This was one of a large number of snakes that I saw yesterday morning on my bi-weekly walk. Yesterday I walked farther than normal - about 8 miles.

This particular snake was about two metres long and stretched out on the dead branch of a tree. That is its head upper left. The snake got fatter as it went down and its lower end was coiled round the branch.

At another place I found a whole load of snakes in "reproductive activities" in the hollow of a tree. The snakes kept coming in and out of the tree. This is the breeding season for the snakes so we see more about than normal and we need to be extra careful.

Today is St. John's Day and I thank you all for the cards you thought of sending but didn't get round to!  Actually the current St. John's Festival here is much quieter than previous years for which we are grateful.

I have been informed by the State Government of Paraíba that I have been given the State's Green Award "given to institutions or individuals who make outstanding contributions to the environment". I must say it was a total surprise and whilst happy to receive it am blowed if I can figure out why I deserve it. I suppose the 15 years of Moringa Tree Project has been important as our more recent work with the Neem tree plus our work over the last 30 years in defense of the environment at Green Pastures and the community education work linked to this. So praise the Lord anyway and all glory goes to Him who gave us the responsibility to take care of His earth anyway.

We passed the 49,000 visits mark to this blog yesterday. Another thousand and we'll reach a big mark. Many thanks to one and all.

Escrito por John Philip Medcraft às 03h59 PM
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ARCHITECT + ENGINEER

Liz and I have had an extensive meeting with our architect and civil engineer this afternoon. We first of all widely discussed the plans which are at present in our heads for the development of the Integral Mission Centre in Patos on land donated for this end by the Town Council. The architect now has the task of drawing up the initial draft plan proposals for our leadership's approval or alteration. We then went on to discuss the Patos church extension, Care Centre extension and office project which is on-going by faith and without money. The engineer is doing it and trusting us to pay him one day! The meeting will continue tomorrow.

Before we held the meeting this afternoon we visited the land donated by the Council so that the architect and engineer new what we were talking about. We have recently had the land cleared of loads of thorny bushes which have sprouted up with the rains so that we could see the land properly and walk round it without so much difficulty. Please pray for us as we take many decisions of great responsibility over the coming days and weeks. Please also pray for the Lord to provide the funding for these projects so important to the expansion of the work.

 Escrito por John Philip Medcraft às 07h18 PM
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2nd EAB CAMPINA GRANDE CHURCH GOING VERY WELL

I made a good trip yesterday to preach at the 2nd EAB/ACEV Church in Campina Grande and got back at 11pm. Patos new convert Ismael went with me and we were able to have excellent conversations on the more than two hour journeys each way.

The church, under the leadership of Pastor Hamilton, is really floushing. There are 239 people in the church and I just don't know how they manage it as they meet in a temporary place of worship which is a house where they have covered the front garden with a temporary roof and still the congregation spills out on to the pavement and street! Quite amazing. They have bought land to build a church nearby and have only just received planning permission to start building.

I felt the church is nicely balanced with a real good spiritual atmosphere and unity. The P&W group is very good too. The church is miles from our central church in Campina Grande, being right on the southern outskirts of the city.

Today Liz and I have a meeting lined up with an arquitect and engineer about the project to be developed on the land donated by the Patos Town Council. We also continue to work on helping people badly affected by the floods as we now have received funding for this from the UK and so are discreetly and carefully using these funds where really needed.

 Escrito por John Philip Medcraft às 09h53 AM
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MURDER ON SECOND NIGHT OF FESTIVAL

The 2nd night of the St. John's Festival was again marred by death - this time by murder within the dance area. A man pulled a gun and shot dead one and injured another!

Sunday School numbers were way down this morning but all went well. I took Pastor Schoeps's class as he was away in Natal on his degree course. He will be back this afternoon and preach in Patos tonight as I am off to preach at Campina Grande. Your prayers are valued.

 Escrito por John Philip Medcraft às 12h03 PM
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