Action Child

Our little action schools are back in action for 2025 remembering that the school year here doesn't run from September to July as in the UK, but follows the calendar year with 2 semesters (February to the end of June + August to December). On Tuesday afternoon I had a good meeting with our schools team coordinators. Our little school at Green Pastures has closed this year as the region has run out of little children!

On Tuesday night I spent 45 minutes at the wake of Geraldo Batista. A wake here is held with the deceased person lying in an open coffin and people come in, look at the person, and then give their condolences to the relatives. People at the wake drink tea and coffee. The wake was held at our church.

On Wednesday morning at 9 am I conducted Geraldo's funeral service at the church followed by the committal at the central cemetery of São Miguel where we had to clamber over tombstones to get to the place where he was buried. Everything went off well.

It is amazing how adapted to urban conditions the Ruddy Ground-Dove is. I saw them in the centre of town near the cemetery and they are always around our house. They appear to be almost as plentiful in Patos as the House Sparrow. They have milk chocolate coloured brown wings and body with a grey head.

Sunday night service

In Brazil our main service of the week is on a Sunday night at 6:30 pm. In the morning we have Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 am. I led the Sunday night service and young lawyer and Bible College graduate Murilo preached on Matthew 16:13-20. It was an excellent sermon. The praise and worship was led by Sacha, Marina and Fabio on vocals, Rogério on keyboard, Rogaciano on guitar, Ricardinho on bass guitar and Netinho on drums. This group is very good indeed. It was a lovely service with a full church.

On my trip to Ipueira I saw 3 species of birds I hadn't seen for some time. I saw Yellow-chinned Spinetails, a pair of Blue-black Grassquits, and a pair of White-throated Seedeaters.

Today a university professor, Dr. Flávia Moura, is starting research at Green Pastures into termites. Her work, together with her team, will not disrupt the camp preparation as they will be out in the bush doing their work. This reminds me to ask you to please pray for the Carnival Camp which starts this Saturday. 🙏

I am very pleased to have completed my résumé of the Pentateuch. To cover all the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy took exactly 5 months. That's 187 chapters in 150 days which isn't bad with everything else I have on. 

Linda is our cook at Green Pastures and her husband Geraldo has just died of cancer a few hours ago. Liz went and broke the news to her. So I will have a funeral to conduct between now and tomorrow. Please pray.

Deuteronomy 34 (résumé): The Death of Moses

So Moses climbed Mount Nebo, as the Lord had commanded, from where he saw the promised land which had been first promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier. There at 120 years old Moses died and was buried in Moab, though exactly where nobody knew. When Moses died his eyes were not weak nor had his strength gone. The Israelites mourned Moses' death for a month. It was then Joshua who took up the reins of leadership. He was "filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him". The book ends remarking that no prophet greater than Moses had ever lived.

Deuteronomy 33 (résumé): Moses blesses the Tribes

Moses is about to die so he gives his parting blessings upon the tribes of Israel, although he misses out on Simeon. Moses starts by exalting the glory and majesty of God before blessing each tribe. He starts with a very brief blessing upon Reuben in just 11 words. Next comes Judah calling upon God to help them against all their foes in 27 words. Then comes Levi who has a longer blessing of a full 4 verses which includes a blessing on their skills and the work of their hands. Next Benjamin's blessing has 27 words and focuses resting secure in God. Then come 4 long verses in the blessing upon Joseph with strong environmental comments about dew, deep waters, sun, moon, mountains, hills, earth and burning bush. Then come the briefest of blessings on Ephraim (7 words), Manasseh (6 words) and Zebulun (10 words). These are followed by the blessing on Issachar who "will feast on the abundance of the seas". This is followed by a 2 verse blessing upon Gad who is likened to a lion and then a 13 word blessing on Dan who is likened to a lion's cub. Next comes a full verse of blessing upon Naphtali who "is abounding in the favour of the Lord" and finally Asher saying that his strength will equal his days. Moses closes by pointing all to God "who rides on the heavens to help you" ... saying "blessed are you oh Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord?"

Deuteronomy 32 (résumé): The Song of Moses

This chapter contains an anthem-like poem which is the Song of Moses. It is a prophetic testimony lamenting Israel's eventual unfaithfulness to God and his judgement upon them. The song commences by praising God for his justice, faithfulness and greatness. It describes how God cared for Israel making it a great nation like an eagle nurtures her young. Yet despite God's wonderful care Israel would forget God and ignore his guidance, turning instead to pagan gods which greatly anger the Lord kindling a fire of wrath which would burn to Sheol. Therefore God said he would send curses on the Israelites: calamities, famine, pestilence, plague, wild beasts, venomous vipers, and violence. Then the song goes on to criticize Israel's senseless attitudes in which they fail to think about the long term. Yet it says that the Lord will judge his people and have compassion on those who love him. And the song ends exalting the greatness of God which is utterly superior to all the gods! God puts to death and brings to life, he wounds and heals and nobody can free from his hand. Moses and Joshua spoke all these words to Israel exhorting them to take great heed to the message of the song. For these "are not just idle words - they are life"!

