Categoria: News

Our eldest grandson Felipe is on an anti-rabies drip in the outpatients department of Patos General Hospital right now having been bitten by a bat. It is obligatory to have such a drip as vampire bats are transmitters of rabies. Of course many species of bats are not vampire bats, feeding on fruit or insects, but as defining which species of bat is involved is not simple this precaution is always taken. We value your prayers.

Our eldest grandson Felipe is on an anti-rabies drip in the outpatients department of Patos General Hospital right now having been bitten by a bat. It is obligatory to have such a drip as vampire bats are transmitters of rabies. Of course many species of bats are not vampire bats, feeding on fruit or insects, but as defining which species of bat is involved is not simple this precaution is always taken. We value your prayers.

Our eldest grandson Felipe is on an anti-rabies drip in the outpatients department of Patos General Hospital right now having been bitten by a bat. It is obligatory to have such a drip as vampire bats are transmitters of rabies. Of course many species of bats are not vampire bats, feeding on fruit or insects, but as defining which species of bat is involved is not simple this precaution is always taken. We value your prayers.

I will be leaving in a couple of hour’s time for Itaporanga to preach at the EAB/ACEV church’s 74th anniversary service. I’ll watch some of the Champion’s League Football final before leaving.


This week has been busy. Liz and I visited Capim Grosso where Albert Mundy and Frank Dyer started a work for God back in the 50’s. That eventually ended with people moving away with the droughts, but now it has revived! “His Word will not return to Him void”! The seed was planted and has reemerged! PTL!


We also visited Vazante where the church in that small village has reached 60 strong and is the only Gospel witness in the place. We had a lovely meal with Pastor Nezinho and his wife Sonia and their daughter Nielma who travels every day to Patos to study biology at the university here. Pity Liz can’t eat fish but I had lots whilst there they had caught in the lake nearby. Delicious!


We also went to Barra de Oitis where we visited homes where another 8 toilet/shower units had been built. We also spoke in the thanksgiving service which started late afternoon and went into the evening. All was really beautiful. We thank those who support and have given to this project. You can’t imagine the difference it is making in unbelievably poor people’s lives!

I will be leaving in a couple of hour’s time for Itaporanga to preach at the EAB/ACEV church’s 74th anniversary service. I’ll watch some of the Champion’s League Football final before leaving.


This week has been busy. Liz and I visited Capim Grosso where Albert Mundy and Frank Dyer started a work for God back in the 50’s. That eventually ended with people moving away with the droughts, but now it has revived! “His Word will not return to Him void”! The seed was planted and has reemerged! PTL!


We also visited Vazante where the church in that small village has reached 60 strong and is the only Gospel witness in the place. We had a lovely meal with Pastor Nezinho and his wife Sonia and their daughter Nielma who travels every day to Patos to study biology at the university here. Pity Liz can’t eat fish but I had lots whilst there they had caught in the lake nearby. Delicious!


We also went to Barra de Oitis where we visited homes where another 8 toilet/shower units had been built. We also spoke in the thanksgiving service which started late afternoon and went into the evening. All was really beautiful. We thank those who support and have given to this project. You can’t imagine the difference it is making in unbelievably poor people’s lives!

I have spoken to my cousin Peter via Messenger following the death of his brother Andy, aged 78, who went to be with the Lord in New Zealand this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with cousin Peter (Weston Super Mare) and his sister Faith (Ledbury). All three are the children of my Mum’s sister Gladys and their Father Fred who were a wonderful Christian Aunt and Uncle whom I remember fondly from my childhood and youth. 

I have spoken to my cousin Peter via Messenger following the death of his brother Andy, aged 78, who went to be with the Lord in New Zealand this week. Our prayers and thoughts are with cousin Peter (Weston Super Mare) and his sister Faith (Ledbury). All three are the children of my Mum’s sister Gladys and their Father Fred who were a wonderful Christian Aunt and Uncle whom I remember fondly from my childhood and youth. 

Liz and I are just about to leave for Barra de Oitis where we are to officially hand over 8 toilet/shower kits and hold a community thanksgiving service where we will preach the Gospel. Please pray for us. 


On the way, in a round about way, we will be visiting Vazante where we also have a church.

Liz and I are just about to leave for Barra de Oitis where we are to officially hand over 8 toilet/shower kits and hold a community thanksgiving service where we will preach the Gospel. Please pray for us. 


On the way, in a round about way, we will be visiting Vazante where we also have a church.

Liz and I are just about to leave for Barra de Oitis where we are to officially hand over 8 toilet/shower kits and hold a community thanksgiving service where we will preach the Gospel. Please pray for us. 


On the way, in a round about way, we will be visiting Vazante where we also have a church.

We now have 88 churches (up 5) including large, medium and small. Christians in our churches total 3,171 (up 151). We have 36 of these people doing theology courses by distance or presential Colleges. Our annual Leadership Conference will be from September 13th to 15th this year at Green Pastures. The annual Youth Conference will also be there next month.


We plan to construct new church buildings at Barra de Oitis and Travessia. We decided to improve our monitoring methods so as to keep in touch better with the growing number of churches. The Annual General Conference next year will be at Princesa Isabel. At Princesa Isabel their church plant in the borough of Maia was moved up in status to be recognised as a fully established church.


