Psalm 27 (summary): The Lord is my light and my salvation

This psalm is an outspoken declaration of trust in God. "The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear"? David goes on to stress that when evil men advance, enemies attack and armies besiege "even then will I be confident". David jubilantly affirms that he will sing and make music to the Lord and seek his face. He says that even if his parents forsake him the Lord will not. He asks God to teach him his way as he is confident in his goodness despite all the oppressors and foes he faces.

Shortbread

Our son-in-law Witagiby (Biba) is a good chef and for some time now he has been making and selling excellent shortbread biscuits. Last night we went to the opening of his new "Shortbread Café" coffee shop and Philip led a song of praise and I made a prayer of blessing for the opening. The place was bubbling with people from the university to which the coffee shop is adjacent. 

We had a drop more rain (4 mm) at Green Pastures yesterday, but we are desperate for some big heavy rains. Please pray.

Psalm 26 (summary): Vindicate me, O Lord!

This another prayer of David asks for God's vindication. He asks God to test and try him examining his heart and mind as he doesn't sit with deceitful men, hypocrites or the wicked. David goes on to say that he praises God out loud and that he loves God's house. He insists that he leads a blameless life and therefore counts on God's mercy.

Psalm 25 (summary): To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul

This Davidic prayer forms an acrostic psalm. David seeks the Lord's guidance and forgiveness amidst troubles and difficulties. David asks for victory over his enemies and asks God to teach him his paths of truth. He asks forgiveness for the sins of his youth according to God's mercy and love. He declares that his "eyes are ever on the Lord", and asks for God's help amidst his anguish and loneliness. David concludes saying that his refuge and hope are in God.

Psalm 24 (summary): The earth is the Lord's

This Davidic psalm is majestic. It affirms God's sovereignty as creation Lord, asks who can go into his presence in Jerusalem, showing that this demands holiness, and ends with a rousing declaration of God's glory as the King. "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" - declares David. Who then can go into his presence? "He that has clean hands and a pure heart". The psalm ends crying for the ancient gates of Jerusalem to open to receive the King of glory!

Sunday Service

Pastor Rafael and I led the main Sunday service of the week last night and Philip led the worship aided by Louisa. Lawyer Murilo preached very well on the temptation of Christ from Matthew 4. It was an excellent service.

There was a burglary on Saturday night right next door to Green Pastures which is the third burglary in the area in the same amount of weeks. The police are investigating and we ask you to pray for their success. 🙏

I have just enjoyed an avocado pear smoothie. 😋 

Family Day

Yesterday we had a nice family day at Green Pastures focused on Philip's short visit here with us till March 7th. Philip led the worship in last night's Green Pastures' service and I preached on Jesus - the Bread of Life from John 6. 

I heard/saw many birds at Green Pastures including Pigmy Owls, Rufus-browed Peppershrike, Greater Ani, Smooth-billed Ani etc.

Agouti and 9-banded Armadillos have been registered for the first time at Green Pastures.

Yesterday QPR defeated Hull 3 x 1 away. 😃

It rained 1.8 mm yesterday, but we remain in great need of abundant rain.

Wild Cats

The researchers in to wild cats from the northernmost state in northeast Brazil (1,350 km from us), called Maranhão, have been back to the Green Pastures Project to change the batteries and memory cards from their dozen or so automatic camera traps which they have spread around our reserve. 

Last night it rained a further 2.8 mm at Green Pastures.

Psalm 23 (summary): The Lord is my shepherd

This gentle caring psalm of David portrays the Lord as David's shepherd which was a role with which he was well acquainted. God provides everything he needs including restoration. God, says David, guides his life and is with him even in the most difficult and darkest times. God blesses him, even faced with enemies, anoints his head with blessing and assures him for all the days of his life.

Psalm 22 (summary): My God, why have you forsaken me?

This is another Davidic psalm written for the director of music to go with the music 'The Doe of the Morning'! It is a messianic psalm opening with the words: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" uttered by Christ on the cross. Verse 8 sticks in my mind from Handel's Messiah. Christian theology sees this psalm as a prophecy of Jesus' suffering and eventual victory. In the central verses of the psalm David describes himself as a worm scorned and despised. He says he feels encircled by bulls, as being torn apart by lions and surrounded by dogs. He says that "they have pierced my hand and my feet", and "cast lots for my clothing". The latter part of the psalm trusts God for victory and rejoices because God has listened to his cry for help. All the earth will turn to the Lord, he says, and all the nations will bow down before the "afflicted one". Thus this messianic psalm ends on a positive victorious note.

Night off

Last night's mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study was cancelled so as to give everyone a breather after 7 services and 3 serenades in 5 days at the carnival camp.

Last night I played Philip at chess and won, but he played better and is steadily improving.

Yesterday we had a little further rain at Green Pastures with 4 mm of rainfall. 

Please pray for 4 little children who are being cared for by one of our church members up in the mountains after their mother, who has severe mental health problems, tried to kill them! The mother has now been taken to a mental health institution. 

Green Pastures

I have seen/heard the following species of birds at Green Pastures in the past few days: Southern House Wren, Caatinga Cacholote, Red-cowled Cardinal, Campo Troupial, Black-headed Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, Pigmy Owl, White-naped Jay, Rufous-bellied Thrush, Striped Cuckoo and Great Kiskadee. 

One of the things that stands out in the Carnival Camp at Green Pastures is the fellowship. It was beautiful to see the warm unity of the body of Christ. Another lovely moment at the camp was the consecration of sister Leca as a deaconess of the local Green Pastures church. May God richly bless Leca and the church.

I see that a Brazilian called Lucas won an unlikely gold medal in the winter Olympics despite Brazil being a tropical country! However there is a hitch to this story as his father is Norwegian and his mother Brazilian. Well done anyway Lucas!

I had a good meeting last night with lawyer and preacher Murilo.

I have now read 15 chapters of 'the Bloomsbury Murder' which is the 10th book in 'the Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. It's a very enjoyable good read. 

Carnival Camp

Thank you for your prayers for the Carnival Camp which has just ended and which was excellent! It was a real blessing with true harmony and fellowship. The ministry of the word was superb as was the praise and worship and the sport and children's work. It was fantastic to have Philip here with us for the camp.

Our daughter Sacha led the opening service on the Saturday night and I preached on Abraham from Hebrews 11:8-19 focusing on Abraham's obedience, his generating of a son at a 100, and his willingness to sacrifice that son.

The second service was on Sunday morning and Sacha again led with Pastor Rafael preaching on Samuel. The third service on Sunday night was led by Pastor Rafael with lawyer Rayla preaching on Joseph. Then the 4th service on Monday morning was led by Pastor Philip and lawyer Murilo preached on David. The 5th service on Monday night was a praise and prayer prom led by Sacha. The 6th service yesterday morning was led by Pastor Rafael and lawyer Murilo preached on Moses. Then the 7th service last night I led and Sacha preached on Paul.

Other things that were a real blessing at the camp were the late night serenades led by Philip recalling old worship songs. Also the volleyball competitions went off extremely well and we are going to make a second volleyball court for next year's camp. The swimming pool was well used too.

The ministry to the children also went off very well at the camp with the swimming pool in the morning and Bible stories at night. So it was a wonderful camp at a green again Green Pastures after another 29 mm of rain during the camp.

Peter Guy

97-year-old EAB supporter Peter Guy has gone to be with the Lord. We spoke with him in the EAB AGM in October and we praise God for his life of service to the Lord. He was alert and lucid to the end. Our prayers are with his family at this time. 

