Job 15 (summary): Eliphaz returns

Now Job's 'friend' or 'comforter' Eliphaz returns to goad him. Eliphaz says that Job's words are empty and that he is a bag of wind! He says Job's words are useless and without value, and that Job's own words condemn him and testify against himself. He asks Job who he thinks he is because he is not the owner of wisdom and the wisdom of the aged back Eliphaz and friends' point of view. He asks how Job can speak to God the way he does? "What is man that he could be pure"? asks Eliphaz. If God doesn't even trust the angels how much less would he trust man? Eliphaz says that distress and anguish come to man because "he shakes his fist at God and vaunts himself against the almighty". Man might be fat but he will end up living in ruins and his wealth will not endure". Eliphaz tells Job to stop trying to deceive himself because "the company of the godless will be barren".

Job 14 (summary): Job bemoans the fragility of Life

Job now continues by decrying the brevity and frailty of human life being just a "few days", "full of trouble", "like a fleeting shadow" that does not endure. Job says man's days are determined by God and his months are numbered. He compares human life to that of a tree saying that a tree can sprout from the stump after being felled, whereas with a man "he breathes his last and is no more". Thus man is worse off than a tree. Job wishes God would hide him in the grave until his anger had passed! Job imagines that God could seal his offences in a bag and cover his sin. For Job declares to have lost hope, just feeling pain as he mourns. 

Hair cut

I had my hair cut for 2026 yesterday morning at 7:30 am! It was this early because my hairdresser cuts my hair at our home before going to his shop. I can't stand my hair long so I hope you like it? 👨

Our final service of the year will be tonight at 7:30 pm and will be a thanksgiving service for 2025 with multiple short words from folk interspersed with singing items. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Please pray for our 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade from January 9th to 18th which will have a team of 130 mainly young people drawn from our churches. 43 come from our Campina Grande region, 41 from the Imaculada region, 29 from the Patos region, 10 from our Itaporanga region and 7 from our João Pessoa region. Part of this team will be Amy Gough coming from Southampton, England. May the Lord give us much fruit.

Francisco saw 3 Jaguarundi Wild Cats at Green Pastures yesterday. Wildlife is attracted by our watering troughs and they are easy to see because there are no leaves on the trees at all with the catastrophic drought.

Job 13 (summary): Job continues

Here Job continues to stand up to his friends who are no more the owner of truth than he is. Job calls his friends "worthless physicians" and tells them that they should not put words into God's mouth. For his friends' maxims are ashes and their defences are clay. Job insists that he wants to speak to God. For his faith in God is steadfast and he says "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him". And Job insists that once he can present his case to God he will be vindicated. Job asks God what he has done wrong and what sins he has committed? He also suggests that his friends would be wiser to keep quiet!

John Simpson

I have just read an excellent article on the BBC website written by John Simpson who is one of their most experienced and competent journalists. The article is entitled "I've reported on 40 wars but I've never seen a year like 2025". The article is in my view accurate, frightening and well worth reading.

QPR lost their last game of the year 2 x 1 away to West Brom, so end 2025 in 9th place in the 24 team Championship.

Liz went to the prayer meeting last night and practiced to sing with the ladies in our New Year's Eve service tomorrow. I continued to prepare a sermon on King Hezekiah. 

2 more have been baptized. This time at our church at Juru where Pastor Esequias is the pastor.

Last Sunday

I led the last Sunday service of the year last night and our daughter Sacha preached on "Hitherto has the Lord helped us" from 1 Samuel 7. It was a good service.

An awful road accident in the north-eastern state of Bahia, where we have a church, left 11 dead. The head-on collision was caused by irresponsible overtaking and there were 8 people in one of the cars!

I have just eaten some delicious red mombins. 😋

3 were baptized at our Água Grande church and 2 were baptized at our Juazeirinho church yesterday. Then 2 made decisions for Christ at the Sítio Mumbassa in the municipality of Flores in the state of Pernambuco. All glory be to God! We are ending the year well!

