Categoria: News

Our Thursday evening mid-week prayer service and Bible study was especially blessed and there were 22 present. Our youngest daughter Sacha led the praise accompanied by Rogerio on keyboard. People shared their prayer requests and we had a nice time of prayer. Then Deborah Maria, Marcio, Mariana and Dede shared verses of scripture which have recently been a blessing to them. Then Sacha brought the Bible study from Mark 5. She was excellent. Sacha is studying at Bible College online and is developing wonderfully as a minister of God’s Word.

Yesterday (January 5th) our first Christmas cards arrived from the UK by post. Our thanks go to Gill Parsons, Neil & Naomi Parsons and my sister Jean and family. It was very nice to receive them.

I had a nice walk at Green Pastures yesterday and saw a Jungle Runner Lizard (Ameiva ameiva), 4 Cactus Parakeets and 2 Crested Caracaras. I heard White-tipped Doves and Scaled Doves.  

Our Thursday evening mid-week prayer service and Bible study was especially blessed and there were 22 present. Our youngest daughter Sacha led the praise accompanied by Rogerio on keyboard. People shared their prayer requests and we had a nice time of prayer. Then Deborah Maria, Marcio, Mariana and Dede shared verses of scripture which have recently been a blessing to them. Then Sacha brought the Bible study from Mark 5. She was excellent. Sacha is studying at Bible College online and is developing wonderfully as a minister of God’s Word.

Yesterday (January 5th) our first Christmas cards arrived from the UK by post. Our thanks go to Gill Parsons, Neil & Naomi Parsons and my sister Jean and family. It was very nice to receive them.

I had a nice walk at Green Pastures yesterday and saw a Jungle Runner Lizard (Ameiva ameiva), 4 Cactus Parakeets and 2 Crested Caracaras. I heard White-tipped Doves and Scaled Doves.  

As always at the beginning of a new year I spend some time with our pastors organizing the dates of our conferences and events. So please add to your prayer list the following events in 2024: The special 10-Day outreach with a team of at least 100 participants in the town and county of Tavares between the 12th and 21st of January (I will be preaching at this); The carnival camp at Green Pastures between February 10th and 14th (I will be preaching at this too); Our annual General Conference in Joao Pessoa on May 24th and 25th (I will be leading this); Our annual pastors and leaders conference at Green Pastures between September 27th and 29th (I will be leading this also).

I have had a nice walk at Green Pastures after the rain and saw a pair of Chalk-browed Mockingbirds courting, which always happens once we get rain. I also saw a beautiful Green-barred Woodpecker. 

I have been handling some administrative issues with Pastor Hamilton of our Campina Grande Presidente Medici church.

As always at the beginning of a new year I spend some time with our pastors organizing the dates of our conferences and events. So please add to your prayer list the following events in 2024: The special 10-Day outreach with a team of at least 100 participants in the town and county of Tavares between the 12th and 21st of January (I will be preaching at this); The carnival camp at Green Pastures between February 10th and 14th (I will be preaching at this too); Our annual General Conference in Joao Pessoa on May 24th and 25th (I will be leading this); Our annual pastors and leaders conference at Green Pastures between September 27th and 29th (I will be leading this also).

I have had a nice walk at Green Pastures after the rain and saw a pair of Chalk-browed Mockingbirds courting, which always happens once we get rain. I also saw a beautiful Green-barred Woodpecker. 

I have been handling some administrative issues with Pastor Hamilton of our Campina Grande Presidente Medici church.

New Year’s Eve brought us wonderful rain, with 87 mm falling at Green Pastures, which is just over three and a half inches. This is just what we needed. Thank you Lord!

Our New Year’s Eve service in Patos was a real blessing. I both led and preached. We also had many people taking part as we always do in this annual service. Espedita, Linda, Sacha and the Conserva family all sang. The adolescents read a poem which they themselves wrote. Adriana, Dede, Romildo, Ray, Deborah Maria, Claudivan and Aleksandra all spoke briefly. We had video messages too from Philip and Lucena.

At our house we all had supper together after church.

At our Itaporanga church 4 were baptized on New Year’s Eve. Praise God!

I have just seen 2 Ruddy Ground Doves in our back garden.

QPR lost at home to Cardiff 2 x 1 on New Year’s Day. Relegation looms with increasing likelihood! 😖

New Year’s Eve brought us wonderful rain, with 87 mm falling at Green Pastures, which is just over three and a half inches. This is just what we needed. Thank you Lord!

Our New Year’s Eve service in Patos was a real blessing. I both led and preached. We also had many people taking part as we always do in this annual service. Espedita, Linda, Sacha and the Conserva family all sang. The adolescents read a poem which they themselves wrote. Adriana, Dede, Romildo, Ray, Deborah Maria, Claudivan and Aleksandra all spoke briefly. We had video messages too from Philip and Lucena.

At our house we all had supper together after church.

At our Itaporanga church 4 were baptized on New Year’s Eve. Praise God!

I have just seen 2 Ruddy Ground Doves in our back garden.

QPR lost at home to Cardiff 2 x 1 on New Year’s Day. Relegation looms with increasing likelihood! 😖

On Friday night our adolescents’ fellowship had a lovely time together eating pizza at a restaurant as their end of year celebration. Everyone chipped in to pay the bill with 2 pounds 50 pence each. There were 26 of them present and it was a lovely evening of fellowship. The adolescents’ fellowship has been very positive and blessed throughout this year, led by Adriana and Segundo. 

I went for a walk at Green Pastures on Friday afternoon and saw and heard a White-naped Jay and saw a wild Guinea Pig.

On Friday QPR drew 0 x 0 at Ipswich which was a good result as Ipswich are near the top of the table and we are near the bottom. 