The Carnival Camp is part of the Green Pastures Project and has started today running till next Wednesday which is Ash Wednesday, which follows Shrove Pancake Tuesday. We value your prayers for the camp. Because of the camp news on this blog may be limited over the coming days.

Philip arrived last night about 7:15 pm safe and sound and in good time for the Carnival Camp. He travelled straight to Green Pastures much to Liz's delight and the kitchen team that were already there.

Psalm 21 (summary): O Lord, the king rejoices!

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music is a kingly royal psalm which celebrates God granting victories to the king, as well as rich blessing and long life. Thanks to God's goodness David's glory is great with splendour and majesty. The king, says the psalm, trusts in the "unfailing love of the Most High". The victory over his enemies is sure, says the psalm, as the wrath of the Lord will swallow up the enemies and even destroy their descendants. Thus the psalm ends on a jubilant note of praise and exaltation of the Lord.   

Psalm 20 (summary): May the Lord answer you!

This another psalm of David for the director of music is a prayer for the King maybe as he prepares to go into battle. The prayer seeks God's answer in days of distress and seeks his protection. The prayer then seeks "support from Zion" and asks that David's heart's desire be granted and all his plans succeed. Then they will shout for joy for the victory and lift up the name of the Lord. Some trust in horses and chariots, says the psalm, but we trust in the name of the Lord! The enemy falls "but we rise up and stand"! The prayer ends saying, "O Lord, save the king"!

Psalm 19 (summary): The heavens declare the glory of God!

This Davidic psalm addressed to the director of music is a declaration of God's revelation through creation and his word. First of all David focuses on creation saying that the heavens declare God's glory. God speaks to us, argues David, through the skies and the sun. The second revelatory means of God is through his word which is perfect in reviving the soul. God's word is trustworthy, David says, and gives wisdom, joy, and light which lasts forever. The word of God is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey. Then David concludes praying that his words and meditation might be pleasing to God

Psalm 18 (summary): I love you Lord!

This psalm is a jubilant song of praise and thanks to God for having delivered David from his enemies including Saul. David commences expressing his love for God who is his rock and fortress and worthy of praise. He says he was near to death so he called to the Lord for help. God answered with earthquakes and smoke came from his nostrils like a dragon. The ensuing storm brought hailstones, thunder and lightening and through it God rescued David from his powerful enemy. David goes on to say that God was his support who brought him to a spacious place rewarding his righteousness. The Lord, says David, keeps his lamp burning and lightens his darkness. He says that with God's help he can overcome barricades and walls. God is perfect and his word is flawless. God gives me his shield of victory, David says, and his right hand sustains him. With God's help David says he destroyed his enemies and crushed them. "The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Saviour!" - is exclaimed by David... I will sing praise to your name!

Psalm 17 (summary): Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea!

This further Davidic psalm asks for God's protection and vindication from enemies. David invites God to probe his heart and test him because he has nothing to hide. He says he has walked carefully in God's ways. David asks God to hear his prayer and keep him as the apple of his eye hiding him under his wings so as to protect from his mortal enemies. David's enemies are callous and arrogant like a hungry lion for prey. He cries for God to rescue him from the wicked and rests assured that one day he will see God's face.

Psalm 16 (summary): Keep me safe, O God!

This is another of the 73 psalms attributed to David in the title. David starts calling on God to keep him safe as his only source of refuge. Apart from in God he has no good thing, but those that chase other gods will suffer an increase of sorrows. David praises the Lord for his wise counsel in the night and that in God he will not be shaken. He says his heart is glad and rejoices because God will not abandon him in the grave or let his holy faithful one see decay. For God has made known to him the path of life and he will bless him with eternal pleasures at his right hand.

Psalm 15 (summary): Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

 Psalm 15 is a wisdom psalm of David which defines how a person may live on God's holy hill which is God's presence. To do this one must live blamelessly, act righteously, speak truthfully and do one's neighbour no wrong. One must also despise a vile man, keep one's oath "even when it hurts", never accept bribes, and lend money without interest. "He who does these things will never be shaken".

Mid-week

 Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and Murilo brought the study on 'Love one another' from 1 John 3:11-15 as he is doing a series in this epistle. After the study an inspiring discussion ensued about 'love' where one sister shared about her having been adopted, another told us of her rejection by her family when she accepted Christ when young, and a third sister told us how her late husband came to the Lord. It was wonderful!

A dog in São Paulo stayed by his owner's grave for 10 years and a new law has been introduced to allow the burial of pets with their late owners in the dog's honour and in recognition of the emotional bond between people and their pets.

Philip is leaving Recife about now driven by Netinho. He should be in Patos early evening.

Dragon Fruit

I have just eaten red Dragon Fruit. It looks better than it tastes, but its alright. It's called Pitaya in Portuguese. 

I have just heard that President Lula is to inaugurate the expansion of the Patos airport next month.

And talking about airports Philip is today flying to Brazil via São Paulo and Recife arriving in Patos tomorrow. 🛫

Psalm 14 (summary): Atheists are fools

This further psalm of David for the director of music (there are 55 such psalms) starts saying atheists are fools, corrupt and even vile. David goes on to say that nobody seeks God or does good. All have turned away from God in corruption. He asks if evildoers will never learn to call on the name of the Lord? And that the Lord is the refuge of the poor!

Psalm 13 (summary): How long O Lord?

This psalm is another Davidic lament written for the director of music. 4 times David asks "how long"? How long will you forget me? How long will you hide from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts? And how long will my enemy triumph? David clearly feels desperate, abandoned and lost. David begs an answer from God with light for his eyes to prevent death. And he ends reaffirming his trust in God's love as he rejoices in salvation.

Psalm 12 (summary): Help Lord!

This psalm is a further lament by David for the director of music in which he laments the disappearance of the faithful of God. He says that everyone is speaking with flattering lips and a boastful tongue. Then God says that he will arise in response to the oppression of the weak and combat it with flawless truth. God will keep his people safe despite the dominance of corruption in society. 

Psalm 11 (summary): In the Lord I take refuge

Psalm 11 was written by David for the director of music and David refuses to flee from the difficult situation he faces because the Lord is his refuge. The psalmist says that God is on his heavenly throne hating the wicked who aim arrows at the righteous, and examining the righteous. The Lord is righteous, says David, and he love justice, meaning that upright men will see his face. But God will judge the wicked with fiery coals and burning sulphur.

Philip coming

I am thrilled to announce that our son Pastor Philip will be arriving here on Friday for the Carnival Camp which starts the day after. He will be staying in Brazil for about 2 weeks. Please pray for safe travels and a blessed camp.

Last night I gave the study from Matthew 5 on being salt and light for Jesus at the Men's Fellowship. The meeting was led by schoolteacher Claudivan. It was a lovely meeting.

Psalm 10 (summary): Why, O Lord?

Psalm 10 is a lament which asks why God remains at a distance in times of trouble whilst the wicked arrogantly prosper? The wicked, says the psalmist, are greedy, proud, haughty, foul mouthed, murderers, exploit the vulnerable and they think they evade God's vigilance. The psalmist then cries for God's intervention breaking the arm of the wicked and meeting the need of the helpless. The psalm ends exalting the Lord as King who hears the cry of the afflicted bringing justice to the oppressed. 

Pastor

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the pastor of our Imaculada church, Pastor João George, and his wife Jacilene, discussing issues pertinent to the Imaculada church. It was very good to see the pastor in good health. 

It was great to have been able to kit out Missionary Guilherme Santos with a motorbike to take him round his parish in the Diamante region where he now lives and works for God alongside the regional pastor Nezinho Abílio.

