I led last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and pastor Rafael led the worship. The study was brought by lawyer Murilo on 'Test the Spirits' from 1 John 4:1-6. It was a lovely service in which Linda and Espedita sang solos.
We have just taken part in an excellent meeting with Maggy Spence and Jan Stracey of the Danbury Mission missionary committee. We had a good chat about the work of the Lord.
This is a prayer by David for protection from his enemies. He says: "Protect my life from the threat of the enemy... hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like arrows... they have evil plans... and plot injustice... but God will shoot them with arrows and bring them to ruin... let the righteous rejoice in the Lord!"
Psalm 63, written in the Judean desert, is a passionate Davidic declaration of faith in God saying "O God, you are my God... my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you... I have beheld your power and glory... your love is better than life... with singing lips my mouth will praise you... I sing in the shadow of your wings... those who seek my life will be destroyed... the king will rejoice in God!"
We value your prayers for our social action projects team which in the first half of 2026 are working on the drilling and equipping of 2 more wells, the setting up of 1 further market garden, the construction of 2 more toilet/shower units, and the distribution of more goats and hair sheep in the 4-Legs project. May God be glorified and the poor blessed by these wells, toilets, goats and sheep, and market garden.
Last night we held an excellent Patos Church Council meeting which lasted 2 hours and covered 23 topics in a fine spirit of unity, consensus and Christian love. It was an excellent meeting.
I went to Green Pastures yesterday where I saw some beautiful bright orange Campo Troupials as well as White-naped Jays and Picui Ground-Doves. Everything is beautifully green, but now in desperate need of heavy rains. Please pray!
A 30-year-old Brazilian psychologist from the northeastern city of Fortaleza called Vitória Barreto is being searched for in Essex, England, where she has gone missing. She has been working on a research project with Essex University.
QPR sadly lost away to Birmingham yesterday 1 x 0. 😭
David's psalm to Jeduthun expresses his total trust in God. "My soul finds rest in God alone... I shall never be shaken". David says he faces men that seek to topple him and who curse him in their hearts. However David finds rest in God, "he is my fortress, I shall not be shaken... God is our refuge". David goes on to say that lowborn and highborn people are "only a breath"... and that no-one should take pride in stolen goods. Trust in God because he is strong and loving and will reward people according to what they do".
Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede and preached on the Parables of the Seeds in Mark 4:26-34. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Rebeca evangelized the children whilst I preached. A man came and thanked me for the message after the service and said that he will bring his whole family to the next service there.
During the day yesterday I prepared sermons for the married couples meeting and for next Sunday's service in Patos.
I have completed writing the summary of the first 50 psalms which means I have covered one third of the psalms and about 44% of the Bible.
Liz went to the women's prayer meeting last night and she says it was a blessing.
Our field team led by Pastor Rafael went to Fred and Marileide's farm last night and preached the gospel in an animated service.