School Christmas Service

Last night I led the Pastor Frank Dyer School Christmas service together with the inauguration of the new school playground. Liz (Frank's daughter) opened in prayer, we had a Christmas choreography and a short Christmas play. I then preached the Biblical Christmas gospel before we gave certificates to the mothers who had done our cookery course, and then we gave presents to the children. It was a lovely service after which we served a snack to one and all. There were about 350 people present.

I have finished reading the 9th book in the Blitz Detective series called 'The Soho Murder' by Mike Hollow. It was another most relaxing and enjoyable read and I now look forward to the sequel. I send my congratulations to Detective Inspector John Jago for cracking another nut! 

Boxing Day

With the temperature at 37 degrees it hardly seemed like Boxing Day yesterday!

QPR drew away to Portsmouth 1 x 1 yesterday and continue close to the play-offs. 

I went to Green Pastures and saw Picui Ground-Doves, Black Headed Vultures and Caatinga Cacholotes. A large deer was sighted yesterday morning drinking from one of our drinking troughs maintained for wild animals. A number of rust-coloured wild cats have been observed too, together with a small spotted wild cat and many foxes.

Someone asked me if I believe in extra-terrestrial creatures? Well I believe in the incarnation. I believe that the Son of God was born of a virgin at Bethlehem. I believe that God became flesh. So yes... I believe in extra-terrestrial beings coming to earth. That is the whole point of the Christmas message!

Christmas Day

Christmas day was a nice relaxed family day with all the family, except Philip and family of course who are in England, eating Christmas lunch together. We even had Christmas pudding courtesy of Marian! See our Christmas day family photo below.

Please pray for Pastor Phil Watkins of the Bristol Ivy Church who is spending the Christmas period in hospital with serious health problems. 

The Psalmist said in 139:14 - "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made". How true that is! Our heart pumps our blood round our arteries and veins. Our brain controls everything and our variety of organs exercise different functions. And to think that one day we will have resurrected and glorious bodies forever with the Lord!

Son of Promise

Last night I led the traditional Christmas Eve service which had as its main feature a one hour play which I wrote called "Son of Promise". The play starts with Isaac the son of promise of Abraham and Sarah. Then comes the birth of Jesus the son of promise and the play closes with the words of Paul in Galatians 4:28 that we in Christ are the "Children of Promise". The service ended with us giving gifts to the children.

Once home from church we had a family Christmas Eve supper together which was very nice.

Christmas Presents

I gave Liz a bouquet of flowers for her Christmas present and she gave me a chocolate panatone cake of which I have already eaten half! 💞

I have done my Pilates and aquarobics so am fit for Christmas! 🏃Everything in Brazil focuses on Christmas Eve with a special supper after the service in church. However having dual nationalities we also follow the British tradition of the special turkey lunch on Christmas Day! 😋

Last night I travelled to the town of São Mamede with the Patos Men's Fellowship to take part in another street service there to which between 40 and 50 people gathered to hear the Gospel. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Pastor Rafael preached a Christmas message from John 3:16. It was a good service with Rebeca working with the children during the sermon. After the service Sister Maricó served soup to everyone.

Brazil's President Lula has decreed that "Gospel culture be officially recognized as a national manifestation". This is a positive recognition of the evangelical church's strength in Brazil.

Playground

Liz and I visited our Pastor Frank Dyer School and saw all the preparations for the official opening of our new playground this Saturday together with the school's Christmas service. The playground looks lovely.

Speed bumps are an epidemic in Brazil! Whereas in Switzerland they don't exist and in the UK they hardly exist, here in Brazil they are everywhere. Speed bumps here are speed walls or mountains and are ridiculous.

Last night we had a shower of rain in Patos but not at Green Pastures. Showers change nothing here, but at least they are a sign of hope. 

15 baptized

Yesterday I baptized 10 in a lovely service at Green Pastures and Pastor Rafael helped me. 7 were from the Patos church, 1 was from our congregation of São Mamede, 1 was from the ex-landless settlement of NS Aparecida II, and 1 was from the Green Pastures church. Marina and Rogaciano led the worship and Pastor Rafael brought a brief word on baptism. After the baptismal service we had a delicious fellowship breakfast together. It was an excellent morning. 

