Well

Yesterday we inaugurated a new well at the indigenous indians' reservation of Aldeia Atikun in the county of Carnaubeira da Penha county in the state of Pernambuco. This is another successful well drilled, installed, equipped and functioning for the glory of God and for the benefit of a very needy community.

Last night I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and I took the study from Luke 1:5-25. We focused on Zechariah's unbelief as to the fact that he was to be a father in his old age. We questioned and discussed how our reaction would have been in Zechariah's shoes? There ensued a very healthy debate. It was a nice meeting.

Leadership Meeting

On Monday night we held a 2-hour senior leadership meeting online which was a productive meeting. We discussed a serious problem which has arisen at our Princesa Isabel church which has resulted in the pastor there being removed from office. We ask you to please pray for this church and for God's direction as we seek a replacement pastor.

Yesterday the mighty QPR cruised into the third round of the football league cup! QPR drew 1 x 1 with Luton but won 4 x 1 on penalties.

Last night I travelled to the town of Sao Mamede with the Patos men's fellowship to preach the Gospel. I preached on Jesus being the only way and God being the only God. I quoted various scriptures condemning idolatry (an alternative to God!) and quoted other scriptures, saying that everything we do must be for the glory of God. It was a good blessed street service.

Flores

Saturday's visit to our Flores church went very well. We arrived there bang on time at 12 noon and had a lovely lunch with Pastor Nemias, his wife Fátima and their son Isaque. In the afternoon we visited the Saquinho community which is being evangelized by our church. At night I preached to a nearly full church. It was a lovely service. We slept the night in a sort of "hotel" in Princesa Isabel.

Yesterday we held a series of important meetings in Princesa Isabel. First of all we held a meeting of our senior leadership team. Then we made some visits to people from our church. We had lunch in a restaurant prior to 2 meetings of the church members.

We didn't get back to Patos in time for the evening service so our daughter Sacha led and Elaine from the Presbyterian church preached from Luke 17.

Problem

Yesterday Liz and I spent hours on end dealing with a massive problem in the work of the mission. The issue is so sensitive that I can't even hint at what the problem is. I will just say that it is not in our Patos church. I ask everyone to please pray for this massive problem that God may give us wisdom and guidance in these difficult days.

Today Liz and I will be travelling 163 km south west of Patos to minister at our Flores church. We will go up the Teixeira mountain and on to Princesa Isabel from where we will head south over the state border into the state of Pernambuco as far as Flores. I will be preaching at a special thanksgiving service at our church there led by Pastor Nemias (Nehemiah). His wife Fátima does a great job with our little Action School.

Finch

I went for a walk at Green Pastures and saw Pileated Finches, a Burrowing Owl, a flock of Cactus Parakeets, Picui Ground Doves and White-tipped Doves. Along the way I saw umpteen Armadillo's burrows and masses of ant mounds and holes. More Deer tracks have been seen near the lake. I saw Black Jurema trees, Cashew Nut trees and Oiticica trees all in flower.

Tonight I led the mid-week prayer meeting and Bible study and I gave the study. First of all we discussed whether Sílvio Santos (a famous Jewish Brazilian TV presenter who died recently) has gone to heaven? I was asked this question by a Christian. We taught that people don't go to heaven because of their nationality. Salvation is available to all through Christ alone. After this we got into the study which was about the genealogies of Jesus in Matthew and Luke. Of special note were the mention of 4 "irregular" women in Mathew 1: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba which point to God's mercy and grace. It was a lovely service. 

Psalm 99

The main service of the week on Sunday night was excellent. I led and our daughter Sacha, who is doing a degree in theology, preached very well on Psalm 99. She followed on after preaching by singing 'Holy forever'. It was a real blessing!

At the weekend Pastor Robério and family (Tavares) travelled to minister at our church in the state of Ceará at the village of Felipe in the county of Saboeiro. It was a time of real blessing. The trip was 360 km each way.

I am working on writing the Christmas play for our drama group to  learn and perform on Christmas Eve. I have written a number of plays over the years. At the moment I am looking for inspiration and need your prayers.

Today is our youngest daughter Sacha's birthday. We wish her a very happy birthday thanking her for all her ministry in church, preaching the word of God, leading the praise and worship and giving us support in everything we do for God.

Walk

I went for my usual Friday afternoon 3 km walk at Green Pastures and saw a beautiful flock of about 30 Brazilian Teal. They were swimming on the lake but took off when they saw me, but kept circling overhead. I also saw a Great Egret, a White-faced Whistling-Duck with 8 young, a White-naped Jay, a Crested Caracara and a Picui Ground-Dove. 

Yesterday QPR earned their first point of the season with a 2 x 2 draw away to Sheffield United, having been two goals down at half time.

Yesterday afternoon we held a pastors and leaders meeting online to discuss a topic linked to our Pastor Frank Dyer School in Patos and all went off smoothly. 

Last night we had a married couples evening at the church. First of all there were some ice-breaking games and then I brought a message on forgiveness. At the end everyone had a snack from the things everyone had taken. It was a nice time of warm fellowship.