On that same day God told Moses to go up Mount Nebo where he would die. Before dying he would overlook the promised land which he would not enter because he broke faith with God many years earlier at the waters of Meribah.

Deuteronomy 31 (résumé): Moses nears the end

Moses, at 120 years of age, knew he was reaching the end his life and he knew that he would not enter Canaan because God had said so. So Moses called Joshua to take his place telling him to be strong and courageous knowing that God would be with him. 

Then Moses wrote down the law and gave it to the priests saying that they should read it to the people every 7th year during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Then God told Moses to present himself with Joshua at the Tent of Meeting and there God told them that the people would soon prostitute themselves with pagan gods after entering Canaan, and this would make him very angry and would bring disasters and difficulties upon them. After this God told Moses to write down a song and teach it to the Israelites, and make them sing it, so as to be a testimony against them when they eventually rebel against God's law. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous as Moses had said previously. Moses then again predicted rebellion by the people after he has died.

Hornets

Hornets (Maribondo) are large dangerous insects and widespread here. They are brown, have large wings, and legs and a sting hanging beneath them like a lowered plane undercarriage. They are about the size of an old 50 pence piece. (I don't know if they still exist?!) I once was stung by 3 of them on my neck in an old disused farm house and it sure hurt! Hornets make nests out of earth on the walls of houses and one place they like to use is inside electrical sockets. As we prepare Green Pastures for the Carnival Camp next week we are having to clear out the electrical sockets so that they will work, because you can't plug anything in if the socket is full of earth!

Yesterday morning at 8 am Liz went to Ana Karla's birthday breakfast. Ana Karla is a member of the Patos church. It all went off beautifully.

I have just had an avocado pear smoothy. 😋

Sadly QPR lost 2 x 1 yesterday away to Portsmouth. 😔

Yesterday I travelled to Ipueira with Deacon Dedé, his wife Geralda, their daughter Maria Fernanda and Sister Madá. We had a nice time sharing the word of God, praising the Lord and praying. It was lovely to see a couple who I baptized many years ago still going on with God and firm in the faith.

Deuteronomy 30 (résumé): Prosperity after Repentance

Moses now says that if after suffering curses because of disobedience, and being dispersed among the nations, Israel repents and comes back to the Lord, then God will restore their fortunes and gather them again from around the world. Repentant Israel will be made more prosperous and more numerous than ever, and God will turn the tables putting the curses on the enemy. Faithful Israel will experience prosperity again under the delight of the Lord as they keep God's commands and love him with heart and soul. 

In the second part of this chapter Moses goes on to stress that the option Israel is facing is a matter of life and death. He emphasizes that obedience to God is within their reach because the word is near them; it is in their mouth and heart to be obeyed. Moses says the choice could not be more clear as it is a choice between life and prosperity and death and destruction! God's command is to love him with everything, walk in his ways and obey his commands. Moses challenges Israel to always choose life so that they and their children may live!

Deuteronomy 29 (résumé): Renewal of the Covenant

Moses now summons all the Israelites to gather in Moab to renew and reinforce their covenant with the Lord. He reminds them of all God had done for them giving them victory over Pharoah and guiding them through the desert when neither their clothes of shoes wore out during 40 years. He also recalled the victories over King Sihon and King Og. He then exhorts the people to follow the terms of the covenant and renew it before the Lord, confirming that the Lord alone is their God. He entreats them to never go after the gods of other nations. If they disobey then the curses from the Torah will fall upon them and the land will become desolate as happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. In this case other nations will realize that things have got so bad for Israel owing to their abandonment of the covenant. 

Deuteronomy 28 (résumé): Blessings & Curses

Moses now shows how much God will bless the people if they fully obey the Lord, and on the other hand how much he will curse them if they are unfaithful. He says obedience will mean blessing everywhere, with human and animal fertility plus productive crops. He says that obedience means victory over enemies, blessings on the barns, abundant prosperity, and plentiful rain in the season. With obedience God will make Israel the head and not the tail - the top and not the bottom!

