Categoria: News

I enrolled yesterday in the London School of Theology’s (LST)  Summer Conference to be held from the 6th to the 8th of July online, from 5 am to 9 am each day, which is 9 am to 1 pm in the UK. The theme this time will be Evangelical Approaches to Ecotheology and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Dave Bookless who is Director of Theology for the Christian conservation organization A Rocha International. Also speaking at the event will be Dr. Martin and Rev. Margot Hodson. This is the third such an event at LST that I will be taking part in during the pandemic so every cloud has a silver lining. The topic this time is very close to my heart and life. These LST conferences are challenging, enriching and excellent ways to recharge one’s spiritual batteries.

Talking about recharging spiritual batteries I am reading “The Mission of God’s People” by Christopher J.H. Wright which is a wonderful book which I highly recommend. It is such readable theology and very challenging too. It is right in line with our integral mission approach. I have just passed the halfway mark in the book.

I have just received the news that our church sound control man Elysson Pergentino, who is about 20, has got Covid. Please pray for him. He is understandably scared. We paid 18 pounds for him to have the test as the government free tests have run out and we needed to know where we are with Elysson. He didn’t have the money to pay for the test.

Last night’s meeting at the Aparecida II Settlement Village was again blessed of God. It is led by Dodora and Paulo who are a lovely couple who run one of EAB’s Market Garden projects. I really feel that they are going to be greatly used of God spreading the Gospel in their region. Please pray for Dodora and Paulo.

I enrolled yesterday in the London School of Theology’s (LST)  Summer Conference to be held from the 6th to the 8th of July online, from 5 am to 9 am each day, which is 9 am to 1 pm in the UK. The theme this time will be Evangelical Approaches to Ecotheology and the keynote speaker will be Dr. Dave Bookless who is Director of Theology for the Christian conservation organization A Rocha International. Also speaking at the event will be Dr. Martin and Rev. Margot Hodson. This is the third such an event at LST that I will be taking part in during the pandemic so every cloud has a silver lining. The topic this time is very close to my heart and life. These LST conferences are challenging, enriching and excellent ways to recharge one’s spiritual batteries.

Talking about recharging spiritual batteries I am reading “The Mission of God’s People” by Christopher J.H. Wright which is a wonderful book which I highly recommend. It is such readable theology and very challenging too. It is right in line with our integral mission approach. I have just passed the halfway mark in the book.

I have just received the news that our church sound control man Elysson Pergentino, who is about 20, has got Covid. Please pray for him. He is understandably scared. We paid 18 pounds for him to have the test as the government free tests have run out and we needed to know where we are with Elysson. He didn’t have the money to pay for the test.

Last night’s meeting at the Aparecida II Settlement Village was again blessed of God. It is led by Dodora and Paulo who are a lovely couple who run one of EAB’s Market Garden projects. I really feel that they are going to be greatly used of God spreading the Gospel in their region. Please pray for Dodora and Paulo.

Yesterday (24th) was Saint John’s Day which normally is a very big party time with bonfires, loud fireworks and late night or all night dancing. This day is especially culturally important in northeast Brazil. However this year the state and municipal governments banned all the festivities to try and stem the flow of Covid-19. Some people still went ahead with their fireworks but it was a lot less than normal.

Meanwhile President Bolsonaro visited the northeast of Brazil campaigning to be re-elected next year (God forbid!). He was not wearing a mask and I saw him on videos when he made two different children remove their masks when they were performing for him!

I spent yesterday preparing a sermon to preach in Patos on the Children of Abraham from Genesis 12:1-3.

This morning I have been talking to Pastor Hamilton in Campina Grande who tells me his wife Ana Paula continues in hospital with Covid but she is improving. He says that if she continues the way she is she will hopefully be sent home by Monday. Please continue to pray for Ana Paula.

I will make my forecasts for the British teams in the football European Championship. My guess is that Wales will lose to Denmark 2 x 0 and that England will beat Germany 2 x 1.

Yesterday (24th) was Saint John’s Day which normally is a very big party time with bonfires, loud fireworks and late night or all night dancing. This day is especially culturally important in northeast Brazil. However this year the state and municipal governments banned all the festivities to try and stem the flow of Covid-19. Some people still went ahead with their fireworks but it was a lot less than normal.

Meanwhile President Bolsonaro visited the northeast of Brazil campaigning to be re-elected next year (God forbid!). He was not wearing a mask and I saw him on videos when he made two different children remove their masks when they were performing for him!

I spent yesterday preparing a sermon to preach in Patos on the Children of Abraham from Genesis 12:1-3.

This morning I have been talking to Pastor Hamilton in Campina Grande who tells me his wife Ana Paula continues in hospital with Covid but she is improving. He says that if she continues the way she is she will hopefully be sent home by Monday. Please continue to pray for Ana Paula.

I will make my forecasts for the British teams in the football European Championship. My guess is that Wales will lose to Denmark 2 x 0 and that England will beat Germany 2 x 1.

A new chicken pen has been built at Barra de Oitis Village as part of our 2-wings project. The family benefitted by the project is that of Cícero Mariano de Silva and his wife Francisca Nicolau da Silva. They have 3 children and the family is part of the EAB/ACEV church in the village. The chicken pen comes complete with 7 lovely laying hens so as to guarantee a good supply of fresh eggs for the family.

I took part yesterday in an online meeting about renewable energy in our State of Paraíba. The meeting was organized by the Roman Catholic church who invited me to take part in the light of my commitment to caring for God’s creation. The Bishop Dom Eraldo also took part as well as 3 other priests. All of those of us in the meeting are in favour of renewable energy sources via solar energy and wind turbines. However what is being questioned is the way these technologies are being implemented in our State. For instead of subsidizing solar energy panels on houses and buildings all around the State what is proposed are massive solar energy farms which will destroy thousands of acres of forest and vegetation in the process. One such solar energy farm is being proposed for São Mamede and Santa Luzia Counties which would destroy 5,000 acres of caatinga forest. We hope and pray that some sort of agreement can be reached with the big-money companies planning to build the solar energy farms which also have government support.

Please pray for Ana Paula who is Pastor Hamilton’s wife in Campina Grande. Ana Paula has Covid and has taken a turn for the worse and been admitted to hospital. Pastor Hamilton and their daughters are getting over it but just Ana Paula has a stronger version of the virus. It’s strange how this virus works because 4 people in the same family got the virus together and just one needs hospital treatment.

We are very encouraged this week with the news that an EAB supporter is to fund the drilling and equipping of 2 wells in this semi-arid region of northeast Brazil. Each well, completely installed with water tanks, submersible pumps, piping, water troughs etc., costs 5,000 pounds. We are especially encouraged, first of all because we are in a poor year for rain where the need is greater that usual, and secondly because Tearfund is only funding one well this year with none next year. We have a queue of villages and communities crying out for help, and we were praying about what to do, so we’re very pleased with this answer to prayer. The wells will bear the name (on a plaque) of the donor’s late wife, which is rather nice.

We praise God too for donations that have come in for another toilet/shower unit and another chicken pen. We thank everyone for support for the work here and for all your prayers.

On a lighter note let me tell you …

A new chicken pen has been built at Barra de Oitis Village as part of our 2-wings project. The family benefitted by the project is that of Cícero Mariano de Silva and his wife Francisca Nicolau da Silva. They have 3 children and the family is part of the EAB/ACEV church in the village. The chicken pen comes complete with 7 lovely laying hens so as to guarantee a good supply of fresh eggs for the family.

I took part yesterday in an online meeting about renewable energy in our State of Paraíba. The meeting was organized by the Roman Catholic church who invited me to take part in the light of my commitment to caring for God’s creation. The Bishop Dom Eraldo also took part as well as 3 other priests. All of those of us in the meeting are in favour of renewable energy sources via solar energy and wind turbines. However what is being questioned is the way these technologies are being implemented in our State. For instead of subsidizing solar energy panels on houses and buildings all around the State what is proposed are massive solar energy farms which will destroy thousands of acres of forest and vegetation in the process. One such solar energy farm is being proposed for São Mamede and Santa Luzia Counties which would destroy 5,000 acres of caatinga forest. We hope and pray that some sort of agreement can be reached with the big-money companies planning to build the solar energy farms which also have government support.

