Luis for being so kind to us and thanks to everyone else who has helped and contributed to the success of our visit. May God bless you all and please pray for us as we return.

On our final Sunday in the UK on this trip we will be speaking this Sunday at Christ Church Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8LT at 10 am. Please join us if you can!

Donkey Haven news from Brazil is that a husband has been found for our female donkey Merrylegs! He is King Solomon! Our haven now exists in the light of the slaughter of donkeys in Brazil that has wiped our 94% of Brazil’s donkeys. Animal lovers can help us save the Brazilian donkeys by sponsoring a donkey for just £10 a month to cover feed and care. Perhaps your Sunday School children might like to do this?

We believe in team work in the work of God. We have a team of 11 leaders leading our churches at a general national level. We have a team of 11 leaders leading our Patos church at a local level. We have a team of 8 leading our social action projects. We have a team of 5 leading our annual 10-day evangelistic outreaches. In other words EAB/ACEV always work in teams! We do not have one-man bands! Team work means a discerning of God’s will together. Team work means a sharing of the load. Team work means opportunities for everyone. Team work guarantees continuity. Jesus didn’t chose one disciple. He chose a team of 12!

Yesterday we went to the Vyne historic house and grounds owned by the National Trust, and it was a very interesting and healthy day. The Vyne was built between 1500 (when Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese) and 1520, and was visited by King Henry VIII. The 16th century construction transformed an earlier medieval manor house. The Chute family bought it in the 17th century and revamped it. All this is to show that old beautiful houses can be preserved and cared for. It was lovely to see many apple trees laden with fruit in the Vyne’s grounds with Red Kites swooping overhead beside a lake.

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Now Ezra listed the heads of the families which returned with him from exile in Babylon during the reign of King Artaxerxes. They assembled at the Ahava canal and camped there for 3 days. Then Ezra noted a lack of Levites so he made a call-up to rectify this. Then Ezra proclaimed a fast to ask of God a safe journey as the Jews travelled without armed escort whilst trusting in God. Then Ezra entrusted to the leading priests all the silver and gold for the temple, and the entourage left the Ahava canal and arrived in Jerusalem where they rested for 3 days. After resting all the silver and gold was duly accounted for and the exiles that had returned sacrificed 12 bulls, 96 rams, 77 male lambs and 12 male goats. 

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King Darius had the archives searched and indeed King Cyrus’s decree was discovered on a scroll legitimizing the rebuilding of the Israelite temple as the Jews had said. Therefore King Darius ordered Tattenai to keep out of it and that the expenses of the work be funded by the royal treasury. He said that whatever the priests requested should be given without fail including what they needed in terms of animals for sacrifices. Darius yet said that anyone who disobeys his decree should be impaled on a beam of his house and have his house destroyed. Hence Tattenai and helpers were obliged to diligently obey orders and the temple’s rebuilding was concluded in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius and the dedication of the temple was carried out with joy. They offered 100 bulls, 200 rams, 400 male lambs, and as a sin offering 12 male goats representing the 12 tribes of Israel.  And in the first month they celebrated the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread.

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