5 were also baptized at our Princesa Isabel church yesterday. PTL!

Last night I led the service which was blessed by the deaf choir and a lovely Christmas choreography. Pastor Rafael preached on 'Mary's song' from Luke 1. The praise was led by Sacha and Rogério. It was a good service.

4 Decisions

A team led by Pastor Rafael held a meeting in the Rua do Meio street in Patos last night and 4 decisions of commitment to Christ were made at the end. The street is known for drugs and murders. Please pray for those who made decisions and for the monthly services we are now going to hold in this street. All glory be to God for the faithful evangelism of this street by sister Iara for years, and for the more recent evangelism there by Roberto Tiburtino and his wife Nenem. 

The water crisis gets increasingly worse here and the Farinha reservoir is down to 1% of its capacity with masses of fish floating dead on its surface. Please pray for rain!

Last night we went to take the Green Pastures Church's Christmas service. Deaconess Josinete went with us and both her and Liz brought short words to the church. Liz also read a lovely Christmas poem. I led the service and preached on the Christmas story going through prophecies from Isaiah and the New Testament virgin birth narratives from Matthew and Luke. The children also had a special dance participation in the service which was excellent.

When we go into a community with a project we don't just land by parachute and drill a well or build a toilet. First of all we hold community meetings to get to know the people and to hear what their needs are. We listen to the people and respect them. We also hold educational community meetings such as to teach people to care for the environment and not throw rubbish in any old place. We have seen real transformations as a result of this. Then we always hold a thanksgiving inauguration service where we clearly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When EAB/ACEV drill a well they take 2 types of water to the community!

Job 12 (summary): Job retaliates

Job now refutes his friends' "wisdom" and ensues on a strong attack of their arguments during 3 chapters, insisting that he is in no way inferior to them. Job points out that true wisdom and power belongs to God who controls all creation. He seems to say that his friends' logic of 'sin produces suffering' is not always the case as many wicked men have been allowed to live happy lives by God. Job clearly showed that he did not share his friends' simplistic world view. (Life is not black and white... it is coloured!) Job knew he was a righteous man yet he had become a laughing-stock to his friends. Job clearly argued that he was righteous but the just don't always prosper and the wicked weren't always punished. Job showed that he didn't understand why some things happened, but he trusted in God nevertheless. Job closes the chapter showing that he was well aware of God's greatness despite being bewildered by his current suffering.

Road Sweepers

Our church at São Vicente do Seridó, about a 2-hour drive east of Patos, is led by Missionary Nenem Guimarães, and she and her flock have just made a beautiful Christian gesture in the town. They organized a delicious and plentiful Christmas breakfast for all the road sweepers who absolutely loved it and said nothing like it had ever happened to them. (I should just explain to overseas readers that the term 'missionary' is used in ACEV to define ordained workers who are not officially pastors, though in effect they are!)

I went to Green Pastures and had a nice visit with our 3 donkeys: King Solomon, Queen of Sheba and Merrylegs II. They are well and nice and plump despite the drought. I saw White-naped Jays and Chalk-browed Mockingbirds whilst there. A small flock of Red-legged Seriemas came to drink water at our water fountain and 2 males got in a big fight over the females making a terrific din!

I have started a short course online on Philosophy taught by Dr. Luiz Felipe Pondé who is a professor at São Paulo University (USP).

Job 11 (summary): Zophar replies

Now is the turn for Job's third friend or comforter to comment on Job's predicament. His name is Zophar, (and with friends like the 3 "comforters" who needs enemies?) Zophar accuses Job of idle talk and mockery, and that Job's hidden sin was the cause of his suffering. Nevertheless Zophar says that Job should be grateful because God was even letting him off from a lot! Zophar points to God's mysteries as fathomless being longer than the earth and wider than the sea, and God recognizes deceitful men. The only solution, Zophar says, is for Job to put away his sin and allow no evil to dwell in his tent! For if Job puts his life right before God things will change and "life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning". However he says that "the eyes of the wicked will fail" and "their hope will become a dying gasp"!

