Encouragement

We had a very encouraging visit from a young couple from the Patos church, Netinho (church drummer) and Érika (church singer), on their 7th wedding anniversary yesterday. They came to share with us radiant and full of faith in God. Netinho is the driver who always picks people up from the airport.

Last night Pastor Rafael took his Monday team to Julio and Nanor's farmstead to take a joyful open-air service full of praise and preaching. I can remember when these folks weren't Christians, but now they are really dedicated and get so excited when there is to be a service at their farmstead that they can't sleep at night!

Liz went to the ladies prayer meeting and said it went well.

Our Matureia School's children took part in a Ju-Jitsu martial arts regional competition in Patos and won 6 gold medals and 3 silver! Well done indeed! 

Back from the Conference

Praise God all went off very well and was a real blessing at the Pastors Conference. We had no problems with the pumps, wells and electricity supplies and no accidents. Sacha had a "nice" encounter with a large scorpion in her room! The drought is very strong and all the vegetation is a dreary grey to sand colour. I saw 3 Crested Caracara hawks there. 

QPR drew 2 x 2 at home to Preston. This was a very good result as they were down to 10 men after 15 minutes.  

Last night back in Patos I led the main service of the week which is at 6:30 pm in Brazil and not in the morning as it is in the UK. Our daughter Sacha, who is an excellent preacher, brought a powerful message from Psalm 42. Sacha is classed as a "missionary" in ACEV which means she is a minister, a pastor, but according to some of our pastors as a woman she can't be called a pastor but is called a missionary. It is strange, but will stay this way until the Christian women of ACEV rise up to change it, which will have Liz and I's 100% backing. We just wait patiently to achieve this important change without civil war or division.

Conference

Yesterday at the Pastors and Leaders Family Conference we ordained Pastor Antonio from the State of Ceará and we gave probationary ministerial status to Pastor Renato from Imaculada. We also received into fellowship a new church in the town of Catolé do Rocha with about 70 participants. We also planned for a new church plant in João Pessoa next year in the beach borough of Bessa, and for the revamp of our Cidade Verde church also in João Pessoa.

On the two nights of the conference we reflected on Christian integrity thinking on Bible characters such as Noah, Job, Daniel, Joseph and David. These were blessed, encouraging and challenging services around the word of God, praise, prayer and fellowship. Thank you for praying and for supporting this conference.

Rehab Chickens

It is wonderful how we have been able to help the drug rehab centre at Princesa Isabel set up the 2-Wings chicken project for egg and chicken produce run by the inmates looking after the chickens on their way to recovery from drugs. Please pray for the 2-Wings Chicken Runs and for the drug users at Rehab that they might come to know the Lord as Saviour. They hear the Gospel twice a day every day and have a very good 50% recovery rate which is very high for this difficult work and ministry. The people at rehab spend 7-months in recovery.

The Pastors and Leaders Family Conference is going very well and we had a lovely devotional service last night with fervent prayer, spirit-filled praise and edifying reflection on God's word. Now we are going into a senior leadership meeting and value your continued prayers.

Conference Team

Liz moved the Pastors' Conference team to Green Pastures yesterday afternoon all ready to prepare the opening meal for midday today. Liz is an incredibly hard worker and very organized.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Murilo brought the study on the Parable of the Weeds from Matthew 13.

Yesterday I was happy to complete half the book of Second Corinthians in writing of summaries of the Bible chapter by chapter,  so 6 chapters to go after the conference. The 2nd epistle is not as enthralling as the 1st, but we all have our off-days! 

The 2 species of wild cats constantly found at Green Pastures Conference Centre and Nature Reserve are the spotted Leopardus tigrinus and the larger rust coloured Hepailurus yagouaroundi (which is sometimes also seen with a dark blue/grey colour).  

2 Corinthians 7 (résumé): Paul's Joy

 Paul now says at the beginning of chapter 7: "Make room for us in your hearts because we have wronged no-one... I have great confidence in you and take great pride in you... my joy knows no bounds... it was tough when we came to Macedonia as there was no rest and we were harassed at every turn... but we were encouraged by Titus's arrival... and what he told me greatly increased my joy... although I know my previous letter hurt you... but I am glad that your sorrow led you to repentance... worldly sorrow brings death but Godly sorrow brings repentance... we are encouraged... and Titus's spirit has been refreshed by all of you.. and our boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true... and his affection for you has grown". 

2 Corinthians 6 (résumé): Paul's Hardships

Paul begins chapter 6 telling the Corinthians that "now is the time of God's favour, now is the day of salvation... Paul then refers to the lengths to which he has gone to bless and help the church suffering troubles, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, hunger, and always with patience, purity and kindness... we have opened our hearts to you, but you are withholding yours from us... open wide your hearts also!" "But don't be yoked with unbelievers... for what fellowship can light have with darkness?... therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord".