Categoria: News

This chapter has one of the most amazing stories of the Bible. God told Abraham to go and sacrifice in a burnt offering his so long awaited son Isaac on Mount Moriah! Abraham set out with Isaac, 2 servants and a donkey and headed up the mountains. When they arrived at God’s chosen location Isaac queried where the lamb was for the sacrifice and his father replied that God would provide it. Abraham built the altar, laid out the wood on it, placed Isaac on top and raised his knife to kill him. In the nip of time the angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from doing it and expressed his pleasure with such proof that he feared God. Then Abraham sacrificed a ram caught in a nearby thicket and called the place ‘The Lord will provide’. The angel of the Lord then said that  because Abraham had obeyed in this way he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.

This chapter has one of the most amazing stories of the Bible. God told Abraham to go and sacrifice in a burnt offering his so long awaited son Isaac on Mount Moriah! Abraham set out with Isaac, 2 servants and a donkey and headed up the mountains. When they arrived at God’s chosen location Isaac queried where the lamb was for the sacrifice and his father replied that God would provide it. Abraham built the altar, laid out the wood on it, placed Isaac on top and raised his knife to kill him. In the nip of time the angel of the Lord stopped Abraham from doing it and expressed his pleasure with such proof that he feared God. Then Abraham sacrificed a ram caught in a nearby thicket and called the place ‘The Lord will provide’. The angel of the Lord then said that  because Abraham had obeyed in this way he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.

At the ripe old age of 90 Sarah finally gave 100-year-old Abraham his covenant son Isaac (means he laughs) just as God had promised, and Abraham circumcised him when he was 8-days-old as his covenant with God demanded. When Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast but tensions arose with Hagar and Ishmael mocking. So Abraham sent them away at Sarah’s request and Ishmael almost died of thirst in the desert. However God showed Hagar a well, saved Ishmael who would become a great nation, he became an archer and married an Egyptian. A disagreement arose between Abraham and Abimelech over a well so they made a treaty at Beersheba (means either well of seven or well of the oath) over the matter with Abraham giving 7 lambs as a witness that it was Abraham who had dug the well. To mark the occasion Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree and called upon the name of the Lord. 

At the ripe old age of 90 Sarah finally gave 100-year-old Abraham his covenant son Isaac (means he laughs) just as God had promised, and Abraham circumcised him when he was 8-days-old as his covenant with God demanded. When Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast but tensions arose with Hagar and Ishmael mocking. So Abraham sent them away at Sarah’s request and Ishmael almost died of thirst in the desert. However God showed Hagar a well, saved Ishmael who would become a great nation, he became an archer and married an Egyptian. A disagreement arose between Abraham and Abimelech over a well so they made a treaty at Beersheba (means either well of seven or well of the oath) over the matter with Abraham giving 7 lambs as a witness that it was Abraham who had dug the well. To mark the occasion Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree and called upon the name of the Lord. 

At the ripe old age of 90 Sarah finally gave 100-year-old Abraham his covenant son Isaac (means he laughs) just as God had promised, and Abraham circumcised him when he was 8-days-old as his covenant with God demanded. When Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast but tensions arose with Hagar and Ishmael mocking. So Abraham sent them away at Sarah’s request and Ishmael almost died of thirst in the desert. However God showed Hagar a well, saved Ishmael who would become a great nation, he became an archer and married an Egyptian. A disagreement arose between Abraham and Abimelech over a well so they made a treaty at Beersheba (means either well of seven or well of the oath) over the matter with Abraham giving 7 lambs as a witness that it was Abraham who had dug the well. To mark the occasion Abraham planted a Tamarisk tree and called upon the name of the Lord. 

Here is a repeat of what Abraham did in Genesis 12. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, fell for Sarah upon believing the lie that she was Abraham’s sister, and he took her (at 90 years of age… she must have been amazingly beautiful!) into his harem. God rebuked Abimelech in a dream before he had slept with her, and he pleaded his innocence prior to obeying God by returning Sarah to Abraham together with the gifts of sheep, cattle, slaves and 11.5 kilos of silver. This bizarre incident ended by Abraham praying for Abimelech’s  household’s healing.

Here is a repeat of what Abraham did in Genesis 12. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, fell for Sarah upon believing the lie that she was Abraham’s sister, and he took her (at 90 years of age… she must have been amazingly beautiful!) into his harem. God rebuked Abimelech in a dream before he had slept with her, and he pleaded his innocence prior to obeying God by returning Sarah to Abraham together with the gifts of sheep, cattle, slaves and 11.5 kilos of silver. This bizarre incident ended by Abraham praying for Abimelech’s  household’s healing.

