Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Another year has flown by and a New Year is upon us. How time flies when you are staying busy and getting older! As we look back we have many blessings to praise the Lord for. Our work here in Central Brazil is steadily growing stronger for the most part. Our young preachers are growing in the faith along with the works. Of course, not everything always goes as you would like. The church at Altos do Coxipo is faltering somewhat. We haven't been able to find a good solid Brazilian preacher to lead the flock. Folks there are discouraged a bit. Pray for this work.

After five years' absence we now have a good preacher and family at the new mission at Primavera do Leste. By faith they are at this present time moving onto the field. We hope to ordain the young preacher at the church in Novo Diamantino by the end of April. He has proved to be faithful and along with his wife is very dedicated in that church to the work. Many have been saved and added to the church there this past year. Our mission at Jardim Fortaleza had some additions this year and is near to being organized into an autonomous church, hopefully this year in the fall. Yes, God is blessing in spite our our weaknesses and lack of faith at times. It is so easy just to remember the difficulties. He is faithful.

We ask that you remember Ursula in prayer. Her heart rhythm problem has worsened some and her arthritis is an ever-present problem. She does not let it stop her, but sometimes she gets a little discouraged with it. Our daughter Karin has just had melanoma cancer removed from her back. She is waiting to get tests run to make sure it hasn't spread. This is very serious. Pray for her.

We want to thank all of you who support the General Fund of Baptist Faith Missions and also our As Needed fund which is so vital at this time in helping the works get well established. Also, we thank you who give to our New Work funds. We just completed two Sunday School rooms at the Primavera work.

May the Lord bless you all during this year.

Yours in Him,

Harold & Ursula Draper