On the other hand disobedience would mean comprehensive cursing in the city or country, upon the womb, crops and livestock. It would mean being cursed at all times and in everything. Moses says that if the people forsake the Lord he will plague everyone with diseases plus scorching heat and drought! In this case Israel's enemies will defeat them and their carcasses will be food for the vultures! Disobedience and unfaithfulness will result in ill health such as tumours, festering sores, and the incurable itch! The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confused minds. Without God everything will go wrong. You will be engaged to be married but another man will ravish the girl, you will build a house but not live in it, and you will plant a vineyard without enjoying its fruit. With unfaithfulness will come a decimation of the livestock and the sons and daughters will go abroad, and will be afflicted with boils from head to feet. Disobedience will lead to exilic and pagan experiences, and you will plant a lot but harvest little! The foreigner will rise up but unfaithful Israel will sink low. God will put an iron yoke on Israel and they will end up serving their enemies. Unfaithfulness will bring disaster for Israel's livelihoods and livestock as a foreign nation will dominate Israel. This nation will besiege Israel leading even to cannibalism as a means of survival! Mothers will even eat their afterbirths! Just as the Lord had pleasure in prospering faithful Israel so he will be pleased to ruin and destroy them in their unfaithfulness. And God will scatter Israel amongst the nations and they will end up as worthless slaves.

Deuteronomy 27 (résumé): Altar & Curses on the Mounts

Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the Israelites to make an altar on Mount Ebal after they have crossed the Jordan. They should write the law on the altar stones and sacrifice fellowship offerings eating and rejoicing in the Lord.

Then the tribes of Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin shall stand on Mount Gerizim, and the tribes of Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali will stand on Mount Ebal. Then the Levites will recite loudly a series of curses and after each curse all the people shall say amen. Cursed is the man who carves images or idols, cursed is the man who dishonours his father or mother, cursed is the man who moves someone's boundary stone, cursed is the man who leads the blind astray, cursed is the man who withholds justice from the foreigner, orphan or widow, cursed is the man who has sex with his father's wife, cursed is the man who has sex with an animal, cursed is the man who has sex with his sister, cursed is the man who has sex with his mother-in-law, cursed is the man who kills his neighbour secretly, cursed is the man who takes a bribe to kill someone and cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of the law and carry them out.

Deuteronomy 26 (résumé): Firstfruits, Tithes & Commands

Moses now says that after possessing the land of Canaan the Israelites should offer to the Lord baskets of the firstfruits in gratitude to God whilst rehearsing all he had done for them delivering them from Egypt and bringing them to the promised land. Then in the third year in Canaan they should tithe their produce giving this to the Levites, foreigners, orphans and widows. After doing this they were to declare before God that they had obeyed his commands and ask him to bless the ground where their crops grow. Finally Moses says that God says that if his people remain faithful to him he will bless their land, give them prosperity and honour them above all other nations.   

Deuteronomy 25 (résumé): More miscellaneous Laws

Moses now says that judges will decide disputes and order up to 40 lashes of a whip if necessary. He then says that you should not muzzle an ox that is treading the corn. He goes on to say that if a married man dies his brother should have children with the widow so as to continue the brother's name. If the brother refuses to do this the bride shall take him before the elders and take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and denounce him. Thus the man's line shall be known as the family of the unsandalled. 

If 2 men fight and a wife intervenes grabbing her husband's private parts then you must show her no pity and cut off her hand! Do not have differing measures and weights in your house because you must be accurate and honest. Finally Moses tells the Israelites to annihilate the Amalekites when in Canaan as retribution for them having attacked Israel shortly after they came out of Egypt.

Coup Plot

Brazil's previous president Jair Bolsonaro has been charged with an alleged coup plot, after losing the 2022 election, trying to stop the current president Lula taking up office by poisoning him and shooting dead Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. 

I have been preparing the Bible study for Thursday night and the sermon for next Tuesday in the town of São Mamede.

I have just eaten fried egg with yams. Delicious! 😋

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and I gave the study on "Living Water" from John 4:1-26. The praise and worship was led by Érika, Rogério e Netinho with special participations from Chico, Vasti and Espedita. It was a blessed service.

Deuteronomy 24 (résumé): Miscellaneous Laws

Moses says that if a married couple get divorced and the woman re-marries, then the original husband could not re-marry her if she ended up divorcing her second husband or if her second husband died. (strange law!) He also says that a newly wedded man must not do military or civic service for a year as he must focus on making his wife happy in a sort of prolonged honeymoon! He then says that millstones cannot be taken for security for a loan and kidnappers must be executed.

In the case of skin diseases, which were of great concern at the time, Moses says people must be careful to follow the priests' instructions on the matter. He also said that if someone made a loan he should not enter the person's house to go after the pledge, but should wait for it to be brought out to him and should never exploit the poor over loans. Wages to the poor must be paid daily.

Moses then says that fathers should not be put to death for their children or vice-versa. Neither should the foreigner or the orphan be deprived of justice, and never take a widow's cloak as a pledge. And at harvest time do not pick everything, but leave something for the foreigner, orphan and widow. 