Last night I conducted the wedding of my co-pastor Rafael (aged 33) to youth leader Rayla (aged 30). All went off very nicely with a reception after the ceremony.

Last night a service was also held in the town of Passagem 30 km east of Patos and one person made a commitment to Christ. This is a good way to end the year!

On Friday night our adolescents’ fellowship had a lovely time together eating pizza at a restaurant as their end of year celebration. Everyone chipped in to pay the bill with 2 pounds 50 pence each. There were 26 of them present and it was a lovely evening of fellowship. The adolescents’ fellowship has been very positive and blessed throughout this year, led by Adriana and Segundo. 

I went for a walk at Green Pastures on Friday afternoon and saw and heard a White-naped Jay and saw a wild Guinea Pig.

On Friday QPR drew 0 x 0 at Ipswich which was a good result as Ipswich are near the top of the table and we are near the bottom. 

Last night I conducted the wedding of my co-pastor Rafael (aged 33) to youth leader Rayla (aged 30). All went off very nicely with a reception after the ceremony.

Last night a service was also held in the town of Passagem 30 km east of Patos and one person made a commitment to Christ. This is a good way to end the year!

On Friday night our adolescents’ fellowship had a lovely time together eating pizza at a restaurant as their end of year celebration. Everyone chipped in to pay the bill with 2 pounds 50 pence each. There were 26 of them present and it was a lovely evening of fellowship. The adolescents’ fellowship has been very positive and blessed throughout this year, led by Adriana and Segundo. 

I went for a walk at Green Pastures on Friday afternoon and saw and heard a White-naped Jay and saw a wild Guinea Pig.

On Friday QPR drew 0 x 0 at Ipswich which was a good result as Ipswich are near the top of the table and we are near the bottom. 

Last night I conducted the wedding of my co-pastor Rafael (aged 33) to youth leader Rayla (aged 30). All went off very nicely with a reception after the ceremony.

Last night a service was also held in the town of Passagem 30 km east of Patos and one person made a commitment to Christ. This is a good way to end the year!

This week a deer was observed again at Green Pastures. The species of deer we get here (it is very rare) is a bambi type deer whose scientific name is a Mazama Gouazoubira. It gives us great pleasure to see these deer at Green Pastures as it shows that our preservation of God’s creation is paying dividends.

I have been busy preparing for this week’s wedding that I will be conducting. My co-pastor Rafael will be marrying Rayla who is one of our youth leaders.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and co-pastor Rafael brought the study from Joel 3. Espedita sang a solo and Dede and Deborah Maria brought Bible verses. The praise was led by Marina and Davi. 

This week a deer was observed again at Green Pastures. The species of deer we get here (it is very rare) is a bambi type deer whose scientific name is a Mazama Gouazoubira. It gives us great pleasure to see these deer at Green Pastures as it shows that our preservation of God’s creation is paying dividends.

I have been busy preparing for this week’s wedding that I will be conducting. My co-pastor Rafael will be marrying Rayla who is one of our youth leaders.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and co-pastor Rafael brought the study from Joel 3. Espedita sang a solo and Dede and Deborah Maria brought Bible verses. The praise was led by Marina and Davi. 

Last night, Boxing Day, I travelled with the Patos Men’s Fellowship to preach the Gospel in the town of Sao Mamede. I went in a truck driven by chief of the police Esau, which also had in it my assistant pastor Rafael, Flavio and Marcio. Other men who went were Caetano, Claudivan and Dede. Esau led the service, Dede led the praise and I preached from Luke 2. Over 50 people gathered for the service which was held in the street in front of Brother Jose and sister Marico’s house. After the service a snack was served to all by Marico.

The temperatures today are a low of 24 degrees and a high of 38 degrees. Please pray for rain.

Sadly QPR lost 2 x 0 at Millwall yesterday. 😞

Last night, Boxing Day, I travelled with the Patos Men’s Fellowship to preach the Gospel in the town of Sao Mamede. I went in a truck driven by chief of the police Esau, which also had in it my assistant pastor Rafael, Flavio and Marcio. Other men who went were Caetano, Claudivan and Dede. Esau led the service, Dede led the praise and I preached from Luke 2. Over 50 people gathered for the service which was held in the street in front of Brother Jose and sister Marico’s house. After the service a snack was served to all by Marico.

The temperatures today are a low of 24 degrees and a high of 38 degrees. Please pray for rain.

Sadly QPR lost 2 x 0 at Millwall yesterday. 😞

Liz and I have been busy distributing Christmas hampers to the very poor. One particularly needy village we went to was that of ‘Serrote Liso’ where the hampers were received with much joy and gratitude. Most of the houses there are made of mud and sticks.

Liz and I went to visit sister Maria Jose of our Patos church who has undergone surgery to remove an eye cataract. She is recovering well.

QPR sadly lost at home to Southampton 1 x 0 on Saturday. 😒

On Saturday night I preached at our Patos school’s Christmas service at which over 200 people attended. The service was held in the street in front of our school and all the different age groups presented different Christmas items. It was a lovely service.

We have received a donation of 2,000 NIV Bibles from the International Bible Society which is wonderful. All they cost us was the freight from Sao Paulo. The Bibles will now be distributed to our 24 main regional churches which will distribute them via their local congregations and branch churches. EAB/ACEV has a total of over 80 churches.

In Brazilian culture it’s the eve of any special day that is more important than the day itself. Hence yesterday’s Christmas Eve was celebrated first in church and then by a family Christmas Eve supper, as opposed to a special Christmas day lunch in British culture. As we are of both cultures we do both! 😋

The Christmas play which I wrote was fantastic last night in church! The 40-strong cast did exceptionally well. It was both emotional and really blessed. Happy Christmas to everyone!