Please pray for Ana Paula who is Pastor Hamilton’s wife in Campina Grande. Ana Paula has Covid and has taken a turn for the worse and been admitted to hospital. Pastor Hamilton and their daughters are getting over it but just Ana Paula has a stronger version of the virus. It’s strange how this virus works because 4 people in the same family got the virus together and just one needs hospital treatment.

We are very encouraged this week with the news that an EAB supporter is to fund the drilling and equipping of 2 wells in this semi-arid region of northeast Brazil. Each well, completely installed with water tanks, submersible pumps, piping, water troughs etc., costs 5,000 pounds. We are especially encouraged, first of all because we are in a poor year for rain where the need is greater that usual, and secondly because Tearfund is only funding one well this year with none next year. We have a queue of villages and communities crying out for help, and we were praying about what to do, so we’re very pleased with this answer to prayer. The wells will bear the name (on a plaque) of the donor’s late wife, which is rather nice.

We praise God too for donations that have come in for another toilet/shower unit and another chicken pen. We thank everyone for support for the work here and for all your prayers.

On a lighter note let me tell you …

Last night’s main service of the week was back to an in-person service again after a two week break. The authorities here are at sixes and sevens with their lack of controls for Covid and just keep taking measures in dribs and drabs. It is a mess in Brazil in which we have now passed half a million deaths from the pandemic! Sadly one of the latest victims was Pastor Fátima of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa whom we knew very well. Her and her husband were a lovely couple we have known for years. First he died with Covid a week or two ago and this weekend she died. What a tragedy! Their poor children and church don’t know what’s hit them. Please pray for this family. Half a million deaths and still the president discouraging people to get vaccinated and playing everything down. What an immoral mess!

Anyway I led the service last night, Sacha led the praise and worship and Pastor Lucena preached God’s Word. It was a blessed service. The church of course had a small number present owing to the rules on social distancing, and it’s very odd singing with masks on, but we press on! Many take part in the service via YouTube and Facebook.

I have been having further discussions this morning with our projects team regarding the new market garden project at Belém Village in Tavares County where we have a thriving little church plant. The location of the new market garden has been defined by our team together with the small holding owner. The project will be a fine sign of the kingdom in this village. Please pray.  

Last night’s main service of the week was back to an in-person service again after a two week break. The authorities here are at sixes and sevens with their lack of controls for Covid and just keep taking measures in dribs and drabs. It is a mess in Brazil in which we have now passed half a million deaths from the pandemic! Sadly one of the latest victims was Pastor Fátima of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa whom we knew very well. Her and her husband were a lovely couple we have known for years. First he died with Covid a week or two ago and this weekend she died. What a tragedy! Their poor children and church don’t know what’s hit them. Please pray for this family. Half a million deaths and still the president discouraging people to get vaccinated and playing everything down. What an immoral mess!

Anyway I led the service last night, Sacha led the praise and worship and Pastor Lucena preached God’s Word. It was a blessed service. The church of course had a small number present owing to the rules on social distancing, and it’s very odd singing with masks on, but we press on! Many take part in the service via YouTube and Facebook.

I have been having further discussions this morning with our projects team regarding the new market garden project at Belém Village in Tavares County where we have a thriving little church plant. The location of the new market garden has been defined by our team together with the small holding owner. The project will be a fine sign of the kingdom in this village. Please pray.  

I watched the England x Scotland football match yesterday afternoon and I was not surprised to see it was a close game which could have gone either way. I thought QPR’s Dykes played very well for Scotland and I can’t see England getting very far in the tournament.

Last night’s training session for our online communications team went very well and lasted 3 hours!

I went to an ophthalmologist yesterday as a few days ago I woke up in the morning with a swollen left eye and every morning it has been the same. I thought it was going to be a sty or that Liz was bashing me in the night! The doctor prescribed some drops and an ointment to put in the eye at night. I awoke today with the eye much better.

I finished reading René Padilla’s book on integral mission yesterday just before the football. It was very good. I have traced another book on the same subject to a used book shop in São Paulo so am in the process of buying it. The book is from 1992. In the meantime I am going to have a look at C.J.H. Wright’s – The Mission of God’s People, which I already have.

I have just spoken to Caetano from our church in Patos who has been in hospital with Covid but is now home and improving from the after effects of the disease. I have also been talking to the daughter of Pastor Fátima of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa who is dangerously ill in hospital with Covid. Fátima is in intensive care and doesn’t know that her husband has died with Covid whilst she fights the disease. Please pray.

This week’s work on the church building being erected for the glory of God at Travessia Village in Manaira County has gone well. We are now almost ready to start putting the roofing timber on.

I watched the England x Scotland football match yesterday afternoon and I was not surprised to see it was a close game which could have gone either way. I thought QPR’s Dykes played very well for Scotland and I can’t see England getting very far in the tournament.

Last night’s training session for our online communications team went very well and lasted 3 hours!

I went to an ophthalmologist yesterday as a few days ago I woke up in the morning with a swollen left eye and every morning it has been the same. I thought it was going to be a sty or that Liz was bashing me in the night! The doctor prescribed some drops and an ointment to put in the eye at night. I awoke today with the eye much better.

I finished reading René Padilla’s book on integral mission yesterday just before the football. It was very good. I have traced another book on the same subject to a used book shop in São Paulo so am in the process of buying it. The book is from 1992. In the meantime I am going to have a look at C.J.H. Wright’s – The Mission of God’s People, which I already have.

I have just spoken to Caetano from our church in Patos who has been in hospital with Covid but is now home and improving from the after effects of the disease. I have also been talking to the daughter of Pastor Fátima of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa who is dangerously ill in hospital with Covid. Fátima is in intensive care and doesn’t know that her husband has died with Covid whilst she fights the disease. Please pray.

This week’s work on the church building being erected for the glory of God at Travessia Village in Manaira County has gone well. We are now almost ready to start putting the roofing timber on.

I had extensive meetings with our projects team yesterday to discuss the next stages to be carried out with Chicken Runs, Market Garden, 4-Legs (goats) and Toilet/Shower units. A new Market Garden is to be set up at Belém Village in Manaíra County where EAB/ACEV has a small church. The family to be benefitted is extremely happy. Then another Toilet/Shower unit is to be built at Barra de Oitis. We discussed location options for the next phase of the 4-Legs Project at maybe Juazeirinho or São Vicente do Seridó Counties. I also expect further news on the 2-Wings Chicken Runs Project by next week. So we praise God that our projects continue to press on despite the difficulties with the pandemic.

On the Covid front I am glad to report that our pastor Fabrício Junior and his wife Gaby (Campina Grande) have been given the all clear and they have now come out of quarantine and returned to normal work. Caetano in Patos – the father of baby Moses – is starting to feel better he told me last night. However Pastor Hamilton in Campina Grande is worse and is feeling awful. Please pray for him and all his family who all have Covid.

Tonight, Thursday, is Bible Study night in Patos and it will be online.  

I had extensive meetings with our projects team yesterday to discuss the next stages to be carried out with Chicken Runs, Market Garden, 4-Legs (goats) and Toilet/Shower units. A new Market Garden is to be set up at Belém Village in Manaíra County where EAB/ACEV has a small church. The family to be benefitted is extremely happy. Then another Toilet/Shower unit is to be built at Barra de Oitis. We discussed location options for the next phase of the 4-Legs Project at maybe Juazeirinho or São Vicente do Seridó Counties. I also expect further news on the 2-Wings Chicken Runs Project by next week. So we praise God that our projects continue to press on despite the difficulties with the pandemic.

On the Covid front I am glad to report that our pastor Fabrício Junior and his wife Gaby (Campina Grande) have been given the all clear and they have now come out of quarantine and returned to normal work. Caetano in Patos – the father of baby Moses – is starting to feel better he told me last night. However Pastor Hamilton in Campina Grande is worse and is feeling awful. Please pray for him and all his family who all have Covid.