Deuteronomy 23 (résumé): Exclusion from the Assembly

Nobody with crushed or cut off genitals may enter the assembly of the Lord. This was a protest against heathen cultic practices. Nor could anyone enter the assembly who was the fruit of an adulterous or incestuous relationship or marriage. No Ammonite or Moabite or their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord either. However the Edomites and Egyptians should be treat as friends and their third generation could enter the assembly.

When the Israelites went to war they should keep things pure and clean. If a man had a nocturnal emission he was to purify himself outside the camp during that day. People should have little shovels to cover their excrement when necessary. 

Runaway slaves should be helped and not oppressed. No Israelite man or woman should work as a cultic pagan temple prostitute. Do not charge interest on loans to your fellow Israelites, although you can charge foreigners. Take vows seriously and keep them before God. Upon entering someone's vineyard you can eat the grapes, but don't put them in your basket. So too when entering a cornfield pick corn but don't use a sickle. 

Deuteronomy 22 (résumé): Various Laws

Moses now gives a list of minor laws like keep your eye out for your neighbours stray animals and help them recapture them, or get the fallen ones back on their feet. Women must not wear men's clothing or vice versa. If you find a bird's nest with mother and young you can take the young but not the mother! When you build a new house make a parapet around the roof to avoid falls. Don't plant 2 kinds of seed in your vineyard, don't plough with an ox and a donkey, don't wear clothes made of wool and linen and put tassels on the 4 corners of your cloak.

Moses goes on to say that if a couple get married but the man finds that he dislikes the woman and so slanders her saying she hadn't been a virgin when they married, the matter will go before the elders. There the girl's parents will produce evidence that she had been a virgin showing a cloth stained by blood from the wedding night! In this case the man will be fined 1 kilo of silver which will be paid to the father, and the man will not be allowed to divorce the woman. However if the girl's virginity can't be proved then she will be stoned to death.

If a man is caught having sex with another man's wife they both must be put to death. If a man has sex with an engaged virgin both must die. She will die because she didn't scream for help and he will die for having violated somebody else's wife. But if a man rapes an engaged virgin only the man shall die as the girl had screamed for help out in the country where nobody heard her. If a man rapes a virgin who is not engaged he will pay a half kilo of silver fine, marry the girl, and never be allowed to divorce her. Finally Moses says that a man is not to marry his father's wife. 

Deuteronomy 21 (résumé): Atonement for unsolved murders

Moses says that if a dead body is found and nobody knows who the murderer is then the elders of the nearest town should take a heifer and break its neck in a valley after which priests will give a blessing. Then the elders will wash their hands over the heifer and declare that they had not killed or see killed the deceased. In this way the blood shed in the killing will be atoned for.

Moses says that if in battle someone fancies a beautiful woman it would be fine to take her as a wife. She would need to shave her head, trim her nails, change clothes and mourn her parents for a month. If the relationship didn't work out it could end, but she could not be sold as a slave.

Moses then goes on to emphasize the rights of the firstborn son. He says that in the case of polygamy and a man having 2 wives he couldn't swap the firstborn's birthright just because he preferred a particular mother. He says that independent of wifely preferences the firstborn son had to receive a double share of his father's wealth.

Moses follows this with drastic treatment of a stubborn and rebellious son saying that he must be stoned to death! Moses also says that in the case of a man being executed and hung on a tree, the dead body should not be left there overnight because he "who is hung on a tree is under God's curse".

Deuteronomy 20 (résumé): Going to War

Moses says that when Israel goes to war it should not be afraid even if the opposing army was greater. For God would be with his people to fight for them and give them victory.

Then preparing for battle Moses gives some exemptions (new house, new vineyard, new wife and no courage) of a compassionate nature so that nothing should distract the warriors from the objective of victory which is the Lord's.

Moses says that when preparing to attack a city Israel should give its inhabitants a chance to surrender in which case they would be Israel's slaves. However if they fight then the Israelites should lay siege to the city and kill all the men. However the woman, children, livestock and everything else will be taken as plunder.

Nevertheless in the case of the peoples in Canaan's land (Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites) and their livestock everyone and everything was to be annihilated. 

Moses says that in the case of long term sieges they can chop down trees to help them, but should not use fruit trees.

Dentist

I went to the dentist's this week and I survived! 😁 The dentist's name is Dra. Sammia and she is excellent, being the dentist of the whole family. I hadn't been to the dentist since before the Covid pandemic, and I only had one big filling to do, so not bad! I did the filling without needing anesthetic which was good.

Last night there were 16 men at the Men's fellowship meeting which was led by chief of the Police Esau. It was a very good meeting. I gave the study on "Paul's Epistle of Joy - Philippians" and we had a good discussion about joy and happiness in the Lord.

This Saturday I will be travelling to Ipueira in Rio Grande do Norte State to encourage the Christians there. Please pray. 