It was decided to tighten our safety measures with the transportation of people at our annual 10-day outreaches and any other Mission activities. Whilst it is good fun with a big crowd of young people on top of a lorry singing praises to God along the way – such travelling is both dangerous and illegal. 


This year’s theme for all our churches is: “My Goal is Christ” (i.e. His full stature as stated in Efesians 4:11-16).


We have 5 regular radio programmes continuing from radio stations at Imaculada, São Vicente do Seridó, Campina Grande, Juru and Teixeira. 


We heard special reports on church plants at Pocinhos, Belem, Jurema, Travessia, Campina Grande Novo Horizonte, Lagoa de São João and Bahia. Of special concern for prayer was the awful persecution our family of workers at Belem are suffering with their 6 year old son even being subjected to considerable bullying at primary school because he is an evangelical Christian!


It was decided to create an online distance theology and practical Christianity course in Integral Mission. 

We now have 88 churches (up 5) including large, medium and small. Christians in our churches total 3,171 (up 151). We have 36 of these people doing theology courses by distance or presential Colleges. Our annual Leadership Conference will be from September 13th to 15th this year at Green Pastures. The annual Youth Conference will also be there next month.


We plan to construct new church buildings at Barra de Oitis and Travessia. We decided to improve our monitoring methods so as to keep in touch better with the growing number of churches. The Annual General Conference next year will be at Princesa Isabel. At Princesa Isabel their church plant in the borough of Maia was moved up in status to be recognised as a fully established church.


It was decided to tighten our safety measures with the transportation of people at our annual 10-day outreaches and any other Mission activities. Whilst it is good fun with a big crowd of young people on top of a lorry singing praises to God along the way – such travelling is both dangerous and illegal. 


This year’s theme for all our churches is: “My Goal is Christ” (i.e. His full stature as stated in Efesians 4:11-16).


We have 5 regular radio programmes continuing from radio stations at Imaculada, São Vicente do Seridó, Campina Grande, Juru and Teixeira. 


We heard special reports on church plants at Pocinhos, Belem, Jurema, Travessia, Campina Grande Novo Horizonte, Lagoa de São João and Bahia. Of special concern for prayer was the awful persecution our family of workers at Belem are suffering with their 6 year old son even being subjected to considerable bullying at primary school because he is an evangelical Christian!


It was decided to create an online distance theology and practical Christianity course in Integral Mission. 

The EAB/ACEV Annual General Conference is always in the month of May and this year was held at our second church in Campina Grande in the borough of Presidente Médici. Liz and I left Patos at 9 am and drove the two and a half hour journey going straight to the church for the 12 noon fellowship lunch together which started the event. Philip travelled separately with some young folk.


Straight after lunch we got into our first General Assembly at 2 pm and this ended at gone 6 pm. We then had our evening meal all together and were off again into our second general assembly by 7.30 pm. For the Conference our leaders gather from all our churches in the 5 north-eastern States we have work in: Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Bahia. Liz and I got to bed on the Friday night at gone midnight!


We restarted with the third general assembly which lasted from 9 am to 1 pm and then all had lunch together. Everyone had another meal together at 6 pm and at 7.30 pm we commenced our final celebration service which ended 2 hours later. The whole event was very tiring of course, but very good and really blessed by the Lord. The general assemblies saw, as usual, all our decisions taken unanimously and the celebration, at which I preached and ordained one new minister, was beautiful. We got to bed at midnight and drove back to Patos on Sunday morning so as to be back in good time to lead the evening service. Thank you for praying.

The EAB/ACEV Annual General Conference is always in the month of May and this year was held at our second church in Campina Grande in the borough of Presidente Médici. Liz and I left Patos at 9 am and drove the two and a half hour journey going straight to the church for the 12 noon fellowship lunch together which started the event. Philip travelled separately with some young folk.


Straight after lunch we got into our first General Assembly at 2 pm and this ended at gone 6 pm. We then had our evening meal all together and were off again into our second general assembly by 7.30 pm. For the Conference our leaders gather from all our churches in the 5 north-eastern States we have work in: Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Bahia. Liz and I got to bed on the Friday night at gone midnight!


We restarted with the third general assembly which lasted from 9 am to 1 pm and then all had lunch together. Everyone had another meal together at 6 pm and at 7.30 pm we commenced our final celebration service which ended 2 hours later. The whole event was very tiring of course, but very good and really blessed by the Lord. The general assemblies saw, as usual, all our decisions taken unanimously and the celebration, at which I preached and ordained one new minister, was beautiful. We got to bed at midnight and drove back to Patos on Sunday morning so as to be back in good time to lead the evening service. Thank you for praying.

The EAB/ACEV Annual General Conference is always in the month of May and this year was held at our second church in Campina Grande in the borough of Presidente Médici. Liz and I left Patos at 9 am and drove the two and a half hour journey going straight to the church for the 12 noon fellowship lunch together which started the event. Philip travelled separately with some young folk.


Straight after lunch we got into our first General Assembly at 2 pm and this ended at gone 6 pm. We then had our evening meal all together and were off again into our second general assembly by 7.30 pm. For the Conference our leaders gather from all our churches in the 5 north-eastern States we have work in: Paraíba, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará and Bahia. Liz and I got to bed on the Friday night at gone midnight!