Liz and I have been busy distributing Christmas hampers to the very poor. One particularly needy village we went to was that of ‘Serrote Liso’ where the hampers were received with much joy and gratitude. Most of the houses there are made of mud and sticks.

Liz and I went to visit sister Maria Jose of our Patos church who has undergone surgery to remove an eye cataract. She is recovering well.

QPR sadly lost at home to Southampton 1 x 0 on Saturday. 😒

On Saturday night I preached at our Patos school’s Christmas service at which over 200 people attended. The service was held in the street in front of our school and all the different age groups presented different Christmas items. It was a lovely service.

We have received a donation of 2,000 NIV Bibles from the International Bible Society which is wonderful. All they cost us was the freight from Sao Paulo. The Bibles will now be distributed to our 24 main regional churches which will distribute them via their local congregations and branch churches. EAB/ACEV has a total of over 80 churches.

In Brazilian culture it’s the eve of any special day that is more important than the day itself. Hence yesterday’s Christmas Eve was celebrated first in church and then by a family Christmas Eve supper, as opposed to a special Christmas day lunch in British culture. As we are of both cultures we do both! 😋

The Christmas play which I wrote was fantastic last night in church! The 40-strong cast did exceptionally well. It was both emotional and really blessed. Happy Christmas to everyone!

 On Thursday we had another 8 mm of rain at Green Pastures. It’s not a lot but it is most welcome after over 5 months of parched scorching drought.

On Thursday evening our 3 daughters Deborah, Lynn and Sacha asked us to go and support their end of year event at their English language school which is called ‘Cultura Inglesa’. Please pray for this school which is the means of income of our girls and is a shining example of quality language teaching. It was a joy to meet many pupils who are already fluent in English thanks to this school.

I have prepared a Christmas message for the children and parents of our Pastor Frank Dyer School in Patos for tonight. I look forward to sharing with them the true Biblical Gospel story of Jesus’ birth and what it means for us.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a nice walk at Green Pastures and saw 2 wild Guinea Pigs, many Wattled Jacanas and a Striated Heron. I also heard the beautiful song of a Rufous-browed Peppershrike.

Last night was the final rehearsal for our main Christmas play which will be performed on Christmas Eve and is called ‘The Christmas Star’. I wrote the play earlier this year and it tells the Christmas story from the angle of the stars. It has a clear Christian message.

On Tuesday evening Liz and I went to our grandson Arthur’s graduation ceremony at the university. His girlfriend Bianca also graduated in the same class of 50 students, who completed five years of studying law. Bianca was top of the class and Arthur was third, so they have done very well. There seems to be quite a bit of healthy competition between the two of them in their studies. Both of them have also passed the first stage of their Bar exams and they sit the final stage on January 21st. Please pray for them.

I didn’t go to the men’s fellowship meeting this week as I always do, because I was at Arthur’s graduation ceremony. Just 7 went to the meeting, but they had a good time of fellowship around God’s Word.

We had 5 mm of fine rain on Wednesday morning. It was very little, but after more than 5 months without a drop it was greatly appreciated. 

We have completed the drilling and equipping of two new wells at Caroa community in Manaira county. The people there are thrilled. They have water for Christmas!

Liz and I have been out distributing Christmas Hampers to an extremely poor community called Campo Comprido which is 8 km along an earth road south of Patos. The people were very happy and grateful for their Christmas surprizes.   

On Tuesday evening Liz and I went to our grandson Arthur’s graduation ceremony at the university. His girlfriend Bianca also graduated in the same class of 50 students, who completed five years of studying law. Bianca was top of the class and Arthur was third, so they have done very well. There seems to be quite a bit of healthy competition between the two of them in their studies. Both of them have also passed the first stage of their Bar exams and they sit the final stage on January 21st. Please pray for them.

I didn’t go to the men’s fellowship meeting this week as I always do, because I was at Arthur’s graduation ceremony. Just 7 went to the meeting, but they had a good time of fellowship around God’s Word.

We had 5 mm of fine rain on Wednesday morning. It was very little, but after more than 5 months without a drop it was greatly appreciated. 

We have completed the drilling and equipping of two new wells at Caroa community in Manaira county. The people there are thrilled. They have water for Christmas!

Liz and I have been out distributing Christmas Hampers to an extremely poor community called Campo Comprido which is 8 km along an earth road south of Patos. The people were very happy and grateful for their Christmas surprizes.   

 I led the service on Sunday night in Patos and pastor Rafael preached. The highlight of the night was the choir from our Campina Grande Catole church which travelled to Patos in a coach. The choir is called ‘Coral Adoração’ (worship choir) and they presented a special Christmas programme called ‘Hallelujah’. They sang the Hallelujah Chorus as the last item of their presentation. The whole presentation, led by their leader and conductor Gideao (Gideon), was a beautiful selection of hymns and carols including the ‘Hymn of Joy’ from Beethoven’s 9th symphony and ‘Oh Holy Night’. It was a wonderfully blessed evening.

Parallel to this 18 people were baptized at our Campina Grande church. Praise God for a very happy Christmas for these new converts!

9 new members were received into fellowship at our Princesa Isabel church at the weekend.

There is an upsurge in Covid cases in Brazil, though its effects are not as devastating as during the pandemic. Our granddaughter Louisa has tested positive and is feeling awful. This will affect the Christmas play production on the 24th unless she recovers quickly, as she has an important roll in a depleted cast already affected by Jacira’s death.

I have had important talks with Pastor Maesio of our Teixeira church up in the mountains. It was good to learn of growth in the church there. The growth is small, but it is growth. Teixeira has traditionally been a difficult place for the Gospel. 

81-year-old Paul McCartney is in the south of Brazil on his ‘ Got back’ tour. He fills football stadiums to capacity to hear him and he is getting a very good press. What Paul does for pop music I certainly will endeavour to do for the Gospel!

