Deuteronomy

This week I read all 34 chapters of the book of Deuteronomy in my continued study of Old Testament law. This is a fascinating and challenging part of scripture so as to understand what is culture bound.

Please pray for the general elections in Brazil in October to elect president, senators and federal and state deputies. Current polemical President Bolsonaro is standing for re-election, but the opinion polls show that he will be decisively beaten by ex-president Lula. Bolsonaro is therefore saying that the election will be rigged, following his idol Trump. This could lead to a lot of bloodshed in Brazil. Please pray for peaceful and orderly elections.

Please pray for the senior leadership team of ACEV/EAB here in Brazil. The team is elected every 4 years by the general assembly of church leaders and delegates. The current mandate is from 2020 to 2024. This team oversees all church and project activities and guarantees the continuity of the work under any circumstances. The team has 11 members of which 2 are women (Liz and Gleydice) and 9 are men (John, Wostenes, Umbirajara, Philip, Hamilton, Lindon Carlos, Matheus, Oseias and Francinaldo). These leaders represent wide ranging areas of our State of Paraíba: Patos, João Pessoa, Campina Grande, Imaculada, Manaira and Itaporanga. We are in constant contact through our WhatsApp group, email, Zoom and in person.

I have been working on preparations for our 2022 Carnival Camp to be held at Green Pastures between February 26 and March 2. I have now organized the speakers for the 7 services and the focus this year will be on youth. We praise God for the good young speakers he is raising up in our midst. Our theme this year will be "Intimacy with God" or it could be translated as "Living closer to God". Anyone willing to help contribute to poorer folk going to the camp will be most welcome.

Pastor Wostenes is the leader of EAB/ACEV's largest church in the borough of Catolé in Campina Grande and he is deputy-chairperson of our senior leadership team. If I am ill he is who will take over. He is a lovely brother. Please pray for him as he has Covid for the second time, though the symptoms are mild so far.