We restarted with the third general assembly which lasted from 9 am to 1 pm and then all had lunch together. Everyone had another meal together at 6 pm and at 7.30 pm we commenced our final celebration service which ended 2 hours later. The whole event was very tiring of course, but very good and really blessed by the Lord. The general assemblies saw, as usual, all our decisions taken unanimously and the celebration, at which I preached and ordained one new minister, was beautiful. We got to bed at midnight and drove back to Patos on Sunday morning so as to be back in good time to lead the evening service. Thank you for praying.

I have long prayed for a greater opening in São Mamede County where Green Pastures is. It is true that some years back I was given the ‘Freedom of the County’ title but, though this was good, it was a formal one-off thing. However as the Green Pastures Christian Camp, Conference Centre and Nature Reserve has become increasingly well known so the County Council finally decided for the first time to appoint a Secretary for the Environment. He has been to Green Pastures twice, has asked me for my thoughts on a number of issues and today invited me to speak at 2 schools on International Biodiversity Day. I really feel we are seeing a breakthrough for God’s Kingdom in the County as a whole at last. The talks I gave went particularly well. PTL!


In São Mamede County EAB has its church and school at Green Pastures plus other smaller works including the one at the ex-landless community there. God is moving by His Spirit! God is speaking to people through our concern and pratical care of His creation. God’s creation has always been a means of glorifying the Lord!

I have long prayed for a greater opening in São Mamede County where Green Pastures is. It is true that some years back I was given the ‘Freedom of the County’ title but, though this was good, it was a formal one-off thing. However as the Green Pastures Christian Camp, Conference Centre and Nature Reserve has become increasingly well known so the County Council finally decided for the first time to appoint a Secretary for the Environment. He has been to Green Pastures twice, has asked me for my thoughts on a number of issues and today invited me to speak at 2 schools on International Biodiversity Day. I really feel we are seeing a breakthrough for God’s Kingdom in the County as a whole at last. The talks I gave went particularly well. PTL!


In São Mamede County EAB has its church and school at Green Pastures plus other smaller works including the one at the ex-landless community there. God is moving by His Spirit! God is speaking to people through our concern and pratical care of His creation. God’s creation has always been a means of glorifying the Lord!

At EAB’s Action Schools for poor kids the children are naturally taught to say grace before meals. Today in one little boy’s regular school he was horrified when snack time came and the teacher wasn’t going to pray first! So he caused such a scene that the teacher had to halt everything prior to praying and he only calmed down and would let everyone eat after a proper prayer was said and the teacher promised to do this everyday from now on! It just goes to show the importance of teaching children simple things concerning the ways of the Lord.


Over the weekend the Christians in Action group were really blessed in Onça community in Patos County and the youth and deaf fellowship groups went well too. In Recife 14 from our João Pessoa main church travelled to help do evangelism in the area where the church plant is. This is just getting going and will take a long time but the Recife folk are sticking to the task and we value your prayers for this.


We had another half an inch of rain at Green Pastures as the rains dwindle to an end. This takes us up to 35.5 inches so just 4.5 inches to go to out target for this year we’ve been praying for. At Green Pastures we identified another species of Lizard about half a meter in length called ‘Ameiva ameiva’. It is particularly beautiful and takes the number of Lizard species identified there to 15. We have also identified 13 species of snakes and 18 species of frogs and toads.


We travel to Campina Grande on Friday for the annual EAB/ACEV Churches Conference and value your prayers. We plan to be back in Patos for Sunday’s evening service. 

At EAB’s Action Schools for poor kids the children are naturally taught to say grace before meals. Today in one little boy’s regular school he was horrified when snack time came and the teacher wasn’t going to pray first! So he caused such a scene that the teacher had to halt everything prior to praying and he only calmed down and would let everyone eat after a proper prayer was said and the teacher promised to do this everyday from now on! It just goes to show the importance of teaching children simple things concerning the ways of the Lord.


Over the weekend the Christians in Action group were really blessed in Onça community in Patos County and the youth and deaf fellowship groups went well too. In Recife 14 from our João Pessoa main church travelled to help do evangelism in the area where the church plant is. This is just getting going and will take a long time but the Recife folk are sticking to the task and we value your prayers for this.


We had another half an inch of rain at Green Pastures as the rains dwindle to an end. This takes us up to 35.5 inches so just 4.5 inches to go to out target for this year we’ve been praying for. At Green Pastures we identified another species of Lizard about half a meter in length called ‘Ameiva ameiva’. It is particularly beautiful and takes the number of Lizard species identified there to 15. We have also identified 13 species of snakes and 18 species of frogs and toads.


We travel to Campina Grande on Friday for the annual EAB/ACEV Churches Conference and value your prayers. We plan to be back in Patos for Sunday’s evening service. 

At EAB’s Action Schools for poor kids the children are naturally taught to say grace before meals. Today in one little boy’s regular school he was horrified when snack time came and the teacher wasn’t going to pray first! So he caused such a scene that the teacher had to halt everything prior to praying and he only calmed down and would let everyone eat after a proper prayer was said and the teacher promised to do this everyday from now on! It just goes to show the importance of teaching children simple things concerning the ways of the Lord.