Tonight, Thursday, is Bible Study night in Patos and it will be online.  

I had extensive meetings with our projects team yesterday to discuss the next stages to be carried out with Chicken Runs, Market Garden, 4-Legs (goats) and Toilet/Shower units. A new Market Garden is to be set up at Belém Village in Manaíra County where EAB/ACEV has a small church. The family to be benefitted is extremely happy. Then another Toilet/Shower unit is to be built at Barra de Oitis. We discussed location options for the next phase of the 4-Legs Project at maybe Juazeirinho or São Vicente do Seridó Counties. I also expect further news on the 2-Wings Chicken Runs Project by next week. So we praise God that our projects continue to press on despite the difficulties with the pandemic.

On the Covid front I am glad to report that our pastor Fabrício Junior and his wife Gaby (Campina Grande) have been given the all clear and they have now come out of quarantine and returned to normal work. Caetano in Patos – the father of baby Moses – is starting to feel better he told me last night. However Pastor Hamilton in Campina Grande is worse and is feeling awful. Please pray for him and all his family who all have Covid.

Tonight, Thursday, is Bible Study night in Patos and it will be online.  

Caetano, you may remember, is the father of the baby Moses who I dedicated recently. Well we learnt yesterday that he is worse with Covid and that both his wife and dentist Rebeca and their 9 month old son Moses have Covid. Caetano has lost 25% of his lung capacity and is very depressed. I talked to him yesterday, prayed for him and tried to encourage him. Please pray for Caetano, Rebeca and baby Moses.

This is the time of year when it is warmest in the UK and coolest here. We hear that it is quite warm in the UK today. Here our lowest temperature in the night was 21 degrees centigrade, at the moment it is 30 degrees and our maximum today will be 33 degrees.

Yesterday Liz and I went to Green Pastures to do a general check up on the water pumping system from 2 deep bore wells to all the dormitories, toilets etc. This year the rains were very poor so we have no water in the lake or river and the wide-mouth wells are totally dry. Thus it is very important to keep the deep bore wells fully operational through submersible electric pumps, as everything depends on them until next year for both Green Pastures wild life and events, plus all our neighbouring families who depend on us for water too. We did the check up yesterday together with Francisco, who runs Green Pastures on a day to day basis for us, and his wife Leca. They are a lovely couple and are doing a much better job of caring for Green Pastures than the previous people did. Whilst there yesterday we saw that 3 bathroom doors need to be replaced to old bathrooms that weren’t previously overhauled. We will replace the old warped and shabby doors with aluminium ones. Our hope and prayer is for the pandemic to be sufficiently improved here by the time of next May so that we can hold our annual field conference at Green Pastures in person. All our leaders are praying for this to happen. 

This Friday night we will be holding a training evening at the Patos church for our technical team responsible for our online transmissions. We have contracted an expert to upgrade our team’s knowledge and capabilities. I will be taking part in this training too.

Last night’s Men’s Fellowship meeting went well. Nine men took part in the online meeting.

Caetano, you may remember, is the father of the baby Moses who I dedicated recently. Well we learnt yesterday that he is worse with Covid and that both his wife and dentist Rebeca and their 9 month old son Moses have Covid. Caetano has lost 25% of his lung capacity and is very depressed. I talked to him yesterday, prayed for him and tried to encourage him. Please pray for Caetano, Rebeca and baby Moses.

This is the time of year when it is warmest in the UK and coolest here. We hear that it is quite warm in the UK today. Here our lowest temperature in the night was 21 degrees centigrade, at the moment it is 30 degrees and our maximum today will be 33 degrees.

Yesterday Liz and I went to Green Pastures to do a general check up on the water pumping system from 2 deep bore wells to all the dormitories, toilets etc. This year the rains were very poor so we have no water in the lake or river and the wide-mouth wells are totally dry. Thus it is very important to keep the deep bore wells fully operational through submersible electric pumps, as everything depends on them until next year for both Green Pastures wild life and events, plus all our neighbouring families who depend on us for water too. We did the check up yesterday together with Francisco, who runs Green Pastures on a day to day basis for us, and his wife Leca. They are a lovely couple and are doing a much better job of caring for Green Pastures than the previous people did. Whilst there yesterday we saw that 3 bathroom doors need to be replaced to old bathrooms that weren’t previously overhauled. We will replace the old warped and shabby doors with aluminium ones. Our hope and prayer is for the pandemic to be sufficiently improved here by the time of next May so that we can hold our annual field conference at Green Pastures in person. All our leaders are praying for this to happen. 

This Friday night we will be holding a training evening at the Patos church for our technical team responsible for our online transmissions. We have contracted an expert to upgrade our team’s knowledge and capabilities. I will be taking part in this training too.

Last night’s Men’s Fellowship meeting went well. Nine men took part in the online meeting.

Brazil being traditionally a Roman Catholic country means that many public holidays and festive dates have the names of Roman Catholic saints. In June, for example, the 13th is Saint Anthony’s Day, the 24th is St. John’s Day and the 29th is St. Peter’s Day. To be culturally in tune here you also have to know that the day is always celebrated on the evening prior to the day. Hence Christmas Eve is when Christmas Day is celebrated etc. So it was that Saturday evening was St. Anthony’s Eve, which is the equivalent to the British Valentine’s Day, and our granddaughter Louisa (has no boyfriend at the moment) received a delivery of chocolates from an unidentified secret admirer! Liz and I had great fun guessing who it was with Louisa, but to no avail. Watch this space!

Another of our pastors – Hamilton in Campina Grande – has gone down with Covid together with his whole family of a wife and two grown up daughters. Please pray for this family. Whilst the pandemic carries on here, now fast approaching 500,000 deaths in Brazil, our irresponsible President is on a campaign to discourage people from wearing masks!

Last night’s main service of the week went beautifully. I led the service, Sacha led the praise and worship, and young assistant pastor Rafael preached. I have just received a phone call from Josinete, who is a deaconess, telling me how she and her family were blessed by the service.

This morning I received my new driver’s licence for the next three years. It was promised me in 2 days but it took 2 weeks as I had imagined it would.

Brazil being traditionally a Roman Catholic country means that many public holidays and festive dates have the names of Roman Catholic saints. In June, for example, the 13th is Saint Anthony’s Day, the 24th is St. John’s Day and the 29th is St. Peter’s Day. To be culturally in tune here you also have to know that the day is always celebrated on the evening prior to the day. Hence Christmas Eve is when Christmas Day is celebrated etc. So it was that Saturday evening was St. Anthony’s Eve, which is the equivalent to the British Valentine’s Day, and our granddaughter Louisa (has no boyfriend at the moment) received a delivery of chocolates from an unidentified secret admirer! Liz and I had great fun guessing who it was with Louisa, but to no avail. Watch this space!

Another of our pastors – Hamilton in Campina Grande – has gone down with Covid together with his whole family of a wife and two grown up daughters. Please pray for this family. Whilst the pandemic carries on here, now fast approaching 500,000 deaths in Brazil, our irresponsible President is on a campaign to discourage people from wearing masks!

Last night’s main service of the week went beautifully. I led the service, Sacha led the praise and worship, and young assistant pastor Rafael preached. I have just received a phone call from Josinete, who is a deaconess, telling me how she and her family were blessed by the service.

This morning I received my new driver’s licence for the next three years. It was promised me in 2 days but it took 2 weeks as I had imagined it would.

The walls of the new EAB Travessia Village church in Manaira County have started to go up this week. The building team, led by our brother and elder from Caroá, Valdemar, have raised the front and back wall and one long side wall to a height of about 1.4 metres whilst the other long side wall is at about 80 cms high. The work will go slower next week as the team will have to use scaffolding, and this takes more time up. Valdemar is a lovely brother and an experienced builder. Please remember him in your prayers.

On Thursday our new young worker called Fábio Furtado went to hold a service at our little Fonseca Village church and it went very well. Fábio both sings well and preaches well. Fábio is now responsible for the two village churches of Fonseca and Travessia in the County of Manaíra. Both these villages are both needy spiritually and socially.