QPR sadly lost at Sheffield Wednesday yesterday 2 x 1 despite having been 1 x 0 up with five minutes to go! We remain in the relegation zone. 😟

Last night’s service at Green Pastures was cancelled at the last minute when I was all ready to lead and preach. We have a group on WhatsApp with all the members and one after the other said they weren’t going to the service owing to the flu, so we ended up cancelling the service.

Yesterday I conducted the funeral of 52-year-old church member Jacira who died of a heart attack on Wednesday. Both the wake and the funeral service were held in our church and all went off smoothly. The church was full for the service. Both Jacira’s husband Joao and daughter Joyce are gutted. Please pray for them.

At both the wake and funeral service one good thing that came of it was the meeting up with my nephew Ben and his wife Mayara whom I hadn’t seen for years despite living in the same town. I hope and pray that we will see more of them from now on.

The mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled last night in the light of Jacira’s death.

QPR drew at home to Plymouth on Wednesday 0 x 0 which was a disappointment, especially because Plymouth were down to 10 men for most of the game.

Yesterday was our second daughter Lynn’s birthday and Liz cooked sweet and sour chicken with rice for her. 😋

Yesterday I conducted the funeral of 52-year-old church member Jacira who died of a heart attack on Wednesday. Both the wake and the funeral service were held in our church and all went off smoothly. The church was full for the service. Both Jacira’s husband Joao and daughter Joyce are gutted. Please pray for them.

At both the wake and funeral service one good thing that came of it was the meeting up with my nephew Ben and his wife Mayara whom I hadn’t seen for years despite living in the same town. I hope and pray that we will see more of them from now on.

The mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled last night in the light of Jacira’s death.

QPR drew at home to Plymouth on Wednesday 0 x 0 which was a disappointment, especially because Plymouth were down to 10 men for most of the game.

Yesterday was our second daughter Lynn’s birthday and Liz cooked sweet and sour chicken with rice for her. 😋

Yesterday I conducted the funeral of 52-year-old church member Jacira who died of a heart attack on Wednesday. Both the wake and the funeral service were held in our church and all went off smoothly. The church was full for the service. Both Jacira’s husband Joao and daughter Joyce are gutted. Please pray for them.

At both the wake and funeral service one good thing that came of it was the meeting up with my nephew Ben and his wife Mayara whom I hadn’t seen for years despite living in the same town. I hope and pray that we will see more of them from now on.

The mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled last night in the light of Jacira’s death.

QPR drew at home to Plymouth on Wednesday 0 x 0 which was a disappointment, especially because Plymouth were down to 10 men for most of the game.

Yesterday was our second daughter Lynn’s birthday and Liz cooked sweet and sour chicken with rice for her. 😋

I have started some extra study, for my personal pleasure, on the theology of John Wesley. I am doing a course online with the ISBL Bible College in Londrina in the south of Brazil.

A brother who is 30 called Guilherme Santos from our Campina Grande Catole church feels the call of God to work among the indigenous indians in the Amazon area of Brazil. Next year he will be going to Manaus in that region on a training course run by the New Tribes Mission. This will be an interesting aspect of EAB/ACEV ministry if it works out. He will be graduating from our Bible College next year. Please pray.

On Monday it was our granddaughter Louisa’s 24th birthday and we had a cake and sang happy birthday to her in the afternoon. Louisa has been married to Tiago for a little over a year.

I travelled with our Men’s Fellowship last night to the town of Sao Mamede and we held a street meeting at which I spoke and led prayer. Parallel to this Liz went to the Women’s Fellowship meeting in Patos.

We were woken up with a shock early this morning with the news that 52 year old Jacira Macena was found dead in her house at dawn by her husband Joao Moreno. Jacira was an active positive member of our Patos church, she sang as part of a group in church on Sunday and was in good health, and was due to play the part of an angel in the Christmas play on Christmas Eve. I will be conducting her funeral tomorrow morning.

Yesterday our grandson Luis (Philip & Gylmara’s son in England) had his 8th birthday. He is a lovely boy and is doing well at school. He just needs to eat more as his diet is extremely restricted owing to autism. 

Saturday night’s service at Green Pastures went well. I led, Bible College graduate Murilo preached on Psalm 139, and Fabio, Flavio, Nega, Manoel, Fred, Dodora, Paulo Silas and Josue all took part. Parallel to this services were held in the towns of Ipueira and Passagem. The deaf fellowship also had an excellent meeting with 16 present led by our deaf pastor Luiz Carlos who is doing a great job.

QPR won again on Saturday 2 x 0 at home to Hull. This is the third game on the run that we have won! 😄We’re still in the relegation zone, but if we keep this up we will soon be out of it.

I led last night’s service in Patos and I preached on spiritual renewal from Psalm 119:25-32. It was very encouraging to receive a message from one of the deaf fellowship this morning telling me how blessed he had been by my sermon. As part of our Christmas celebrations we had a lovely ballet presentation in the service too, plus a singing group singing Christmas songs. It was a lovely service.

We have just had a pair of bright yellow Great Kiskadees (the size of a Blackbird) singing perched on our TV aerial. 

Yesterday our grandson Luis (Philip & Gylmara’s son in England) had his 8th birthday. He is a lovely boy and is doing well at school. He just needs to eat more as his diet is extremely restricted owing to autism. 

Saturday night’s service at Green Pastures went well. I led, Bible College graduate Murilo preached on Psalm 139, and Fabio, Flavio, Nega, Manoel, Fred, Dodora, Paulo Silas and Josue all took part. Parallel to this services were held in the towns of Ipueira and Passagem. The deaf fellowship also had an excellent meeting with 16 present led by our deaf pastor Luiz Carlos who is doing a great job.