Over the weekend the Christians in Action group were really blessed in Onça community in Patos County and the youth and deaf fellowship groups went well too. In Recife 14 from our João Pessoa main church travelled to help do evangelism in the area where the church plant is. This is just getting going and will take a long time but the Recife folk are sticking to the task and we value your prayers for this.


We had another half an inch of rain at Green Pastures as the rains dwindle to an end. This takes us up to 35.5 inches so just 4.5 inches to go to out target for this year we’ve been praying for. At Green Pastures we identified another species of Lizard about half a meter in length called ‘Ameiva ameiva’. It is particularly beautiful and takes the number of Lizard species identified there to 15. We have also identified 13 species of snakes and 18 species of frogs and toads.


We travel to Campina Grande on Friday for the annual EAB/ACEV Churches Conference and value your prayers. We plan to be back in Patos for Sunday’s evening service. 

EAB’s UK Board of Trustees met at West
Wellow in Hampshire today and I took part via Skype. It was a very good meeting
which heard an up-to-date report on the work in northeast Brazil and the
importance of increasing support for the Mission from individuals, churches and
special events.

In the early hours of today a good rain started to fall which was not forecast and totally unexpected, but MOST welcome! We had 2 inches of rain at Green Pastures and the dam started overflowing again. This takes us up to 35 inches for the year and so leaves just 5 inches that we need to reach our target of 40 inches. (A good rainy season in the first half of the year needs to be around 40 inches) It doesn’t rain here in the second half of the year so it is good when we receive water enough to get us through till the following year. It needs to be remembered that it also gets increasingly hot as the year goes on and that accelerates the evaporation of water in the reservoirs. 


So thank you for praying and please don’t stop!

In the early hours of today a good rain started to fall which was not forecast and totally unexpected, but MOST welcome! We had 2 inches of rain at Green Pastures and the dam started overflowing again. This takes us up to 35 inches for the year and so leaves just 5 inches that we need to reach our target of 40 inches. (A good rainy season in the first half of the year needs to be around 40 inches) It doesn’t rain here in the second half of the year so it is good when we receive water enough to get us through till the following year. It needs to be remembered that it also gets increasingly hot as the year goes on and that accelerates the evaporation of water in the reservoirs. 


So thank you for praying and please don’t stop!

My sister Jean is one of the best music teachers around and this year had total success with all of her pupils passing their exams. Every year she organizes a charity concert at her church, to raise funds for EAB, in which her pupils perform. We are very grateful to Jean and all the young musicians who always make the afternoon a very enjoyable one. We also thank the parents who bake cakes or savoury pastries for the interval and which makes the concert even more enjoyable!


This year’s concert will be held on Saturday, July 6th at 3 pm and all money raised for tickets and refreshments will be to support EAB’s projects in northeast Brazil. The address to go to is:


Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8LT. 


Please do support this event if you live in Hampshire and may God bless all who perform and go to the event.

My sister Jean is one of the best music teachers around and this year had total success with all of her pupils passing their exams. Every year she organizes a charity concert at her church, to raise funds for EAB, in which her pupils perform. We are very grateful to Jean and all the young musicians who always make the afternoon a very enjoyable one. We also thank the parents who bake cakes or savoury pastries for the interval and which makes the concert even more enjoyable!


This year’s concert will be held on Saturday, July 6th at 3 pm and all money raised for tickets and refreshments will be to support EAB’s projects in northeast Brazil. The address to go to is:


Christ Church, Reading Road, Chineham, Basingstoke, RG24 8LT. 


Please do support this event if you live in Hampshire and may God bless all who perform and go to the event.

EAB’s Patos church is a hospital church! By that I mean that we are a church which cares with God’s love for the broken hearted and for those who are needy in all sorts of ways. We receive people in the Name of Jesus and seek to love them like God loves us – and no – we don’t push aside Biblical principals in the process.


I say this because we have just held a Patos church leadership meeting in which we have decided unanimously to accept 2 new people into fellowship as it is a joy to see how God is blessing them and ministering to them in their needs. I cannot give any details here about the cases – nor would I – but it is wonderful to see the Gospel of God’s healing love working in people’s lives and healing deep wounds and scars. Thank you Jesus!

EAB’s Patos church is a hospital church! By that I mean that we are a church which cares with God’s love for the broken hearted and for those who are needy in all sorts of ways. We receive people in the Name of Jesus and seek to love them like God loves us – and no – we don’t push aside Biblical principals in the process.


I say this because we have just held a Patos church leadership meeting in which we have decided unanimously to accept 2 new people into fellowship as it is a joy to see how God is blessing them and ministering to them in their needs. I cannot give any details here about the cases – nor would I – but it is wonderful to see the Gospel of God’s healing love working in people’s lives and healing deep wounds and scars. Thank you Jesus!

Mother’s Day in Brazil is on the second Sunday in May – yesterday. We had a good special service in which I preached on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). It was a lovely service in which we also dedicated two children and received another 2 new members into fellowship. The church was really full.


On Saturday the Patos church band travelled to Juazeirinho for the service there and this was really blessed too. The youth held a Bible study at the Jatobá church plant, where our school is in Patos. The Christians in Action group held a service in São Mamede County after a service on the Friday at Ipueira in Rio Grande do Norte State.