On Friday night Sister Dodora led a beautiful little open air service at the Aparecida Settlement Village in São Mamede County. This sister has real leadership qualities and is very dedicated. 

The walls of the new EAB Travessia Village church in Manaira County have started to go up this week. The building team, led by our brother and elder from Caroá, Valdemar, have raised the front and back wall and one long side wall to a height of about 1.4 metres whilst the other long side wall is at about 80 cms high. The work will go slower next week as the team will have to use scaffolding, and this takes more time up. Valdemar is a lovely brother and an experienced builder. Please remember him in your prayers.

On Thursday our new young worker called Fábio Furtado went to hold a service at our little Fonseca Village church and it went very well. Fábio both sings well and preaches well. Fábio is now responsible for the two village churches of Fonseca and Travessia in the County of Manaíra. Both these villages are both needy spiritually and socially.

On Friday night Sister Dodora led a beautiful little open air service at the Aparecida Settlement Village in São Mamede County. This sister has real leadership qualities and is very dedicated. 

It has been confirmed that there will be daily flights from Patos to Recife as from August 8th and the plane to be used will be a Cessna 208 Caravan which has a crew of 2 and which carries 9 passengers. The plane size will be increased according to demand. The flight will take between 1.5 to 2 hours as opposed to between 6 and 7 hours by road. The cost is being advertised as 33 pounds sterling which I think must be a promotional initial price.

We are surrounded by sad news of deaths I am afraid. Yesterday a good pastor friend, Nelson, of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa died with Covid and his wife Fátima is gravely ill in intensive care. Yesterday too our pastor Jânio in Campina Grande lost his father to a heart attack.

Last night I watched a neighbour with Covid being put into an ambulance to be taken to a hospital in João Pessoa. I prayed for her at the time. The lady called Ritinha was cared for by two nurses dressed in what looked like space suits in a science fiction movie. Please pray for Ritinha.

Whilst all this is going on on a massive scale in Brazil the President continues to play down the pandemic. An enquiry into the ministry of health shows that they have no pandemic specialists, like epidemiologists, in their team. Government ineptitude is staggering!

Building work is going on at our Barra de Oitis Church. Builders are constructing a proper entrance to the church. Here in Patos it’s the day for the midweek Bible study.

It has been confirmed that there will be daily flights from Patos to Recife as from August 8th and the plane to be used will be a Cessna 208 Caravan which has a crew of 2 and which carries 9 passengers. The plane size will be increased according to demand. The flight will take between 1.5 to 2 hours as opposed to between 6 and 7 hours by road. The cost is being advertised as 33 pounds sterling which I think must be a promotional initial price.

We are surrounded by sad news of deaths I am afraid. Yesterday a good pastor friend, Nelson, of a Pentecostal church in João Pessoa died with Covid and his wife Fátima is gravely ill in intensive care. Yesterday too our pastor Jânio in Campina Grande lost his father to a heart attack.

Last night I watched a neighbour with Covid being put into an ambulance to be taken to a hospital in João Pessoa. I prayed for her at the time. The lady called Ritinha was cared for by two nurses dressed in what looked like space suits in a science fiction movie. Please pray for Ritinha.

Whilst all this is going on on a massive scale in Brazil the President continues to play down the pandemic. An enquiry into the ministry of health shows that they have no pandemic specialists, like epidemiologists, in their team. Government ineptitude is staggering!

Building work is going on at our Barra de Oitis Church. Builders are constructing a proper entrance to the church. Here in Patos it’s the day for the midweek Bible study.

One of the most encouraging things at this time is the number of Bible College students that we have from the EAB/ACEV churches. It is so encouraging to see the large number of students that we have studying at our Bible College in Campina Grande, or at Bible Colleges on the coast in João Pessoa, or at the on-line Colleges of FTSA and ISBL. So you can imagine how extra thrilled I was when this week our granddaughter Louisa, aged 21, enrolled in the FTSA 3-year theology degree course. She is coming to the end, by December, of her degree in law, so she sat the FTSA entrance exam and scored 97%. Not bad! 😉 Louisa starts her theology degree on July 1st. Please pray for her and all the other Bible College students we have.

I have done another radio interview. This happens quite often to me. Journalists phone me and ask me to do interviews on a variety of subjects. This time I was interviewed about the church and about how we are coping being back to exclusively online services again. It was a good opportunity for the Gospel.

Our first family doctor Olavo died this week aged 90. He was a lovely man who saw me through typhoid many moons ago and who operated on Liz when she was 13. Also our ex-town councillor friend Juracy Dantas died with Covid. 

Our daughter-in-law Gylmara is in hospital in the UK with a suspected appendicitis. They have now ruled out appendicitis after tests and a scan.

We have now been nearly a month without rain so our rainy season has been and gone. With a total of 492 mm (20.5 inches) so far in 2021 it means we only received about half of what was needed for a good year. The last quarter of 2021 will be tough.  

One of the most encouraging things at this time is the number of Bible College students that we have from the EAB/ACEV churches. It is so encouraging to see the large number of students that we have studying at our Bible College in Campina Grande, or at Bible Colleges on the coast in João Pessoa, or at the on-line Colleges of FTSA and ISBL. So you can imagine how extra thrilled I was when this week our granddaughter Louisa, aged 21, enrolled in the FTSA 3-year theology degree course. She is coming to the end, by December, of her degree in law, so she sat the FTSA entrance exam and scored 97%. Not bad! 😉 Louisa starts her theology degree on July 1st. Please pray for her and all the other Bible College students we have.

I have done another radio interview. This happens quite often to me. Journalists phone me and ask me to do interviews on a variety of subjects. This time I was interviewed about the church and about how we are coping being back to exclusively online services again. It was a good opportunity for the Gospel.

Our first family doctor Olavo died this week aged 90. He was a lovely man who saw me through typhoid many moons ago and who operated on Liz when she was 13. Also our ex-town councillor friend Juracy Dantas died with Covid. 

Our daughter-in-law Gylmara is in hospital in the UK with a suspected appendicitis. They have now ruled out appendicitis after tests and a scan.

We have now been nearly a month without rain so our rainy season has been and gone. With a total of 492 mm (20.5 inches) so far in 2021 it means we only received about half of what was needed for a good year. The last quarter of 2021 will be tough.  

The lovely little village of Travessia is in the County of Manaíra to the extreme west of Paraíba State. We drilled a well in the village a few years ago and that is being a really blessing to the place. Thus through the practical demonstration of God’s love people have warmed to the Gospel and some have made commitments to Christ. Our ex-Action Child Fábio is now an EAB/ACEV worker in the village holding regular services there every week. Now we are starting to build a church at Travessia on land we previously acquired. The foundations have already been dug and building materials are being taken there. Lorry loads of sand, earth and rocks are now in place so as to build the foundations. Watch this space for the building news and please pray.

Last night’s communion service went well. I preached and Rafael led. Lucas Conserva played the guitar for the worship as our regular player Tiago said he wasn’t feeling up to it! He must be feeling his age in his twenties! These musicians can be a bit of a headache at times.

You may remember that on the previous Sunday (May 30th) I dedicated little Moses. Well fortunately I decided to not hold the baby in my arms, as I normally would, owing to the pandemic. The parents Caetano and Rebeca came and sat to one side on the stage and Moisés sat on his Mum’s lap. We always give the parents a children’s Bible on the occasion and this I did giving it to Caetano the Dad. Well yesterday, a week later, we received the news that Caetano has gone down with Covid-19 so please pray for him.

Please also pray for our senior sister Eva who has had a fall and broken her wrist. She will have to have surgery to put pins in.

I am enjoying reading in Portuguese a book by C. René Padilla on Integral Mission. Brother René I knew personally before he recently went to be with the Lord. We were together in Mexico in 2003 at a Micah Network Conference of which he was founder and president. René was born in Equador but lived in Argentina.

The lovely little village of Travessia is in the County of Manaíra to the extreme west of Paraíba State. We drilled a well in the village a few years ago and that is being a really blessing to the place. Thus through the practical demonstration of God’s love people have warmed to the Gospel and some have made commitments to Christ. Our ex-Action Child Fábio is now an EAB/ACEV worker in the village holding regular services there every week. Now we are starting to build a church at Travessia on land we previously acquired. The foundations have already been dug and building materials are being taken there. Lorry loads of sand, earth and rocks are now in place so as to build the foundations. Watch this space for the building news and please pray.

Last night’s communion service went well. I preached and Rafael led. Lucas Conserva played the guitar for the worship as our regular player Tiago said he wasn’t feeling up to it! He must be feeling his age in his twenties! These musicians can be a bit of a headache at times.

You may remember that on the previous Sunday (May 30th) I dedicated little Moses. Well fortunately I decided to not hold the baby in my arms, as I normally would, owing to the pandemic. The parents Caetano and Rebeca came and sat to one side on the stage and Moisés sat on his Mum’s lap. We always give the parents a children’s Bible on the occasion and this I did giving it to Caetano the Dad. Well yesterday, a week later, we received the news that Caetano has gone down with Covid-19 so please pray for him.

Please also pray for our senior sister Eva who has had a fall and broken her wrist. She will have to have surgery to put pins in.

I am enjoying reading in Portuguese a book by C. René Padilla on Integral Mission. Brother René I knew personally before he recently went to be with the Lord. We were together in Mexico in 2003 at a Micah Network Conference of which he was founder and president. René was born in Equador but lived in Argentina.

Yesterday was a very dark day in Patos, where we have been living in the interior of northeastern Brazil for the past 49 years. The Covid pandemic is on the rampage here killing many people. Yesterday our County Council Secretary of Health, Segundo Brito, died with Covid at the age of 42. He was a man I knew well having taken part with him in community debates about public health issues in the past. His death has come as a great shock to us all, especially as he died so quickly with the disease. Then too yesterday another man I knew well died with Covid. He was the journalist Fábio Diniz, aged 44, whom I also knew well. Another young mother died yesterday with Covid, aged 35, showing how deaths in this pandemic are killing increasingly younger people. Please pray!

I will be preaching tomorrow on ‘Being like Jesus – in Love’ from 1 John 4:7-21. I value your prayers. Assistant pastor Rafael will lead the service. The Women’s Fellowship in the Patos church is spending today in prayer and fasting. They have organized it so that someone is praying during every hour for 24 hours from midnight to midnight. I feel this is a lovely initiative. 

Yesterday was a very dark day in Patos, where we have been living in the interior of northeastern Brazil for the past 49 years. The Covid pandemic is on the rampage here killing many people. Yesterday our County Council Secretary of Health, Segundo Brito, died with Covid at the age of 42. He was a man I knew well having taken part with him in community debates about public health issues in the past. His death has come as a great shock to us all, especially as he died so quickly with the disease. Then too yesterday another man I knew well died with Covid. He was the journalist Fábio Diniz, aged 44, whom I also knew well. Another young mother died yesterday with Covid, aged 35, showing how deaths in this pandemic are killing increasingly younger people. Please pray!

I will be preaching tomorrow on ‘Being like Jesus – in Love’ from 1 John 4:7-21. I value your prayers. Assistant pastor Rafael will lead the service. The Women’s Fellowship in the Patos church is spending today in prayer and fasting. They have organized it so that someone is praying during every hour for 24 hours from midnight to midnight. I feel this is a lovely initiative. 

I finished writing in Portuguese the history of 80 years of EAB/ACEV last night from 1938 to 2018. It has been a very big task which has taken me years to do amidst all the other aspects of work. I now need to do a complete review of all 29 chapters plus insert photos. I value your prayers for this book which I plan to publish yet this year which will be an important tool for future generations.

I had a discussion with Pastor Lindon Carlos (Imaculada) yesterday about our teaching and training of young people for Christian ministry. It is great to see that in the County of Diamante we have 5 young students doing the ISBL Bible College with 3 at the Vazante church and 2, eight kilometers away at the Barra de Oitis church. This is extremely encouraging to see. Our partnership with this excellent College online is so good for out of the way places. 

We also discussed the leadership of the Sitio Glória church in Imaculada County which is going very well. Sisters Rita and Marcia are the leaders and they are doing an excellent job. Rita is another person who is studying theology with the ISBL online Bible College. Rita and Marcia are very integral mission aware and are highly active at a community level with social action, taking part in various committees in their County.

Our Vet Marcelo Sá came home to Patos yesterday as he steadily gets over a very heavy bout of Covid-19. Marcelo had been at Campina Grande for weeks. The young man Douglas (Matureia) is being released from the Patos General Hospital today having also recovered from Covid. We have now just learnt that 24 year old Fabrício Junior and his wife Gaby, from our 1st Church at Campina Grande, have gone down with Covid. In fact it’s the second time that Fabrício had had the virus. He was given probationary status as a pastor last Saturday. Please pray for this couple.

I finished writing in Portuguese the history of 80 years of EAB/ACEV last night from 1938 to 2018. It has been a very big task which has taken me years to do amidst all the other aspects of work. I now need to do a complete review of all 29 chapters plus insert photos. I value your prayers for this book which I plan to publish yet this year which will be an important tool for future generations.

I had a discussion with Pastor Lindon Carlos (Imaculada) yesterday about our teaching and training of young people for Christian ministry. It is great to see that in the County of Diamante we have 5 young students doing the ISBL Bible College with 3 at the Vazante church and 2, eight kilometers away at the Barra de Oitis church. This is extremely encouraging to see. Our partnership with this excellent College online is so good for out of the way places. 

We also discussed the leadership of the Sitio Glória church in Imaculada County which is going very well. Sisters Rita and Marcia are the leaders and they are doing an excellent job. Rita is another person who is studying theology with the ISBL online Bible College. Rita and Marcia are very integral mission aware and are highly active at a community level with social action, taking part in various committees in their County.

Our Vet Marcelo Sá came home to Patos yesterday as he steadily gets over a very heavy bout of Covid-19. Marcelo had been at Campina Grande for weeks. The young man Douglas (Matureia) is being released from the Patos General Hospital today having also recovered from Covid. We have now just learnt that 24 year old Fabrício Junior and his wife Gaby, from our 1st Church at Campina Grande, have gone down with Covid. In fact it’s the second time that Fabrício had had the virus. He was given probationary status as a pastor last Saturday. Please pray for this couple.

It has been announced that as from August of this year three flights a week will start operating between Recife International Airport and our airstrip in Patos. We are told that a proper airport building is to be built so as to turn it into a proper airport as the runway is fine for Boeing 737s and smaller jets like that. The company to fly to Patos is Azul/Blue. This will be a great help to the likes of us when we travel to the UK as we will be able to fly from Patos to Recife and then from Recife to Heathrow via Lisbon. It should make things a lot easier cutting out the long journey by road to the airport.

As I foresaw would happen with the third wave of Covid infections on the rise, church in-person services have been suspended again by the State of Paraíba government amongst a wide range of restrictive lockdown measures to try and bring the spread of Covid more under control and save lives. Once again President Bolsonaro is against these restrictive measures so it’s just as well we have a sensible Governor. A curfew has been reintroduced from 10 pm to 5 am as well.

Our son-in-law Witagiby (Biba) has a light version of the Covid-19 virus so he should be all clear by next week. Douglas from Matureia (aged 30) is improving too in hospital from Covid. We thank you for your prayers.

It has been announced that as from August of this year three flights a week will start operating between Recife International Airport and our airstrip in Patos. We are told that a proper airport building is to be built so as to turn it into a proper airport as the runway is fine for Boeing 737s and smaller jets like that. The company to fly to Patos is Azul/Blue. This will be a great help to the likes of us when we travel to the UK as we will be able to fly from Patos to Recife and then from Recife to Heathrow via Lisbon. It should make things a lot easier cutting out the long journey by road to the airport.

As I foresaw would happen with the third wave of Covid infections on the rise, church in-person services have been suspended again by the State of Paraíba government amongst a wide range of restrictive lockdown measures to try and bring the spread of Covid more under control and save lives. Once again President Bolsonaro is against these restrictive measures so it’s just as well we have a sensible Governor. A curfew has been reintroduced from 10 pm to 5 am as well.

