Categoria: News

Thank you very much if you prayed for us for rain. I am glad to tell you that last night we had the best rainfall so far this rainy season with 62 mm (just over two and a half inches). We also had another 36 mm during last week so this means that last week we had a total of 98 mm (four inches). Please do not stop praying as we still need a lot more rain!

Last night the usual Saturday service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to the rain and resultant mud. I was all ready to go and take the service when down came the rain.

There were 35 in the Bible study this week. I had a good meeting with Dedé at the end of the service. Dedé is the leader of our “Christian in Action” group which mainly involves middle-aged people in the work of the Gospel.

We have taken a young man from Imaculada to the drugs/drink rehabilitation centre in João Pessoa. Please pray for this man who has been addicted to booze for a long time and now has sought help to break free. In this process let us pray that he might commit his life to God.

Termites have attacked our house devouring wooden furniture. We have had to rip out draws and shelves from the room that used to be Liz’s Mum’s room.

Water supply has been restored to our house in Patos. Thank you for praying.

Please pray for QPR! We lost 6 x 1 at Blackpool midweek and we lost 1 x 0 at home to Birmingham yesterday. We are now in serious danger of being relegated to the third division (League One).

Thank you very much if you prayed for us for rain. I am glad to tell you that last night we had the best rainfall so far this rainy season with 62 mm (just over two and a half inches). We also had another 36 mm during last week so this means that last week we had a total of 98 mm (four inches). Please do not stop praying as we still need a lot more rain!

Last night the usual Saturday service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to the rain and resultant mud. I was all ready to go and take the service when down came the rain.

There were 35 in the Bible study this week. I had a good meeting with Dedé at the end of the service. Dedé is the leader of our “Christian in Action” group which mainly involves middle-aged people in the work of the Gospel.

We have taken a young man from Imaculada to the drugs/drink rehabilitation centre in João Pessoa. Please pray for this man who has been addicted to booze for a long time and now has sought help to break free. In this process let us pray that he might commit his life to God.

Termites have attacked our house devouring wooden furniture. We have had to rip out draws and shelves from the room that used to be Liz’s Mum’s room.

Water supply has been restored to our house in Patos. Thank you for praying.

Please pray for QPR! We lost 6 x 1 at Blackpool midweek and we lost 1 x 0 at home to Birmingham yesterday. We are now in serious danger of being relegated to the third division (League One).

We are without water in our house in Patos as the Waterboard has some sort of defect in their system. Water is now rationed in Patos in the rainy season and we will be days without water! How do you cook food or wash your hands without water? Our water storage tank had a defect in the ball valve which we only discovered when it was dry!

I have finished reading another book called ‘Brazilian Adventure’ by Peter Fleming. It tells the true story of an expedition from the UK to central Brazil in the 1930s to look for the lost explorer, Colonel Fawcett, in which Peter took part. Somebody gave me the book many years ago, but I only got round to reading it now.

Yesterday the Patos Men’s Fellowship went to hold a service in the town of São Mamede which is a 25 minute drive north-east of Patos. We baptized 3 from São Mamede at the Carnival Camp so we now have 5 Christians attending regularly in this town.

I have been having further discussions with our senior leadership team regarding the General Conference to be held towards the end of May. Of special note have been the talks with Pastor Matheus (João Pessoa) and Pastor Wostenes (Campina Grande).

This week we have held a trouble-shooting meeting with a person from one of our churches whom I can’t name. Thankfully the meeting went well and the problem was apparently resolved.

We are without water in our house in Patos as the Waterboard has some sort of defect in their system. Water is now rationed in Patos in the rainy season and we will be days without water! How do you cook food or wash your hands without water? Our water storage tank had a defect in the ball valve which we only discovered when it was dry!

I have finished reading another book called ‘Brazilian Adventure’ by Peter Fleming. It tells the true story of an expedition from the UK to central Brazil in the 1930s to look for the lost explorer, Colonel Fawcett, in which Peter took part. Somebody gave me the book many years ago, but I only got round to reading it now.

Yesterday the Patos Men’s Fellowship went to hold a service in the town of São Mamede which is a 25 minute drive north-east of Patos. We baptized 3 from São Mamede at the Carnival Camp so we now have 5 Christians attending regularly in this town.

I have been having further discussions with our senior leadership team regarding the General Conference to be held towards the end of May. Of special note have been the talks with Pastor Matheus (João Pessoa) and Pastor Wostenes (Campina Grande).

This week we have held a trouble-shooting meeting with a person from one of our churches whom I can’t name. Thankfully the meeting went well and the problem was apparently resolved.

Our projects team has started the process of selection for another well which EAB/ACEV plans to dig or drill later this year. Gersé, Lindon Carlos and Marah Danielle went and had a meeting with the leaders of the Guaribas community in the County of Princesa Isabel and explained to them our well project’s rules and conditions and discussed them with them.

On Saturday afternoon Liz went to a party for a girl from our church called Talita who is to marry Ryury later this year. I am not sure what you call this in English but it is like a final party as a single girl. Only women go to these parties. This couple are one of four couples in our Patos church expected to get married this year. Also engaged are Marina and Isaac, Rogaciano and Monique and Rafael and Rayla. 

Saturday night’s service at Green Pastures was very low in numbers because rain was impending which kept people at home. It rained 20 mm (nearly an inch) which was most welcome.

I took a photo of Liz whilst walking at Green Pastures near the lake and have posted it on Facebook and Instagram. In the photo Liz is standing beside a Catingueira tree (Cenostigma pyramidale) in flower. Its flowers are yellow.

I led the Sunday night service in Patos, the children sang a lovely song, the church was full and assistant pastor Rafael preached the Gospel. It was a blessed and lovely service.

Our projects team has started the process of selection for another well which EAB/ACEV plans to dig or drill later this year. Gersé, Lindon Carlos and Marah Danielle went and had a meeting with the leaders of the Guaribas community in the County of Princesa Isabel and explained to them our well project’s rules and conditions and discussed them with them.

On Saturday afternoon Liz went to a party for a girl from our church called Talita who is to marry Ryury later this year. I am not sure what you call this in English but it is like a final party as a single girl. Only women go to these parties. This couple are one of four couples in our Patos church expected to get married this year. Also engaged are Marina and Isaac, Rogaciano and Monique and Rafael and Rayla. 

Saturday night’s service at Green Pastures was very low in numbers because rain was impending which kept people at home. It rained 20 mm (nearly an inch) which was most welcome.

I took a photo of Liz whilst walking at Green Pastures near the lake and have posted it on Facebook and Instagram. In the photo Liz is standing beside a Catingueira tree (Cenostigma pyramidale) in flower. Its flowers are yellow.

I led the Sunday night service in Patos, the children sang a lovely song, the church was full and assistant pastor Rafael preached the Gospel. It was a blessed and lovely service.

Our projects team has started the process of selection for another well which EAB/ACEV plans to dig or drill later this year. Gersé, Lindon Carlos and Marah Danielle went and had a meeting with the leaders of the Guaribas community in the County of Princesa Isabel and explained to them our well project’s rules and conditions and discussed them with them.

On Saturday afternoon Liz went to a party for a girl from our church called Talita who is to marry Ryury later this year. I am not sure what you call this in English but it is like a final party as a single girl. Only women go to these parties. This couple are one of four couples in our Patos church expected to get married this year. Also engaged are Marina and Isaac, Rogaciano and Monique and Rafael and Rayla. 

Saturday night’s service at Green Pastures was very low in numbers because rain was impending which kept people at home. It rained 20 mm (nearly an inch) which was most welcome.

I took a photo of Liz whilst walking at Green Pastures near the lake and have posted it on Facebook and Instagram. In the photo Liz is standing beside a Catingueira tree (Cenostigma pyramidale) in flower. Its flowers are yellow.

I led the Sunday night service in Patos, the children sang a lovely song, the church was full and assistant pastor Rafael preached the Gospel. It was a blessed and lovely service.

EAB/ACEV holds its General Conference every May. This year it will be held on May 26th-27th at our first Campina Grande church in the borough of Catolé where Wostenes is the senior pastor. I am in the process of drawing up the agenda for this event together with our senior leadership team.

The building materials for our next two toilet/shower units were delivered to Barra de Oitis this week by a lorry from Itaporanga. Marilene, Edicledia and families were overjoyed at the sight as they start to see evidence of their dreams of a toilet come true.

Friday night is the night when our Patos church members have the opportunity to learn sign language for the deaf. Our assistant pastor Luis Carlos (who is deaf) is the teacher and a new group is starting now. The basic course usually lasts between one and two years. please pray for this new group and our church’s ministry with the deaf.

Typing these words to the sound of the song of the Southern Wren is beautiful. The species is often singing in our garden. Another nice aspect of nature at our house in Patos is a Humming bird which has made a nest on a plant on our veranda. The bird sometimes flies inside our house. 

EAB/ACEV holds its General Conference every May. This year it will be held on May 26th-27th at our first Campina Grande church in the borough of Catolé where Wostenes is the senior pastor. I am in the process of drawing up the agenda for this event together with our senior leadership team.

The building materials for our next two toilet/shower units were delivered to Barra de Oitis this week by a lorry from Itaporanga. Marilene, Edicledia and families were overjoyed at the sight as they start to see evidence of their dreams of a toilet come true.

Friday night is the night when our Patos church members have the opportunity to learn sign language for the deaf. Our assistant pastor Luis Carlos (who is deaf) is the teacher and a new group is starting now. The basic course usually lasts between one and two years. please pray for this new group and our church’s ministry with the deaf.

Typing these words to the sound of the song of the Southern Wren is beautiful. The species is often singing in our garden. Another nice aspect of nature at our house in Patos is a Humming bird which has made a nest on a plant on our veranda. The bird sometimes flies inside our house. 

We return to ask you to please pray for rain for us in the interior of north-east Brazil. The first months of the year constitute our rainy season. If we don’t get rain now then only next year. So far this year we have had 241 mm (10 inches) of rain and our aim in a good year is 40 inches. This means we need another 30 inches between now and May.

I have returned to playing chess with our eldest grandson Felipe who is an architect. We play one evening a week. It has been years since I last played. So far I have surprised Felipe and am winning 3 games to 0. 

Please pray for our deacon Ricardo who is ill with the virus transmitted by mosquitoes called Chikungunya. He has been sent home from hospital but is still most unwell. Chikungunya starts with a high fever and causes lots of pain in the joints and muscles. 

This week’s men’s fellowship meeting went well and I enjoyed it. Ray Santana brought a very good little word about being “clothed with Christ” from Galatians 3:26-29. There were 11 present. 

Liz and I had a nice walk at Green Pastures yesterday afternoon. We try to keep this up twice a week. It is sad to see the lake so low in water. Everything is green, but there has not been enough rain to affect the lake. 

I had a good meeting with Pastor Maésio from Teixeira up in the mountains. It was good to talk over the work there and to know that God is blessing and that things are going well.

This week we held a meeting of the EAB/ACEV Action Child School teachers to talk over how things are going in 2023 and to discuss future plans and strategies. We praise God for how well our little schools are going.

Liz enjoyed the women’s fellowship meeting this week. There were 40 present. This was a higher number than average as it coincided with International Women’s Day so there was a special meeting with refreshments. 

We return to ask you to please pray for rain for us in the interior of north-east Brazil. The first months of the year constitute our rainy season. If we don’t get rain now then only next year. So far this year we have had 241 mm (10 inches) of rain and our aim in a good year is 40 inches. This means we need another 30 inches between now and May.