QPR won again on Saturday 2 x 0 at home to Hull. This is the third game on the run that we have won! 😄We’re still in the relegation zone, but if we keep this up we will soon be out of it.

I led last night’s service in Patos and I preached on spiritual renewal from Psalm 119:25-32. It was very encouraging to receive a message from one of the deaf fellowship this morning telling me how blessed he had been by my sermon. As part of our Christmas celebrations we had a lovely ballet presentation in the service too, plus a singing group singing Christmas songs. It was a lovely service.

We have just had a pair of bright yellow Great Kiskadees (the size of a Blackbird) singing perched on our TV aerial. 

It is 5 months since we last saw a drop of rain at Green Pastures. This with the intense heat means that everything is parched, scorched and bone dry. Please pray for rain!

I have had a long meeting in person with Pastor Oseias of our Itaporanga church discussing some problems in the church there. I can’t go into details here. We had a very good and honest talk about the situation which was most worthwhile. We also discussed regional issues as Oseias is the regional leader as well. We talked about the Curral Velho, Vazante, Barra de Oitis, Mata de Oitis and Conceicao churches. Please pray for the Itaporanga church.

I led the prayer meeting and Bible study on Thursday evening in Patos and it was a lovely service, though numbers were down. Davi and Joao Filho led the worship, there was good participation in prayer and the sharing of Bible texts, Espedita and Vasti sang solos and Rafael brought the study from Joel chapter 2.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I visited 79 year old sister Socorro Help and it was good to find her much better in health and much more positive. We had a nice long chat to her and heard all her stories. Then we read the Bible with her and had a time of prayer. She promises to be back in church on Sunday together with her son Bruno. 

It is 5 months since we last saw a drop of rain at Green Pastures. This with the intense heat means that everything is parched, scorched and bone dry. Please pray for rain!

I have had a long meeting in person with Pastor Oseias of our Itaporanga church discussing some problems in the church there. I can’t go into details here. We had a very good and honest talk about the situation which was most worthwhile. We also discussed regional issues as Oseias is the regional leader as well. We talked about the Curral Velho, Vazante, Barra de Oitis, Mata de Oitis and Conceicao churches. Please pray for the Itaporanga church.

I led the prayer meeting and Bible study on Thursday evening in Patos and it was a lovely service, though numbers were down. Davi and Joao Filho led the worship, there was good participation in prayer and the sharing of Bible texts, Espedita and Vasti sang solos and Rafael brought the study from Joel chapter 2.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I visited 79 year old sister Socorro Help and it was good to find her much better in health and much more positive. We had a nice long chat to her and heard all her stories. Then we read the Bible with her and had a time of prayer. She promises to be back in church on Sunday together with her son Bruno. 

The men’s fellowship meeting on Tuesday night was really blessed. It was good to see a non-Christian visitor there. Bible college student Ray was who led the inductive Bible study which went well.

On Tuesday afternoon I went for a good walk at Green Pastures, but how so terribly dry and burnt up by the 38 degree sun everything is. We desperately need rain. Please pray!

I have had some important discussions with pastor Wostenes already preparing for next year’s (May) general conference which will be held in Joao Pessoa. One issue is a question of pastoral mandates which will need altering in our statutes, and the other is concerning bank accounts for our churches.

Following the syringing of my ears last week the doctor sent me for a hearing test which I felt was unnecessary but did it. I can hear perfectly well and the test showed my hearing to be above average, so praise God for that. 

This weekend Pastor Nezinho Abílio baptized 9 new converts at Vazante. 3 were from our Vazante church and 6 were from our new church at Mata de Oitis. We were recently in the area and it is so encouraging to see how the work is growing there. There is a fervent spirit in the region with great enthusiasm and zeal for the work of the Lord. There is the possibility of a new church plant in the headquarters town of that area called Diamante (Diamond) in 2024. Please pray.

Sunday night’s service in the Patos church went very well with a lovely spirit of praise and worship. I led the service and law student and theology graduate Murilo preached. The highlight of the service was a 15-minute musical nativity play done by the children and adolescents. It was really beautiful. Every Sunday in December we will have a Christmas related item in the service.  

We have completed the construction of another toilet/shower unit at Barra de Oitis at the house of Severino, Jailma and family. They are over the moon!

This weekend Pastor Nezinho Abílio baptized 9 new converts at Vazante. 3 were from our Vazante church and 6 were from our new church at Mata de Oitis. We were recently in the area and it is so encouraging to see how the work is growing there. There is a fervent spirit in the region with great enthusiasm and zeal for the work of the Lord. There is the possibility of a new church plant in the headquarters town of that area called Diamante (Diamond) in 2024. Please pray.

Sunday night’s service in the Patos church went very well with a lovely spirit of praise and worship. I led the service and law student and theology graduate Murilo preached. The highlight of the service was a 15-minute musical nativity play done by the children and adolescents. It was really beautiful. Every Sunday in December we will have a Christmas related item in the service.  

We have completed the construction of another toilet/shower unit at Barra de Oitis at the house of Severino, Jailma and family. They are over the moon!

SETEBRAE is the name of our Bible College in Campina Grande and on Friday Liz and I travelled there for the graduation service of 12 students – 9 men and 3 women. We left Patos just after 3 pm and arrived there at 6:45 pm having stopped for a snack at Soledade on the way. The service started at 7:30 pm and about 300 people gathered for it. The service went very well and I was one of the speakers. The service ended at 9:45 pm and was followed by lots of photographs being taken.

When all had finished Pastor Wostenes asked us out for a meal together with his family which was very nice. This ended not far short of midnight and we got to bed about 1 am at the pastor’s house. After a good night’s sleep we had a nice time of fellowship together with the pastor and his wife over breakfast. We had a good discussion about different aspects of the work. After this we drove back to Patos, leaving about 10 am, and getting home around 1 pm. We were tired but rejoicing.

