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.

Shark bite

11-year-old João Lucas, who was bitten by a shark in Recife, has had to have his left leg amputated and continues in isolation in hospital to protect him from infection. Please pray for João Lucas. 🙏

Last night I led the communion service in Patos and I also preached on Isaiah 35. It was a lovely service. Pastor Rafael went with his wife Rayla and led the service at Imaculada. This too was a real blessing.

Jeremiah 21 (résumé): God rejects Zedekiah's request

Jeremiah 21 tells how King Zedekiah sent Pashhur and Zephaniah to ask for God's help against King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon who was attacking them. God's reply through Jeremiah was that to the contrary God would attack Judah owing to their persistent sin and disobedience. "I myself will fight against you with an outstretched arm in anger and fury and great wrath". God then says that he will attack Jerusalem's inhabitants with a terrible plague and will then hand over King Zedekiah and his officials to Babylon. "Whoever stays in Jerusalem will die by sword, famine or plague, but whoever surrenders to the Babylonians will survive". Then God will give Jerusalem into the hands of Babylon who will destroy it by fire. Then the chapter ends with a specific word of the Lord for the house of David telling them to administer justice and protect the vulnerable or face God's wrath... "and I will punish you as your deeds deserve".

In the dark

 I was all set to preach last night on 'the great I am' at Green Pastures when I received a call from Francisco telling me that the lighting had gone off so there was no way to hold the service in the dark as we need an electrician to solve the problem. I then proceeded to contact the different farmsteads calling off the service. God willing I will preach there next week and hold the monthly communion service.

Tonight I will be preaching on 'The Joy of the Redeemed' from Isaiah 35 in Patos at the communion service. Pastor Rafael will be preaching at Imaculada.