Pastor Nemias is reporting a new church plant at the Sitio Mumbassa in the Municipality of Flores in Pernambuco State. Pastor Maésio is reporting that the church up in the mountains at Teixeira is going well and growing. Please pray for these churches and their pastors.

Deuteronomy 19 (résumé): Cities of Refuge + Witnesses

 Now Moses returns to the subject of cities of refuge in Canaan to receive accidental murderers or those guilty of manslaughter. It is strange how much text is dedicated to this subject in the Pentateuch and it would seem to have been a major problem. There were to be initially 3 cities of refuge with roads built to give good access to them, and there was a possibility of a further 3 such cities being established later. The moving of land markers was also prohibited. 

Moses then goes on to the subject of witnesses which must be at least 2 for any crime. If a witness proves to be a liar then he must be punished with exactly what he was advocating for the accused. Moses stipulates that the judges and priests must show no pity in such cases and retribution must be "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand and foot for foot"!

Deuteronomy 18 (résumé): Offerings for priests & levites

Moses goes on to remind everyone that in Canaan the priests and levites will not have their own land like the rest of Israel but they will live off the offerings made by the people (shoulder of the bulls or sheep + cheeks and inner parts), plus the firstfruits of corn, new wine and oil plus the first wool from sheep shearing.

Then Moses bans the imitation of the detestable customs of other nations such as infant sacrifice, divination, sorcery, witchcraft, casting spells or using mediums and spiritists to consult the dead.

Moses then says that God will raise up a new prophet like himself to communicate the word of the Lord whilst any false prophet who points to false gods must be put to death. 

Deuteronomy 17 (résumé): Capital punishment for pagan worshippers

 Moses now reminds Israelites to never offer sacrifices to God using animals with defects. He then went on to again prohibit pagan worship of the sun, moon, the stars or other gods. People caught practicing this by at least 2 witnesses would be stoned to death. 

Moses then says that when cases come before the courts which are very difficult the supreme court will be the priests. Their final word must be obeyed and implemented and any contempt of court would be punishable by death.

Then Moses envisaged the day when Israel would be ruled by a king. The king would have to be an Israelite, he should not have too many horses or too many wives (Solomon?!) and he should write out his own copy of the law and read it all his life. He should never over estimate himself. 

Deuteronomy 16 (résumé): Festivals

In this chapter Moses reminds the Israelites about their pilgrimage festivals with the Passover/Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. The instructions for all these festivals had been given in detail previously.

Then Moses told them to appoint judges for each tribe and town that God would give them in Canaan. He says that they should judge the people fairly avoiding partiality or bribery. They should "follow justice and justice alone".

At the end Moses makes yet another warning against idolatry which is one of the things most prohibited in the Pentateuch. 

Rain

Please pray for rain for us! We are in the rainy season but the rains have stopped falling and if they don't fall between now and April then it would be a catastrophe for the entire interior of northeast Brazil.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos. The praise was led by Fábio, Érika and João Filho backed by Rogério, Netinho e Ricardinho. The preacher was Pastor Rafael. A gift was given to our deaf pastor Luiz Carlos for his birthday and he cried with emotion. It was a good service.

Please pray for the Carnival Camp which starts a week on Saturday.

Maize cake

I have just eaten a slice of maize cake which was delicious. Dare I say that it was amazing! I wonder how the google translator will get on translating that pun to Portuguese! 😋😃

I have had my hair cut and I hope you like it? 👨

I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Dedé led the praise and worship. Pastor Rafael gave the study from Micah 1:11-16.

A woman who killed 3 relatives by putting arsenic in a Christmas cake in the south of Brazil has been found dead in her prison cell. Probably their prison mates "suicided" her as prison wardens say it was probably suicide. 

Liz and I have just got back from an excellent journey to Campina Grande which is a 3 and a quarter hour drive east of Patos. We travelled there yesterday afternoon and had a lovely working meal in the evening with Pastor Wostenes, his wife Gleydice and a young couple called Thyago and Letícia who are potential workers. Then this morning we were joined by pastors Umbirajara, Matheus and wives for another great meeting. Both these meetings were of strategic importance for the work of EAB/ACEV and discussed plans for growth. Please pray.

Stopping for a drink on the way to Campina Grande we met our friend Sérgio who is a crippled beggar who sits on the pavement asking for help. His broad smile is always impressive! 😀 We always give him something.

The journey to Campina Grande means you climb the Santa Luzia mountain on the way where there is a big renewable energy farm with 136 wind turbines having a generating capacity of 471.25 MW. The wind turbines today were going like the clappers!

Yesterday QPR beat Derby 4 x 0 at home! 😄😎💪🙌

Deuteronomy 15 (résumé): The year for cancelling debts

This chapter shows great anti-poverty values focusing on social justice. For every 7th year was to be a year of cancelling debts for fellow Israelites. Obedience to God in this would lead to great national prosperity. Those better off are taught to not be "tight fisted" towards the poor. Rather they are to be generous to the poor and do so "without a grudging heart". 

Then too all Israelite slaves should be released on the 7th year of release and they should not be set free empty handed but should be given sheep, grain and wine. However if a slave has become attached to his master and family and doesn't want to leave, then his ear should be pierced as a sign of commitment and he or she will become servants for life. 

Finally in this chapter Moses reminds Israelites of their responsibility to give the firstborn of their herds and flocks to God. Any animal with a defect should be eaten and not sacrificed to God. However care should be taken not to eat blood. 

São Mamede

 On Tuesday night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to hold a street service in the town of São Mamede. It was a joy to share the Gospel in this needy place. It was great to hear young teenager Matheus playing the guitar and Paulo Silas and Josué sang solos. After the service two women came to speak to me. The first was Marlene who told me she had committed her life to Christ and wants to be baptized. The second called Denise told me she was re-dedicating her life to the Lord and wants to be part of our church. So praise the Lord for these fruits of our regular preaching of the Gospel in this place. Please pray for Marlene and Denise. 🙌

QPR lost away to Coventry on Tuesday 1 x 0 with the goal coming in the 94th minute! 😕 

Please pray for our Carnival Camp at Green Pastures which starts a fortnight this Saturday. May God bless all the participants with good fun, fellowship and teaching!

Liz went to the Women's Fellowship meeting last night and says it was good.

Sunday

 I led Sunday night's main service of the week and our daughter Sacha preached an excellent sermon on 'How is your heart'? from Mark 7:1-23. The praise and worship group (Sacha, Marina, Fábio, Rogerio, Ricardinho, Netinho and Rogaciano) introduced 2 new songs which were blessed and refreshing. We normally do 8 songs in the main service of the week. The service was a real blessing.

The yellow Great Kiskadee is singing loudly outside our house today.

Liz led the prayer meeting last night which was a blessing. Parallel to this the youth had their own prayer meeting. There was also a planning meeting of the children's ministry last night and a team went to hold a service on a farm near Green Pastures.

Lizards

Liz and I went for a nice long walk at Green Pastures on Friday afternoon and saw an abundance of Tropidurus hispidus and Tropidurus semitaeniatus lizards. We also saw Rock Cavies, Cavies and 4 wild tortoises. Bird life was also plentiful with Rufous-browed Peppershrikes, White-tipped Doves, Spotted Nothuras, White-naped Jays and Red-cowled Cardinals. Rufous-bellied Thrushes and Campo Troupials are nesting near the meeting hall, as when the rains start the birds start nesting as rain means an abundance of caterpillars and butterflies etc. for them to eat.

Yesterday afternoon Liz went to visit Vanessa who is a member of the Patos church and is not well. She lives in the village of Campo Comprido 8 km from Patos.

Last night I led the service at our Green Pastures church and I preached too on 'the law came through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ' (John 1:17). It was a lovely service with the praise led by Érika, Netinho and Rogério. Josué, Paulo Silas, Fred, Dodora, Fabricia and Julio also took part.

Last night too a youth group went to Ipueira in Rio Grande do Norte in support of Dedé and the Christians in Action group who go there weekly seeking to plant a church. We have 5 members there. Please pray for Ipueira. 

Deuteronomy 14 (résumé): Clean & unclean food

Moses starts this chapter condemning pagan self-mutilation practices for the dead because they must live as God's chosen people. From this Moses goes on to remind the Israelites of their eating laws with animals that chew the cud and divided hoofs (bull, goat, sheep etc.) being classified as clean and fine for eating, whereas animals that don't have both these features (camel, rabbit, pig and coney etc.) were taboo.

As regards water creatures the defining factors of cleanliness was that they should have scales and fins. Those without were not to be eaten.

Flying creatures were deemed edible other than kites, falcons, vultures, owls, hawks and bats. Flying insects that swarm should not be eaten, and nothing found dead could be eaten. 

Finally in this section for the third time (Exodus 23:19 & 34:26) in the law cooking a young goat in it mother's milk is banned. It is strange to see this emphasis and many think this is because it was something carried out in pagan rituals.

The chapter's final section focuses on the tithing of the Israelites annual produce. Such tithes were used for the upkeep of feasts, the upkeep of the Levites and to help orphans, widows and foreigners. 

Deuteronomy 13 (résumé): Worshipping other gods

Moses continues now to warn against idolatry. First he says that if any prophet or dreamer arises enticing the Israelites to worship other gods then they must realize that this is in fact God testing them and they must execute the offender. 