We have been distributing more goats as part of EAB’s 4 Legs Project. The Gospel is being preached in so many places and it’s being practiced in so many ways for the glory of God.

Mother’s Day in Brazil is on the second Sunday in May – yesterday. We had a good special service in which I preached on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). It was a lovely service in which we also dedicated two children and received another 2 new members into fellowship. The church was really full.


On Saturday the Patos church band travelled to Juazeirinho for the service there and this was really blessed too. The youth held a Bible study at the Jatobá church plant, where our school is in Patos. The Christians in Action group held a service in São Mamede County after a service on the Friday at Ipueira in Rio Grande do Norte State.


We have been distributing more goats as part of EAB’s 4 Legs Project. The Gospel is being preached in so many places and it’s being practiced in so many ways for the glory of God.

Mother’s Day in Brazil is on the second Sunday in May – yesterday. We had a good special service in which I preached on the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). It was a lovely service in which we also dedicated two children and received another 2 new members into fellowship. The church was really full.


On Saturday the Patos church band travelled to Juazeirinho for the service there and this was really blessed too. The youth held a Bible study at the Jatobá church plant, where our school is in Patos. The Christians in Action group held a service in São Mamede County after a service on the Friday at Ipueira in Rio Grande do Norte State.


We have been distributing more goats as part of EAB’s 4 Legs Project. The Gospel is being preached in so many places and it’s being practiced in so many ways for the glory of God.

Veteran EAB supporter Ivy Yoakley reached her century last week at Ledbury in England. Well done Ivy! I must confess that I find it difficult to call her ‘Ivy’ as she was always ‘Mrs Yoakley’ – and woe betide anyone that called people by their first name in those old days at Peniel Chapel which was my first church in Notting Hill when I was a child! Her husband went to glory years ago but she has never lost contact with us. We praise God for her faithfulness to the Mission. I was glad to hear that her son Richard was over from New Zealand for her birthday. He was who gave me the ‘Blue Grass’ monkey when I was a teenager which he smuggled into the country as he was in the Merchant Navy and brought it back from Africa! But that’s another long eventful story! Another interesting link with Ivy is the fact that Liz’s parents stayed at her house just off Ladbroke Grove for their honeymoon in 1948! Exotic honeymoon locations were the order of the day then!

12 in the Men’s Fellowship group tonight which is not bad for a Tuesday evening. Tomorrow is the Women’s Fellowship group. Small groups are an important part of church life for fellowship, edification and evangelism.


I have had talks with a number of our church leaders today. Contact is always important sharing about different issues that affect each one. 


Liz visited a young woman called Jane who has had a hysterectomy and is recovering well. She told Liz how blessed she was watching the Sunday night service via Internet. We prayed for her recovery in the service and she was particularly thrilled because when I congratulated those who had had birthdays last week, as we do every week, I looked to where she sits as it had been her birthday. Just the fact that I knew where she always sits made her so happy! It just goes to show how details in church life can be so important.

12 in the Men’s Fellowship group tonight which is not bad for a Tuesday evening. Tomorrow is the Women’s Fellowship group. Small groups are an important part of church life for fellowship, edification and evangelism.


I have had talks with a number of our church leaders today. Contact is always important sharing about different issues that affect each one. 


Liz visited a young woman called Jane who has had a hysterectomy and is recovering well. She told Liz how blessed she was watching the Sunday night service via Internet. We prayed for her recovery in the service and she was particularly thrilled because when I congratulated those who had had birthdays last week, as we do every week, I looked to where she sits as it had been her birthday. Just the fact that I knew where she always sits made her so happy! It just goes to show how details in church life can be so important.

I have just read the book by David Bennett called ‘A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus’ with the foreword written by N.T.Wright. It is an excellent book which was a blessing to read. Very well written, a wonderful and moving story which expresses the same Christian position on the field as I share. 


Yesterday in Patos I preached on ‘The Presence of Jesus changes everything’ based on John 21:1-14. To God be the glory for the great impact the sermon had on so many people.


On Saturday we had a 7-hour leadership meeting preparing for our national conference later this month to be held at Campina Grande. The 10-person leadership team gathered in Patos on Saturday from Manaira, Itaporanga, Imaculada, Patos, Campina Grande and João Pessoa. The meeting was excellent and took some important unanimous decisions.


Yesterday Kira Taylor ran the Southampton Half Marathon to raise over 500 pounds for EAB’s work and projects. We thank Kira and all who sponsored her. It is encouraging to see a young person getting involved with the Mission in this way.


A decision for Christ has been reported in Teixeira and another in the rural area of Juazeirinho. PTL!


We’ll be inaugurating a number of new toilet/shower facilities at Barra de Oitis later this month.

I have just read the book by David Bennett called ‘A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus’ with the foreword written by N.T.Wright. It is an excellent book which was a blessing to read. Very well written, a wonderful and moving story which expresses the same Christian position on the field as I share. 


Yesterday in Patos I preached on ‘The Presence of Jesus changes everything’ based on John 21:1-14. To God be the glory for the great impact the sermon had on so many people.


On Saturday we had a 7-hour leadership meeting preparing for our national conference later this month to be held at Campina Grande. The 10-person leadership team gathered in Patos on Saturday from Manaira, Itaporanga, Imaculada, Patos, Campina Grande and João Pessoa. The meeting was excellent and took some important unanimous decisions.