The whole of Brazil will go to the polls this Sunday, October 6th, to elect Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors in 5,570 municipalities amidst an electorate of 155 million. There will be run-offs in the larger cities like Sao Paulo on October 27th. In Patos there are 4 candidates for Mayor: Nabor (the current Mayor seeking re-election for the 4th time and forecast to win), Ramonilson (who used to be a judge), Edileudo (school teacher) and Aline (I don’t know her). Patos has 17 councillors and there are about 150 candidates disputing these places.

Liz has just gone rushing over to 80-year-old Sister Socorro Help’s house as when she is in difficulties she always wants Liz. Our sister had had a nasty fall, has a nasty lump on her head and has a fractured thighbone. Please pray for her. 

I led the prayer meeting and Bible study on Thursday night and Fabio led the praise. Vasti and Espedita sang solos. Deborah Maria, Marcio, Marcos and Dede read scripture portions and Pastor Rafael brought the study from Obadiah 1-4. It was a lovely service. 

The general drought all over Brazil is very bad. In the normally very wet Amazon rain forest the River Negro is at its lowest level for 122 years! Please pray.

The whole of Brazil will go to the polls this Sunday, October 6th, to elect Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors in 5,570 municipalities amidst an electorate of 155 million. There will be run-offs in the larger cities like Sao Paulo on October 27th. In Patos there are 4 candidates for Mayor: Nabor (the current Mayor seeking re-election for the 4th time and forecast to win), Ramonilson (who used to be a judge), Edileudo (school teacher) and Aline (I don’t know her). Patos has 17 councillors and there are about 150 candidates disputing these places.

Liz has just gone rushing over to 80-year-old Sister Socorro Help’s house as when she is in difficulties she always wants Liz. Our sister had had a nasty fall, has a nasty lump on her head and has a fractured thighbone. Please pray for her. 

I led the prayer meeting and Bible study on Thursday night and Fabio led the praise. Vasti and Espedita sang solos. Deborah Maria, Marcio, Marcos and Dede read scripture portions and Pastor Rafael brought the study from Obadiah 1-4. It was a lovely service. 

The general drought all over Brazil is very bad. In the normally very wet Amazon rain forest the River Negro is at its lowest level for 122 years! Please pray.

The 2 angels from the previous chapter arrived at Sodom and Lot gave them hospitality. However after eating, but before they got to bed, the house was surrounded by men demanding to have sex with Lot’s visitors! Lot naturally resisted this as the men’s (angels) safety was his responsibility, and he offered his virgin daughters as a substitute for the men saying the mob could do what they liked with them! However the mob insisted on having the men, until the visitors (angels) caused the depraved mob to go blind putting an end to their folly. Following this the men/angels urged Lot and his family to flee Sodom because they were about to destroy it because of its depravity and sin. Lot’s future son-in-laws did not take this seriously so just Lot, his wife and 2 daughters escaped. So God rained down cataclysmic burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them and their inhabitants. However during their escape Lot’s wife looked back in hesitation and was engulphed by the molten material of the explosion. Lot and his 2 Sodom-tainted daughters went to live in a cave in the mountains where the daughters got their father drunk and had sex with him. The elder daughter had a son which she called Moab (Moabites) and the younger had a son which she called Ben-Ammi (Ammonites).

The 2 angels from the previous chapter arrived at Sodom and Lot gave them hospitality. However after eating, but before they got to bed, the house was surrounded by men demanding to have sex with Lot’s visitors! Lot naturally resisted this as the men’s (angels) safety was his responsibility, and he offered his virgin daughters as a substitute for the men saying the mob could do what they liked with them! However the mob insisted on having the men, until the visitors (angels) caused the depraved mob to go blind putting an end to their folly. Following this the men/angels urged Lot and his family to flee Sodom because they were about to destroy it because of its depravity and sin. Lot’s future son-in-laws did not take this seriously so just Lot, his wife and 2 daughters escaped. So God rained down cataclysmic burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them and their inhabitants. However during their escape Lot’s wife looked back in hesitation and was engulphed by the molten material of the explosion. Lot and his 2 Sodom-tainted daughters went to live in a cave in the mountains where the daughters got their father drunk and had sex with him. The elder daughter had a son which she called Moab (Moabites) and the younger had a son which she called Ben-Ammi (Ammonites).

