Mid-week

We had a lovely mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study which I led and pastor Rafael gave the study in Micah 4:1-7. We had solos from Chico, Vasti and Espedita and various brothers and sisters read 'my Scripture verses'. Marina and David led the praise and worship.

EAB's bi-annual magazine 'InTouch' is now at the printers. Edition 103 should reach you later in the month by snail mail. Our thanks go to Marian Rashleigh (editor) and to Dave Flowers (producer). This edition covers such topics as book day, child evangelism, delivery by donkey, Itaporanga mission, well, indians, social worker, Bible day, bathroom, honorary citizen, baptisms, walk of witness, Ipueira outreach, Otoniel and EAB AGM.  

Yesterday I saw a Tropical Screech-Owl at Green Pastures as well as Red-cowled Cardinals, Picui Ground-Doves, Plain-breasted Ground Doves and a Limpkin.

We desperately need rain! The rainy season is a disaster thus far. Please pray!

Yesterday we had another disappearance incident with Brother José from São Mamede who went missing on a trip to Patos to receive his pension. Thankfully he was found late in the day having got delayed!

Joshua 11 (résumé): Northern Kings defeated

 When Jabin king of Hazor heard about how Israel had conquered all the southern Canaanite cities he formed a military alliance with all the northern kings producing a massive army against the Israelites. Assured of victory by God Israel's army made a sudden attack and routed the enemy. They annihilated the enemy, hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots. They captured Hazor and burned it, and killed King Jabin. They then proceeded to take all the cities, killing their kings and carrying off the plunder and livestock so as to dominate the entire northern region as they had previously done in the south. They "exterminated" everyone without mercy "as the Lord had commanded". Then Joshua destroyed the Anakites from the hill country totally destroying them and their towns, apart from some survivors who remained in Gaza, Gath and Ashdod. Thus Joshua took the whole land and divided it up with the Israelites according to their tribal division, and Israel enjoyed peace.

Men's Fellowship

I gave the study in the men's fellowship group meeting on Tuesday night which had 12 men present. The study was on the joy in serving Jesus from Philippians 4:4 and Nehemiah 8:10, focusing on joy in fellowship and joy in suffering for Jesus. The meeting was led by school teacher Claudivan and Dedé led 2 songs at the beginning. Ministry amongst men is an important work as evangelism of men is so challenging in Brazil. 

Yesterday afternoon we had a very good meeting with Pastor Maesio and his wife Fia from our church up in the mountains at Teixeira. We discussed matters linked to their church and problems being encountered and gave them advice. We praise God that the church is going well. It was going to their church to preach last October that we had our head-on collision.

Liz went to the women's fellowship last night where there were about 20 women present. She said it was a good meeting.

I have been preparing sermons. One for this Saturday at Green Pastures, then another for next Tuesday in the town of São Mamede and then another for a week on Saturday in the town of Tavares, about a 2-hour drive west of Patos. Your prayers are valued.

Joshua 10 (résumé): The Sun stands still

 Next the kings of the Amorites - Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon joined forces to attack Gibeon which were now an integrated people with Israel having made a mutual peace treaty. So the Gibeonites sent to ask help from Joshua who sent his entire army in response, and they won a resounding victory. As the defeated army fled God sent a storm of hailstones on them which killed more than with the sword! And Joshua asked God to make the sun and moon stand still so as to prolong the day for Israel to finish off their enemy, and this is what happened. (The text says that this was a citation from the Book of Jashar which makes things a little unclear)

In view of their defeat the 5 kings went and hid in a cave where Joshua trapped them with rocks before killing them and hanging them on trees. Then the Israelites went on to defeat all the southern cities of Canaan at Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron and Debir subduing everything from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza and the whole region of Goshen to Gibeon. Everywhere they conquered the Israelites were ruthless leaving no survivors and destroying all who breathed as God had commanded.  

Deaconess Found

I'm thrilled to report that our deaconess Claudenusia, of our Teixeira church, has been found live and well in the town of Brejinho in the state of Pernambuco. Thank you for praying. The local pastor Maésio and his wife Fia have been to visit her and are seeking to help her and her family.

It was lovely that a lady especially went to our church on Sunday to tell us how well she had been treat by our grandson John David at the clinic he was working at as an intern. He will graduate as a medical doctor in June. She emphasized that he will be a wonderful doctor thanks to his caring polite manner. This comes after John David's supervising doctor at the clinic posted on Instagram that he had been the best intern she had ever had! We naturally are very pleased by these warm compliments. May John David always be a competent, humble and caring doctor!   

Today is my sister Joy's 70th birthday! Happy birthday! 😀 Joy lives in Woburn Green, High Wycombe. I clearly remember going to see her for the first time at the maternity hospital with my Dad. 

This blog was read 4,445 times last month. We only received 158 mm of rain in March making a total for the year of 348 mm. This is extremely low as we need about 1,000 mm in the rainy season in the first half of the year. Please pray!

Our projects team has been distributing hair sheep from our 4-Legs Project at the indigenous village of Jatobá in the municipality of Carnaubeira da Penha in the state of Pernambuco.

Excellent Service

Last night the Sunday night main service of the week was really blessed of the Lord and we had a full church. I led the service and young lawyer and Bible College graduate Murilo preached very well on 'Reconciliation' from 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

Our weekend was overshadowed by the disappearance of 38-year-old deaconess Claudenusia from our Teixeira church up in the mountains. She is married and the mother of 3 children aged 16, 13 and 9. She left her home on foot on Saturday morning and has not returned. She suffers with severe depression. She has been sighted in the neighbouring state of Pernambuco at Brejinho. Please pray! 🙏

QPR were beaten on Saturday at Stoke 3 x 1 and are now 15th in the Championship. They have only managed 1 point from their last 5 matches! 😖    

Pastoral Meeting

On Thursday afternoon Liz and I had a lovely meeting with our co-pastor Rafael to discuss a variety of pastoral issues that I can't go into here. It was an excellent meeting discussing members of the flock, the on-going work of the church and its various ministries. 

On Thursday evening I led the prayer meeting and Bible study and the praise and worship was led by Erika, Rogério and Netinho. Vasti and Espedita brought solos, Deborah Maria, Madá, and others brought Bible verses and Pastor Rafael brought the study on Micah 3:8-12. It was a nice service.

I have just eaten a Guava for my morning snack. 😋

I went for a walk at Green Pastures and saw a Great Kiskadee which always reminds me of my late friend Ken Rashleigh as this was the first bird he saw when he came to Brazil, and was he happy! I also saw Red-cowled Cardinals and Guira Cuckoos. Our Cockatiels have a nest and one chick has hatched so far.  

Last night we had a good meeting with young lawyer Murilo who is part of the ministry team in Patos. We had a good chat about the work of the Lord which was very positive.