Yesterday it rained another 15 mm at Green Pastures meaning we have now had rain 6 days on the run!   

Sunday service

Last night I led the main Sunday service and Pastor Rafael preached on unbelief from Numbers 14. Sacha, Marina, Érika and Rogério led the praise and worship. It was the first time Rogério had sung and it was excellent.

Yesterday it rained 14 mm at Green Pastures. PTL!

I am glad to tell you that Mayane's grandmother, who was bitten by a rattlesnake, has been released from hospital. Her eyesight is still affected though it is a lot better than it was.

Psalm 9 (summary): I will praise you o Lord!

Psalm 9 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music to be sung to the tune of 'The Death of the Son'. It starts with full-blooded praise to God for victory over his enemies, for judging righteously the wicked and for rebuking the nations. David says that God's reign is permanent and eternal. God is a refuge for the oppressed who never forsakes those who seek him. He says sing praises to the Lord enthroned in Zion who does not ignore the cry of the afflicted. He says his enemies persecute him almost to death so he cries to God for mercy. David cries to God also for him to judge the fallen nations and the wicked who are ensnared by the work of their own hands. "Strike them with terror, O Lord; let the nations know that they are but men"!

Psalm 8 (summary): Oh Lord, how majestic is your name!

Psalm 8 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music according to gittith, which is probably a musical term. It is a jubilant song of praise to the Lord which starts and ends saying, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth"! David says that God's glory is not limited to creation, yet he has given man an important position of leadership within the created order. He observes with awe how God cares for man and says that God has crowned man with glory and honour.

Psalm 7 (summary): Lord, I take refuge in you

Psalm 7 is a lament attributed to David which he sang to the Lord concerning a Benjamite called Cush. The psalms style is a shiggaron which is probably a musical term.

David starts by saying that he is taking refuge in God from those who want to tear him apart like a lion. He says that if he has done wrong then he is happy to be punished, but he trusts the just Lord to rise up against the rage of his enemies. David goes on to say that the wicked will end up in the very pit that they dug for others and that the trouble they have caused will recoil on their own heads. He ends the psalm thanking God for his righteousness and praising his most high name.

Back from "the dead"

A 29-year-old woman in the interior of São Paulo was knocked down in a road accident and was declared dead by an ambulance doctor. However later signs of life were observed and she was taken to hospital. She has now recovered and has been sent home. The doctor has been suspended and is being investigated.

I have just realized that QPR drew 0 x 0 once again, away to Charlton. This was on Friday.

Last night's service at Green Pastures was cancelled owing to rain. What a glorious problem to have! ⛈☂ It was a case of 'rain stopped pray'! I was all ready to preach on Jesus being the bread of life from John 6, but this will now be preached after the carnival camp. With the rain the temperature has dropped to a high of 30 degrees and a low of 23 degrees.

The total rainfall last night at Green Pastures was 13 mm which is just over half an inch.

Psalm 6 (summary): Oh Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger

This another Davidic psalm for the director of music was to be performed with stringed instruments according to shemenith which was probably a musical term. This is the first of 7 penitential psalms with prayer by David who deeply troubled and distressed. The psalmist cries out for mercy expressing profound anguish and asking how much longer he must wait for deliverance. David says he is worn out with groaning and of soaking his bed with tears. At the end David defiantly asserts victory because God has heard his cry and accepted his prayer so that his enemies will be shamed.

Psalm 5 (summary): Morning by morning

Psalm 5 is another Davidic psalm for the director of music which this time is to be accompanied by flutes. It clearly is a morning prayer: "Morning by morning, O Lord you hear my voice; morning by morning I lay my requests before you". The psalm decries the wicked for being arrogant, bloodthirsty and deceitful, contrasting such people with David's personal pleasure in being in God's house paying reverent homage. God is depicted as holy detesting wickedness and falsehood. However those who take refuge in God are glad living under divine protection like with a shield.

Rain

It rained a further 15 mm (just over half an inch) at Green Pastures yesterday and more rain is forecast for today, so the rainy season seems to be finally getting going. PTL! But please don't stop praying.

Liz went out to Green Pastures yesterday with a car load of supplies for the Carnival Camp which starts a week today.

I have just taken part online in another EAB Board of Trustees meeting which went off very well.

Hail stones!

Yesterday we had a real storm at Green Pastures and Patos with thunder, lightning and hail stones, and at Green Pastures the total rainfall was 55 mm (just over 2 inches). In Patos quite a number of electricity poles snapped with the strong gusts of wind and lots of electricity cables were strewn on the main road. I have heard of one person being injured by flying debris. 

Later last night a second round of heavy rain came in. We cancelled our mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study as it was too dangerous for people to go out.

Please pray for a sister in the Patos church called Mayanne whose grandmother has been bitten by a rattlesnake and is in hospital.

Life Squad

Yesterday our Life Squad team evangelized the men's prison again as they do every week and two men made commitments of their lives to God. Pastor Rafael led the prison ministry assisted by our sister Iara. Please pray for the men who made decisions.

The youth are organizing a volleyball competition and a scavenger hunt for the carnival camp afternoons starting on the 14th.

It rained 12 mm (half an inch) at Green Pastures last night with thunder and lightning and more is forecast for the coming days.

Parakeets

In the northeastern state of Maranhão over 300 parakeets were killed when the Eucalyptus tree, in which they were perched, was felled by a storm. The mystery is what killed them as lightning has been ruled out.

I have received my latest book in the 'Blitz Detective' series by Mike Hollow. This the 10th book in the series called 'The Bloomsbury Murder' was sent to me by my sister Jean for my birthday. I must now get down to aiding Detective Inspector John Jago solve another crime!

The 'Gospel BeeGees' have confirmed their presence at our Carnival Camp next week! 😄

Last night I travelled with the Patos Men's Fellowship to the town of São Mamede to hold another street service which 40 attended. School teacher Claudivan led the service and Pastor Rafael preached. It was a good service.

Global Minds

I have been a member of the BBC's Global Minds listeners and watchers panel for many years and they have inquired about how we feel about 2026 to which I replied 'positive'. However the global survey shows that 36% are worried or anxious, 27.3% are pessimistic, 18.7% are positive (including me!), 11.2% are neutral, 9.7% think 2026 will be better than 2025, and just 6.7% are excited about 2026! Which category are you in?

The Brazilian press is showing today how Brazil and almost the entirety of South America is far more linked economically to China than to the USA. This is not surprising considering the USA's isolationist approach to everything.

I had a meeting with deacon Dedé who is the leader of our church at Ipueira and we discussed the building of our church there. Someone has already donated the bricks for the church which is good! 

Psalm 4 (summary): David for the director of music

Psalm 4 was a prayer written by David for the director of music and to be presented with stringed instruments. The prayer may well have been written within the Absalom context. David cries for relief and asks for mercy. David asks how long will people seek false gods? The Lord will hear him, says David, because he has set apart the godly for himself. Then David recommends quiet reflection on the bed and trusting in the Lord. For David asks for God's light to shine upon him and rejoices in his heart. He closes thanking God for his peace and safety.

Psalm 3 (summary): David fleeing from Absalom

This psalm is again in a totally different category to the previous 2. It is a lament by King David as he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and usurp the throne, as we read in 2 Samuel chapters 15 to 18. David cries out to God bemoaning the popular uprising against him led by his son which some said was God having abandoned him. However David recognizes God as his shield, despite the adverse circumstances, and he knows God hears his cry. David says he knows that he sleeps and awakens because God sustains him, and for that reason he won't fear the tens of thousands against him led by his son. David then cries to God for deliverance because he knows that in God alone is true deliverance and blessing.