I have returned to playing chess with our eldest grandson Felipe who is an architect. We play one evening a week. It has been years since I last played. So far I have surprised Felipe and am winning 3 games to 0. 

Please pray for our deacon Ricardo who is ill with the virus transmitted by mosquitoes called Chikungunya. He has been sent home from hospital but is still most unwell. Chikungunya starts with a high fever and causes lots of pain in the joints and muscles. 

This week’s men’s fellowship meeting went well and I enjoyed it. Ray Santana brought a very good little word about being “clothed with Christ” from Galatians 3:26-29. There were 11 present. 

Liz and I had a nice walk at Green Pastures yesterday afternoon. We try to keep this up twice a week. It is sad to see the lake so low in water. Everything is green, but there has not been enough rain to affect the lake. 

I had a good meeting with Pastor Maésio from Teixeira up in the mountains. It was good to talk over the work there and to know that God is blessing and that things are going well.

This week we held a meeting of the EAB/ACEV Action Child School teachers to talk over how things are going in 2023 and to discuss future plans and strategies. We praise God for how well our little schools are going.

Liz enjoyed the women’s fellowship meeting this week. There were 40 present. This was a higher number than average as it coincided with International Women’s Day so there was a special meeting with refreshments. 

I have been having discussions with our project coordinators Pastor Lindon Carlos (Imaculada) and Social Worker Marah Danielle (Patos) to define the selection process for the next stage of the EAB/ACEV Toilet/Shower project. Our clear aim is to help the poorest of the poor and the decisions are not easy to take as clearly everyone without a toilet/shower at their house needs one! After much prayer, discussion and deliberation, based on the project team’s visits to the homes at Barra de Oitis village in Diamante County, the following families were selected.

The first family selected for a toilet/shower unit at the back of their house complete with double cess-pit drainage system, overhead water tank and external sink for washing up and washing clothes is that of Marilene Tomaz de Alquino. Marilene is a 40-year-old single mother of three children aged 20, 14 and 9. They live off a government benefit of about 100 pounds a month and occasionally manage to get some work cleaning someone’s house or washing someone’s clothes. This work is unfortunately hard to get as most people at Barra de Oitis are very poor indeed. Please pray for Marilene and family who were sadly abandoned by their husband/father. The family, which lives in a mud and sticks house, is not committed to Christ but is being evangelized by local pastor Nezinho Abílio and others from the local EAB/ACEV church.

The second family selected for a toilet/shower unit is that of Edicledia Pereira da Silva who is 33 years old, is a single mother of 5 children aged 11, 9, 6, 5 and 6 months old from a variety of partners. Edicledia has been going to our church at Barra de Oitis for quite a long time and has made a committment to Christ since the birth of her last child. They live in a mud and sticks house off a 100 pounds a month government benefit just like Marilene does. Please pray that Edicledia will stand firm in the faith, grow in Christ and that all her children will follow the Lord.

The building materials for these two toilet/shower units will be purchased this week and delivered to the houses at Barra de Oitis from Itaporanga which is the nearest largish town.

This week Liz and I spent time visiting folk from the Patos church and giving them copies of my book about the history of EAB/ACEV from 1938 to 2018. First of all we visited Maria Prata and family. Maria has recently been in intensive care in hospital. We then visited the church cleaner Linda followed by two deaconesses Beatriz and Josinete.

Pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande has contacted us to ask us to send a resumé of the life of the late EAB missionary Frank Dyer (1916-1987). This is to be sent to the city council because there is a new street near our church which does not have a name yet. Pastor Wostenes and church will propose that the street be named in honour of Frank Dyer which would be very nice.

I have just finished reading a book called “Call the Bee Man!” by Keith W. Dyer, who is Liz’s cousin in the New Forest. This interesting and enjoyable book tells the story of Keith’s business as a keeper of bees for many years. The book is also a clear testimony to Keith’s Christian faith.

Yesterday we held another Jumble Sale at our Patos school. For us a jumble sale achieves two things. It raises money for the church’s building project with the revamp of the Care Centre, and it also helps us help the poor with dignity by selling them clothes etc. rather than giving them them. The church folk donate things for the sale in good condition and poor people can pick, choose and buy really cheap.   

This week Liz and I spent time visiting folk from the Patos church and giving them copies of my book about the history of EAB/ACEV from 1938 to 2018. First of all we visited Maria Prata and family. Maria has recently been in intensive care in hospital. We then visited the church cleaner Linda followed by two deaconesses Beatriz and Josinete.

Pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande has contacted us to ask us to send a resumé of the life of the late EAB missionary Frank Dyer (1916-1987). This is to be sent to the city council because there is a new street near our church which does not have a name yet. Pastor Wostenes and church will propose that the street be named in honour of Frank Dyer which would be very nice.

I have just finished reading a book called “Call the Bee Man!” by Keith W. Dyer, who is Liz’s cousin in the New Forest. This interesting and enjoyable book tells the story of Keith’s business as a keeper of bees for many years. The book is also a clear testimony to Keith’s Christian faith.

Yesterday we held another Jumble Sale at our Patos school. For us a jumble sale achieves two things. It raises money for the church’s building project with the revamp of the Care Centre, and it also helps us help the poor with dignity by selling them clothes etc. rather than giving them them. The church folk donate things for the sale in good condition and poor people can pick, choose and buy really cheap.   

We have held an evaluation meeting with the leaders of the Carnival Camp: Liz, myself, Marah Danielle, Sacha, Ray and Pastor Rafael. The idea was to get feedback from everyone whilst it is fresh in the mind. The feedback was really positive with all agreeing it had been an excellent camp. We noted what can be improved next year. It was a good meeting.

We also held a meeting with our youth leaders Rayla, Ray and Rafael to go over their plans for the rest of 2023. It was another very positive meeting.

I have already started working on the agenda for our General Conference which is always held in May. This year it will be held at Campina Grande. I have already started asking for suggestions for the agenda from our senior leadership team.