Christmas Hampers

Liz is very busy distributing Christmas food hampers to the poor as we always do every Christmas time.

I led last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Dr Murilo gave the study on 1 John 2:1-17. It was a good service with a nice time of prayer and praise together.

Job 10 (summary): Job's lament continues

 Job now continues to struggle to come to terms with why on earth he is experiencing such horrific suffering. Job starts this chapter saying he loathes his very life and begs of God that he tells him what charges he has against him. He asks God if it gives him pleasure to oppress him? Job says that God seems to be searching for his faults and probing for sin even though he knows that he is not guilty. Job accuses God of stalking him like a lion and displaying his awesome power against him. Job says he wished he'd never been born, but he just hoped for a little bit of joy before death.

Online Meeting

Yesterday we held a further online meeting of our senior leadership team to discuss an important issue which I can't mention here. The meeting went very well. We value your prayers.

Yesterday I had my ears syringed for the second time in 4 months and it's nice to be able to hear better. I think I should set up a wax factory!

Liz has popped out to Green Pastures to take bottled drinking water ready for the crowd on Sunday morning for the baptism of 11. After the 8 am baptism we always hold a church fellowship breakfast together. 

Get-together

Last night I took part in the Men's Fellowship's end-of-year get-together which was held at the 'Coreto II' open-air restaurant where we all ate pizza and played 2 games of bingo. The first game was won by Gilmarco and the second by Isaque. It was a lovely evening of fun and fellowship.

Thanksgiving Service

Yesterday we watched online the thanksgiving service for the life of the ex-chairman of the EAB Board of Trustees, Bob Dalton, who is with the Lord aged 90. I had known Bob all my life as he was a frequent visitor to my home in North Kensington when I was a child. I was present at his farewell to Brazil at a train station when he came here as a missionary. Bob visited us twice in northeast Brazil where he ministered amongst us. We thank God for every memory of Bob. The service was lovely with the Gospel clearly and carefully presented. Our thanks go to Marian Rashleigh who went to represent EAB.

Half of December has gone and still no signs of rain here. December is the month that we can get early rains before they start in earnest in January. Please pray for rain which is needed desperately. I'm dreaming of a WET Christmas!

Job 9 (summary): Job replies to Bildad

 In this and the following chapter Job replies to Bildad exclaiming "how can a mortal be righteous before God"? For Job recognizes that God's wisdom is profound and his power is vast. With beautiful poetry Job finds himself at a loss to discuss with God his predicament because God is almighty moving mountains, shaking the earth, controlling the sun and the stars. How can I dispute with God, asks Job? How can I find words to argue with God? Even if I was innocent, says Job, I could only plead with God for mercy. Job found himself snookered because he didn't understand what had brought such terrible suffering on him, he was not aware of any hidden sin, yet there seemed that no resource existed to sort out his dilemma. In despair he exclaims that "even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me". And Job's further bewilderment is expressed when he says that God "destroys the blameless and the wicked"! He goes on to say how he dreads all his suffering and sees no way to prove his innocence. If only, Job sighs, there was someone to arbitrate between him and God!

Job 8 (summary): Bildad

Now comes Job's second friend or comforter called Bildad and he poured on the agony too insisting with Job, as had Eliphaz, that all his suffering was a result of hidden sin. Bildad states bluntly that Job's children had received their penalty from a just God and Job's only way forward was to plead with God and change his ways to purity and uprightness. Bildad insinuates that Job had forgotten God and was trusting in fragile spiders' webs. For clearly God never rejects a blameless man, Bildad affirms, so clearly Job is declared guilty!

Cantata

Last night I both led the service and preached on Gideon from Judges 6 - 8, but the central feature of the service was the 'Coral Adoração' (Adoration Choir) from our Campina Grande Catolé church which presented a wonderful Christmas Cantata called 'God with us' which lasted about 45 minutes and it was very good. The choir's conductor Gideão is a professional musician and music teacher and this makes the difference. The church was packed to capacity.

It was good to see in church a recently bereaved family. It was also good to see a new deaf couple in church who have just moved to Patos from São Mamede attracted by our deaf ministry.

6 were baptized at Soledade yesterday. PTL!

Nest

We have found a nest in our garden on a cactus plant which is about the size of a large fist but it has a small entrance. We will keep observing it to see of which species it is, but I suspect it is that of the Southern House Wren (Troglodytes musculus) which lays 3 to 6 reddish eggs.

Sadly QPR lost away to Middlesbrough 3 x 1 yesterday. 😞

Somebody kindly presented me with my ancestry DNA test whilst I was in England and I have now received the results. These show that my ancestral roots are 31% in northern Wales & northwestern England, 28% southeastern England and northwestern Europe, 17% central Scotland and northern Ireland, 11% west midlands, 8% southern Wales, 2% east midlands, 2% northeast England, and 1% Ireland.

I had last night off from my usual Saturday night preaching at the Green Pastures church because they held their Christmas party with a lovely time of fellowship and food being had by one and all. So I had time to relax reading 3 more chapters of Mike Hollow's book 'The Soho Murder'. I've now read 32 of the 45 chapters and it's very good.

Happy birthday to our daughter Lynn! May God richly bless you.

Job 7 (summary): Job continues to reply

 Job now continues to struggle to understand his horrific suffering saying that he feels like a slave who endures nights of misery tossing and turning. His "body is clothed with worms and scabs", and he thinks about death. Job complains in the bitterness of his soul that he would prefer to be strangled to death! Job says that he despises his life because his days have no meaning. Job asks God in what way has he sinned because he feels like he is God's target who has become a burden to God. Job asks God why he does not pardon and forgive him?

Job 6 (summary): Job replies

In chapters 6 and 7 Job replies to Eliphaz expressing his extreme anguish and misery that he is experiencing, saying that the arrows of God's poison are in him. Job rejects Eliphaz's criticism as saltless food or the flavourless white of an egg! Job then repeats his desire to end his life in the light of his extreme suffering. He expresses his frailty faced with such overwhelming adversity, and says that not even his friends stick with him and are like dried up streams in the drought! Job's friends, like Eliphaz, "have proved to be of no help" because they imagine dreadful things and are afraid. Job tell his friends to "show me where I have been wrong" and their arguments prove nothing and are very hurtful. He accuses Eliphaz of treating "the words of a despairing man as wind". Job says bluntly that he is righteous and wouldn't lie to anyone's face! He says that his integrity is at stake and tells Eliphaz to reconsider his arguments and not be unjust.

Job 5 (summary): Eliphaz continues

Here Eliphaz continues with his theory that hidden sin is bringing its consequences to Job's life. Eliphaz insinuates that Job is a fool for not realizing and admitting that what Job is going through is from God as a result of hidden sin because "hardship does not spring from the soil, nor does trouble sprout from the ground". Eliphaz proposes that Job should "appeal to God" and lay before him his cause. He says he should "not despise the discipline of the Almighty" because he will wound but also will heal, God will ransom from famine and save from the sword in battle. In other words Eliphaz says that God will do all this for Job and give him more children making his "descendants like the grass of the earth" if he puts right that which is necessary in Job's life.

Southern Wren

 I have just heard the Southern Wren singing in our garden for the first time since we returned from the UK just over a month ago.

Our worker Missionary Guilherme Santos has been ministering in our Diamante church to where he will be moving permanently next month. Please pray for Guilherme.

Last night I led the Christmas service at the senior citizens complex called "Cidade Madura" (Mature City) on the south side of Patos. There were about 60 people present. Speakers were Liz, Adriana, Romildo, Claudia and Pastor Rafael and music and song came from Sacha, Rogaciano, Letícia and Vasti. It was an excellent service.

