Morning Communion Service

We held our monthly communion service in Patos at 10 am yesterday morning as nobody would have come had we held it at 6:30 pm which is the usual time. I will leave you to guess why the change of times! 😉

I led the service and preached on the 'Psalm of Thanks' in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36. Sacha, Rogerio, Netinho, Ricardinho, Davi and Rogaciano led the worship and deaconesses Deborah Maria, Josinete and Márcia officiated with me the communion. It was a lovely service. Our co-pastor Rafael went again to our Imaculada church and that too was really blessed of God.

I watched Brazil being beaten 2 x 1 by Norway in the World Cup. Norway played very well and they have Haaland who scored both their goals. 

I later watched England's brilliant victory 3 x 2 over Mexico despite being reduced to 10 men. England played exceptionally well with 2 great goals by Bellingham and 1 from Kane. Now it's on the Norway next Saturday.

School Teens

At our Patos School we hold special sessions with teenagers who used to be pupils of the primary school and yesterday we had 37 present for a wonderful time together of fun and sharing the Gospel. Please pray for the salvation of these adolescents. 

Yesterday morning I received a last minute request to conduct the funeral of a lady who has a brother in our church. I had to do the evangelical part and then a priest did the catholic part. Over the years I've got used to these situations when families are divided.

Last night I preached the Gospel and conducted the communion service at the Green Pastures church. It was a lovely service. It was nice to give a lift home afterwards to a granddad and 2 grandchildren. I led the granddad to the Lord decades ago and now his grandchildren are in church too!

Please pray for Pastor Robério (Princesa Isabel) who will be travelling to the more northerly state of Ceará next weekend for ministry at our Filipe, Saboeiro church.

Teixeira

Yesterday we had a good meeting with our Pastor Maésio and his wife Fia from our church up in the mountains at Teixeira. We had a good discussion about the work there.

Liz and Gerlânia held parents meetings yesterday at our Patos school. Gerlânia is headteacher at the school.

I went to Green Pastures yesterday and enjoyed seeing the wildlife as always. Especially beautiful were the flocks of Eared Doves flying overhead. Whilst there I visited Heleno (79) and Creonice (80) who we have let move into one of our little Green Pastures houses. I have known Heleno for many years. 

Jeremiah 47 (résumé): A message about the Philistines

 Jeremiah 47 is a short prophecy about God's coming judgment upon the Philistines. It starts drawing attention that "the waters are rising (for the Philistines) in the north (Babylon)... they will become an overflowing torrent... the day has come to destroy all the Philistines... Gaza will shave her head in mourning... God has ordered attack on Ashkelon and the sea coast".

Mid-week

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Rafael gave the study. A good number were present with the praise and worship led by Rogaciano and Rogério. Vasti sang a solo and many brothers and sisters took part with 'my Bible verse'. We also had a nice time of prayer together. It was a good meeting. 🙌🙏

If you are in or near Basingstoke do support my sister Jean's musical concert tomorrow at Christ Church Chineham, RG24 8LT in aid of EAB. The kick-off is 3 pm. 🎵

Today is our son's birthday! Happy birthday Philip! Have a great day! We love 💖you loads!

What a game!

I really enjoyed the England x Congo match which England won 2 x 1 with 2 goals from Harry Kane, the second of which was extraordinary! This means that at the weekend England play Mexico in the last 16, and Brazil play Norway with Haaland! If England and Brazil win it means they will play each other in the quarter-finals! 😀

Yesterday the 'Soup Run Team', led by retired police sergeant João Batista, were in action in the poorest areas of Patos. First of all they cooked and prepared the food in the Care Centre's 'Mum's Kitchen', which Liz's brother had made in memory of their Mother Missionary Ivy Dyer. Then the team distributed the food far and wide to the poor and hungry. It was a great success! 

Yesterday it was a joy to see Pastor Nezinho Abílio and his wife Sonia who had come to Patos from Vazante to see a surgeon who is going to operate him for stomach cancer. Please pray for him.

Jeremiah 46 (résumé): A message about Egypt

Jeremiah 46 is the first in a series of prophecies about foreign nations, starting with Egypt and its defeat by Babylon. Initially the text focuses on the defeat of Pharoah Neco king of Egypt at Carchemish by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and Jeremiah mocks the Egyptian soldiers defining the battle as a day of vengeance from the Lord. Jeremiah then predicts that Babylon would not stop at Carchemish but would invade Egypt and "The Daughter of Egypt will be put to shame, handed over to the people of the north". Egypt is compared to a hissing snake fleeing its enemies' advances. Then the chapter ends with a message of comfort and encouragement for Israel with God saying: "I will surely save you out of a distant place... Jacob will again have peace and security... do not fear, O Jacob, for I am with you".