We have interesting and encouraging news from the Jatobá indigenous community where we have just inaugurated our latest well. We are told that people are now coming to get water from neighbouring indigenous communities so the well is now helping over 50 families. 

We have held an evaluation meeting with the leaders of the Carnival Camp: Liz, myself, Marah Danielle, Sacha, Ray and Pastor Rafael. The idea was to get feedback from everyone whilst it is fresh in the mind. The feedback was really positive with all agreeing it had been an excellent camp. We noted what can be improved next year. It was a good meeting.

We also held a meeting with our youth leaders Rayla, Ray and Rafael to go over their plans for the rest of 2023. It was another very positive meeting.

I have already started working on the agenda for our General Conference which is always held in May. This year it will be held at Campina Grande. I have already started asking for suggestions for the agenda from our senior leadership team.

We have interesting and encouraging news from the Jatobá indigenous community where we have just inaugurated our latest well. We are told that people are now coming to get water from neighbouring indigenous communities so the well is now helping over 50 families. 

We have held an evaluation meeting with the leaders of the Carnival Camp: Liz, myself, Marah Danielle, Sacha, Ray and Pastor Rafael. The idea was to get feedback from everyone whilst it is fresh in the mind. The feedback was really positive with all agreeing it had been an excellent camp. We noted what can be improved next year. It was a good meeting.

We also held a meeting with our youth leaders Rayla, Ray and Rafael to go over their plans for the rest of 2023. It was another very positive meeting.

I have already started working on the agenda for our General Conference which is always held in May. This year it will be held at Campina Grande. I have already started asking for suggestions for the agenda from our senior leadership team.

We have interesting and encouraging news from the Jatobá indigenous community where we have just inaugurated our latest well. We are told that people are now coming to get water from neighbouring indigenous communities so the well is now helping over 50 families. 

On Saturday we had the great joy of inaugurating a new well at the Jatobá Community in Carnaubeira da Penha County in the State of Pernambuco. This is the State which is immediately south of the State of Paraíba where we are based. The inauguration and thanksgiving service went off very well. This Jatobá Community is an indigenous indian community with 38 families. How they survived off the filthy water previously available to them I will never know. The community is overjoyed with the well and very grateful indeed. The thanksgiving service was lovely and the Gospel was proclaimed loud and clear.

Our church at Juru is about an hour and a half hour’s drive south west of Patos where the pastor is Ezekiel de Oliveira. They have just held an evangelistic camp there for youth and report over 20 decisions for Christ! Praise God with us and please pray for the follow up to this camp.

Our Carnival Camp has really left our Patos youth ablaze for God and there were nearly 30 present in their Bible study group at the weekend. The youth have their own prayer meeting too tonight and it was lovely to see our granddaughter Alice eager not to miss it!

Our Sunday service went very well. The church was crammed to capacity. We received 5 new members into fellowship.

On Saturday we had the great joy of inaugurating a new well at the Jatobá Community in Carnaubeira da Penha County in the State of Pernambuco. This is the State which is immediately south of the State of Paraíba where we are based. The inauguration and thanksgiving service went off very well. This Jatobá Community is an indigenous indian community with 38 families. How they survived off the filthy water previously available to them I will never know. The community is overjoyed with the well and very grateful indeed. The thanksgiving service was lovely and the Gospel was proclaimed loud and clear.

Our church at Juru is about an hour and a half hour’s drive south west of Patos where the pastor is Ezekiel de Oliveira. They have just held an evangelistic camp there for youth and report over 20 decisions for Christ! Praise God with us and please pray for the follow up to this camp.

Our Carnival Camp has really left our Patos youth ablaze for God and there were nearly 30 present in their Bible study group at the weekend. The youth have their own prayer meeting too tonight and it was lovely to see our granddaughter Alice eager not to miss it!

Our Sunday service went very well. The church was crammed to capacity. We received 5 new members into fellowship.

We are hearing and reading lots of very positive testimonies as feedback from the Carnival Camp. WhatsApp has been full of people telling how they were blessed by different messages and so forth. It is very encouraging when you see how people have been helped and encouraged in the faith. PTL! Thank you for your prayers and support.

Liz and I have been backwards and forwards from Green Pastures this week with the clearing up after the Camp. People always leave things behind. Somebody left their spectacles with a bag of crochet! We also have things to return to people who loaned us things. We had to return the hired digital projector. Our own projector finally bit the dust. We discovered this on the eve of the camp so there was no time to buy a new one.

In my earlier camp reports I forgot to mention the work we do with children. The children have a parallel programme of games, fun, swimming and Bible stories so that the Mums and Dads can focus on their services and the children can enjoy things at their level. The children followed the same camp theme as the adults, but obviously at their level.

Since the Camp we have had some rain at Green Pastures. It first rained another 35 mm (nearly an inch an a half). So this is progress! Then last night it rained 52 mm (just over 2 inches). So praise God! Please keep praying.

We are hearing and reading lots of very positive testimonies as feedback from the Carnival Camp. WhatsApp has been full of people telling how they were blessed by different messages and so forth. It is very encouraging when you see how people have been helped and encouraged in the faith. PTL! Thank you for your prayers and support.

Liz and I have been backwards and forwards from Green Pastures this week with the clearing up after the Camp. People always leave things behind. Somebody left their spectacles with a bag of crochet! We also have things to return to people who loaned us things. We had to return the hired digital projector. Our own projector finally bit the dust. We discovered this on the eve of the camp so there was no time to buy a new one.

In my earlier camp reports I forgot to mention the work we do with children. The children have a parallel programme of games, fun, swimming and Bible stories so that the Mums and Dads can focus on their services and the children can enjoy things at their level. The children followed the same camp theme as the adults, but obviously at their level.

Since the Camp we have had some rain at Green Pastures. It first rained another 35 mm (nearly an inch an a half). So this is progress! Then last night it rained 52 mm (just over 2 inches). So praise God! Please keep praying.

