August 2, 2002

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Again we write from sunny Brazil. Today it is very cool (in the 70's) and everybody is with jackets and sweaters due to a drizzle and wind. It will probably be the last cool weather of the season and I am enjoying it very much. Ursula is in the kitchen making that good soup. We only like soup when the weather is cooler here which is not very often. So much for the weather.

Our work is slow but steady. We are very pleased with the two works that were opened up last year in Varzea Grande and in Jardim Fortaleza. We have two very faithful men who head up the works. They preach the word and love the people. Some souls are being saved. Both of thses works continue to be plagued with a very high crime rate in the neighborhood. But that is why the Lord placed us there. I believe that the Apostle Paul encountered all of these conditions in Greece and Asia Minor in his day. The Lord has a people in the places who will hear and believe. If it were not so He would not have placed us there. After being in this city of Cuiaba for 15 years nearly every time I go out on the streets I see someone I have preached to, or have had a part in their salvation or in some way have touched their lives. In many cases there wasn't any apparent change in them, but their blood is not on our hands. We thank the Lord for those who have been saved under our ministry. You folks have and continue to be a part of this ministry. Your reward is being tabulated in heaven. It's a lot better investment than the stock market!

As we have now helped start or have been used to open up 8 new works here in Mato Grosso, all of which have a Brazilian preacher overseeing them except one, we are more and more kept busy teaching and supporting the young preachers and their families. I see the need to have National pastors well prepared who will be able to carry on the works after we are gone. In all we have 10 works here in the State. It appears that the Lord is not calling many missionaries to the field here in Brazil from the United States. Since Ursula suffers so much here with the heat etc. I am constantly remembering that I could have to leave some day and we want the work to be able to go on without us. After all it is the Lord's work and He is a Sovereign and Able sustainer of His people.

We are already cranking up the construction project in Primavera do Leste. Our newest preaching point in the May the 7th community is going great guns right now with our young preacher and his wife taking care of the work every Thursday night. It looks like the Lord is opening doors and it could become the next Baptist church in our work here. Pray with us about this.

Ursula is presently having a lot of medical exams done to try and control her neck pain. This afternoon we will go ack to the doctor with all of the exams to see what is going on. We are still trying to hang on here until the end of the year and come in for a furlough next year starting in January. By the time you read this that decision will long have been made. Michelle is studying hard so that she can graduate from High School here in December.

May the Lord bless all of you and we thank you for your prayers and support.

Yours in Him,

Harold M. Draper

Harold Draper officially opening new building in Varzea Grande on June 30, 2001

Harold Draper in front of surprise birthday cake at Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church