July 4, 2003

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

We greet you in the Name above every Name. In today's world this Name has a lot of competition in the lives and hearts of mankind. Surely our Lord is soon to come! Even so, come Lord Jesus! With this thought in mind, we must not fold our arms and just wait for His return. He said, "Occupy until I come." In another place He said, "Watch and work". Let us by His grace strive to obey our Master's command.

I spent most of June in Brazil. This trip was made possible by the offering of a faithful servant who asked to not be named. We praise the Lord for He provides our needs. I spent actually three whole weeks plus three days travel to and from Brazil. Ursula stayed back here since she is not yet up to such a strenuous trip. Believe me, it was strenuous. I was up every day at 5 a.m. and got to bed most nights about midnight. I've been back a week and am still not entirely rested up.

In this letter I will tell about the first week's happenings. We arrived on June 7th at 4 p.m. and went immediately to the transportation office to pay the overdue taxes and license plate fees on our car. Then we went to the home of Brother Edinelson and family and had great food and fellowship. Although we had been over 40 hours without sleep we didn't leave there until 11 p.m. On the next day, Saturday, we rested some and went to the service for young people at the Altos do Coxipo church where I preached. On this first Sunday I preached at the Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church where we are members both services. After morning service the church had a special dinner in our honor (Michelle and Phillip accompanied me on the trip).

Monday morning I got up early and accompanied by one of our preachers drove for 4 hours over very hazardous roads to Novo Diamantino to see about the church there. We have been without a preacher there for some months. I was blessed to find that the young preacher who is helping out there is sound and very willing to work there. After questioning him and upon the recommendation of the church members we prayed together and we started back on the long dangerous trip to Cuiaba. We arrived after dark. Thankfully we didn't burst any tires.

On Wednesday we attended prayer meeting in our church. We spent the rest of the week fixing up the old VW van so it can continue to be used in the mission work of that church. I also started negotiations to purchase a small building and lot for the 7th of May work in Varzea Grande. After having almost closed the deal, it fell through. The Lord had something much better for us that we will tell about in next month's Mission letter.

This covers the high points of the first week. May the Lord bless all of you.

Yours in Him,

Harold & Ursula Draper