Our son-in-law Witagiby (Biba) has a light version of the Covid-19 virus so he should be all clear by next week. Douglas from Matureia (aged 30) is improving too in hospital from Covid. We thank you for your prayers.

Our son-in-law Witagiby, who is known as Biba, has Covid. He is married to our youngest daughter Sacha. They are the parents of our two granddaughters Alice and Bia. Please pray for Biba. So far he has a mild version of the virus.

Pleased also pray for a young man called Douglas who is a member of our Matureia church which is 45 minutes by car from Patos. Douglas also has Covid which worsened yesterday so he was brought to the Patos General Hospital yesterday where he was admitted.

I was very surprised yesterday to hear that the Copa América (bi-annual South American Nations Cup) is said to be going to be held in Brazil! It was originally supposed to be held partly in Columbia and partly in Argentina but Columbia said they couldn’t do it owing to the widespread social unrest there. Then yesterday Argentina also bowed out of the tournament owing to the serious Covid situation there. However very quickly, too quickly in my view, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said the event could be held in Brazil as if Brazil didn’t have a massive Covid problem. This is the typical populist attitude of Bolsonaro who has never taken the pandemic seriously and always tries to play it down. He clearly thinks Brazil staging the tournament at the last minute will be a vote winning strategy in the build up to next year’s elections.

I have now finished 79 years of EAB/ACEV history in Portuguese for my book. My book will cover the period from 1938 to 2018 so I have just one year to go. Once I have finished the basic text for the 80 year period I will need to check the whole thing slowly and carefully and insert photos where appropriate.

Our son-in-law Witagiby, who is known as Biba, has Covid. He is married to our youngest daughter Sacha. They are the parents of our two granddaughters Alice and Bia. Please pray for Biba. So far he has a mild version of the virus.

Pleased also pray for a young man called Douglas who is a member of our Matureia church which is 45 minutes by car from Patos. Douglas also has Covid which worsened yesterday so he was brought to the Patos General Hospital yesterday where he was admitted.

I was very surprised yesterday to hear that the Copa América (bi-annual South American Nations Cup) is said to be going to be held in Brazil! It was originally supposed to be held partly in Columbia and partly in Argentina but Columbia said they couldn’t do it owing to the widespread social unrest there. Then yesterday Argentina also bowed out of the tournament owing to the serious Covid situation there. However very quickly, too quickly in my view, Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said the event could be held in Brazil as if Brazil didn’t have a massive Covid problem. This is the typical populist attitude of Bolsonaro who has never taken the pandemic seriously and always tries to play it down. He clearly thinks Brazil staging the tournament at the last minute will be a vote winning strategy in the build up to next year’s elections.

I have now finished 79 years of EAB/ACEV history in Portuguese for my book. My book will cover the period from 1938 to 2018 so I have just one year to go. Once I have finished the basic text for the 80 year period I will need to check the whole thing slowly and carefully and insert photos where appropriate.

I led the service in Patos last night and the service went well. I dedicated an 8 month old little boy called Moses and received a young woman into fellowship called Erica. Our assistant pastor Rafael preached on John 14:1-3 with a message entitled: “Let not your heart be troubled.”

Our Pastor Oseias in Itaporanga is completely over Covid. Thank you to all who prayed for him. Carla Lécia, the wife of Pastor Francinaldo at Manaíra, is also completely free of her bout of Covid and thanks everyone for their prayers too.

At the weekend Pastor Maésio at the EAB/ACEV church in Teixeira conducted the wedding of the deaconess Rosângela and brother Odemar. The pastor has just sent me a whole load of photos of the wedding. Brother Odemar is from the rural area of Teixeira County on a farm called Sabonete (Toilet Soap!).

I have just had a physical check-up so as to renew my driving licence. I had to show how much strength I have in the grip of each hand on a machine. Quite what the point of this was I am not sure. I also had my eyesight checked and had to answer a number of questions about medication I take etc. Anyway all was approved and I was told I will receive my new licence in two days’ time which is quick if it happens.   

I led the service in Patos last night and the service went well. I dedicated an 8 month old little boy called Moses and received a young woman into fellowship called Erica. Our assistant pastor Rafael preached on John 14:1-3 with a message entitled: “Let not your heart be troubled.”

Our Pastor Oseias in Itaporanga is completely over Covid. Thank you to all who prayed for him. Carla Lécia, the wife of Pastor Francinaldo at Manaíra, is also completely free of her bout of Covid and thanks everyone for their prayers too.

At the weekend Pastor Maésio at the EAB/ACEV church in Teixeira conducted the wedding of the deaconess Rosângela and brother Odemar. The pastor has just sent me a whole load of photos of the wedding. Brother Odemar is from the rural area of Teixeira County on a farm called Sabonete (Toilet Soap!).

I have just had a physical check-up so as to renew my driving licence. I had to show how much strength I have in the grip of each hand on a machine. Quite what the point of this was I am not sure. I also had my eyesight checked and had to answer a number of questions about medication I take etc. Anyway all was approved and I was told I will receive my new licence in two days’ time which is quick if it happens.   

This afternoon we held a fantastic general assembly of all our leaders online. It lasted for two hours and 40 minutes and at the end nobody wanted to leave. The only pastor who didn’t take part was absent because his vehicle broke down with a load of sweet potatoes on board! The pastor in Portugal took part and the pastor in England. The first matter on the agenda was the role call.

We then formally recognized the two church plants at Barra de Oitis and Vazante as fully fledged churches led by Pastor Nezinho Abílio. We then officially recognized Fábio Furtado as an EAB/ACEV worker responsible for the church plants at Travessia and Fonseca. How wonderful to see he who once was an EAB sponsored Action Child now a Mission worker. If he does well he will be a pastor one day.

After this we recognized the three new pastors, Betinho, Léo and Fabrício Junior. Each one was given probational pastoral status and each one was prayed over separately. This was followed by Philip giving a run down on our annual statistics which show we continue to have 89 churches with 24 largish, 26 medium and 39 small church plants. The total number of Christian participants in these churches is 3,202. Philip also gave some explanations on how to use the software programme he has created to administer our churches.

Following this Pastor Lindon Carlos gave us an update on all the projects, what’s been done in the last year and what’s planned to yet be done this year. We also received some feedback from José Renildo and Tania in Portugal. We then decided that we would have a leaders’ Conference day online in September and a youth conference online in November. We also decided that we will not hold the usual 10-day evangelistic outreach in January owing to the pandemic but we will hope to hold our next general conference in-person at Green Pastures Nature Reserve and Christian Conference Centre. This is planned for a year from now from the 27th to 29th of May, God willing.

This afternoon we held a fantastic general assembly of all our leaders online. It lasted for two hours and 40 minutes and at the end nobody wanted to leave. The only pastor who didn’t take part was absent because his vehicle broke down with a load of sweet potatoes on board! The pastor in Portugal took part and the pastor in England. The first matter on the agenda was the role call.

We then formally recognized the two church plants at Barra de Oitis and Vazante as fully fledged churches led by Pastor Nezinho Abílio. We then officially recognized Fábio Furtado as an EAB/ACEV worker responsible for the church plants at Travessia and Fonseca. How wonderful to see he who once was an EAB sponsored Action Child now a Mission worker. If he does well he will be a pastor one day.

After this we recognized the three new pastors, Betinho, Léo and Fabrício Junior. Each one was given probational pastoral status and each one was prayed over separately. This was followed by Philip giving a run down on our annual statistics which show we continue to have 89 churches with 24 largish, 26 medium and 39 small church plants. The total number of Christian participants in these churches is 3,202. Philip also gave some explanations on how to use the software programme he has created to administer our churches.

Following this Pastor Lindon Carlos gave us an update on all the projects, what’s been done in the last year and what’s planned to yet be done this year. We also received some feedback from José Renildo and Tania in Portugal. We then decided that we would have a leaders’ Conference day online in September and a youth conference online in November. We also decided that we will not hold the usual 10-day evangelistic outreach in January owing to the pandemic but we will hope to hold our next general conference in-person at Green Pastures Nature Reserve and Christian Conference Centre. This is planned for a year from now from the 27th to 29th of May, God willing.