We have just got back from the Carnival Camp held at Green Pastures. Thank you for your prayers and support.

The Sunday night service went off very well with Pastor Wostenes preaching on “Christians caring for the family”. His sermon was really blessed. The number present was increased by quite a few people who just came for the service from Patos. All the local Green Pastures Church people were there too. During the service a light shower of rain fell which lowered the temperature. It became quite chilly if you were sat near a fan! 

Every day at our camps starts with breakfast at 7 am. This is followed by a time for individual or small group Bible meditation and prayer at 8 am. Then comes the first service of the day at 9 am which goes till about 10:30ish. Lunch is served at noon and the afternoon is free for sport, walking, chatting, siesta etc. Sometimes there are extra optional activities in the afternoons. The evening meal is at 6 pm, the evening service at 7:30 pm (till about 9:15pmish) and silence for sleep is at 11 pm. The “silence” doesn’t always work easily but this year it was pretty good.

On Monday the speaker was Pastor Gersé from Princesa Isabel both morning and night. In the morning he spoke on “Christians caring through social action” and at night he spoke on “Christians caring through evangelism/sharing the Gospel. He spoke very well.

On Tuesday afternoon we held a baptism in the swimming pool and baptized 7. 3 were from Patos, 3 were from São Mamede and 1 from Passagem. It was a very happy baptism with everyone crammed round the pool praising the Lord.

The main services on the Tuesday heard the ministry of Pastor Lindon Carlos. He was excellent. In the morning he continued the theme of “care” speaking on “It is time to care for the Church”. At night he brought the final message of the camp speaking on “It is time to care for your spiritual life”.

We had three power cuts on the Tuesday but we called in the electricians who tracked the problem down to some trees which needed pruning as they were short-circuiting the system rubbing against some electric cables. 

We have just got back from the Carnival Camp held at Green Pastures. Thank you for your prayers and support.

The Sunday night service went off very well with Pastor Wostenes preaching on “Christians caring for the family”. His sermon was really blessed. The number present was increased by quite a few people who just came for the service from Patos. All the local Green Pastures Church people were there too. During the service a light shower of rain fell which lowered the temperature. It became quite chilly if you were sat near a fan! 

Every day at our camps starts with breakfast at 7 am. This is followed by a time for individual or small group Bible meditation and prayer at 8 am. Then comes the first service of the day at 9 am which goes till about 10:30ish. Lunch is served at noon and the afternoon is free for sport, walking, chatting, siesta etc. Sometimes there are extra optional activities in the afternoons. The evening meal is at 6 pm, the evening service at 7:30 pm (till about 9:15pmish) and silence for sleep is at 11 pm. The “silence” doesn’t always work easily but this year it was pretty good.

On Monday the speaker was Pastor Gersé from Princesa Isabel both morning and night. In the morning he spoke on “Christians caring through social action” and at night he spoke on “Christians caring through evangelism/sharing the Gospel. He spoke very well.

On Tuesday afternoon we held a baptism in the swimming pool and baptized 7. 3 were from Patos, 3 were from São Mamede and 1 from Passagem. It was a very happy baptism with everyone crammed round the pool praising the Lord.

The main services on the Tuesday heard the ministry of Pastor Lindon Carlos. He was excellent. In the morning he continued the theme of “care” speaking on “It is time to care for the Church”. At night he brought the final message of the camp speaking on “It is time to care for your spiritual life”.

We had three power cuts on the Tuesday but we called in the electricians who tracked the problem down to some trees which needed pruning as they were short-circuiting the system rubbing against some electric cables. 

Yesterday saw an excellent start to the EAB Carnival Camp at Green Pastures. Pastor and psychologist Otoniel Cabral from Santa Luzia brought a very good message about Christians taking care of the emotional side of their lives and of helping others do the same. He emphasized the need for Christians to genuinely get to know their fellow church members in a non-superficial way. All this “is part of mutual pastoral care at different levels”, he said. As well as the message there was some lovely worship led by our praise and worship team.

This Sunday morning the speaker was Pastor Wostenes Santos who is the pastor of our largest church at Campina Grande. He also brought an excellent message about Christians taking care of themselves in the physical realm. First of all he focused on the Christian being the temple of the Holy Spirit and all that that entails from 1 Corinthians 6. He then went on to speak about the practical ways we need to care for our bodies, such as physical exercise etc. (Wostenes has a degree in physical education as well as theology) Tonight he will be speaking again but the topic will be “taking care of the family”.

Please pray for the continuation of the Carnival Camp. Tomorrow the speaker will be Pastor Gersé from Princesa Isabel and on Tuesday the speaker will be Pastor Lindon Carlos from Imaculada.

Yesterday saw an excellent start to the EAB Carnival Camp at Green Pastures. Pastor and psychologist Otoniel Cabral from Santa Luzia brought a very good message about Christians taking care of the emotional side of their lives and of helping others do the same. He emphasized the need for Christians to genuinely get to know their fellow church members in a non-superficial way. All this “is part of mutual pastoral care at different levels”, he said. As well as the message there was some lovely worship led by our praise and worship team.

This Sunday morning the speaker was Pastor Wostenes Santos who is the pastor of our largest church at Campina Grande. He also brought an excellent message about Christians taking care of themselves in the physical realm. First of all he focused on the Christian being the temple of the Holy Spirit and all that that entails from 1 Corinthians 6. He then went on to speak about the practical ways we need to care for our bodies, such as physical exercise etc. (Wostenes has a degree in physical education as well as theology) Tonight he will be speaking again but the topic will be “taking care of the family”.

Please pray for the continuation of the Carnival Camp. Tomorrow the speaker will be Pastor Gersé from Princesa Isabel and on Tuesday the speaker will be Pastor Lindon Carlos from Imaculada.