Yesterday Kira Taylor ran the Southampton Half Marathon to raise over 500 pounds for EAB’s work and projects. We thank Kira and all who sponsored her. It is encouraging to see a young person getting involved with the Mission in this way.


A decision for Christ has been reported in Teixeira and another in the rural area of Juazeirinho. PTL!


We’ll be inaugurating a number of new toilet/shower facilities at Barra de Oitis later this month.

I have just read the book by David Bennett called ‘A War of Loves: The Unexpected Story of a Gay Activist Discovering Jesus’ with the foreword written by N.T.Wright. It is an excellent book which was a blessing to read. Very well written, a wonderful and moving story which expresses the same Christian position on the field as I share. 


Yesterday in Patos I preached on ‘The Presence of Jesus changes everything’ based on John 21:1-14. To God be the glory for the great impact the sermon had on so many people.


On Saturday we had a 7-hour leadership meeting preparing for our national conference later this month to be held at Campina Grande. The 10-person leadership team gathered in Patos on Saturday from Manaira, Itaporanga, Imaculada, Patos, Campina Grande and João Pessoa. The meeting was excellent and took some important unanimous decisions.


Yesterday Kira Taylor ran the Southampton Half Marathon to raise over 500 pounds for EAB’s work and projects. We thank Kira and all who sponsored her. It is encouraging to see a young person getting involved with the Mission in this way.


A decision for Christ has been reported in Teixeira and another in the rural area of Juazeirinho. PTL!


We’ll be inaugurating a number of new toilet/shower facilities at Barra de Oitis later this month.

My virus symptoms are diminishing. Thanks for your prayers. Our eldest daughter Deborah has been in hospital today on a drip, owing to dehydration, but is on the mend and should be back at her home to sleep.


We had another school visit to Green Pastures today for an environmental education tour but I didn’t feel up to being their guide so our son-in-law Hutan did it as he knows the routes and all my stories that I tell kids about encounters with foxes, raccoons, snakes etc. as he always goes with me for school visits to take the photos.


Moving things always happen at the Care Centre and this week was no exception with three lovely children coming to our dentist for the first time in their lives at 7, 8 and 11 years of age. They were thrilled with their treatment and with their tooth brushes and paste too. The deaf fellowship also always has its meetings there of course. In fact the deaf consider the Care Centre as “the place to go” on a Saturday night. I really don’t know where so many deaf folk appear from!


It was lovely to see 4 baptized at Mandacaru at the weekend. That’s the place where the leader nearly died about a year ago with a terrible hemorrhage. He’s now fine. PTL!


It was great seeing the youth, led by Philip, doing door to door evangelism in Jatobá borough where our school is on Saturday. They do this in the afternoon and hold an open-air evangelistic service at night in front of the school. Philip has a real gift for personal evangelism and it was wonderful to see him taking his son Lucas and his neice Alice (both only 11) and training them on the job to do door to door evangelism with him, which isn’t easy.


The month of April draws to a close with some further small rains taking us up to 31 inches total for the year – so just 9 inches needed in May/June to reach our target. 


Please pray for our Mission EAB which goes through a difficult time in terms of finance. When I ask you to pray some might say it is a way of asking people to give – which it is – but it isn’t just that. Prayer does change things, as we have proved over the years, and at this “rock bottom” time with zero contingency fund (a fund the mission seeks to maintain as a buffer for low income periods) we look to God who does intervene and can touch people’s hearts to give or to act to raise funds. We praise God for Cadnam Methodist Church which raised money for the Mission last weekend with a concert and for Kira Taylor who is running a half marathon this weekend for EAB. We also praise God for those who regularly support the work here – both churches and individuals. Please do join us in special prayer for the work …

My virus symptoms are diminishing. Thanks for your prayers. Our eldest daughter Deborah has been in hospital today on a drip, owing to dehydration, but is on the mend and should be back at her home to sleep.


We had another school visit to Green Pastures today for an environmental education tour but I didn’t feel up to being their guide so our son-in-law Hutan did it as he knows the routes and all my stories that I tell kids about encounters with foxes, raccoons, snakes etc. as he always goes with me for school visits to take the photos.


Moving things always happen at the Care Centre and this week was no exception with three lovely children coming to our dentist for the first time in their lives at 7, 8 and 11 years of age. They were thrilled with their treatment and with their tooth brushes and paste too. The deaf fellowship also always has its meetings there of course. In fact the deaf consider the Care Centre as “the place to go” on a Saturday night. I really don’t know where so many deaf folk appear from!


It was lovely to see 4 baptized at Mandacaru at the weekend. That’s the place where the leader nearly died about a year ago with a terrible hemorrhage. He’s now fine. PTL!


It was great seeing the youth, led by Philip, doing door to door evangelism in Jatobá borough where our school is on Saturday. They do this in the afternoon and hold an open-air evangelistic service at night in front of the school. Philip has a real gift for personal evangelism and it was wonderful to see him taking his son Lucas and his neice Alice (both only 11) and training them on the job to do door to door evangelism with him, which isn’t easy.


The month of April draws to a close with some further small rains taking us up to 31 inches total for the year – so just 9 inches needed in May/June to reach our target. 