Nothing is simple in this pandemic and my renewal of my driving licence was an example of this today. I got up, had my usual breakfast of paw-paw, banana and yogurt, and had a shower. I don’t function any day without a shower. I then went to the place where you renew your driving licence and my temperature was checked to be able to get into the building. I also needed to show the receipt for the renewal. I then went to have my photo taken followed my the digital taking of my finger prints. The latter took a long time as my finger prints are always difficult to register. After this I then went to the next desk where again I showed all the paper work and was told that I can only do my eyesight test on Monday as for today the eye doctor was fully booked. I came home and had another shower.

We received the sad news yesterday that our pastor in João Pessoa José Vieira’s sister, called Chiquinha, died last night from Covid. She had been in intensive care for quite a long time. Please pray for José Vieira’s family at this sad time.  

Nothing is simple in this pandemic and my renewal of my driving licence was an example of this today. I got up, had my usual breakfast of paw-paw, banana and yogurt, and had a shower. I don’t function any day without a shower. I then went to the place where you renew your driving licence and my temperature was checked to be able to get into the building. I also needed to show the receipt for the renewal. I then went to have my photo taken followed my the digital taking of my finger prints. The latter took a long time as my finger prints are always difficult to register. After this I then went to the next desk where again I showed all the paper work and was told that I can only do my eyesight test on Monday as for today the eye doctor was fully booked. I came home and had another shower.

We received the sad news yesterday that our pastor in João Pessoa José Vieira’s sister, called Chiquinha, died last night from Covid. She had been in intensive care for quite a long time. Please pray for José Vieira’s family at this sad time.  

Nothing is simple in this pandemic and my renewal of my driving licence was an example of this today. I got up, had my usual breakfast of paw-paw, banana and yogurt, and had a shower. I don’t function any day without a shower. I then went to the place where you renew your driving licence and my temperature was checked to be able to get into the building. I also needed to show the receipt for the renewal. I then went to have my photo taken followed my the digital taking of my finger prints. The latter took a long time as my finger prints are always difficult to register. After this I then went to the next desk where again I showed all the paper work and was told that I can only do my eyesight test on Monday as for today the eye doctor was fully booked. I came home and had another shower.

We received the sad news yesterday that our pastor in João Pessoa José Vieira’s sister, called Chiquinha, died last night from Covid. She had been in intensive care for quite a long time. Please pray for José Vieira’s family at this sad time.  

The EAB/ACEV church up in the mountains at Matureia, which is the highest point in our State of Paraíba, has cancelled all its in-person church services owing to the new surge of Covid infections in the town. Please pray for Matureia which is about 45 minutes by car from Patos where we live. The Covid pandemic is on the increase again here with an apparently third wave being experienced. The whole region in the interior where we live is getting steadily worse again.

Our Pastor Oseias at Itaporanga has been confirmed with Covid and continues in isolation. Veterinary surgeon Marcelo Sá continues to improve from a very heavy bout of Covid. He took part on Tuesday night in the Men’s Fellowship meeting online. I was very pleased about this at it shows how much he is getting better. He tells me he is doing a lot of physiotherapy to help his breathing. Please continue to pray for Oseias and Marcelo. 

It is so good to see how well our EAB Action Schools have adapted to the reality of teaching and coping under the pandemic conditions without in-person schools here. I was in touch with our Caroá School, for example, which is helping 12 children of which 2 families have been hit by Covid. The teacher drops off the children’s lessons to each of their farmsteads and then helps them all with their lessons online via WhatsApp. Similarly she drops off food parcels to their homes for which she says their families are very grateful.

Yesterday Liz and I made a lovely visit to the ex-landless settlement of Nossa Senhora Aparecida II in the County of São Mamede. We went duly masked, maintained strict distancing protocols and with all our discussions in the open-air. We had a lovely talk to Paulo and Dodora which took about an hour and a half. They unburdened their hearts about different issue which we counselled them about. We also discussed their desire to hold services in front of their house which we agreed to. We pray that God will bless them and use them as the only evangelical Christians in their settlement.

Brazil passed the 450,000 mark for Covid deaths yesterday. The situation is serious here with no national leadership against the pandemic. President Bolsonaro led a 40 km motorbike ride on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro without a mask. He is a terrible example or lack of it. Our Pastor Oseias at Itaporanga, who is a member of our senior leadership team and took part in our meeting on Saturday, has gone down with suspected Covid and is self-isolating at home.

Our State capital João Pessoa, where EAB/ACEV has 3 churches, is in the international news with the arrest of Italian mafia fugitive Rocco Morabito who was one of Italy’s most wanted fugitives since 1994! The “cocaine king of Milan”, as he is known, was arrested in a João Pessoa hotel together with two other foreigners.

Witnesses say that 3,000 massive shipments of timber have been illegally exported from the Amazon recently. The Federal Police are investigating the very Minister of the Environment, who is a total crook, who is called Ricardo Salles.

Yesterday Liz and I made a lovely visit to the ex-landless settlement of Nossa Senhora Aparecida II in the County of São Mamede. We went duly masked, maintained strict distancing protocols and with all our discussions in the open-air. We had a lovely talk to Paulo and Dodora which took about an hour and a half. They unburdened their hearts about different issue which we counselled them about. We also discussed their desire to hold services in front of their house which we agreed to. We pray that God will bless them and use them as the only evangelical Christians in their settlement.

Brazil passed the 450,000 mark for Covid deaths yesterday. The situation is serious here with no national leadership against the pandemic. President Bolsonaro led a 40 km motorbike ride on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro without a mask. He is a terrible example or lack of it. Our Pastor Oseias at Itaporanga, who is a member of our senior leadership team and took part in our meeting on Saturday, has gone down with suspected Covid and is self-isolating at home.

Our State capital João Pessoa, where EAB/ACEV has 3 churches, is in the international news with the arrest of Italian mafia fugitive Rocco Morabito who was one of Italy’s most wanted fugitives since 1994! The “cocaine king of Milan”, as he is known, was arrested in a João Pessoa hotel together with two other foreigners.

Witnesses say that 3,000 massive shipments of timber have been illegally exported from the Amazon recently. The Federal Police are investigating the very Minister of the Environment, who is a total crook, who is called Ricardo Salles.

I get quite attached to my clothes and there are some items, of particularly nice colours, which become like my trade mark. So you might imagine my sadness when upon putting on my favourite light blue shirt at the weekend Liz said: “that must go to the bin!” I was staggered! Just because of a couple of holes and one small slit my dear shirt was given the sentence of capital punishment and it was only eight years old. But when Liz gets her mind set on “keeping me smart” I have long learnt that it is no good arguing. “I wouldn’t have the courage to put it in the jumble sale”, Liz said. Dear me! My poor shirt has bit the dust and to add insult to injury today I saw Liz using a pale blue dusting cloth. Who can understand women?

Last night’s service was lovely. It is great to be back in church again in person and to lead the service. Pastor Lucena preached on ‘The Compelling Love of Christ’ from 2 Corinthians 5:14. At the end one man expressed his desire to return to following Jesus after a time away from God. Last Sunday there was a decision by a woman to follow the Lord as well. I am not sure how much longer we will be able to hold in person services as the pandemic is getting worse again here.

I have had an excellent Zoom meeting this morning with Pastor Renilson and his wife Getiane from the Matureia church up in the mountains. The meeting was about the Action School there which is going really well.    

I get quite attached to my clothes and there are some items, of particularly nice colours, which become like my trade mark. So you might imagine my sadness when upon putting on my favourite light blue shirt at the weekend Liz said: “that must go to the bin!” I was staggered! Just because of a couple of holes and one small slit my dear shirt was given the sentence of capital punishment and it was only eight years old. But when Liz gets her mind set on “keeping me smart” I have long learnt that it is no good arguing. “I wouldn’t have the courage to put it in the jumble sale”, Liz said. Dear me! My poor shirt has bit the dust and to add insult to injury today I saw Liz using a pale blue dusting cloth. Who can understand women?