The 2 angels from the previous chapter arrived at Sodom and Lot gave them hospitality. However after eating, but before they got to bed, the house was surrounded by men demanding to have sex with Lot’s visitors! Lot naturally resisted this as the men’s (angels) safety was his responsibility, and he offered his virgin daughters as a substitute for the men saying the mob could do what they liked with them! However the mob insisted on having the men, until the visitors (angels) caused the depraved mob to go blind putting an end to their folly. Following this the men/angels urged Lot and his family to flee Sodom because they were about to destroy it because of its depravity and sin. Lot’s future son-in-laws did not take this seriously so just Lot, his wife and 2 daughters escaped. So God rained down cataclysmic burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah and destroyed them and their inhabitants. However during their escape Lot’s wife looked back in hesitation and was engulphed by the molten material of the explosion. Lot and his 2 Sodom-tainted daughters went to live in a cave in the mountains where the daughters got their father drunk and had sex with him. The elder daughter had a son which she called Moab (Moabites) and the younger had a son which she called Ben-Ammi (Ammonites).

The first part of this chapter says God appeared to Abraham together with visitors. These 3 visitors are probably not a reference to the trinity but they are most probably God with 2 angels. The visitors were very warmly received with a lavish meal of veal, cakes baked on the open hearth, curd and milk in accordance with Bedouin culture and hospitality. God said that within a year Sarah would give Abraham a child and she laughed to herself at this unlikely happening at 90 years of age! The visitors then walked on in the direction of Sodom and Gomorrah and God said they were going there to investigate their reported grievous sin. When Abraham perceived the imminent divine judgement upon those places he interceded if there were at least 50 righteous people there in order to save the cities from destruction. This bargaining went on as not 50 or 45 or 40 or 30 or 20 or 10 could be found!

When Abram was 99 years old God came to him to confirm their covenant and changed his name to Abraham which means father of many. God confirmed the land of Canaan as Abraham’s family’s eternal possession, and also confirmed Abraham’s fruitful dynasty. God decreed that Abraham’s family’s side of the covenant was for all male babies to be circumcised when 8 days old. This was to be the mark of the covenant. God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, which means princess, and confirmed that she would yet give him a covenant son. At this Abraham roared with laughter at the thought of him having this son aged 100 and of Sarah finally giving birth at 90! However God insisted that Sarah would give Abraham a son which would be called Isaac which means he laughs, but confirmed that he would also bless Ishmael albeit in a lesser way. So all males in Abraham’s household were circumcised.

When Abram was 99 years old God came to him to confirm their covenant and changed his name to Abraham which means father of many. God confirmed the land of Canaan as Abraham’s family’s eternal possession, and also confirmed Abraham’s fruitful dynasty. God decreed that Abraham’s family’s side of the covenant was for all male babies to be circumcised when 8 days old. This was to be the mark of the covenant. God also changed Sarai’s name to Sarah, which means princess, and confirmed that she would yet give him a covenant son. At this Abraham roared with laughter at the thought of him having this son aged 100 and of Sarah finally giving birth at 90! However God insisted that Sarah would give Abraham a son which would be called Isaac which means he laughs, but confirmed that he would also bless Ishmael albeit in a lesser way. So all males in Abraham’s household were circumcised.

Abram’s wife Sarai suggested to Abram that he take her maid Hagar as a concubine, so as to solve the problem of his lack of an heir, and he agreed. Such practice was in keeping with the legal code and marriage practices of that era. However once Hagar became pregnant to Abram tensions grew between her and Sarai and she ended up going away. But an angel found Hagar and told her to return to Sarai. He told her to call her son about to be born Ishmael which means God hears. He said that Ishmael would be against everyone like a wild donkey! Abram was 86 years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Abram’s wife Sarai suggested to Abram that he take her maid Hagar as a concubine, so as to solve the problem of his lack of an heir, and he agreed. Such practice was in keeping with the legal code and marriage practices of that era. However once Hagar became pregnant to Abram tensions grew between her and Sarai and she ended up going away. But an angel found Hagar and told her to return to Sarai. He told her to call her son about to be born Ishmael which means God hears. He said that Ishmael would be against everyone like a wild donkey! Abram was 86 years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael.

Abram had a vision in which God told him not to fear because his reward would be very great. Abram questioned this because he didn’t even have an heir. God replied that Abram would yet have a legitimate heir and his offspring would be as numerous as the stars, living in the land of Canaan. To confirm and guarantee this God carried out a covenant ritual with Abram involving the sacrifice of animals and birds. Amidst sleepiness and darkness God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years after which they would be released with great wealth. Then a theophany passed between the pieces of the sacrificed animals confirming God’s covenant promise to Abram that his descendants would inhabit the land between the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.