Job 4 (summary): Eliphaz

This chapter and the next contain the first speech by Job's friend or comforter Eliphaz. Eliphaz insinuates that Job's suffering is a result of hidden sin. For "should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?" For the innocent do not perish, Eliphaz says, nor are the upright destroyed. But those who sow trouble reap what they sow! Eliphaz even cites some sort of vision where a spirit questions human piety before God saying "Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his maker?" For human sinners "are crushed more readily that a moth!

Senior Leadership Meeting

Yesterday afternoon we held an on-line meeting of our senior leadership team which lasted an hour and a quarter and was very good. We discussed a problem and a couple of more minor issues. We value your prayers.

Yesterday I continued my keep fit endeavours with Pilates in the morning and Aquarobics in the afternoon. 🏃

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Pastor Rafael gave the study on the Great Day of the Lord in Zephaniah 1:14-18. The praise was led by Rogério and Rogaciano.

Yesterday was a difficult day bidding farewell to David Shearing. It was he that invited Liz to travel to London in October 1966 which led to Liz and I first meeting. David was such a faithful supporter of EAB and always proposed that the minutes were correct at the trustees board meetings. He was a lovely brother!

Amy Gough

A young Bible College student from Southampton, Amy Gough, will be joining us next month for just over 2 weeks with the focus on participation in this year's 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade. She will also be visiting Barra de Oitis, Diamante, Vazante, Caroá, Manaira, Princesa Isabel, Juru, Tavares, Imaculada, Matureia, Teixeira and Green Pastures, ending up with a day on the beach. 😎

Yesterday we had our second doses of the vaccination against Shingles. I understand that in the UK the Shingles vaccination is only one dose, but here it is two with one before we went to Europe and the other now.

This morning we had the sad duty to watch our dear friend David Shearing's funeral service in Southampton online via YouTube. There was a good crowd present. David was a faithful servant of God till the end, aged 88, and was at the EAB AGM on October 25th of which he was a trustee. We had a long chat on that day.

Job 3 (summary): Job Speaks

After 7 days silence Job cursed the day of his birth. Job poetically struggles here to come to terms with his horrific suffering. Job wished that the light of his birth become darkness. He curses the joy of birth calling on the monster of the deep Leviathan to be roused in its place. Job wished that his mother's womb had been closed, or that he had been still born, or that he had died soon after birth. Job lamented the knees that had nursed him and the breasts that had fed him. Job asks why those who long to die are not allowed to and talks of the joy of reaching the grave! Job says his groans pour out like water and that what he most feared had come upon him and he had no peace.

São Mamede

Last night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to the town of São Mamede where I preached on Mark 4:21-25 and 'The Lamp on a Stand'. Chief of the police and deacon Esau led the service which was very good with about 40 people hearing the Gospel in the middle of the street.

Last night QPR beat Birmingham 2 x 1 at home and find themselves in the playoffs section of the Championship! 😎

Tomorrow will be the funeral of our dear brother and EAB Committee member David Shearing at the Millbrook Christian Centre, Southampton at 12 noon. The service will be streamed live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7InN3MrkrlA

David Irish

It was lovely to receive David Irish's Christmas letter from Australia. Our good friend David was a missionary with his late wife Margaret in Papua New Guinea for many years and went back there this year. Next year he will be going to Zimbabwe to visit his brother Peter. David has a special place in our hearts as it was he who arranged the lunch for Liz at my house on Good Friday, 1967 when our courtship started.

I am now posting my news daily here on my blog, and no longer every other day as previously, so as to keep news shorter.

2 armed men stole 8 engravings by French artist Matisse and 5 from Brazilian artist Portinari from a library in São Paulo. The value of the works stolen is said to be "incalculable".

Our granddaughter Louisa and her husband Tiago have flown to England to spend Christmas with Louisa's family.

3 were baptized at the weekend from our Tavares church and 5 were baptized from our Belém church.

Please pray for our little church at Travessia where the local catholic priest is threatening people with a ban on christenings and the likes if they attend services at our church. Please pray for Pastor Francinaldo who ministers there every fortnight.