Last night’s service was lovely. It is great to be back in church again in person and to lead the service. Pastor Lucena preached on ‘The Compelling Love of Christ’ from 2 Corinthians 5:14. At the end one man expressed his desire to return to following Jesus after a time away from God. Last Sunday there was a decision by a woman to follow the Lord as well. I am not sure how much longer we will be able to hold in person services as the pandemic is getting worse again here.

I have had an excellent Zoom meeting this morning with Pastor Renilson and his wife Getiane from the Matureia church up in the mountains. The meeting was about the Action School there which is going really well.    

I get quite attached to my clothes and there are some items, of particularly nice colours, which become like my trade mark. So you might imagine my sadness when upon putting on my favourite light blue shirt at the weekend Liz said: “that must go to the bin!” I was staggered! Just because of a couple of holes and one small slit my dear shirt was given the sentence of capital punishment and it was only eight years old. But when Liz gets her mind set on “keeping me smart” I have long learnt that it is no good arguing. “I wouldn’t have the courage to put it in the jumble sale”, Liz said. Dear me! My poor shirt has bit the dust and to add insult to injury today I saw Liz using a pale blue dusting cloth. Who can understand women?

Last night’s service was lovely. It is great to be back in church again in person and to lead the service. Pastor Lucena preached on ‘The Compelling Love of Christ’ from 2 Corinthians 5:14. At the end one man expressed his desire to return to following Jesus after a time away from God. Last Sunday there was a decision by a woman to follow the Lord as well. I am not sure how much longer we will be able to hold in person services as the pandemic is getting worse again here.

I have had an excellent Zoom meeting this morning with Pastor Renilson and his wife Getiane from the Matureia church up in the mountains. The meeting was about the Action School there which is going really well.    

Yesterday afternoon’s senior leadership meeting of the work here in northeast Brazil went very well and lasted about 2 hours with all 11 of us taking part. I chaired the meeting. Initially we had a general discussion about the progress of the work of EAB/ACEV and discussed how to handle one particular problem I can’t mention. Regional pastor Lindon Carlos, in the area where the problem is, was commissioned to investigate further and report back to the Board.

Following on from this we interviewed the first candidate for probationary status as a pastor. He was Roberto de Oliveira, known as Betinho, who leads both the Ibiara and Conceição churches in towns about a quarter of an hour apart by car. Betinho is 37 years old. He was the most nervous of the 3 candidates interviewed but nevertheless he did well. He and his wife Maciene are doing a great job in the churches under their responsibility. The leadership team decided to recommend Betinho for probationary status as a pastor in the general assembly to be held next Saturday (29th).

Next to be interviewed (all online via Google Meet) was Leandro Araújo dos Santos, known as Léo, who is aged 32. Léo leads the EAB/ACEV church at Juazeirinho which is exactly half way between Patos and Campina Grande. Léo answered all the questions we asked him with great calm, ability and accuracy. We were all blessed by the clear gift of God on this young man’s life and he too will be recommended for probationary pastoral status at the general assembly of all the ACEV leadership next Saturday.

Finally we interviewed the youngest candidate for pastoral status who was Fabrício Ramalho de Carvalho Junior, known as Fabrício Junior, aged 24 and just recently married. The other two candidates are also married and already have children. Fabrício also answered the questions very well and he too will be recommended for pastoral probationary status next Saturday. Fabrício Junior will be an assistant pastor to Pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande taking responsibility for the youth.

Please pray for these three young ministers of the Gospel and for the general assembly of all our leaders to be also held online next Saturday afternoon. How encouraging it is to see young leaders hearing the call of God and being willing to step forward and say: “Here I am Lord. Send me”. Such young leaders are guarantee that by God’s help the work here in the interior of northeast Brazil will carry on until the Lord’s return. 

Yesterday afternoon’s senior leadership meeting of the work here in northeast Brazil went very well and lasted about 2 hours with all 11 of us taking part. I chaired the meeting. Initially we had a general discussion about the progress of the work of EAB/ACEV and discussed how to handle one particular problem I can’t mention. Regional pastor Lindon Carlos, in the area where the problem is, was commissioned to investigate further and report back to the Board.

Following on from this we interviewed the first candidate for probationary status as a pastor. He was Roberto de Oliveira, known as Betinho, who leads both the Ibiara and Conceição churches in towns about a quarter of an hour apart by car. Betinho is 37 years old. He was the most nervous of the 3 candidates interviewed but nevertheless he did well. He and his wife Maciene are doing a great job in the churches under their responsibility. The leadership team decided to recommend Betinho for probationary status as a pastor in the general assembly to be held next Saturday (29th).

Next to be interviewed (all online via Google Meet) was Leandro Araújo dos Santos, known as Léo, who is aged 32. Léo leads the EAB/ACEV church at Juazeirinho which is exactly half way between Patos and Campina Grande. Léo answered all the questions we asked him with great calm, ability and accuracy. We were all blessed by the clear gift of God on this young man’s life and he too will be recommended for probationary pastoral status at the general assembly of all the ACEV leadership next Saturday.

Finally we interviewed the youngest candidate for pastoral status who was Fabrício Ramalho de Carvalho Junior, known as Fabrício Junior, aged 24 and just recently married. The other two candidates are also married and already have children. Fabrício also answered the questions very well and he too will be recommended for pastoral probationary status next Saturday. Fabrício Junior will be an assistant pastor to Pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande taking responsibility for the youth.

Please pray for these three young ministers of the Gospel and for the general assembly of all our leaders to be also held online next Saturday afternoon. How encouraging it is to see young leaders hearing the call of God and being willing to step forward and say: “Here I am Lord. Send me”. Such young leaders are guarantee that by God’s help the work here in the interior of northeast Brazil will carry on until the Lord’s return. 

I have been preparing for a meeting of the EAB/ACEV senior leadership team which will be held this Saturday afternoon. Us leaders will be interviewing three candidates for probationary status as pastors. The first is Betinho who leads the Ibiara and Conceição churches. The second is Léo who leads the Juazeirinho church. The third is Fabrício Jr. who will be an assistant pastor to pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande. Each interview will probably last about half an hour and the starting time of the meeting will be 7 pm UK time so please do pray for us. We praise God for this new generation of leaders coming through the ranks here. The second and third candidates have already graduated from Bible College. The first is in the middle of his course of theology and will only be ordained after he has graduated. We value your prayers for this meeting.

I have been preparing for this Sunday’s service which we will be at in person again like last week. I will be leading the service again and this week Pastor Lucena will be preaching.

I have finished writing 78 years of EAB/ACEV history so I have just two years to go! I aim to definitely publish the book with the history of EAB/ACEV’s first 80 years’ history this year. I have written in Portuguese from 1938 to 2016 so I’m nearly there!

I have just had a longish meeting with Sacha in her capacity as leader of the Patos Worship team. She is doing an excellent job.

I have been preparing for a meeting of the EAB/ACEV senior leadership team which will be held this Saturday afternoon. Us leaders will be interviewing three candidates for probationary status as pastors. The first is Betinho who leads the Ibiara and Conceição churches. The second is Léo who leads the Juazeirinho church. The third is Fabrício Jr. who will be an assistant pastor to pastor Wostenes in Campina Grande. Each interview will probably last about half an hour and the starting time of the meeting will be 7 pm UK time so please do pray for us. We praise God for this new generation of leaders coming through the ranks here. The second and third candidates have already graduated from Bible College. The first is in the middle of his course of theology and will only be ordained after he has graduated. We value your prayers for this meeting.

I have been preparing for this Sunday’s service which we will be at in person again like last week. I will be leading the service again and this week Pastor Lucena will be preaching.

I have finished writing 78 years of EAB/ACEV history so I have just two years to go! I aim to definitely publish the book with the history of EAB/ACEV’s first 80 years’ history this year. I have written in Portuguese from 1938 to 2016 so I’m nearly there!

I have just had a longish meeting with Sacha in her capacity as leader of the Patos Worship team. She is doing an excellent job.