Abram had a vision in which God told him not to fear because his reward would be very great. Abram questioned this because he didn’t even have an heir. God replied that Abram would yet have a legitimate heir and his offspring would be as numerous as the stars, living in the land of Canaan. To confirm and guarantee this God carried out a covenant ritual with Abram involving the sacrifice of animals and birds. Amidst sleepiness and darkness God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years after which they would be released with great wealth. Then a theophany passed between the pieces of the sacrificed animals confirming God’s covenant promise to Abram that his descendants would inhabit the land between the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.

Abram had a vision in which God told him not to fear because his reward would be very great. Abram questioned this because he didn’t even have an heir. God replied that Abram would yet have a legitimate heir and his offspring would be as numerous as the stars, living in the land of Canaan. To confirm and guarantee this God carried out a covenant ritual with Abram involving the sacrifice of animals and birds. Amidst sleepiness and darkness God told Abram that his descendants would be enslaved in a foreign land (Egypt) for 400 years after which they would be released with great wealth. Then a theophany passed between the pieces of the sacrificed animals confirming God’s covenant promise to Abram that his descendants would inhabit the land between the river of Egypt to the river Euphrates.

On Tuesday night I spoke to the men’s fellowship about ‘walking with Jesus’ through hearing his word, looking to Jesus in faith and following the Lord carrying one’s cross. The meeting was led by the Chief of Police Esau and was very good.

QPR have lost again – this time at home to Hull City 3 x 1. 😖

We have been distributing more hair sheep with poor farm dwellers in the municipality of Imaculada. 3 went to the Sitio Gloria community, 1 went to the Sao Agostinho community and the other went to the Sao Goncalo community. All those that received them were very happy and blessed.

My sister Jean has been taken into hospital for surgery for an obstructive strangulated hernia which was causing her agony and lots of vomiting. She was originally seen by an ambulance paramedic who diagnosed a virus! The NHS is not what it used to be!

I have just been to Green Pastures where I saw 2 Burrowing Owls, a Crested Caracara and a Black Vulture.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I went to visit our 89-year-old deaconess Beatriz who is recovering from double cataract surgery and doing very well. What a wonderful woman of God she is!

Our social worker Marah Danielle is back from her marathon trip to Sao Paulo (2,668 km) and Aracaju (600 km). First of all she spoke at the 4th 60+ Conference with 180 participants. She spoke about our churches in the north-east and about our projects and much interest is reported. Then she travelled to Aracaju to the RENAS conference which unites churches and NGOs who share our interest in integral mission uniting church planting and evangelism with social action projects. She also spoke at this event. It is so good for us isolated up here in the north-eastern semi-arid sertao to have contact and fellowship with our brethren down south.

On Tuesday night I spoke to the men’s fellowship about ‘walking with Jesus’ through hearing his word, looking to Jesus in faith and following the Lord carrying one’s cross. The meeting was led by the Chief of Police Esau and was very good.

QPR have lost again – this time at home to Hull City 3 x 1. 😖

We have been distributing more hair sheep with poor farm dwellers in the municipality of Imaculada. 3 went to the Sitio Gloria community, 1 went to the Sao Agostinho community and the other went to the Sao Goncalo community. All those that received them were very happy and blessed.

My sister Jean has been taken into hospital for surgery for an obstructive strangulated hernia which was causing her agony and lots of vomiting. She was originally seen by an ambulance paramedic who diagnosed a virus! The NHS is not what it used to be!

I have just been to Green Pastures where I saw 2 Burrowing Owls, a Crested Caracara and a Black Vulture.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I went to visit our 89-year-old deaconess Beatriz who is recovering from double cataract surgery and doing very well. What a wonderful woman of God she is!

Our social worker Marah Danielle is back from her marathon trip to Sao Paulo (2,668 km) and Aracaju (600 km). First of all she spoke at the 4th 60+ Conference with 180 participants. She spoke about our churches in the north-east and about our projects and much interest is reported. Then she travelled to Aracaju to the RENAS conference which unites churches and NGOs who share our interest in integral mission uniting church planting and evangelism with social action projects. She also spoke at this event. It is so good for us isolated up here in the north-eastern semi-arid sertao to have contact and fellowship with our brethren down south.

On Tuesday night I spoke to the men’s fellowship about ‘walking with Jesus’ through hearing his word, looking to Jesus in faith and following the Lord carrying one’s cross. The meeting was led by the Chief of Police Esau and was very good.

QPR have lost again – this time at home to Hull City 3 x 1. 😖

We have been distributing more hair sheep with poor farm dwellers in the municipality of Imaculada. 3 went to the Sitio Gloria community, 1 went to the Sao Agostinho community and the other went to the Sao Goncalo community. All those that received them were very happy and blessed.