Our dear brother Bob Dalton's funeral will be on December 15th. The committal will be at 10:30 am at Bowstridge Lane Cemetery, Chalfont St Giles, HP8 4RB. The thanksgiving service will be at 1 pm at the Heathervale Baptist Church, Heathervale Road, New Haw, Surrey, KT15 3NW. Afterwards at the Foxhills, Stonehill Road, Ottershaw, KT16 0EL.

An acted poem

I led last night's communion service in Patos together with my co-pastor Rafael. 7 members of our drama group presented a text written by Thyago Nóbrega of our Campina Grande Catolé church in colloquial country bumkin Portuguese telling the Christmas story from beginning to end. It was very good. Then came the sermon from lawyer Murilo which was on 'The Branch from Jesse' (Isaiah 11) which was very good. Parallel to this our children had a special Christmas Feast which went really well too.

QPR

The glorious QPR won a glorious victory at home against West Brom 3 x 1 yesterday! 😄And I see Scotland's first game in next year's World Cup will be against Brazil! May the best team win!

Last night I both led and preached at the weekly Green Pastures service where there were some people present from the town of São Mamede as well as the regular locals. Sister Nega led the worship very well. I preached on 'Life through the Son' from John 5:16-30. It was a good service. I brought milk home afterwards as we buy fresh milk from a local farmer who is a Christian. 

I loved the Christmas decorations that the Green Pastures church put up. Especially nice is a dead tree from the drought which they have decorated beautifully. It looks really good. 

Well inauguration

Yesterday was a good but tiring day as we drove 4 hours for a well inauguration at Água Grande in the municipality of Santana de Mangueira, and then drove 4 hours home again. We were surprised to see 2 sets of traffic lights now installed in the Princesa Isabel high street on the way, saw the potholes had been fixed between there and Manaira, and saw some amazing mirabolic Christmas decorations at São José de Princesa the likes we have never seen!

Pastor Robério led the inauguration and thanksgiving service for the well and I preached. Pastors Valdemy and Francinaldo also gave short words of greeting as did Liz too and local leader Sandra Nogueira. It was a lovely service which ended with us all joining hands around the well's water tower as I made a prayer of thanks, dedication and consecration. Then the local folk served cake and pop drink to one and all.

Empty arm

I have an empty arm having done routine blood tests yesterday! (The joke will be appreciated for those who remember Hancock's Half Hour on BBC radio & TV from 1954 to 1960) We have routine blood tests 2 or 3 times a year and I am glad to say that my glucose levels are good and my potassium & sodium levels (which were the problem when I was ill 3 or 4 years ago) are perfect. I am grateful to God.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and lawyer Murilo started a new series of studies on the First Epistle of John. Yesterday Murilo did an introduction and chapter 1. It was very good.

Webinar

Yesterday I took part in an LST - London School of Theology 'Faith seeking understanding webinar' on the topic of 'Christianity and Nationhood' (flags, immigration & patriotism). It was a very interesting event started by a dialogue between David Holborn and Nick Spencer and then with added contributions from Sunil Chandy.

Liz and I had an important counselling session with a sister from our church which ended with a time of prayer.

Good news from England is that Liz's cousin Joyce Sims had surgery for a heart valve replacement on Monday and she is already home and fine! PTL! Now PLEASE rest Joyce!

A racoon in the USA got into an off-license and drunk alcohol so much that it was found passed out on the floor! 

Our worker at Imaculada Antonio Gelsheuchter is home after open heart surgery for a triple bypass and thanks everyone for their prayers. 

Men's Fellowship

Last night the Men's Fellowship met in Patos and the meeting was led by Chief of Police Esau. It was a good meeting. I brought the word on Hebrews 10:19-25 on the topic of Fellowship. We also discussed the purchase of land at Ipueira to build a little church there. We discussed as well the setting up of a team to operate the church fire extinguishers if they were ever needed and we also discussed the end of year party for our fellowship group.

Another young man is going to drug rehab near João Pessoa this week as part of our drug recuperation work. Please pray for this young man who can't be named.