Psalm 2 (summary): Why do the nations rage?

Psalm 2 is different from Psalm 1 like the difference between chalk and cheese! This Psalm immediately reminds me of Handel's Messiah which I used to see at the Royal Albert Hall every Christmas with my father. Psalm 2 is a royal messianic psalm poetically and majestically telling us that it is futile for the nations to revolt against God or against his appointed king. In the opening verses it is asked why the nations plot and rage against almighty God and his Anointed One? For they seek to break free from divine authority in vain. God scoffs at them and rebukes them in anger as he has installed his King on Zion. The King or Messiah proclaims his authority as the son of God, who will inherit the nations, rule them and "dash them to pieces like pottery". So the kings are warned to serve and fear the Lord. For "blessed are all who take refuge in him".

Sunday School

Liz took the Sunday School yesterday in Patos and it was a great blessing. She taught the youths and adult class together.

Last night I led the main service of the week in Patos and our daughter Sacha preached an excellent sermon on Micah 6:1-8. Sacha has degrees in English Language and Theology and is a very good preacher. I received some gifts from the church and from the church children in the service for my birthday which was very nice.

What a birthday!

My birthday yesterday was like no other as it was a long stressful day of meetings which had to be yesterday as there was no other day to fit them in. The senior ACEV leadership team met for 2 hours in the afternoon and deliberated 5 topics of which one was especially serious. We then drove to our Itaporanga church where I presided a church meeting which was not easy. We got back to Patos just before midnight and the pastors stayed the night at our house.

At least QPR won on my birthday beating league leaders Coventry at home 2 x 1. 😀

This blog was read 19,336 times in January. Thanks to one and all.

Psalm 1 (summary): Blessed

This first psalm contrasts the person who walks with God and is happy obeying his word, with the wicked person who will perish. Happy is the man, says the psalm, who does not walk/stand/sit in godless ways. To the contrary he loves God's word and prospers like a fruitful tree planted by a stream. However, says the psalm, the wicked are like straw blown in the wind whose end is perdition. 

Personal work

Our personal work counselling those in spiritual and psychological need continued yesterday with another important session. Please pray for this aspect of our ministry.

Today I have upgraded my engine to a 7.7 version and thank the Lord for my health and strength! I won't have much time to celebrate as we have a senior leadership meeting this afternoon in my office and I will be chairing a church meeting in Itaporanga tonight to solve a problem there.

I went to Green Pastures which is faintly greener after the odd shower we have had, but the rain situation here is increasingly critical. What would happen if a town like Patos, with a population of 108,000, ran out of water I hate to think. At Green Pastures Wild Cats, Wild Tortoises, Armadillos, Deer and Foxes are plentiful and I heard Rufous-browed Peppershrikes and Campo Troupials singing in the trees.

Last night I chaired a meeting of the Pastor Frank Dyer's School teachers planning for this new semester. It was a good meeting.

I have finished my summary of the book of Job which was hard work! Now on to a long but enjoyable journey through the book of Psalms! I have now completed 40% of the chapters of the Bible.

Job 42 (summary): Job's final reply

 Job ends up repenting in dust and ashes as he says to God: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted". "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know". "My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you".

Then comes the book's epilogue when God rebukes the 3 comforters for having spoken incorrectly, and he makes them offer burnt offerings in payment for their wrong. Then Job interceded for the 3 friends and God accepted this. After Job had prayed for his friends (prayer was key!) he became prosperous again and God gave him twice as much as he had before! All his family and friends comforted him and gave him gold and silver. God gave him 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and 1,000 donkeys. And God yet gave Job 7 sons and 3 beautiful daughters. From this time on Job yet lived another 140 years until he died at a ripe old age.

Job 41 (summary): Leviathan

God continues talking and introduces the sea-monster Leviathan to the debate which was a dragon-like creature with fire coming from his mouth. The creature had air-tight armour-like scales which were impenetrable by javelin, spear or dart, and iron to him was like straw! God says "nothing on earth is his equal - a creature without fear". Thus God again cuts Job down to size by asking: "Can you pull in the Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down his tongue with a rope"? "Can you make a pet of him like a bird or put him on a leash for your girls"? Thus again God is saying to Job that if he can't cope with a creature how much less can he dispute and wrestle with the creator!

So it seems to me that God in no way seeks to justify what Job had been going through. God stands aloof and above criticism because he is God! And if Job can't wrestle with the sea-monster he should certainly not try it on him!

Job 40 (summary): God further questions Job

God now confronts Job for wanting to correct and accuse him. So Job admits he is unworthy and acknowledges that he has no answer. Then God asks Job if he wants to discredit his justice? God points out that Job cannot clothe himself with honour and majesty nor can he crush the wicked. God then tells Job to look at the enormous herbivorous animal called the behemoth which is extremely powerful with limbs like rods of iron. God says his maker is able to approach him but asks Job if he can capture him and piece his nose? Seeing that he can't Job must not accuse God!

Job 39 (summary): God questions Job

God continues questioning Job, this time concerning wildlife, which all is beyond Job's ability to answer. God asks about goats, deer, donkeys, oxen, ostriches, horses, hawks and eagles. The questions are about them giving birth, gestation periods, nesting, flying, living conditions, feeding etc. Thus God continues to humble Job to make him realize that things of creation and nature are so often beyond his understanding. So the logic is that Job should not be dismayed if he cannot understand his suffering. 

Job 38 (summary): God speaks

Now comes the time for God to join the debate about Job's suffering, but God instead speaks from a storm presenting a long discourse about creation. God, to put Job in his place, asks him if he was there when he created the earth? He then asks who made and put limits on the sea and made the clouds? He asks Job too if he had walked in the depths of the sea or comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? He asks as well if Job knows where the snow and hail are stored and whether he understands the lightning and the wind? God further asks if the rain has a father and if ice or frost have a mother? God also questions if Job knows the laws of the heavens and who provides food for the raven? Thus God humbles Job by emphasizing his sovereign complexity and majesty. 

Counselling

Liz and I spent considerable time counselling a pastor and his wife yesterday. This constitutes an important part of our ministry. We value your prayers for this couple. No names can be given. We will have a further counselling session with another person today.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and young lawyer Murilo brought the study from 1 John 3. Murilo is doing a series of studies in first John. It was a very good study and service. Vasti and Espedita sang solos.

Easter Play

Yesterday I did the first reading of the new Easter play with Liz and drama leader Dilma. I always do things this way with plays that I write, reading them the play and then officially handing it over to the drama group. The play is called 'Two Days from Easter' and essentially follows the text of Matthew 26 to 28 with an addition from John. The play has 4 acts and will be performed on Easter Sunday which is April 5th. 

Job 37 (summary): Elihu's conclusion

With the imagery of a gathering storm Elihu concludes his contribution to the book of Job showing God's majestic power over thunder, lightening, snow, rain and ice. On the one hand, Elihu says, the clouds can punish men, but on the other hand they water the earth and thus show God's love. So Elihu points out to Job that he has no way of knowing how the different forces and aspects of nature function so it is that God is beyond our understanding. He says "the Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore men revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?"

Job 36 (summary): Elihu speaks on God's behalf

Elihu starts saying he will speak on God's behalf as "one perfect in knowledge is with you"! He then goes on to say that God is mighty, but doesn't despise men. He does not take his eyes off the righteous, but men bound in chains he commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey they will prosper, but if they don't they will perish by the sword. The godless die in their youth among male sacred prostitutes and he speaks to those who suffer - he speaks to them in their affliction. God is wooing you from the jaws of distress to the comfort of your table laden with food. Now justice and judgement have taken hold of you. Elihu exalts God in his power. How great is God - beyond our understanding. God governs the nations and blesses with clouds, rain, thunder and lightening. Thus Elihu exalts the Lord whilst constantly insinuating Job's need to repent.