Yesterday saw an excellent start to the EAB Carnival Camp at Green Pastures. Pastor and psychologist Otoniel Cabral from Santa Luzia brought a very good message about Christians taking care of the emotional side of their lives and of helping others do the same. He emphasized the need for Christians to genuinely get to know their fellow church members in a non-superficial way. All this “is part of mutual pastoral care at different levels”, he said. As well as the message there was some lovely worship led by our praise and worship team.

This Sunday morning the speaker was Pastor Wostenes Santos who is the pastor of our largest church at Campina Grande. He also brought an excellent message about Christians taking care of themselves in the physical realm. First of all he focused on the Christian being the temple of the Holy Spirit and all that that entails from 1 Corinthians 6. He then went on to speak about the practical ways we need to care for our bodies, such as physical exercise etc. (Wostenes has a degree in physical education as well as theology) Tonight he will be speaking again but the topic will be “taking care of the family”.

Please pray for the continuation of the Carnival Camp. Tomorrow the speaker will be Pastor Gersé from Princesa Isabel and on Tuesday the speaker will be Pastor Lindon Carlos from Imaculada.

Last night we had a big thunder and lightening storm and this knocked out the electricity partially at Green Pastures. The praise and worship group were able to practice but the freezer with the meat in was cut off from power. We spent hours calling the electricity board to fix the problem. We finally found the fault ourselves at 9:30 this morning so we are relieved! 35 mm of rain fell which is about one and a half inches of rain.

Many people have already arrived at Green Pastures this morning. The initial meal was supposed to be at 6 pm with the opening service at 7.30 pm but we will manage!

The theme of the teaching at this year’s carnival camp is “It’s time to care” and the opening speaker tonight will be Pastor Otoniel Cabral from Santa Luzia. He is both a pastor and psychologist. He will focus on the need to care for the emotional. Please pray for this young pastor.

Last night we had a big thunder and lightening storm and this knocked out the electricity partially at Green Pastures. The praise and worship group were able to practice but the freezer with the meat in was cut off from power. We spent hours calling the electricity board to fix the problem. We finally found the fault ourselves at 9:30 this morning so we are relieved! 35 mm of rain fell which is about one and a half inches of rain.

Many people have already arrived at Green Pastures this morning. The initial meal was supposed to be at 6 pm with the opening service at 7.30 pm but we will manage!

The theme of the teaching at this year’s carnival camp is “It’s time to care” and the opening speaker tonight will be Pastor Otoniel Cabral from Santa Luzia. He is both a pastor and psychologist. He will focus on the need to care for the emotional. Please pray for this young pastor.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I took another Kombi load of supplies to Green Pastures ready for the Carnival Camp which starts there tomorrow. All the food and sound equipment is now in place and the praise and worship group will have a practice there tonight.

EAB is to construct another 2 toilet/shower units at the Barra de Oitiz slave-descendent community in Diamante County. This week our projects team has been visiting many mud and sticks houses as part of the selection process. The needs are great, but we can’t do it all, so we always make sure that the neediest of the needy are given priority. Please pray for God’s guidance in this important project.

Yesterday afternoon Liz and I took another Kombi load of supplies to Green Pastures ready for the Carnival Camp which starts there tomorrow. All the food and sound equipment is now in place and the praise and worship group will have a practice there tonight.

EAB is to construct another 2 toilet/shower units at the Barra de Oitiz slave-descendent community in Diamante County. This week our projects team has been visiting many mud and sticks houses as part of the selection process. The needs are great, but we can’t do it all, so we always make sure that the neediest of the needy are given priority. Please pray for God’s guidance in this important project.

Colonel Esaú, his wife Gisani and their two children Guila and Ian are members of our church in Patos. Esaú is a deacon and leader of our Men’s Fellowship which meets together every Tuesday evening. Esaú is also the Patos Chief of Police and is doing a great job. As you can imagine it is a great challenge and responsibility policing a town the size of Patos with a population of 120,000. Please do pray for him, his family, his work as chief of Police and for his church responsibilities as deacon and men’s leader.

Please pray for our Pastor Ângelo at Soledade. He was pastor of our church there until last year when he resigned as things weren’t working out any longer. He is a good preacher and certainly not someone we would want to lose, so we have been praying for God to open a door for him as there are no suitable ACEV churches with vacancies. Pastor Ângelo has a degree as a Portuguese teacher as well as one in Theology so we are very pleased to report that he now has a post as a Portuguese teacher in Soledade which will provide for his family whilst leaving him available for ministry around our churches on Sundays. Hence we value your prayers for Pastor Ângelo, family and ministry.

I have finished reading the book ‘Jesus and John Wayne’ by Kristin Kobes du Mez. This is a fascinating book which traces at least half a century of the history of white evangelicals move to the hard right in the USA. The book is well researched and explains a lot, including similar tendencies in Brazil.

We are concluding a new well which will be inaugurated on February 25th. It is a deep bore well of 50 metres in depth that was drilled at a Brazilian Indian community called Jatobá in the County of Carnaubeira da Penha in the State of Pernambuco. The people are overjoyed as it is a location of extremely difficult access. Three companies turned down the contract to drill the well, but the fourth agreed to try and it worked out well. PTL!

The official inauguration and thanksgiving service on the 25th will be the result of months of work at the community. Having been shortlisted as a place that a well was badly needed we started visiting the community and analyzing the place. Once it was given the all clear a series of community meetings were held with our projects team leading. Such meetings make all the rules clear regarding the project and get the community’s agreement to everything which is then drawn up into a formal registered document.

Please pray for the thanksgiving service and inauguration on February 25th. Please pray for all the community as it hears the Gospel on that day. Please also pray that the on-going blessing of the well will open people’s hearts to the truth of Jesus’ love.

We are extra busy this week preparing for the Carnival Camp, getting all the food shopping done and transporting it to Green Pastures. Liz is especially busy with all this. Please pray for the Camp which will start on February 18th.