My sister Jean has been taken into hospital for surgery for an obstructive strangulated hernia which was causing her agony and lots of vomiting. She was originally seen by an ambulance paramedic who diagnosed a virus! The NHS is not what it used to be!

I have just been to Green Pastures where I saw 2 Burrowing Owls, a Crested Caracara and a Black Vulture.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I went to visit our 89-year-old deaconess Beatriz who is recovering from double cataract surgery and doing very well. What a wonderful woman of God she is!

Our social worker Marah Danielle is back from her marathon trip to Sao Paulo (2,668 km) and Aracaju (600 km). First of all she spoke at the 4th 60+ Conference with 180 participants. She spoke about our churches in the north-east and about our projects and much interest is reported. Then she travelled to Aracaju to the RENAS conference which unites churches and NGOs who share our interest in integral mission uniting church planting and evangelism with social action projects. She also spoke at this event. It is so good for us isolated up here in the north-eastern semi-arid sertao to have contact and fellowship with our brethren down south.

This chapter relates the occurrences of wars between different kingly coalitions in the Middle East region and as part of this warring all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, where Lot was living, were seized and Lot was taken captive. When word reached Abram about this he mobilized 318 special forces, attacked Lot’s captors, recovered Lot’s possessions and released Lot together with his people. Having defeated Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him Abram met with the priest and king Melquizedek who blessed Abram for his victory. Abram gave Melquizedek a tithe of all his possessions. Then the king of Sodom tried to get Abram to keep the spoils of his battle, but Abram turned the offer down. 

Abram, Sarai and Lot returned from Egypt to the Negev. Abram had become very wealthy in silver, gold and livestock and Lot had flocks and herds too, so that quarrelling developed between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen over pasture. Abram therefore magnanimously offered for Lot to choose which land he wanted so that they could go their separate ways and live in peace. Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan and pitched his tents near Sodom, and so Abram settled in the land of Canaan. Then God told Abram that he would give that land to him and his offspring. And so Abram built an altar to the Lord at Hebron.

Abram, Sarai and Lot returned from Egypt to the Negev. Abram had become very wealthy in silver, gold and livestock and Lot had flocks and herds too, so that quarrelling developed between Abram and Lot’s herdsmen over pasture. Abram therefore magnanimously offered for Lot to choose which land he wanted so that they could go their separate ways and live in peace. Lot chose the whole plain of the Jordan and pitched his tents near Sodom, and so Abram settled in the land of Canaan. Then God told Abram that he would give that land to him and his offspring. And so Abram built an altar to the Lord at Hebron.

God called Abram to leave Haran and go to a land which he would show him. God said he would make Abram into a great nation and that all people on earth would be blessed through him. So at my age (75!) Abram left for the land of Canaan which God said he would give to Abram’s descendants, taking with him his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot and all his possessions. However a famine led Abram to temporarily move to Egypt and Abram invented a lie saying his beautiful wife Sarai was his sister, for fear of being killed by the Egyptians after his wife! Sure enough Pharaoh fell for Sarai and took her into his harem, showering her “brother” Abram with gifts of sheep, cattle, donkeys, camels and servants! The truth only came to light when God inflicted disease on Pharoah as a consequence of his inadvertent sin, and Abram and Sarai returned to Canaan with all their entourage. 

On Sunday Liz and I travelled 71 km south west of Patos to preach at our Imaculada church’s 40th anniversary service. The trip up the Teixeira mountain went well and we had a little picnic on the way. The service was lovely despite a power cut which reduced everything to being done by the light of mobile phone lighting! A men’s group sang, a women’s group sang, a group from the Sitio Gloria branch church sang, adolescents did choreographies and then I preached on ‘The mission carries on’ based on Mark 16:15-20. After the service the church served a lovely cake to all the about 180 people present.

This blog had 1,385 viewings last month.

Last night Liz went to the prayer meeting which was good, was led by Mada and there were 12 present. 

On Sunday Liz and I travelled 71 km south west of Patos to preach at our Imaculada church’s 40th anniversary service. The trip up the Teixeira mountain went well and we had a little picnic on the way. The service was lovely despite a power cut which reduced everything to being done by the light of mobile phone lighting! A men’s group sang, a women’s group sang, a group from the Sitio Gloria branch church sang, adolescents did choreographies and then I preached on ‘The mission carries on’ based on Mark 16:15-20. After the service the church served a lovely cake to all the about 180 people present.

This blog had 1,385 viewings last month.