Job 35 (summary): Elihu continues

Elihu starts here arguing that wickedness or not makes no difference to God. He says that right or wrong only affects man. God is far above human morality he says. He goes on to argue that God doesn't answer when men cry out arrogantly, and God doesn't listen to empty pleas. Clearly Elihu is calling Job arrogant and insincere. The fact is, says Elihu, is that "Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words".

Job 34 (summary): Elihu speaks to the wise men

Elihu starts this chapter addressing the "wise men" who presumably refers to Job and the friends, maybe sarcastically, or maybe a wider group of listeners. He then says that Job says that "it profits a man nothing when he tries to please God". Elihu stresses that it is impossible for God to do wrong but he repays a man for what he has done. Here Elihu is reinforcing the retribution arguments of the 3 friends. God, says Elihu, is perfectly above all rulers and kings deciding on matters totally without partiality.  He says there is no place to hide for the evil doers. God overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. Job, says Elihu, speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight. "Oh that Job might be tested to the utmost for answering like a wicked man"! Elihu is therefore essentially following the same line of argument as the 3 friends that secret sin in Job needs to be confessed as this is the cause of Job's suffering.

Job 33 (summary): Elihu opens his mouth

Elihu argues that God is not ignoring Job or unwilling to speak to Job. To the contrary, he says, God speaks through dreams, visions and sickness. Elihu says that God speaks in the night to "terrify with warnings" and "to turn man from wrongdoing". God also chastens with a bed of pain and uses ill health to instruct and to "spare him from going down to the pit". Elihu speaks of an angel who intervenes "to tell a man what is right for him". Following such interventions the man's flesh is renewed like a child's and he sees God's face and shouts for joy, and he is restored by God to his righteous state. 

Job 32 (summary): Elihu

Job has concluded his defence and Job's 3 friends or comforters have concluded their accusations, but prior to God's response to everything and Job's final words, a 4th younger friend named Elihu enters the fray criticizing Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for their inability to refute Job and criticizing Job for "justifying himself rather than God". Elihu's 6-chapter intervention starts by arguing that is not just the elders who have wisdom, but it is the breath of the Almighty that transmits it. He then asserts that the 3 friends were unable to prove Job wrong. Therefore Elihu said he was bursting to speak "like bottled-up wine" in "new wineskins ready to burst". He promised to be completely unbiased and would flatter no one. 

Job 31 (summary): Job's final defence

This chapter is Job's final defence in this book's debate about human suffering. First of all Job lists the sins he has not committed like lust ("to look lustfully at a girl"), deceit, adultery ("enticed by a woman"), injustice to servants, negligence concerning the poor, and greed "pure gold" and "great wealth"). Job requests again for God to hear his case saying: "Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defence - let the Almighty answer me". "Let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless".

Job 30 (summary): Job laments

Now Job laments being mocked by worthless men who spit in his face and remove all his dignity. Job also bemoans his physical suffering as his "skin grows black" and his body burns with fever. He says he has become a brother of jackals and a companion of owls as he just mourns and wails. Job also says that he cries out to God without receiving an answer and he feels that God is attacking him and tossing him about in a storm! This chapter focusing on Job's current suffering stands in stark contrast to the previous chapter which relished his life prior to everything going wrong.

Job 29 (summary): Job reminisces

 Chapter 29 is a long reminiscence of the good old days when Job recalls the time "when God watched over" him, and when "God's intimate friendship blessed" his house. He says that then his "path was drenched with cream" and olive oil poured out of the rock. Job then goes on to recall how respected he used to be in the city and how he was spoken well of. He also remembers his positive social action rescuing the poor, assisting orphans, helping the dying, bereaved, blind and lame. He recalls how he was all set for a long blessed life. Sadly for Job all this had drastically changed.

Shock absorbers

We are putting new rear shock absorbers on our off-road Jimny Jeep as one came adrift on our recent journey to Caroá with Amy. 

I did both Pilates and Hydro gymnastics yesterday. It's good to keep fit! 🏃

The northeast of Brazil is where most fatal road accidents happen with 11,984 of the 37,150 deaths. Second in line is the southeast region with 10,995 fatalities. These are the latest statistics for 2024.

We have one church in the northeastern state of Bahia, in the town of São Sebastião do Passé, which has a population of 43,000. The church is led by Missionary Ivonete in her house but they are in the process of building a church. Please pray for Ivonete and this church which she used to lead with her husband until he died of a heart attack. The overseeing pastor is Pastor Jânio Rilangio from our Campina Grande Catolé church.

It rained 8 mm at Green Pastures last night.

Job 28 (summary): Job's interlude

In chapter 28 Job presents a poetic interlude to the heated debate about suffering when he praises man's abilities to mine gold, silver, copper, iron and precious stones whilst on the other hand being totally unable to find true priceless wisdom. God, says Job, is the only source of true wisdom. "God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells". For Job concludes that "the fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding".

School

Yesterday we had an excellent meeting with the head teacher of our Pastor Frank Dyer School in the borough of Jatobá on the south side of Patos. The head teacher is Gerlânia who continues to do a great work educating, feeding and evangelizing needy children in that area of town. We had an in-depth discussion of the work of the school and took some important decisions for the glory of God.

Please pray for all 16 of the EAB Action Schools ministering to 850 children in the interior of northeast Brazil.

Liz went to the ladies' prayer meeting last night attended by 10, and the youth prayer meeting, which Alice and Bia went to, had 18 present. The youth are really on fire after the Outreach.

Job 27 (summary): Job's reply continues

 Job vehemently defends himself before God and against his friend's accusations saying that whilst he has breath he will not speak wickedness or deceit. Job says that he will never concede to his friend's judgmental arguments insisting that he has a clear conscience. Job says that his wicked friends are his enemies full of meaningless talk who will eventually face the fate of the godless. Such a fate will involve their children being killed, their widows not weeping for them and they will be be swept away under God's judgement.

Job 26 (summary): Job's long reply

Now comes the longest speech of Job in the book lasting 6 chapters. Initially Job sarcastically criticizes Bildad's unhelpful words as worthless. Then Job goes on to exalt God's supreme power over creation who "suspends the earth over nothing and wraps up the waters in the clouds", yet they don't burst. However, says Job, these are but the fringe of his works. For our great God is incomprehensible. 

Job 25 (summary): Bildad's final speech

This short chapter contains Job's friend Bildad's third and final speech in which he exalts God's supreme power and perfection as opposed to the weakness and impurity of man who is but a maggot and a worm! Implied here is Job's impossibility to being justified before God as he is so weak, inferior and insignificant. Bildad's argument against Job seems to me to be painfully weak.

Job 24 (summary): Job asks for set judgement times from God

Job now questions why God does not set times for judgements as he observes that the wicked go unpunished for long periods though eventually God's justice catches up with them. Job says that the wicked feed their flocks on stolen pasture, drive away the orphan's donkey, take the widow's ox, and ill-treat the poor. The poor are also left lacking clothes, lack adequate housing, and children are ill-treated and go hungry. Despite all this God does nothing Job says. Job also cites murder and theft as practiced crimes as well as adultery and burglary. Eventually though Job says that the grave snatches away sinners and the worm feasts on them, and they are forgotten. "For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone"!