The main road between Patos and Campina Grande is being upgraded to a dual carriageway. The work is just beginning. It will obviously improve travel when it’s finished in a few years’ time. This work has already been done between Campina Grande and Joao Pessoa on the coast.

QPR travelled to Preston on Friday and won 2 x 0! 😂

SETEBRAE is the name of our Bible College in Campina Grande and on Friday Liz and I travelled there for the graduation service of 12 students – 9 men and 3 women. We left Patos just after 3 pm and arrived there at 6:45 pm having stopped for a snack at Soledade on the way. The service started at 7:30 pm and about 300 people gathered for it. The service went very well and I was one of the speakers. The service ended at 9:45 pm and was followed by lots of photographs being taken.

When all had finished Pastor Wostenes asked us out for a meal together with his family which was very nice. This ended not far short of midnight and we got to bed about 1 am at the pastor’s house. After a good night’s sleep we had a nice time of fellowship together with the pastor and his wife over breakfast. We had a good discussion about different aspects of the work. After this we drove back to Patos, leaving about 10 am, and getting home around 1 pm. We were tired but rejoicing.

The main road between Patos and Campina Grande is being upgraded to a dual carriageway. The work is just beginning. It will obviously improve travel when it’s finished in a few years’ time. This work has already been done between Campina Grande and Joao Pessoa on the coast.

QPR travelled to Preston on Friday and won 2 x 0! 😂

I have been to the doctor’s to have my ears syringed so that was good.

We have had another visit at Green Pastures from the IBAMA which is the Brazilian environmental body. They went there to release lots of wild birds which they had confiscated from people illegally keeping them in cages. They also released a lot of wild tortoises. They also collected a parrot which an elderly lady has asked us to give to the authorities for her.

I had a good walk at Green Pastures and saw 15 Picui Ground Doves. Please pray for rain which we badly need. We haven’t had any for months and our lake has completely dried up.

Last night’s prayer meeting and Bible study was lovely. We were down in numbers, but there was a lovely spirit of prayer, excellent participations with people sharing verses of scripture, and a good study.

Later today I will be travelling about 3 hours to Campina Grande to speak at our Bible College’s graduation ceremony and service. 

I have been to the doctor’s to have my ears syringed so that was good.

We have had another visit at Green Pastures from the IBAMA which is the Brazilian environmental body. They went there to release lots of wild birds which they had confiscated from people illegally keeping them in cages. They also released a lot of wild tortoises. They also collected a parrot which an elderly lady has asked us to give to the authorities for her.

I had a good walk at Green Pastures and saw 15 Picui Ground Doves. Please pray for rain which we badly need. We haven’t had any for months and our lake has completely dried up.

Last night’s prayer meeting and Bible study was lovely. We were down in numbers, but there was a lovely spirit of prayer, excellent participations with people sharing verses of scripture, and a good study.

Later today I will be travelling about 3 hours to Campina Grande to speak at our Bible College’s graduation ceremony and service. 

Our second church on the coast in Joao Pessoa is in the borough of Cidade Verde and it has just celebrated its 19th anniversary under the leadership of Pastor Jose Vieira. A festive and blessed special service was held to commemorate the occasion. 

You will be thrilled to know that having lost at Norwich on Saturday, QPR actually managed to win a game last night at home to Stoke 4 x 2!! You will also have noticed that I had my hair cut yesterday. I hope you like it. 👨

Last night I preached on prayer in the town of Sao Mamede. It was a lovely service and my sermon went very well.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a nice walk at Green Pastures and saw a Chalk-browed Mocking bird and 3 White-naped Jays.

This Friday we will be travelling the 178 km east to Campina Grande where I will be speaking at the graduation service of our Bible College there. We will sleep there the night at Pastor Wostenes’ house and travel back to Patos the following morning.

Our second church on the coast in Joao Pessoa is in the borough of Cidade Verde and it has just celebrated its 19th anniversary under the leadership of Pastor Jose Vieira. A festive and blessed special service was held to commemorate the occasion. 

You will be thrilled to know that having lost at Norwich on Saturday, QPR actually managed to win a game last night at home to Stoke 4 x 2!! You will also have noticed that I had my hair cut yesterday. I hope you like it. 👨

Last night I preached on prayer in the town of Sao Mamede. It was a lovely service and my sermon went very well.

Yesterday afternoon I went for a nice walk at Green Pastures and saw a Chalk-browed Mocking bird and 3 White-naped Jays.

This Friday we will be travelling the 178 km east to Campina Grande where I will be speaking at the graduation service of our Bible College there. We will sleep there the night at Pastor Wostenes’ house and travel back to Patos the following morning.

We drove to Caroa on Saturday afternoon leaving Patos at 1 pm and arriving at Caroa at 4:20 pm. The last 11 km of the journey is the worst although the earth track (road!) has been improved a lot over the last 40 years that we have been going there to minister. The anniversary service started 15 minutes late at 7:15 pm and was held in front of the church under a star-lit sky and a full moon. There was a constant gentle breeze blowing which was much appreciated so as to cool things down. An excellent crowd gathered from Caroa, plus pastor Francinaldo from our Manaira church, Fabio who leads the Fonseca and Travessia churches, Leonarda who leads the Umburana church, pastor Gerse (Princesa Isabel), pastor Roberio (Tavares), pastor Nemias (Flores), Deacon Sitonio (Mandacau), and others from Umbuzeiro, Olho D’aguinha Seco and Belem. I preached on ‘Nothing will separate us from God’ (Romans 8:31-39) The mayor was at the service and at the end I presented him with a copy of my book about the history of the work here.