Please pray for our Mission EAB which goes through a difficult time in terms of finance. When I ask you to pray some might say it is a way of asking people to give – which it is – but it isn’t just that. Prayer does change things, as we have proved over the years, and at this “rock bottom” time with zero contingency fund (a fund the mission seeks to maintain as a buffer for low income periods) we look to God who does intervene and can touch people’s hearts to give or to act to raise funds. We praise God for Cadnam Methodist Church which raised money for the Mission last weekend with a concert and for Kira Taylor who is running a half marathon this weekend for EAB. We also praise God for those who regularly support the work here – both churches and individuals. Please do join us in special prayer for the work …

Liz and I have a flu type virus. Liz is just getting over it and I am just getting going with it. However today we received such an insistent plea from a couple in the church who were desperate for us to visit them and talk to them that we adorned masks and went and had a blessed time of chatting, counselling and prayer with them.


I managed to give the Bible study last night but I don’t think I would have managed it had it been today. Liz and I have had a church trouble shooting issue to work on too. Your prayers are valued but I can’t give details.


The World Bank’s latest report shows that poverty increased in Brazil in the period from 2014 to 2017, now affecting 21% of the population which is 43.5 million people! This is an increase of 3%, adding 7.3 million people to the list of those who live off up to just U$5.5 per day which is just over 4 pounds sterling. 

Liz and I have a flu type virus. Liz is just getting over it and I am just getting going with it. However today we received such an insistent plea from a couple in the church who were desperate for us to visit them and talk to them that we adorned masks and went and had a blessed time of chatting, counselling and prayer with them.


I managed to give the Bible study last night but I don’t think I would have managed it had it been today. Liz and I have had a church trouble shooting issue to work on too. Your prayers are valued but I can’t give details.


The World Bank’s latest report shows that poverty increased in Brazil in the period from 2014 to 2017, now affecting 21% of the population which is 43.5 million people! This is an increase of 3%, adding 7.3 million people to the list of those who live off up to just U$5.5 per day which is just over 4 pounds sterling. 

Liz and I have a flu type virus. Liz is just getting over it and I am just getting going with it. However today we received such an insistent plea from a couple in the church who were desperate for us to visit them and talk to them that we adorned masks and went and had a blessed time of chatting, counselling and prayer with them.


I managed to give the Bible study last night but I don’t think I would have managed it had it been today. Liz and I have had a church trouble shooting issue to work on too. Your prayers are valued but I can’t give details.


The World Bank’s latest report shows that poverty increased in Brazil in the period from 2014 to 2017, now affecting 21% of the population which is 43.5 million people! This is an increase of 3%, adding 7.3 million people to the list of those who live off up to just U$5.5 per day which is just over 4 pounds sterling. 

We had a lovely Easter. PTL! The services on Sunday were electric. On Good Friday 23 took part in the personal evangelism and tract distribution in the morning followed by prayer and meditation in church. Sunday morning saw the fellowship church breakfast followed by praise and a reflection on God’s Word and at night the ressurrection celebration was outstanding with the choreography group inspired as was our leading actress Dilma in an amazing presentation of the Easter message. Philip baptized one young man and I preached on John 18-20 after which 5 made commitments to Christ.


Earlier in the week we had our usual break from Wednesday to Saturday at Green Pastures. It was a lovely relaxing time and I walked over 20 km in the midst of nature. The highlight was to photograph well a killer snake ‘Bothrops erytromelas’ which crossed my pathway about 3 feet in front of me. The presence of such predators is an excellent sign for the scientists of the excellent level of preservation at Green Pastures , although it also highlights our need for caution and the wearing of boots and jeans etc. to avoid problems.


On the Wednesday Philip and Gylmara travelled to Barra de Oitis ex-slave community with food for the hungry. Their visit there was greatly blessed.


Around the EAB/ACEV churches there were all sorts of special services and events over Easter. News is flowing in from far and wide for which we praise God. His truth is marching on! Jesus is alive literally and in His people!

We had a lovely Easter. PTL! The services on Sunday were electric. On Good Friday 23 took part in the personal evangelism and tract distribution in the morning followed by prayer and meditation in church. Sunday morning saw the fellowship church breakfast followed by praise and a reflection on God’s Word and at night the ressurrection celebration was outstanding with the choreography group inspired as was our leading actress Dilma in an amazing presentation of the Easter message. Philip baptized one young man and I preached on John 18-20 after which 5 made commitments to Christ.


Earlier in the week we had our usual break from Wednesday to Saturday at Green Pastures. It was a lovely relaxing time and I walked over 20 km in the midst of nature. The highlight was to photograph well a killer snake ‘Bothrops erytromelas’ which crossed my pathway about 3 feet in front of me. The presence of such predators is an excellent sign for the scientists of the excellent level of preservation at Green Pastures , although it also highlights our need for caution and the wearing of boots and jeans etc. to avoid problems.


On the Wednesday Philip and Gylmara travelled to Barra de Oitis ex-slave community with food for the hungry. Their visit there was greatly blessed.


Around the EAB/ACEV churches there were all sorts of special services and events over Easter. News is flowing in from far and wide for which we praise God. His truth is marching on! Jesus is alive literally and in His people!