Last night Liz went to the prayer meeting which was good, was led by Mada and there were 12 present. 

The story of the Tower of Babel fits the linguistic situation immediately after the flood when there was one language, as opposed to the multi-lingual situation which was described in chapter 10. God was not pleased when he saw man building a city with a high tower to make a name for himself. God saw such an endeavour as an embodiment of an arrogant ungodly spirit and he deliberately confused their language so as to put a stop to it. It was called the Tower of Babel (Babylon) as it sounds like the Hebrew for confused. In the second part of this chapter the genealogical tree is traced from Noah’s son Shem down to Abram, Sarai his wife and Lot. They set out from Ur of the Chaldeans with Abram’s father Haran to go to Canaan, but they settled on the way at Haran.

This chapter lays out the 3 nations formed by the descendants of Noah’s sons Japheth (the Japhethites), Ham (the Hamites) and Shem (the Semites). The Japhethites’ territories had maritime links and they spoke a number of languages. In the Hamites’ territories they also spoke different languages and of note was their hunting capacity with Nimrod called a mighty hunter. The roots of Nineveh are in this nation as are the Philistines, the Canaanites and Sodom and Gomorrah. The Semites also had their own territories and languages, and from this nation came Abraham and Sarah. 

This chapter lays out the 3 nations formed by the descendants of Noah’s sons Japheth (the Japhethites), Ham (the Hamites) and Shem (the Semites). The Japhethites’ territories had maritime links and they spoke a number of languages. In the Hamites’ territories they also spoke different languages and of note was their hunting capacity with Nimrod called a mighty hunter. The roots of Nineveh are in this nation as are the Philistines, the Canaanites and Sodom and Gomorrah. The Semites also had their own territories and languages, and from this nation came Abraham and Sarah. 

I spent Friday morning at a meeting organized by the Municipal Secretary of Education who invited me to the meeting. The objective of the meeting was to mobilize everyone in a campaign to have children reading and writing by the age of 7, in year 2 of their school. Just over 50% of children in Patos at present have reached this goal which is about twice as good as 2 years ago. Our Pastor Frank Dyer School is a shining example in this campaign being the top school in Patos. I sat in the meeting alongside Gerlania who is our school’s headteacher.

At Green Pastures I saw 4 wild Guinea Pigs (they are the same colour as wild rabbits in the UK), Pale-Baywings, Caatinga Cacholotes, Shiny Cowbirds and Picui Ground Doves. Our Cockatiels are nesting so we should have some babies soon! One of our 4 Geese seems broody so we hope for some young geese soon. They are excellent guards! I brought back from Green Pastures a bucket full of Cashew fruits and nuts. We make juice from the fruit and then roast the nuts. I brought back a sack of Tamarind pods too.

Our Juazeirinho church, one and a quarter hour’s drive north-east of Patos, was broken into by thieves in the night. They stole sound related equipment.

Sadly QPR lost away to Blackburn 2 x 0 yesterday playing with 10 men for all the second half. It was 0 x 0 when our man was sent off.

Last night I led the weekly service at Green Pastures, Sacha led the praise with Rogerio on keyboard and journalist Ray spoke on Psalm 106:1-3. Pastor Sal (salt) was there with others from the village of Picotes. It was a nice meeting. 

I spent Friday morning at a meeting organized by the Municipal Secretary of Education who invited me to the meeting. The objective of the meeting was to mobilize everyone in a campaign to have children reading and writing by the age of 7, in year 2 of their school. Just over 50% of children in Patos at present have reached this goal which is about twice as good as 2 years ago. Our Pastor Frank Dyer School is a shining example in this campaign being the top school in Patos. I sat in the meeting alongside Gerlania who is our school’s headteacher.

At Green Pastures I saw 4 wild Guinea Pigs (they are the same colour as wild rabbits in the UK), Pale-Baywings, Caatinga Cacholotes, Shiny Cowbirds and Picui Ground Doves. Our Cockatiels are nesting so we should have some babies soon! One of our 4 Geese seems broody so we hope for some young geese soon. They are excellent guards! I brought back from Green Pastures a bucket full of Cashew fruits and nuts. We make juice from the fruit and then roast the nuts. I brought back a sack of Tamarind pods too.

Our Juazeirinho church, one and a quarter hour’s drive north-east of Patos, was broken into by thieves in the night. They stole sound related equipment.

Sadly QPR lost away to Blackburn 2 x 0 yesterday playing with 10 men for all the second half. It was 0 x 0 when our man was sent off.