Job 23 (summary): Job in despair

Now Job complains bitterly that God's heavy hand is on him despite his groaning, and he says that he would love to find God so as to be able to state his case before him. He felt that as an upright man he cold present his case and prove his innocence. However Job says that despite searching in all directions he cannot find God. However Job expresses his certainty that "when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold". For Job reconfirms his faithfulness to God closely following him in obedience, but he confesses that he is terrified by all he is going through which is not surprising.  

Sparrows

It is lovely to share our house with House Sparrows. I was just sitting talking to Liz when one came hopping through the kitchen and front room looking for crumbs on the floor! 🐦 In our garden we are hearing a number of Sayaca Tanagers. 

Last night my co-pastor Rafael led the service and I preached on 'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord' from 2 Kings 18:5-8. It was a lovely service.

Job 22 (summary): Eliphaz returns for 3rd time

Eliphaz now returns for his third and final time and he accuses Job of unrighteousness with endless sins, stripping men of their clothes, denying water to the weary, withholding food from the hungry, and sending widows away empty handed as a callous rich landowner. Eliphaz accuses Job of thinking God is way up in the sky where "thick clouds veil him, so he does not see us". He urges Job to "submit to God and be at peace with him" so as to regain his prosperity. He further urges Job to return to God so as to experience restoration. Constantly Eliphaz accuses and urges Job presuming his hidden sin and guilt. Eliphaz is judgmentally misguided and misdirected.  

Great Kiskadee

One of the very beautiful and colourful birds in the northeast of Brazil is the bright yellow Great Kiskadee, and I am hearing them a lot of late from my office in Patos.

The average rainfall at Green Pastures in January over the past 25 years is 112 mm, but this year we have only had 6 mm! The situation is critical. Please pray.

Sadly QPR lost 3 x 2 at home to Wrexham yesterday. Oh dear! 😖

I went and took the service, as I always do on Saturdays, of the Green Pastures church and I preached on Jesus walking on the water from John 6 (I am going through John's Gospel with the church) with the help of Matthew's added information that Peter had a go too! It was a lovely service with the children singing beautifully and Fred singing sat down, debilitated by a stroke, but he still sang. I heard a Ferruginous Pigmy-Owl whilst there. 

New Sermon

I spent the whole day yesterday working on a new sermon for this Sunday in Patos. I had been scheduled to preach a week later but Sacha and I had to swap as she had no time to prepare owing to her daughter Bia's illness in hospital. So I will be preaching this Sunday on 'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord' based on 2 Kings 8:5-8. The 3 points are: 1) Hezekiah trusted in the Lord (verse 5). 2)  He held fast to the Lord (verse 6). 3) The Lord was with him (verse 7).

Amy Gough safely returned to Southampton last night from her visit to EAB/ACEV here in Brazil.

Beatriz (Bia) was sent home from hospital last night and will continue her recovery at home. Thank you for your prayers.

Bia & Amanda

Please pray for our 16-year-old granddaughter Beatriz (Bia) who is in hospital on a drip for dehydration as she has gone down with a vomiting virus which has hit our region of Brazil. Our granddaughter Amanda also has the same virus in João Pessoa. Please pray for Amanda also.

Our third church in Campina Grande, in the borough of Novo Cruzeiro, has grown already from a church plant to 56 people! Please pray as they seek to purchase land in order to build their own church and move out of their current rented building. 

Our visitor Amy Gough flew out of Recife airport last night on her way back to the UK where she will write a report on her stay with EAB/ACEV in Brazil for her Bible College before she graduates with a degree in theology and gets married in June. God bless you Amy! It was lovely to have you here with us.

Women killings

With 4 states, including our state of Paraiba, yet to report their statistics for December, the murders of women in Brazil in 2025 totals over 4 a day, with many "honour killings" where men kill their wives/partners if they decide to leave them.

Yesterday we had 1 mm of rain in a momentary shower at Green Pastures. We are desperate for rain in this the rainy season.

In my summaries of the Bible I have now covered half the book of Job having completed chapter 21. Job is a complex discussion of human suffering and its causes.

Amy went to the Bessa beach yesterday in João Pessoa and visited the Tambaú handicraft market and had a walk on the Cabo Branco sea front.

This year Brazil will elect its president, senators and federal and state deputies for the next 4 years, and we commend this to all for prayer. We ask all our ACEV church leaders and members to refrain from posting about politics on our WhatsApp church groups or any other of our social media. Let us above all maintain the unity of the faith!

Job 21 (summary): Job's vehement reply

Now Job vehemently rebuts his friends' theory that all sin is punished in this life, because he points out that some "wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power". He points out that sometimes the wicked's children flourish as do their herds of cattle. "They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace". Such wicked people, Job says, reject God and have no desire to know him. Job struggles with the mystery of suffering when on the other hand sometimes the wicked are snuffed out like a lamp or blown away like straw in the wind. Job acknowledges God's sovereignty judging even the highest. He struggles to understand why some die well nourished whilst others die in bitterness of soul never having enjoyed anything good. The fact is, Job points out, that all end up buried side by side in the dust and eaten by the same worms. So Job says to his friends that their simplistic theories applied to him are nonsense and full of falsehood.

Job 20 (summary): Zophar returns

Chapter 20 contains the return of Zophar with a scathing attack on Job's integrity. Zophar says that Job is experiencing the inevitable results of hidden sin. He says that "the mirth of the wicked is brief, the joy of the godless lasts but a moment". Zophar goes on to say that Job's ill-gotten riches have become like poison in his stomach as he has exploited the poor. This Zophar says is combatted by God with arrows, darkness and fire as natural disasters punish Job's alleged guilt. For he thinks it is God who has reclaimed houses, children and wealth as "rushing waters on the day of God's wrath".

Travels

In less than a week I have driven for 16 hours, and not always on so good roads! I praise God for health, strength and travelling mercies. On Thursday and Saturday 4 hours driving each day took us twice to the outreach, and then on Monday and Tuesday it was 4 hours each day from Patos to Caroá and then back. Thanks for your prayers.

QPR drew 0 x 0 again yesterday away to Oxford and so slip to half-way house on 12th in the 24 team Championship.

We do not believe in prosperity theology which teaches that you must not go to the doctor and not take medicine but you must only seek divine supernatural healing. We pray for the sick and we go to the doctor and take medicine too. The way we get better doesn’t matter. If you have toothache what do you do? Pray for divine intervention or go to the dentist? So the health recipe in our churches is pray always whilst going to the doctor and the dentist.

Amy Gough has just left Patos with our daughter Lynn, her husband Hutan and their daughter Amanda. They will take Amy to the beach before taking her to the airport tomorrow for her return flight to England.

Caroá

Yesterday and today we have been travelling with our UK visitor Amy Gough and we have just got back at 4:30 pm. Yesterday we went up the mountains to Teixeira and showed Amy our church there. We then went on to visit our Matureia school and church and we were given a nice snack by Pastor Renilson and his wife Getiane. We then went by our churches at Juru and Tavares before showing Amy our original EAB/ACEV church which Bert Mundy built at Princesa Isabel in 1943. We then drove on to Caroá where we had a lovely evening meal of free-range chickens, rice, pumpkin and sweet potato.

In the evening we took part in a lovely service with a church packed out on a Monday night. Amy brought a word interpreted by Liz, the deputy mayoress brought a word of greeting and I preached the Gospel. The service was led by Pastor Valdemy.

This morning we visited the Caroa wells and the incipient market garden there. After this we headed to Manaira where we visited Pastor Francinaldo and his church and school followed by a visit to the little shop run by 85-year-old and father of 15 José Paulino, which started over 30 years ago, fruit of the EAB income generation project. 