I prepared this Sunday’s sermon covering John chapters 15 to 17 which is an endeavour to show folk that Jesus’ teaching and unity prayer etc. is set on the eve of His arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Many overlook this taking Scripture as isolated bits. This panoramic view of three chapters, with their application to us today, will prepare us for Easter the following week.


I have done lots of counselling and pastoral visits this week too. Maria Prata was 84 on Thursday and she was already a faithful member here when I arrived 47 years ago.


We also counselled a teenager being purturbed by Roman Catholic attacks of a doctrinal nature. We also have worked on the Patos School’s extension team for the Saturdays which is passing through turbulence. We will be having lunch and a meeting with the whole team today to try and sort the problems out. During the week we had meetings with the head teacher and the team separately.


We also had a meeting with a projects leader and social worker about a new project proposed by Tearfund that we feel is too much for us to take on on top of everything else.


We travelled to Campina Grande (2 and a half hours drive east) on Thursday and had cardiologist routine check-ups. We held excellent meetings whilst there with Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice and with Pastor Hamilton. Both their churches are going very well. PTL! We discussed a wide range of subjects.


In next week’s Easter period we will endeavour to have our annual family break at Green Pastures and be back in church for Easter Sunday for which I need to prepare my sermon covering John chapters 18 to 20. Help! Please pray!


A Happy Easter to one and all!

I prepared this Sunday’s sermon covering John chapters 15 to 17 which is an endeavour to show folk that Jesus’ teaching and unity prayer etc. is set on the eve of His arrest, trial, crucifixion, burial and resurrection. Many overlook this taking Scripture as isolated bits. This panoramic view of three chapters, with their application to us today, will prepare us for Easter the following week.


I have done lots of counselling and pastoral visits this week too. Maria Prata was 84 on Thursday and she was already a faithful member here when I arrived 47 years ago.


We also counselled a teenager being purturbed by Roman Catholic attacks of a doctrinal nature. We also have worked on the Patos School’s extension team for the Saturdays which is passing through turbulence. We will be having lunch and a meeting with the whole team today to try and sort the problems out. During the week we had meetings with the head teacher and the team separately.


We also had a meeting with a projects leader and social worker about a new project proposed by Tearfund that we feel is too much for us to take on on top of everything else.


We travelled to Campina Grande (2 and a half hours drive east) on Thursday and had cardiologist routine check-ups. We held excellent meetings whilst there with Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice and with Pastor Hamilton. Both their churches are going very well. PTL! We discussed a wide range of subjects.


In next week’s Easter period we will endeavour to have our annual family break at Green Pastures and be back in church for Easter Sunday for which I need to prepare my sermon covering John chapters 18 to 20. Help! Please pray!


A Happy Easter to one and all!

We travelled up the Teixeira mountain last night to conduct the induction service of the new pastor Maésio there and all went well. The trip is dodgy at the moment because the heaviest rains in the mountains for 10 years are dislodging rocks and bolders which cascade down to the road. We are back safe and sound to tell the story!


Please pray for the church as it adapts to a new pastor and pray too for Conceição where Maésio used to be pastor – that we will be able to find a replacement.


Tonight I will be conducting the communion service in Patos as well as dedicating a baby boy. Earlier this week Liz and I visited a couple who also have just been blessed with a baby boy.


We also had meetings this week with the youth leadership teams and with the leaders of the mens and womens fellowships. All these meetings went very well. I gave the Bible study on Thursday too speaking on “What is the church”?


The rains have been good this week and at Green Pastures we are up to a total of 27.3 inches of rain this year – thus moving towards our target of 40 inches. Please keep praying.

We travelled up the Teixeira mountain last night to conduct the induction service of the new pastor Maésio there and all went well. The trip is dodgy at the moment because the heaviest rains in the mountains for 10 years are dislodging rocks and bolders which cascade down to the road. We are back safe and sound to tell the story!


Please pray for the church as it adapts to a new pastor and pray too for Conceição where Maésio used to be pastor – that we will be able to find a replacement.


Tonight I will be conducting the communion service in Patos as well as dedicating a baby boy. Earlier this week Liz and I visited a couple who also have just been blessed with a baby boy.


We also had meetings this week with the youth leadership teams and with the leaders of the mens and womens fellowships. All these meetings went very well. I gave the Bible study on Thursday too speaking on “What is the church”?


The rains have been good this week and at Green Pastures we are up to a total of 27.3 inches of rain this year – thus moving towards our target of 40 inches. Please keep praying.

We travelled up the Teixeira mountain last night to conduct the induction service of the new pastor Maésio there and all went well. The trip is dodgy at the moment because the heaviest rains in the mountains for 10 years are dislodging rocks and bolders which cascade down to the road. We are back safe and sound to tell the story!


Please pray for the church as it adapts to a new pastor and pray too for Conceição where Maésio used to be pastor – that we will be able to find a replacement.


Tonight I will be conducting the communion service in Patos as well as dedicating a baby boy. Earlier this week Liz and I visited a couple who also have just been blessed with a baby boy.


We also had meetings this week with the youth leadership teams and with the leaders of the mens and womens fellowships. All these meetings went very well. I gave the Bible study on Thursday too speaking on “What is the church”?


The rains have been good this week and at Green Pastures we are up to a total of 27.3 inches of rain this year – thus moving towards our target of 40 inches. Please keep praying.