Rains

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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