Then Moses says that even if someone really close to you tries to secretly entice you to paganism they must be executed without pity. It doesn't matter if it is your brother, son, daughter, wife or best friend. Whoever it is must be stoned to death.

In the case of a conquered town turning to idolatry Moses says they must totally destroy the town killing all its inhabitants and livestock. Then they must set fire to the town and its plunder in the town square as a burnt offering to God.

Veterinary Doctor

My daughter Deborah is a veterinary doctor as well as a teacher of English at the Cultura Inglesa Patos. She is very good in both. Deborah is a voluntary veterinary doctor with the Amparar Animal in Patos which takes stray & other dogs to the Municipal Dog Programme which has already sterilized 3,700 dogs. It is a step in the right direction to solve the chronic situation of stray dogs in Patos.

My lawyer, Dr. Arthur Ivan Medcraft Dutra, is in the process of investigating the lack of snake antidote here in Patos. It is a situation which cannot continue. A poor little 6-year-old girl ended up in intensive care in Patos because she was bitten by a Rattlesnake and there was no antidote in Patos. Helloá is threatened by bad side-effects as a result of the delay in taking the antidote which was only available in Itaporanga 111 km west of Patos! I am glad to tell you that Helloá has now been sent home from hospital and is improving which is a real answer to prayer.

QPR beat Blackburn at home 2 x 1 this week. 😀

On Wednesday afternoon Liz and I went to visit Dr. Fred and Marileide who live on a farm near Green Pastures. They are Christians attending our Green Pastures church and they will be baptized at the Carnival Camp together with Julio and Joana. Also present at the meeting was Michaele. We enjoyed a lovely time of fellowship with them. I heard a Rufous-bellied Thrush which they had caged unfortunately. I also saw a Green-barred Woodpecker.

Yesterday afternoon I had a good meeting with Pastor Rafael and his wife Rayla discussing the married couples ministry.  

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study. Dedé led the praise, Vasti sang a solo and Pastor Rafael gave the study on Micah 1:8-10. It was a nice service with a good number present.

Deuteronomy 12 (résumé): The one place of Worship

Moses now says that upon entering Canaan Israel must completely destroy the incumbent places of pagan worship, destroying their altars and burning their poles to the goddess Asherah. Israel must refrain from any involvement with pagan cults and must not even copy any aspects of their rituals. 

When the Israelites live in Canaan God will choose a city to be the central and exclusive place of worship and sacrifice. In the meantime Moses says that they will be able to slaughter animals, other that through the priests, and eat meat but never blood.

However Moses re-emphasized that the Israelites had to steer completely clear of any trace of pagan religious practices and philosophies as these involved "detestable things the Lord hates" with people even involved in human sacrifices of their children!   

Deuteronomy 11 (résumé): Love & Obey the Lord

This is another chapter in which Moses reminds the Israelites of the past to prepare them for the future in the promised land. He tells them to teach everything to their children as they had not experienced God's multiple miracles like at the Red Sea or when the earth swallowed up Dathan, Abiram and their families. Moses stressed that the people must love God and keep his commands. He says that they will live long and blessed in Canaan if they are loyal to God.  For God will send them abundant rain for their crops and cattle if they are faithful, but if they are not then God will withhold the rain. Moses says that they should fix his advice in their hearts, tie it on their hands and bind it on the foreheads because they must love God, walk in his ways and hold fast to him. If they do this they will conquer the land in the strength of the Lord.

Moses says that he is setting a blessing and a curse before them. The blessing will be assured if they obey God and the curse will come if they disobey. He says they should pronounce the blessings from Mount Gerizim and the curses on Mount Ebal. 

Deuteronomy 10 (résumé): Fear the Lord

 Moses in this chapter continues to prepare the Israelites for their entrance into Canaan by reminding them of their past errors which must not be repeated. He reminds them how God in his mercy replaced the stone tablets with the law after the original ones were smashed as a reaction to the golden calf episode. He remembered too how God had set aside the Levites to minister and pronounce blessings on them in his name.

Moses stresses that the Israelites must always fear the Lord, walk in his ways, love him and serve him with all their heart and soul. He says that they must circumcise their hearts and not be stiff necked as regards the God of gods and Lord of lords, who defends the fatherless and the widow and loves the alien. He reminds Israel how they started out as just 70 when they went down to Egypt but God had made them "as numerous as the stars in the sky."

Granddaughters

I am glad to report that our 9-year-old granddaughter Amanda is finally on the mend in her health. Thank you for praying. She had 2 visits to the hospital to go on a drip for dehydration but now she is getting back to normal. And our 17-year-old granddaughter Alice has just started her university course in Psychology this week. Please pray for her too. 

Please pray for the little 6-year-old girl called Helloá who was bitten by a rattlesnake. Sadly it took a long time to give her the antidote as they had run out here in Patos and the nearest place which had it was Itaporanga. Now the doctors fear the child will be left with side effects as her eye sight is strange, and blood tests show something wrong with her kidneys too.