After the service everyone was served with a hot dog and coke and we stayed talking to all the people. After this we stayed chatting to the local pastor Valdemy till gone 11 pm. We stayed at his house for the night and we left for Patos about 8 am the following morning. On the way home we went to visit brother Jose Paulinho and his wife Louisa at Manaira as Louisa doesn’t enjoy good health and they were unable to go to the anniversary service. They are the parents of 17 children! We got back to Patos about 12:30 pm, ate egg and chips, had a siesta, and then got ready for the evening main service of the week in the Patos church.

I led the service in the Patos church and pastor Rafael preached. Sacha, Louisa and Marina led the worship. After the service the children’s ministry sold a Munguza snack to raise money for the building work. Munguza is a regional maize based snack which was very nice.

Later today Elizabeth, me and deaconess Josinete will drive to Caroa and tonight I will be preaching at their 40th anniversary service. We value your prayers.

Thursday night’s prayer meeting and Bible study went well. There were about 25 there.

I have been doing a lot of administrative work. I have also had a nice walk at Green Pastures and had a good chat to Francisco. I heard the call of the Scarlet-throated Tanager whilst there.

Yesterday morning I inspected the construction work at the Care Centre. The brick layer was finishing off the wheelchair ramp and it is good to see the end of the work insight. Hopefully we will go into the new year with the Care Centre back in use and totally revamped. 

Later today Elizabeth, me and deaconess Josinete will drive to Caroa and tonight I will be preaching at their 40th anniversary service. We value your prayers.

Thursday night’s prayer meeting and Bible study went well. There were about 25 there.

I have been doing a lot of administrative work. I have also had a nice walk at Green Pastures and had a good chat to Francisco. I heard the call of the Scarlet-throated Tanager whilst there.

Yesterday morning I inspected the construction work at the Care Centre. The brick layer was finishing off the wheelchair ramp and it is good to see the end of the work insight. Hopefully we will go into the new year with the Care Centre back in use and totally revamped. 

Christmas approaches and the Patos church is already decorated appropriately. Every Sunday in December we will have a special Christmas feature in the service as follows. On the 3rd we will have a children’s nativity play; on the 10th a Christmas ballet performance; on the 17th a special musical item; and on the 24th we will have our main Christmas play which I wrote.

On Tuesday evening I led the men’s fellowship inductive Bible study called ‘Jesus the great liberator’ based on John 8:31-32. It was a lovely meeting with 12 present and which was very participative.

Our 22-year-old grandson Arthur presented his end of course dissertation for his law course at university and received the top mark. His dissertation, which was highly praised by his examiners, discussed the legal implications of Brexit. 

I have been in discussions with Gleydice in Campina Grande about our Bible College there. The college is struggling owing to the low numbers of students with only 22 this year. Please pray.

Liz went to the women’s fellowship meeting last night which was held at Ana Karla’s house. They had a good number there. (22)

Christmas approaches and the Patos church is already decorated appropriately. Every Sunday in December we will have a special Christmas feature in the service as follows. On the 3rd we will have a children’s nativity play; on the 10th a Christmas ballet performance; on the 17th a special musical item; and on the 24th we will have our main Christmas play which I wrote.

On Tuesday evening I led the men’s fellowship inductive Bible study called ‘Jesus the great liberator’ based on John 8:31-32. It was a lovely meeting with 12 present and which was very participative.

Our 22-year-old grandson Arthur presented his end of course dissertation for his law course at university and received the top mark. His dissertation, which was highly praised by his examiners, discussed the legal implications of Brexit. 

I have been in discussions with Gleydice in Campina Grande about our Bible College there. The college is struggling owing to the low numbers of students with only 22 this year. Please pray.

Liz went to the women’s fellowship meeting last night which was held at Ana Karla’s house. They had a good number there. (22)

At the weekend our Pastor Leandro at Juazeirinho baptized 4 new converts for which we praise the Lord. Juazeirinho is half-way between Patos and Campina Grande and our church there has 59 participants.

Sunday night’s service was excellent in Patos. I led and Sacha preached on ‘There is power in the name of Jesus’. She preached very well indeed. After church the worship group sold slices of cake plus savouries to raise money for the building work at the Care Centre. 

On Sunday both our grandson Arthur and his girlfriend Bianca sat their first stage of the Bar examination and they passed. They now sit the second and final stage of the Bar exam on January 21st. They both graduate from university as lawyers next month. They are both fine Christians.

Last night the youth prayer meeting had 12 in it which is up from 10 last week.

I went for a refreshing walk at Green Pastures yesterday afternoon.

Liz is down with the flu.

At the weekend our Pastor Leandro at Juazeirinho baptized 4 new converts for which we praise the Lord. Juazeirinho is half-way between Patos and Campina Grande and our church there has 59 participants.

Sunday night’s service was excellent in Patos. I led and Sacha preached on ‘There is power in the name of Jesus’. She preached very well indeed. After church the worship group sold slices of cake plus savouries to raise money for the building work at the Care Centre. 

On Sunday both our grandson Arthur and his girlfriend Bianca sat their first stage of the Bar examination and they passed. They now sit the second and final stage of the Bar exam on January 21st. They both graduate from university as lawyers next month. They are both fine Christians.

Last night the youth prayer meeting had 12 in it which is up from 10 last week.

I went for a refreshing walk at Green Pastures yesterday afternoon.

Liz is down with the flu.

This past week saw us doing 15 hours of driving as we travelled far and wide to preach the Word of God. First we went to Joao Pessoa on the coast and took with us one of our pastors (Lindon Carlos) and our social worker Marah Danielle. We had hours to talk and share about the work together. We took part in the 60+ Conference which is an interdenominational movement to make churches aware that Brazil has an ageing population and need to cater for the over 60s and not just the youth. The movement also seeks to make over 60s aware of the great use they can be in the work of God. I was one of the speakers at the conference. One thing which became clear was that our work with the over 60s was the oldest work of its kind amongst all the churches represented at the conference. We have been doing this work for 17 years.