We are concluding a new well which will be inaugurated on February 25th. It is a deep bore well of 50 metres in depth that was drilled at a Brazilian Indian community called Jatobá in the County of Carnaubeira da Penha in the State of Pernambuco. The people are overjoyed as it is a location of extremely difficult access. Three companies turned down the contract to drill the well, but the fourth agreed to try and it worked out well. PTL!

The official inauguration and thanksgiving service on the 25th will be the result of months of work at the community. Having been shortlisted as a place that a well was badly needed we started visiting the community and analyzing the place. Once it was given the all clear a series of community meetings were held with our projects team leading. Such meetings make all the rules clear regarding the project and get the community’s agreement to everything which is then drawn up into a formal registered document.

Please pray for the thanksgiving service and inauguration on February 25th. Please pray for all the community as it hears the Gospel on that day. Please also pray that the on-going blessing of the well will open people’s hearts to the truth of Jesus’ love.

We are extra busy this week preparing for the Carnival Camp, getting all the food shopping done and transporting it to Green Pastures. Liz is especially busy with all this. Please pray for the Camp which will start on February 18th.

We are concluding a new well which will be inaugurated on February 25th. It is a deep bore well of 50 metres in depth that was drilled at a Brazilian Indian community called Jatobá in the County of Carnaubeira da Penha in the State of Pernambuco. The people are overjoyed as it is a location of extremely difficult access. Three companies turned down the contract to drill the well, but the fourth agreed to try and it worked out well. PTL!

The official inauguration and thanksgiving service on the 25th will be the result of months of work at the community. Having been shortlisted as a place that a well was badly needed we started visiting the community and analyzing the place. Once it was given the all clear a series of community meetings were held with our projects team leading. Such meetings make all the rules clear regarding the project and get the community’s agreement to everything which is then drawn up into a formal registered document.

Please pray for the thanksgiving service and inauguration on February 25th. Please pray for all the community as it hears the Gospel on that day. Please also pray that the on-going blessing of the well will open people’s hearts to the truth of Jesus’ love.

We are extra busy this week preparing for the Carnival Camp, getting all the food shopping done and transporting it to Green Pastures. Liz is especially busy with all this. Please pray for the Camp which will start on February 18th.

Yesterday’s Sunday service at 6:30 pm went very well. The church was packed to capacity. It was nice for me to sit with Liz in the congregation so as to have a rest. Also sitting in the congregation gives you a different view of the people and a different feeling of the worship from the midst of the people.

After church yesterday it rained in Patos, but sadly it didn’t rain at Green Pastures. Please pray for the rain at Green Pastures. Things are very dry and this is the rainy season so if we don’t get it now we don’t get it till next year.

I have been catching up with administrative work today.

The last service in Patos this week will be on Wednesday with the ladies fellowship and the school service. On the Tuesday the Men’s Fellowship will be leading a service in São Mamede. From Thursday onwards everything will be focused on the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures.

Yesterday’s Sunday service at 6:30 pm went very well. The church was packed to capacity. It was nice for me to sit with Liz in the congregation so as to have a rest. Also sitting in the congregation gives you a different view of the people and a different feeling of the worship from the midst of the people.

After church yesterday it rained in Patos, but sadly it didn’t rain at Green Pastures. Please pray for the rain at Green Pastures. Things are very dry and this is the rainy season so if we don’t get it now we don’t get it till next year.

I have been catching up with administrative work today.

The last service in Patos this week will be on Wednesday with the ladies fellowship and the school service. On the Tuesday the Men’s Fellowship will be leading a service in São Mamede. From Thursday onwards everything will be focused on the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures.

Yesterday’s Sunday service at 6:30 pm went very well. The church was packed to capacity. It was nice for me to sit with Liz in the congregation so as to have a rest. Also sitting in the congregation gives you a different view of the people and a different feeling of the worship from the midst of the people.

After church yesterday it rained in Patos, but sadly it didn’t rain at Green Pastures. Please pray for the rain at Green Pastures. Things are very dry and this is the rainy season so if we don’t get it now we don’t get it till next year.

I have been catching up with administrative work today.

The last service in Patos this week will be on Wednesday with the ladies fellowship and the school service. On the Tuesday the Men’s Fellowship will be leading a service in São Mamede. From Thursday onwards everything will be focused on the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures.

 We have had a further visit from the Maranhão Wild Cat Researchers at Green Pastures. They changed the memory cards and batteries in their eight automatic cameras spread around the Reserve. They will send us the photographs and films.

We are very busy preparing for the Carnival Camp which will start at Green Pastures this coming weekend. Please pray. Pray for the pastors who will be doing the teaching. They will be Pastor Wostenes, Cabral, Gersé, and Lindon Carlos. Pray too for all those involved in leading the Camp and administering it.

Liz and I returned from the doctor’s trip to João Pessoa and now await results. We continue to value your prayers.

 We have had a further visit from the Maranhão Wild Cat Researchers at Green Pastures. They changed the memory cards and batteries in their eight automatic cameras spread around the Reserve. They will send us the photographs and films.

We are very busy preparing for the Carnival Camp which will start at Green Pastures this coming weekend. Please pray. Pray for the pastors who will be doing the teaching. They will be Pastor Wostenes, Cabral, Gersé, and Lindon Carlos. Pray too for all those involved in leading the Camp and administering it.

Liz and I returned from the doctor’s trip to João Pessoa and now await results. We continue to value your prayers.

 I took part in the Green Pastures service on Saturday. It was very good. The Christians in Action group were responsible for the service and Eduardo from our Passagem church preached the Gospel. I found the heat almost overpowering.

Sunday night’s service in Patos went well. Sacha led the worship and assistant pastor Rafael preached. It was a good service with one decision for Christ at the end.

Tomorrow we are travelling to João Pessoa which should take about 5 hours. I am going to see a doctor as they continue to try and discover the cause of my ill health. I am not sure when we shall return. Your prayers are valued.

