Youth take service

Last night I let the young people take the service in Patos and Rayla led, Bianca brought a lovely short word, the drama did a short excellent play and Pastor Murilo preached a good solid sermon. The service was a blessing. The church was nearly full. The children sang a song for us pastors as the second Sunday in June in Brazil is Pastors' Day, and we all were given a water bottle as a gift.

World Cup

I watched the 1 x 1 draw between Brazil and Morocco last night in the World Cup. Brazil's performance was disappointing and they will feel happy with a draw.

I also watched Scotland's excellent 1 x 0 victory over Haiti leaving them top of their group. Scotland and Haiti played very well although I would have preferred the Scotland manager to have brought on the renowned Stenhousemuir chaplain Michael Rollo. At least he did bring on Lyndon Dykes which was wonderful!

Rio Grande do Norte

Yesterday Liz and I travelled 40 km to the neighbouring state of Rio Grande do Norte to inspect the church building project in the town of Ipueira. We went there with Deacon Dedé who is the leader there. The foundations have been built and now the walls are being erected with the wall on the south side the most advanced. We were very pleased to see how the work is going.

On the way back we called into Green Pastures and heard pairs of Caatinga Cacholotes singing beautiful duets as they do. 

I will be watching Brazil play Morocco in their first game in the World Cup tonight. Next comes Haiti against Scotland and then on Wednesday England against Croatia. Brazil, Scotland and England will be the 3 teams I'll be following in this World Cup. 

Talk

Our daughter Deborah is a vet and today she will be giving a talk at the university UNIFIP on the work of sterilization of stray dogs that are taken into animal refuge centres. Deborah is a dedicated animal rights advocate working tirelessly in the Patos refuge centres. There are an estimated 20 million stray dogs in Brazil. 

Last night we had a cricket in the bedroom making an awful din! We couldn't find it but just could hear it stopping us from sleeping, but then Liz saw it and zapped it and peace was restored! 

Last night our church organized a celebration meal for married and courting couples in honour of the Brazilian equivalent of Valentine's Day. We enjoyed a happy evening of fellowship together.

Liz visited Áthila Emanuel in hospital, who is an 8-year-old boy from our church in Juru, who was knocked down by a car yesterday and his leg was broken and he will need surgery. Please pray for Áthila who will be operated on today! He had gone to buy a packet of pop-corn when the accident happened. 

Life Squad

The Life Squad ministered the Gospel at the Men's Prison yesterday afternoon composed of Pastor Rafael and Sister Iara, and 1 decision was made for Christ out of 400 prisoners.

Last night the weekly service was held in front of our Patos school when 32 gathered to hear the Gospel preached by Brother Wellington - not Lord Wellington! It was a lovely service.

Liz and I did a lot of administrative work yesterday morning, and during the rest of the day I prepared a new sermon on "The River of the Water of Life" (Revelation 22:1-2) to be preached in Campina Grande next month. We value your prayers.

Planning Meeting

Last night I chaired a planning meeting for our Pastor Frank Dyer School for the second half of 2026. There were 14 people in the meeting discussing services, sporting and educational activities, work with teens and work with children etc. Please pray for this school and for the planting of a branch church in it in this southern borough of Patos.

Liz has just got back from a long counselling session.

Custard Apple

I have just eaten another delicious custard apple. I read on the BBC that they are coming in the UK so do try one if you can although they are probably expensive there.

The man who was going to be taken to drug/drink rehab and had his foot amputated has died in hospital. He made a commitment to Christ before he died.

The vaccination of people for Dengue Fever has been suspended after half a million people were vaccinated because 42 people had adverse effects including 2 deaths. The vaccine is being administered by the Brazilian NHS known as SUS. 

I took 2 people home from the Care Centre Dentist's surgery last night and saw the usual Burrowing Owls on the way.