Having returned from the 3-day conference in Joao Pessoa which was full of long very full meetings we just had time to get our breath back so as to leave for our Barra de Oitis church the following afternoon. This was to take part and speak at the special thanksgiving service there for another 7 toilet-shower units that we have built there. The service was jubilant and full of praise to God. The church band did well with a blind guitarist, a bass guitar, drums and keyboard led by 4 singers. We were served a nicely iced cake (the cook learnt from our pastor-cook Joao George!) after the service and drove back to Patos deep into the night getting to bed at nearly 1 am. We now prepare for the evening Sunday service in Patos.

This past week saw us doing 15 hours of driving as we travelled far and wide to preach the Word of God. First we went to Joao Pessoa on the coast and took with us one of our pastors (Lindon Carlos) and our social worker Marah Danielle. We had hours to talk and share about the work together. We took part in the 60+ Conference which is an interdenominational movement to make churches aware that Brazil has an ageing population and need to cater for the over 60s and not just the youth. The movement also seeks to make over 60s aware of the great use they can be in the work of God. I was one of the speakers at the conference. One thing which became clear was that our work with the over 60s was the oldest work of its kind amongst all the churches represented at the conference. We have been doing this work for 17 years.

Having returned from the 3-day conference in Joao Pessoa which was full of long very full meetings we just had time to get our breath back so as to leave for our Barra de Oitis church the following afternoon. This was to take part and speak at the special thanksgiving service there for another 7 toilet-shower units that we have built there. The service was jubilant and full of praise to God. The church band did well with a blind guitarist, a bass guitar, drums and keyboard led by 4 singers. We were served a nicely iced cake (the cook learnt from our pastor-cook Joao George!) after the service and drove back to Patos deep into the night getting to bed at nearly 1 am. We now prepare for the evening Sunday service in Patos.

This past week saw us doing 15 hours of driving as we travelled far and wide to preach the Word of God. First we went to Joao Pessoa on the coast and took with us one of our pastors (Lindon Carlos) and our social worker Marah Danielle. We had hours to talk and share about the work together. We took part in the 60+ Conference which is an interdenominational movement to make churches aware that Brazil has an ageing population and need to cater for the over 60s and not just the youth. The movement also seeks to make over 60s aware of the great use they can be in the work of God. I was one of the speakers at the conference. One thing which became clear was that our work with the over 60s was the oldest work of its kind amongst all the churches represented at the conference. We have been doing this work for 17 years.

Having returned from the 3-day conference in Joao Pessoa which was full of long very full meetings we just had time to get our breath back so as to leave for our Barra de Oitis church the following afternoon. This was to take part and speak at the special thanksgiving service there for another 7 toilet-shower units that we have built there. The service was jubilant and full of praise to God. The church band did well with a blind guitarist, a bass guitar, drums and keyboard led by 4 singers. We were served a nicely iced cake (the cook learnt from our pastor-cook Joao George!) after the service and drove back to Patos deep into the night getting to bed at nearly 1 am. We now prepare for the evening Sunday service in Patos.

I have had an excellent meeting with pastors Lindon Carlos, Gerse and Roberio in my office in Patos. They came to see me on their way back from visiting our church in Ceara at Filipe. We had a good discussion about the work in Ceara. It is good to know that it is going well.

Paulino and Betania are a young couple from our Tavares church who this year took on the leadership of our church at Belem. They travel to Belem from Tavares for each service. However they are now planning to move to the area so as to be more on hand for the churches at Belem and Jurema which are only a few miles apart. How encouraging it is to see young couples like this taking on responsibilities in the work of God.

The youth prayer meeting on Monday night had 10 in it which is very good. All report blessing from the meeting.

Yesterday was our 54th wedding anniversary and we spent the day on the 5 hour journey to Joao Pessoa followed by a 5 hour meeting in a conference for the over 60s. Today I spoke to the conference.

I have had an excellent meeting with pastors Lindon Carlos, Gerse and Roberio in my office in Patos. They came to see me on their way back from visiting our church in Ceara at Filipe. We had a good discussion about the work in Ceara. It is good to know that it is going well.

Paulino and Betania are a young couple from our Tavares church who this year took on the leadership of our church at Belem. They travel to Belem from Tavares for each service. However they are now planning to move to the area so as to be more on hand for the churches at Belem and Jurema which are only a few miles apart. How encouraging it is to see young couples like this taking on responsibilities in the work of God.

The youth prayer meeting on Monday night had 10 in it which is very good. All report blessing from the meeting.

Yesterday was our 54th wedding anniversary and we spent the day on the 5 hour journey to Joao Pessoa followed by a 5 hour meeting in a conference for the over 60s. Today I spoke to the conference.

 On Saturday night I went to Green Pastures to take the service with the local church there as I usually do. I arrived early and soon heard a lot of commotion from the roosting birds in the trees around the meeting hall. It was an American Barn Owl having its evening meal! The American Barn Owl is much larger than the Barn Owl you get in the UK. It is 50% heavier.

The Green Pastures service went well. I led and Bible College student Ray preached from Psalm 126. The ladies group sang led by Nega, Manoel sang too and his wife Miriam read the Bible. She said that she did this to show everyone that her eyesight is better after eye surgery. 

QPR managed not to lose again on Saturday! We drew 0 x 0 at home to Bristol City.

Last night’s main service of the week in Patos went well with me leading, Rafael preaching from Luke 5, and Sacha, Louisa and Marina leading the praise and worship. One of our nurses, Liliane, gave a 5-minute talk encouraging the men to have regular checks for prostate cancer and many in church dressed in blue in accordance with the November blue campaign. A little boy called Miguel recited John 3:16.