Ipueira

Ipueira is a small town with a population of 2,090 in the neighbouring state of Rio Grande do Norte about an hour's drive from where we are based. We have been preaching the Gospel there for 13 years and now has come the time to build a little church there. We are at present building the foundations and value your prayers and support.

Yesterday we held a jumble sale to raise money for the Ipueira church building and it did exceptionally well raising over £300.

Last night I preached at Green Pastures on: "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free"! It was a blessed service. I saw the usual toads and tree frogs whilst there. This week we will be busy preparing for another youth camp at Green Pastures from June 19th to 21st.

João Fonseca

Most of my English readers will not have heard of 'João Fonseca' but take a note for future reference as he is a superb Brazilian tennis player who yesterday knocked out Novak Djokovic from the French Open Tennis Grand Slam and he is just a teenager! He won in 5 sets. 

Yesterday I worked all day on the EAB Action Child Schools and Child sponsors reports. So far I have done 7 school reports and one child sponsor's letter and sent them to Marian Rashleigh who handles the UK side of things. If there is anyone willing to help Marian with this work please contact her. 

Tonight I will be preaching the Gospel at the Green Pastures church.

Watermelon

I have just eaten a lovely load of watermelon which was delicious. 😋It was given to us by Green Pastures neighbour Júlio Camilo whom we saw coming to the Lord some years back.

A further drug addict, this time from the town of Pombal, is being taken to a Christian rehabilitation centre at Princesa Isabel. Please pray!

I recommend UCB's daily devotional 'Word for Today'. 2 minutes of quality Biblical reflection to start your day. https://www.ucb.co.uk/word-for-today This Christian radio is at Stoke-on-Trent and I did an interview there about the work of EAB/ACEV in Brazil many years ago.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Murilo gave the study on 1 John 5:13-21. It was a lovely service.

Arthur

Our grandson Arthur is in São Paulo for a music concert and other cultural activities.

The Life Squad evangelized the men's prison again yesterday and God blessed them with one decision for Christ.

We had an important meeting with Pastor Rafael yesterday discussing the work of the Lord. 

Ipueira Church Building

We have started building our church at Ipueira in the state of Rio Grande do Norte which is led by our brother Dedé. The building will be 13 metres by 6 metres which is about 42 feet by 20 feet. Please pray for this venture of faith which we plan to conclude during this year.

Last night I took part in the men's fellowship meeting led by Chief of the Police Esau at which Pastor Rafael brought a word from Nehemiah 4:1-6. It was a lovely meeting.

Pastor Rafael Barbosa reports a wonderful opening for the Gospel at Belem in a town which is very closed to God's word. A family on the outskirts of Belem has opened the doors to services there. 

35 degrees

I hear that it's hot in the UK with temperatures reaching almost 35 degrees! Meanwhile here it's the cooler time of the year with a maximum of 31 degrees.

I am progressing with my summary of the Book of Jeremiah and have now completed the first 13 chapters out of 52, so that's a quarter of the book done.

I took some people home from the Care Centre's dentist last night and saw 2 Pigmy Nightjars along the way plus 1 Burrowing Owl.

Jeremiah 14 (résumé): Drought, famine & sword

Jeremiah 14 tells of a catastrophic drought which came upon Judah as judgement from God. "Judah mourns... they go to the cisterns but find no water... the ground is cracked with the drought... and even the wild animals are affected". So Jeremiah intercedes regarding the situation but to no avail. God refuses to relent with his judgement and says that even if the people fast he will not attend their cries as he has had enough of their unfaithfulness! Then Jeremiah switches the blame onto false prophets for prophesying lies, but God agrees about false visions but does not relent from his wrath. In fact God says he will kill the prophets by "sword and famine". Jeremiah ends the chapter asking God if in fact he has rejected Judah completely? Jeremiah acknowledges Judah's wickedness but says: "Remember your covenant with us and do not break it!"