 I took part in the Green Pastures service on Saturday. It was very good. The Christians in Action group were responsible for the service and Eduardo from our Passagem church preached the Gospel. I found the heat almost overpowering.

Sunday night’s service in Patos went well. Sacha led the worship and assistant pastor Rafael preached. It was a good service with one decision for Christ at the end.

Tomorrow we are travelling to João Pessoa which should take about 5 hours. I am going to see a doctor as they continue to try and discover the cause of my ill health. I am not sure when we shall return. Your prayers are valued.

The 10-day special outreach was held at Juazeirinho this year. Juazeirinho is about half way between Patos and Campina Grande. 110 mainly young people gathered for the annual event of personal, door to door and street evangelism. The event was greatly blessed and had a great impact on the town.

The team distributed 2,347 items of Gospel literature and 6 Bibles were given to people who showed special interest in the Gospel. 458 houses were visited by the team and the Gospel was shared with all through Bible studies.

180 children were creatively evangelized by a lively youth team. 122 young people were personally evangelized. 466 middle aged people were likewise evangelized and 168 senior citizens were also personally evangelized.

A total of 936 people were evangelized on a door by door system. An average of 238 children attended each of the 8 evangelistic services for children. The average attendance at adult street services was 248. 109 of these people actually requested visits in their homes. This work is being done by a follow-up team.

3 people made firm commitments to Christ during the outreach and one person returned to the ways of the Lord. There is now a lot of follow up work being done.

Thank you for all your prayers on behalf of this special outreach. Please continue to pray for the follow up.

The 10-day special outreach was held at Juazeirinho this year. Juazeirinho is about half way between Patos and Campina Grande. 110 mainly young people gathered for the annual event of personal, door to door and street evangelism. The event was greatly blessed and had a great impact on the town.

The team distributed 2,347 items of Gospel literature and 6 Bibles were given to people who showed special interest in the Gospel. 458 houses were visited by the team and the Gospel was shared with all through Bible studies.

180 children were creatively evangelized by a lively youth team. 122 young people were personally evangelized. 466 middle aged people were likewise evangelized and 168 senior citizens were also personally evangelized.

A total of 936 people were evangelized on a door by door system. An average of 238 children attended each of the 8 evangelistic services for children. The average attendance at adult street services was 248. 109 of these people actually requested visits in their homes. This work is being done by a follow-up team.

3 people made firm commitments to Christ during the outreach and one person returned to the ways of the Lord. There is now a lot of follow up work being done.

Thank you for all your prayers on behalf of this special outreach. Please continue to pray for the follow up.

Yesterday was my birthday and loads of people from the church came to our house to do a serenade at about 9 pm. They sang lovely Christion songs and were a great encouragement. They brought me to tears. A number of people brought short testimonies of how God has blessed their lives through my ministry. The folk prayed for me and sang and danced “Happy Birthday”! It was a lovely evening. They gave me two shirts. After the serenade I was able to have a nice talk to our assistant pastor Rafael about the ongoing work whilst I am not as well as I would like to be.

In the afternoon the family made a cake for a little family gathering as is our family tradition.

On Saturday another EAB Board meeting was held and all went well. We praise God for the committee members who faithfully  serve the Lord in this way.

Yesterday was my birthday and loads of people from the church came to our house to do a serenade at about 9 pm. They sang lovely Christion songs and were a great encouragement. They brought me to tears. A number of people brought short testimonies of how God has blessed their lives through my ministry. The folk prayed for me and sang and danced “Happy Birthday”! It was a lovely evening. They gave me two shirts. After the serenade I was able to have a nice talk to our assistant pastor Rafael about the ongoing work whilst I am not as well as I would like to be.

In the afternoon the family made a cake for a little family gathering as is our family tradition.

On Saturday another EAB Board meeting was held and all went well. We praise God for the committee members who faithfully  serve the Lord in this way.

 I continue to value your prayers for my health. I have been in 2 hospitals trying to correct my low sodium and potassium levels. One hospital was in Patos and the other on the coast in João Pessoa. My sodium and potassium levels are improving and I am now at home. I am continuing to deal with the different aspects of the work from my office.

Last night’s service at Green Pastures went very well. The service was led by Dedé and the Christians in Action group and supported by the Patos youth group.

The preacher in Patos tonight will be assistant pastor Rafael. Liz will also be giving a short word.

Please continue to pray for me. I am improving but I am not feeling as I would like to.

 I continue to value your prayers for my health. I have been in 2 hospitals trying to correct my low sodium and potassium levels. One hospital was in Patos and the other on the coast in João Pessoa. My sodium and potassium levels are improving and I am now at home. I am continuing to deal with the different aspects of the work from my office.

Last night’s service at Green Pastures went very well. The service was led by Dedé and the Christians in Action group and supported by the Patos youth group.

The preacher in Patos tonight will be assistant pastor Rafael. Liz will also be giving a short word.

Please continue to pray for me. I am improving but I am not feeling as I would like to.

All the people taking part in 10-day special outreach at Juazeirinho arrived their yesterday and are all installed in a school which has been kindly loaned. Everyone is sleeping on the floor of classrooms on mattresses which everyone took with them. This Saturday morning there is an intensive training and refresher course in personal evangelism and this afternoon they all get into action.

All the people taking part in 10-day special outreach at Juazeirinho arrived their yesterday and are all installed in a school which has been kindly loaned. Everyone is sleeping on the floor of classrooms on mattresses which everyone took with them. This Saturday morning there is an intensive training and refresher course in personal evangelism and this afternoon they all get into action.

All the people taking part in 10-day special outreach at Juazeirinho arrived their yesterday and are all installed in a school which has been kindly loaned. Everyone is sleeping on the floor of classrooms on mattresses which everyone took with them. This Saturday morning there is an intensive training and refresher course in personal evangelism and this afternoon they all get into action.