March 8, 2005

Dear Fellow-saints,

Greetings once again from Central Brazil.  We trust all are enjoying the blessings of the Lord.  Here in Mato Grosso we are being blessed greatly, but not without difficulties.  The biggest hardship right now is the extreme hot weather.  We don't mean to complain about it but it is a reality that has to be taken into account here.

All nine of our works here are steady.  Our newest family who arrived from Minas Gerais has quickly adapted and are being used in a great way at the Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church.  This makes it easier for me to support the missions that are just starting up.  The Boa Esperanga Baptist Church called a pastor this past Sunday.  They are awaiting his answer.  I believe he will accept.  He is a good man who has worked with us in the past in this area before moving back to the State of Sao Paulo. 

Our mission in Primaversa do Leste is having some difficulty.  The worker there is very dissatisfied and is not putting much into the work.  The mother church, Boa Esperanga, is preparing to ask him to resign.  We pray this can be done without any conflict.  I am constantly being asked by the churches for advice and I have to remind them that only the church itself can make the final decision on any church matter.  It seems I am constantly pleading to the Lord for grace and wisdom.  I just returned from Novo Diamantino, where a storm tore the roof off our worker's house.  We have the roof back on and are in the process of painting and fixing up the house.  The work itself is going great under the leadership of Brother Edvan.

We are looking forward to the visit at the end of June by the Missions Adventure group.  Our people are getting excited about it already.  Next month I will be going with Ursula to Germany, the Lord willing, to be reunited with her family after 44 years.  We want to thank all who have given that this trip can be made.  She is counting the days and her family there is counting the hours.  Pray for Ursula.  She is going today to the doctor with bad swelling in her feet.

I must close and take a church member to the hospital to have surgery.  God bless all of you there.  We thank you for your prayers and faithful support.

Yours in Christ,

Harold & Ursula Draper