Last night I led the weekly service at Green Pastures, Sacha led the praise with Rogerio on keyboard and journalist Ray spoke on Psalm 106:1-3. Pastor Sal (salt) was there with others from the village of Picotes. It was a nice meeting. 

I spent Friday morning at a meeting organized by the Municipal Secretary of Education who invited me to the meeting. The objective of the meeting was to mobilize everyone in a campaign to have children reading and writing by the age of 7, in year 2 of their school. Just over 50% of children in Patos at present have reached this goal which is about twice as good as 2 years ago. Our Pastor Frank Dyer School is a shining example in this campaign being the top school in Patos. I sat in the meeting alongside Gerlania who is our school’s headteacher.

At Green Pastures I saw 4 wild Guinea Pigs (they are the same colour as wild rabbits in the UK), Pale-Baywings, Caatinga Cacholotes, Shiny Cowbirds and Picui Ground Doves. Our Cockatiels are nesting so we should have some babies soon! One of our 4 Geese seems broody so we hope for some young geese soon. They are excellent guards! I brought back from Green Pastures a bucket full of Cashew fruits and nuts. We make juice from the fruit and then roast the nuts. I brought back a sack of Tamarind pods too.

Our Juazeirinho church, one and a quarter hour’s drive north-east of Patos, was broken into by thieves in the night. They stole sound related equipment.

Sadly QPR lost away to Blackburn 2 x 0 yesterday playing with 10 men for all the second half. It was 0 x 0 when our man was sent off.

Last night I led the weekly service at Green Pastures, Sacha led the praise with Rogerio on keyboard and journalist Ray spoke on Psalm 106:1-3. Pastor Sal (salt) was there with others from the village of Picotes. It was a nice meeting. 

After the flood God blessed Noah and his sons, told them to be fruitful and multiply, and encouraged hunting and fishing as means of supplying their sustenance. God clearly emphasized the sanctity of human life and Noah lived to 950 years of age. God established a covenant with Noah, his descendants and all wildlife, promising never again to flood the earth, and God gave the rainbow as the sign of this everlasting covenant. Noah planted a vineyard, got drunk on the wine and ended up laying naked in his tent. His son Ham (the father of Canaan) saw him and went and told his brothers Shem and Japheth. They got a garment to cover their father and walked in backwards so as not to see their father in the nude. When Noah awoke and discovered all that had gone on he was furious with Ham and cursed his son Canaan into slavery. On the other hand Noah was pleased with Shem and Japheth and blessed the Lord for them.

The flood water began to recede and the ark came to rest on the Ararat mountains as the mountain tops reappeared from the flood. Noah decided to send out birds to do reconnaissance work on the outside situation and when a dove brought back a leaf in its beak he knew that the waters had receded a lot. 7 days later he released the dove again and when it didn’t return he knew that the flood was completely over. God told Noah’s family together with all the animals and birds that they could now leave the ark. Noah built an altar to the Lord on which he offered burnt sacrifices and God vowed never to repeat his cursing of the earth or to destroy animal life.

The flood water began to recede and the ark came to rest on the Ararat mountains as the mountain tops reappeared from the flood. Noah decided to send out birds to do reconnaissance work on the outside situation and when a dove brought back a leaf in its beak he knew that the waters had receded a lot. 7 days later he released the dove again and when it didn’t return he knew that the flood was completely over. God told Noah’s family together with all the animals and birds that they could now leave the ark. Noah built an altar to the Lord on which he offered burnt sacrifices and God vowed never to repeat his cursing of the earth or to destroy animal life.

Noah, at 600 years of age, his wife, his sons and their wives entered the ark under God’s instructions 7 days before the start of the rain. Pairs of all animals and birds also entered the ark. When the heavy rain started it lasted for 40 days and the resultant flood lasted for 5 months with even the mountains being submerged under 20 feet of water. All human beings, animals, birds and living creatures were exterminated by this flood except those in the floating ark.

Noah, at 600 years of age, his wife, his sons and their wives entered the ark under God’s instructions 7 days before the start of the rain. Pairs of all animals and birds also entered the ark. When the heavy rain started it lasted for 40 days and the resultant flood lasted for 5 months with even the mountains being submerged under 20 feet of water. All human beings, animals, birds and living creatures were exterminated by this flood except those in the floating ark.

Noah, at 600 years of age, his wife, his sons and their wives entered the ark under God’s instructions 7 days before the start of the rain. Pairs of all animals and birds also entered the ark. When the heavy rain started it lasted for 40 days and the resultant flood lasted for 5 months with even the mountains being submerged under 20 feet of water. All human beings, animals, birds and living creatures were exterminated by this flood except those in the floating ark.