Liz was involved in a long counselling session yesterday about a very delicate subject I can't go into here.

Deuteronomy 9 (résumé): Not because of Israel's Righteousness

Moses went on to tell Israel that upon crossing the Jordan God will give the victory despite the strength of the opposing armies and warriors. The Israelites will drive out the incumbent people and annihilate them. But Israel should be careful not to think that their victories are because of their own righteousness. God will give the victory to Israel because of the incumbent nations' wickedness and because of his covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Moses then goes on to remind the Israelites of two classic examples of their stiff-necked rebellious attitudes to God. First of all the case of the creation of a golden calf idol when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the law from God. Just because Moses took a long time the people slipped into rebellious idolatry. (Exodus 32) In the second place was the case of Israel abandoning faith in God and becoming despaired at the negative reports by the majority of spies sent into Canaan. (Numbers 13 and 14) In both these cases God was tremendously angry and was about to destroy the Israelites, had Moses not fervently interceded for forgiveness from God.  Thus Moses reminded Israel of their weaknesses which could not be repeated in Canaan. 

Deuteronomy 8 (résumé): Do not forget the Lord

 Moses now goes on to remind Israel how God had guided them in the desert, humbled them, tested them and fed them with manna so that they might realize that "man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." During 40 years the people's clothes never wore out!

So the Israelites must observe the commands of the Lord because he is bringing them into a land with abundant water, full of wheat, barley, vines, figs, pomegranates, olive oil and honey so that they "will lack nothing." But the people must be careful not to forget the Lord in their plenty. Moses says that they must remember that all they have with nice houses, herds and flocks has come from God. For if the people forget God the Lord will destroy them.

Training Course

On Saturday we held a training course on child evangelism for our Sunday School teachers and our regular school teachers in Patos. The course was taught by Pastor Beto, Sister Geneci and team from Londrina in the south of Brazil. I also had a lovely meeting with Pastor Beto, Pastor Lindon Carlos and Geneci. The course was also administered at our Matureia, Imaculada, Princesa Isabel, Vazante e Diamante churches. 

A little 6-year-old girl in Patos has been bitten by a Rattlesnake and is in the Children's hospital receiving treatment in intensive care. She is the niece of Jordânia who is a member of our church. Please pray!

Saturday night's service at Green Pastures was a real blessing. A good number were present. I led and preached. Nega and Vilene led the worship. The folk there sang happy birthday to me. It was lovely. 

35-year-old Hugo Motta from Patos has been elected as the president of the Brazilian national congress's lower house of federal deputies. As far as I know it is the highest national political post that someone from Patos has ever earned.

I led the main service of the week yesterday and Pastor Rafael preached. The church kindly gave me gifts for my birthday (a pair of jeans, a shirt and pyjamas). It was a blessed communion service.      

Deuteronomy 7 (résumé): Driving out the Nations

The culture at this time was one of 'kill, conquer and plunder' which stretches our understanding.

God now tells the Israelites to massacre the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites to possess the promised land. They are to show no mercy, are to kill everyone, and are to destroy all their cultural symbols such as their altars, idols and the symbols of the goddess Asherah. They are not to inter-marry with the inhabitants of the promised land. 

The text says that this invasion of Canaan is in keeping with God's covenant with the Israelites' forefathers which he calls "a covenant of love" which will bring them great blessing as long they "follow the commands, decrees and laws" of God. God tells Israel not to fear the fact that the peoples they will drive out are stronger than them as he will give them victory bit by bit. However they were not to keep the silver and gold from the idols as it was "detestable".     

Flycatcher

I have just seen a little yellow and black Common Tody-Flycatcher in the creeper outside our kitchen window where I was having my breakfast. I also saw some baby House Sparrows on the garden wall.

Yesterday I went to Green Pastures and saw and heard the following birds: Striped Cuckoo, Pigmy Nightjar, Caatinga Cacholote, Campo Troupial and White-tipped Dove.

Geraldo, whom we visited a few days ago who has cancer, is very happy that since we prayed for him he has been sleeping better and he is feeling stronger and eating more. His wife Linda phoned Liz to tell us. Please pray for Geraldo.

My co-pastor Rafael and his wife Rayla are on holiday in João Pessoa having a well-deserved break. Please pray for them.

This blog had 3,386 visits and reads last month. May God bless all the readers.

We had 166 mm of rain at Green Pastures in January. Thank you for your prayers, and please keep praying! 🙏We need 1,000 mm in the rainy season, between now and May, to get us through the year.

I have just taken part in an excellent EAB Board Meeting online. The meeting was held at Neil and Naomi Parson's house at West Wellow.