On the way home we stopped at our Imaculada church, school and playground to show Amy. When on our way down the mountain we stopped for a drink of Guaraná and diet Coke at the viewing point of 'Pedra do Tendó' where Amy went climbing to the top of the big rock for a better view. 

Having descended the mountain we witnessed a dead man alongside the road with police taking photographs of him. Police say that the 44-year-old father of 2, who had been riding a bike, probably had suffered a heart attack as he had no signs of injury on his body.

Whilst we were away Patos received 60 mm of rain (2 and a half inches) but it didn't rain a drop at Green Pastures.  Now it is raining again in Patos so we hope and pray that it will reach Green Pastures too.

Sunday Service

I led the service last night in Patos and Murilo preached on the 'Consequences of the Cross' from Luke 23 which was an excellent sermon. All our young people that have just got back from the 10-day Outreach gave their testimonies and this was wonderful. Amy Gough, who will be going back to the cold of England on Thursday, also brought a short word interpreted by Bia. 

Today we are taking Amy to Caroá where we will take part in a service and show her some wells.

Job 19 (summary): Job replies to Bildad

Job reacts to the criticisms of his friends saying they are crushing him with their words and shameless attacks. Job then goes on to bemoan that he has been wronged by God who has stripped him of his honour. God, says Job, has uprooted his hope and counts him as an enemy. Job then goes on to lament that owing to his suffering leaving him "skin and bones" he has been abandoned by his brothers, acquaintances, friends, kinsmen, servants and even his wife! Job then cries out asking for his friends to have pity on him as the hand of God has struck him. However then Job cries out some beautiful words of faith and trust in God saying: "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I and not another. How my heart yearns within me!"

Outreach finale

I preached last night in the final evangelistic service of the 10-day outreach. A very large crowd gathered in the main town square of Soledade with our worship group from Campina Grande leading the praise and the dance groups joining in. It was a wonderful service.

This 10-day outreach was the 24th year in succession that we have held them and this year's team of 130 was a real blessing. They evangelized 480 houses and 1,075 people were personally evangelized as well as 423 children. 27 decisions to follow Christ were registered and 12 backsliders recommitted their lives to Christ. We will monitor these numbers to see how many are truly converted. 93 houses asked for a follow up visit. 22 Bibles were distributed and over 3,000 Gospel tracts were given out.

It was very good to have Bible College student from the UK with us this year Amy Gough. She will graduate with a degree in theology in June at the St. Mellitus College in London. I have asked her to write a short report on the 10-day Outreach pointing to what was good and what could be improved. Amy fitted in very well with the team and was especially helped by the English of Alice, Bia and Rayssa. 

QPR drew 0 x 0 yesterday away to Stoke and remain in a mid-table position (11th) in the Championship.

Phil Watkins

We are praying every day for Pastor Phil Watkins of Bristol Ivy Church and ask you to please join us in our prayers. Phil is undergoing chemotherapy for Leukaemia. 

I have just eaten a plate of watermelon. 😋

The Southern Wren is singing in our garden again. 🎶I also saw in the garden a Glittering-bellied Emerald Hummingbird. They are so beautiful and fast, rotating their wings in a figure eight 80 times per second!

On this penultimate day of the 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade our 130-strong team is holding a social action day with doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, hair dressers, manicurists etc. attending the poor. Then in the main closing open-air service in the town main square I will be going to preach the Gospel. Tomorrow the team will take part in an internal communion service in day 10 bringing the wonderfully blessed event to a close.  

Job 18 (summary): Bildad returns

In this chapter Bildad returns to his attacks on Job as he had started in chapter 8. Bildad accuses Job of considering his 3 friends stupid and of wanting to alter basic factual structures as pertaining to the earth and its rocks in order to come to terms with his predicament. Bildad's view clearly was that the reason for Job's suffering was that he was "an evil man... who knows not God." Job's sin, thinks Bildad, makes him like a lamp snuffed out and with a weakened step. Job, he thinks, has been caught in a net, snared by a trap with a hidden noose awaiting him. Job's "roots dry up below and his branches wither above." Job, he feels, has no legacy, and is in a dark place "banished from the world" without offspring.

Job 17 (summary): Job struggles with despair

Job starts chapter 17 saying that his spirit is broken and that the grave awaits him. Job says that he has become a byword for everyone as they spit in his face! Despite such despairing feelings Job says "the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger." However then he switches back to despair criticizing the lack of wisdom of his friends and says his "plans are shattered." Job returns to desire death saying his only hope is the grave and says his father is corruption and his mother or sister is the worm. He ends the chapter expressing his feeling of utter hopelessness asking, "Who can see any hope for me?"

Job 16 (summary): Job's reply to Eliphaz

Job says that he has heard all Eliphaz's arguments before. He complains about his miserable long-winded comforters. Job also complains about God's harsh treatment of him devastating his household and assailing him with gnashed teeth. "All was well with me, but he (God) shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me." Job accuses God of shooting arrows against him and piercing his kidneys. Job says his face is red with weeping and that deep shadows encircle his eyes despite him being free of violence and living a life of pure prayer. Job pleads with God for help.

Sitio Cordeiro

Last night we went to Soledade to take part in the 10-day Outreach, day 7, which evangelized the Sítio Cordeiro rural community and held the evening service there. Pastor Robério led the service, Pastor Hamilton preached the Gospel and Liz and I took part with short words. The dance group did a presentation too and so did the drama group. It was a lovely service. The journey to Soledade took us 1 hour 45 minutes to get there.

Murder

We have just learnt of the murder of a 19-year-old niece of our member of the Green Pastures church Vilene. Her and her husband were involved in a traffic dispute on their motorbike in São Paulo and a car driver chased them and shot them both killing the wife and wounding the husband. Please pray for the family.

I had a nice video call yesterday with my 2 sisters Jean and Joy which was very good.

The 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade continues to go well with decisions being made for Christ. Our visitor Amy Gough is enjoying it and yesterday helped cook for the 130 participants and also spoke again in the evening service!

Our granddaughter Beatriz's (Bia) 16th birthday is today. Happy Birthday Bia! 😘

Drought

It is quite amazing how frogs and toads survive in the drought by borrowing deep down in the sand of the dry river beds and hibernating there for months or even years. When heavy rain comes they reemerge singing and mating!

We had a quick shower of 5.5 mm of rain at Green Pastures which is a sign of hope. Multiply this by 200 and we will be smiling!

Liz led the Patos church prayer meeting, and we have been involved in extensive counselling.

Please keep praying for the Outreach at Soledade which has now reached the half-way stage with 5 days completed. The team washes toilets, sweeps floors, cooks food, prays, does door-to-door evangelism, praises, preaches, does drama and dance etc. etc. May the 130-strong team continue to pull together for the glory of God!

Stars

The amount of universes that exist is unknown, but the amount of stars that exist in our universe alone is estimated to be between 10 sextillion and 2 septillion, which means there are more stars than grains of sand on all the earth’s beaches! However stars rarely collide. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”. (Psalm 19:1)

Yesterday the 10-day evangelistic outreach team held a street service in the morning in the weekly Soledade street market and greatly impacted the town. The team did door-to-door evangelism in the afternoon and held a street service at night. There have already been a number of decisions of commitment to Christ made as a result of the team's ministry. 

We have reached nearly 450 comments on this blog and we thank one and all. Special thanks go to Roberto Tiburtino, Veronica Morais and Pastor Manoel Oliveira Filho. Please remember that if you don't write your name I have no way of knowing who wrote the comment.