With the growth of the earth’s population came corruption, sin and violence which saddened God’s heart. God’s initial reaction was to reduce mankind’s life expectancy to 120 years. However things only got worse making God increasingly angry. God was so sorry that he had ever made mankind, animals and birds that he decided to wipe them out. However Noah walked with God and found favour in his eyes. So the Lord decided to flood the earth but save Noah’s family plus animal life. God instructed Noah to build an ark 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high with a roof on top, which was to be Noah’s family’s means of escape together with breeding pairs of all animals. Noah obeyed God.

With the growth of the earth’s population came corruption, sin and violence which saddened God’s heart. God’s initial reaction was to reduce mankind’s life expectancy to 120 years. However things only got worse making God increasingly angry. God was so sorry that he had ever made mankind, animals and birds that he decided to wipe them out. However Noah walked with God and found favour in his eyes. So the Lord decided to flood the earth but save Noah’s family plus animal life. God instructed Noah to build an ark 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high with a roof on top, which was to be Noah’s family’s means of escape together with breeding pairs of all animals. Noah obeyed God.

Liz went to the women’s fellowship on Wednesday evening which supported the service at our Pastor Frank Dyer School on the south side of Patos. The service went well despite there only being five local people present.

Last night I went to an event at the Patos Special Needs School to commemorate the National Day of the Deaf. There were between 80 and 100 there with about 40 deaf people and many interpreters and those learning Brazilian sign language called libras. The event was led by our Pastor Luiz Carlos and another teacher from the school.

Liz went to the women’s fellowship on Wednesday evening which supported the service at our Pastor Frank Dyer School on the south side of Patos. The service went well despite there only being five local people present.

Last night I went to an event at the Patos Special Needs School to commemorate the National Day of the Deaf. There were between 80 and 100 there with about 40 deaf people and many interpreters and those learning Brazilian sign language called libras. The event was led by our Pastor Luiz Carlos and another teacher from the school.

Liz went to the women’s fellowship on Wednesday evening which supported the service at our Pastor Frank Dyer School on the south side of Patos. The service went well despite there only being five local people present.

Last night I went to an event at the Patos Special Needs School to commemorate the National Day of the Deaf. There were between 80 and 100 there with about 40 deaf people and many interpreters and those learning Brazilian sign language called libras. The event was led by our Pastor Luiz Carlos and another teacher from the school.

Chapter 5 contains genealogical details of Adam’s offspring. Everyone lived long lives then. Adam lived 930 years, his son Seth lived 912 years, Adam’s grandson Enosh lived 905 years, Adam’s great-grandson Kenan lived 910 years, Adam’s great-great-grandson Mahalalel lived 895 years, Adam’s great-great-great-grandson Jared lived 962 years, and Adam’s great-great-great-great-grandson Enoch did not die but was bodily translated into heaven as a result of his walk with God. Enoch’s son Methuselah was the record holder in longevity living 969 years, his son Lamech lived 777 years and he was the father of Noah about whom we will hear a lot in the following chapters. Noah had become the father of 3 sons by the time he was 500 years old which is not bad going! 😀

Chapter 5 contains genealogical details of Adam’s offspring. Everyone lived long lives then. Adam lived 930 years, his son Seth lived 912 years, Adam’s grandson Enosh lived 905 years, Adam’s great-grandson Kenan lived 910 years, Adam’s great-great-grandson Mahalalel lived 895 years, Adam’s great-great-great-grandson Jared lived 962 years, and Adam’s great-great-great-great-grandson Enoch did not die but was bodily translated into heaven as a result of his walk with God. Enoch’s son Methuselah was the record holder in longevity living 969 years, his son Lamech lived 777 years and he was the father of Noah about whom we will hear a lot in the following chapters. Noah had become the father of 3 sons by the time he was 500 years old which is not bad going! 😀

Adam and Eve’s first children were born and they were called Cain and Abel. These sons made offerings to the Lord but Cain’s offering was not pleasing to God. (Why the preference is not explained) Cain eventually murdered Abel as a consequence and was severely punished by God. Over time more children and grandchildren of Adam and Eve were born. (One granddaughter was Zillah whom I highlight because I had a very special maternal Aunt of this name)

Adam and Eve’s first children were born and they were called Cain and Abel. These sons made offerings to the Lord but Cain’s offering was not pleasing to God. (Why the preference is not explained) Cain eventually murdered Abel as a consequence and was severely punished by God. Over time more children and grandchildren of Adam and Eve were born. (One granddaughter was Zillah whom I highlight because I had a very special maternal Aunt of this name)