Job 2 (résumé): Job's second test

On another day the angels and Satan had an encounter with God and God remarked to Satan about Job's uprightness despite all he had just gone through. Satan retorted that Job was so resolute because his own flesh and blood was untouched and that if Job was subject to physical suffering he would curse God. So the Lord handed Job over to Satan to torment him physically as long as he didn't kill him. Then Satan afflicted Job with a mass of sores from head to toe. Job's wife suggested that he curse God and die, but Job rejected this and remained without sin. Then Job's 3 friends or comforters, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, went to visit Job and were devastated by what they found and wept out loud at the sight of Job's suffering. The friends stayed with him for 7 days and remained in total silence in respect for Job's catastrophic suffering.

Big Water

On Friday we will be travelling to Água Grande (Big Water) where I will be preaching at the inauguration service of the new well drilled and equipped for the community. Água Grande is about a 4 hour drive south-west of where we live in Patos and is in the municipality of Santana de Mangueira. It is in the region of our Caroá, Mandacaru, Pinheira and Manaira churches. The well produces 1,000 litres of water per hour and attends 134 very needy people.

Sadly a man was killed in João Pessoa after climbing into the lions' enclosure at the zoo! I have just learnt that the man had mental problems so that is very sad.

We are listening to beautiful Christmas Carols sung by the choir of King's College, Cambridge. I love these carols and this choir! How about you?

I have now finished my résumé of the 17th book of the Bible, Esther, so I've now covered 36.7% of the Bible's chapters. I now move on to Job, with 42 chapters, and Psalms with 150 chapters. When I finish these next 2 books I'll be over the half way point of the whole Bible.

Job 1 (résumé): Prologue

The book of Job is a book about suffering. The suffering of a righteous man who loses wealth, family and health at the hand of Satan, permitted by God. There ensues long discussions of the predicament involving Job's friends and comforters, and eventually his life is restored.

Chapter 1 initially tells us about Job in the land of Uz who was blameless before God. He was wealthy and blessed with 7 sons, 3 daughters, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys and many servants. He was the greatest man of the east.

One day God pointed out Job to Satan as someone who was upright shunning evil. Satan retorted that Job was so perfect because he had everything going for him, but if his good fortune changed he would soon curse God. So Satan left God's presence.

Then a series of catastrophes overtook Job and he lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels and sons and daughters! Yet Job reacted with worship saying that the Lord giveth and takes away so praise be given to the name of the Lord.

Esther 10 (résumé): The greatness of Mordecai

 King Xerxes imposed tribute throughout the empire with Mordecai firmly his second in command. Mordecai was preeminent amongst the Jews and highly esteemed by them "because he worked for the good of the people and spoke up for the welfare of all the Jews".

Esther 9 (résumé): Triumph of the Jews

On exactly the day planned for decimating the Jews under Haman's evil plan the pro-Jewish decree from King Xerxes came into force and completely turned the table in favour of the Jews. Thus the Jews assembled in their respective cities and attacked them that had been seeking their destruction. The governors and king's administrators helped the Jews for fear of the power of Mordecai. In the capital Susa the Jews killed 500 men as well as the 10 sons of Haman who were hanged, and the following day the Jews killed another 300 enemies. Around the provinces the Jews killed 75,000 people but they took no plunder. Then the Jews held a day of feasting and joy after 2 days of killings and this day became a day of giving gifts to one another. So Mordecai sent letters to all the Jews getting them to celebrate annually on the 14th and 15th day of the 12th month remembering how on these days their mourning had turned into celebration. This festival came to be known as Purim and was confirmed by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordecai in a second letter with absolute authority.

The Lamb that was slain

Our daughter Sacha, who graduates with a degree in theology later this month, preached a wonderful sermon on 'the Lamb that was slain' and Revelation 5 last night in Patos. All glory be to God! The church was full and it was a lovely service.

Yesterday Pastor Antonio and Pastor Robério baptized 4 new converts in the Felipe, Saboeiro church in the state of Ceará. We rejoice!

Please pray for my brother-in-law Laurence Levermore, aged 80, who has been taken into hospital in High Wycombe. 🙏

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