King Hezekiah of Judah

Last night our daughter Sacha led the service in Patos and I preached on King Hezekiah of Judah from 2 Kings 18:1-4. It was a lovely service.

The 10-day outreach at Soledade pressed on in its third day of blessing. The 130-strong team went out doing door-to-door evangelism in the afternoon and did a street service at night in one of Soledade's boroughs. In the morning they did prayer and Bible study.

QPR were knocked out of the FA Cup yesterday away to West Ham 2 x 1 after extra time. Long gone are the days when we won the League Cup at Wembley. I was there and I was 18, and I started going out with Liz later that month of March 1967.

Our son Philip has gone to Holland today with his work.

Green Pastures Service

Last night I went and held the weekly Green Pastures Church service and I preached on the feeding of the five thousand from John 6. Sister Nega led the praise and worship. She sings really nicely. It was lovely to see sister Odilia at the service aged 92 and fully active.

On the earth road on the way to the service I saw a Pigmy Nightjar. 

The service on the second night of the 10-day outreach, with a team of 130, was held alongside the church in the open-air, and went very well. Amy Gough from Southampton gave a word in the service.

A 36-year-old woman was bitten by a shark at the island of Fernando de Noronha but thankfully survived. We have been to this island both with Bob and Jo Dalton and with Marian Rashleigh.

Iguana

Yesterday I went to Green Pastures where I saw an Iguana lizard and a Ferruginous Pigmy-Owl. The drought here is utterly catastrophic and the rain just doesn't come! 🙏

The 10-day evangelistic outreach at Soledade is underway and in its second day with a team of 130 mainly young people. The outreach is under the leadership of pastors Robério and Rafael and Missionary Betânia. Please pray.

Diamond

Yesterday we took Amy to the Diamante (Diamond), Barra de Oitis and Vazante churches and projects. The initial nearly 2-hour journey west was on asphalt, but from then on the roads were bumpy earth roads. We showed Amy many toilet/shower units built for the poor and some market garden projects which are doing very well despite the drought. We had lunch at Pastor Nezinho Abílio's house where I ate a lovely tilapia fish. At night I preached at the Diamante church and Amy brought a word of greeting interpreted by Liz. We got home a little before midnight after a lovely day.

The 10-day Outreach starts today at Soledade. Please pray. Amy has gone together with our granddaughters Alice and Bia who both speak English. 

Patos sight-seeing

Amy has been on a tour of Patos visiting our friend Dona Florzinha in the borough of Placas, followed by visits to the the boroughs of Sete Casas and Serrote Liso where we always distribute food hampers. She then visited the meat market where she found the cow intestines interesting, before going into the central market where she met Jesiel who used to be in Philip's band called 'Lift Off'. Liz then took Amy to visit the Roman Catholic shrine called 'Cruz da Menina'.

After lunch we went to the Pastor Frank Dyer School followed by a visit to Green Pastures. I showed Amy the meeting hall, kitchen, EAB/ACEV museum, bedrooms, dormitories, swimming pool etc. and took her on a short walk along a dry and barren nature trail where we saw lots of Armadillo burrows. On our visit we saw a pair of Pearl Kites, a pair of Caatinga Cacholotes and a Roadside Hawk. We also heard Campo Troupials and Rufous-bellied Thrushes.

The Life-Squad (Pastor Rafael, Roberto Tiburtino and Iara) evangelized the Men's prison again yesterday and 3 men made commitments to Christ.

Travelling from Recife to Patos

Liz and Amy had a late breakfast in Recife after Amy's tiring journey. Then they took Amy to see the lovely beach before embarking on the 6 to 7 hour journey in land to Patos. They stopped for lunch at Campina Grande on the way.

Amy Gough with Liz on the Recife beach where Albert & Daisy Mundy first came ashore to found the mission 88 years ago

Liz and Amy arrived in Patos about 7 pm yesterday having visited one of our churches at Campina Grande on the way. They also came through the town of Soledade, with a population of 14,000, where the 10-day outreach will be starting on Friday.  

Amy Gough

Liz travelled to Recife airport yesterday, with Netinho from the Patos church, in order to meet Amy Gough from Southampton who is a theology degree student at St Mellitus College and who is coming to experience our 10-day evangelistic outreach, with a team of 130 mainly young people, which will be held this year at Soledade. There are a number on the outreach who speak English, including our granddaughters Alice and Bia, so communication will be no problem. We will also be taking her before and after the outreach to visit some of our churches and projects further in the interior.

Amy's flight arrived about 30 minutes late and she came through customs at Recife airport about three quarters of an hour before midnight, so they slept the night at the Ibis Airport hotel from where they will be driving to Patos today. Welcome to EAB/ACEV and Brazil Amy! May God richly bless you with us!

Great Kiskadees, Smooth-billed Anis and Variable Orioles have been around our house in Patos. Birds not normally found in towns seem to be coming in in search of food and water. The drought here is catastrophic. 

I finished writing this year's Easter play yesterday which our drama group will perform on April 4th which will be Easter Sunday. The play is called "Two Days to Easter" (Matthew 26:2). Having finished I have already got ideas for the Easter play 2027!

Ipueira

Ipueira is a small town of just over 2,000 population in the state north of us called Rio Grande do Norte. We have been working there for God for 13 years led by deacon Dedé and the 'Christians in Action' team from Patos. We have now managed to purchase a piece of land for the building of a small church there. Please pray for this venture of faith.

QPR beat bottom of the Championship Sheffield Wednesday (with minus 7 points!) yesterday 3 x 0 at home. 😀

Last night I led the communion service in Patos and Pastor Rafael preached on being in the world but not of the world from John 17:14-19. It was a good service. It was good to see 7 deaf people in church with another 10 or so missing. This ministry to the deaf is doing a great work. 

Yesterday Pastor Jair, who leads our second church in Princesa Isabel in the da Baixa borough, baptized 5 new converts. PTL!

Saturday night service

Last night I drove out to the Green Pastures where I led the monthly communion service and preached. I preached on the 'Testimonies about Jesus' from John 5:31-47 and then about our testimonies for Jesus. It was a lovely service with over 30 local folk present. The service was really participative and blessed. Fabrícia and Fernanda did an excellent work with the children whilst the sermon was in progress.

Green Pastures

I went out to Green Pastures yesterday and will be going there again today to take the weekly service of the church there. Yesterday I saw White-naped Jays, Red-cowled Cardinals and White-throated Seedeaters. Francisco reported having seen another wild Margay Cat and a 6-banded Armadillo. But everything is so barren there with the awful drought.

The youth have gone to Green Pastures today for a day outing. 

New Year's Day

We had our traditional New Year's Day family lunch yesterday with chicken casserole for one and all. It was a nice time of food and fun together.

I see that the BBC News site has the Rio de Janeiro New Year's celebration as its main photographic feature. The photo taken by a drone above the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue with the fireworks in the background on Copacabana beach is beautiful.

Oh dear! 😖QPR lost their first game of 2026! They lost 2 x 1 at home to Norwich.

How good it is to know as we go into another year that God "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth". (1 Timothy 2:4) Praise God that the Gospel is for the whosoever!

We had a good online meeting yesterday with Pastor Wostenes and his wife Gleydice discussing issues of God's work.

Happy New Year!

We wish all our readers a Happy New Year full of the blessings of God!

Last night we held our final thanksgiving service of the year which I led. A variety of people took part with short words of greetings and songs of praise. I kept all the participations down to 5 minutes by threatening them with a hooter if they went over... and it worked! 😂It was a lovely service. We received video messages from Philip and family too which was nice.

After church we had another family get together around supper and then we saw the New Year in together.

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