August 2, 2003

Dear Fellow-saints,

We have been very busy traveling this month again. We just now returned from the Summer Conference at the Storms Creek Baptist Church in Ironton, Ohio. It was a great time of fellowship, food, and most of all, preaching and singing. We thank that great church for the effort you put forth to make it such a great conference.

The report we have from Brazil is that all is going well at this time. There, as well as here, things are a little slow economically. We have so much to be thankful for. We can look back over the past 32 years that we have been living by faith and see how His sovereign hand has guided and taken care of us. Praise His name!

To continue my report from the trip to Brazil we made for the month of June: the last twelve days were very busy. We finally were able to close the deal on a permanent building for our work in the 7th of May Baptist Mission. With the help of the offering given by Sister Rankin we purchased a house on a corner lot in a very populated neighborhood. We are so thankful that we no longer must pay rent at this new work. The house, with a few changes, will be changed into the meeting house for that work.

We made the trip to Primavera do Leste to see the new building that was completed by the brethren after we left that fall. It is very nice. I have sent a picture to be published in the Mission Sheet of it and other works while on the trip. The work there is going really well. Several are being saved and some have been baptized. 

Just 10 days before I left Brazil, the preacher taking care of the Altos do Coxipo church decided to resign. I had to help them find help to fill the gap. Other preachers of our churches are to go there each Sunday night to preach. There is a young preacher who can take care of things for the most part.

We left Brazil on the 26th of June. Our hearts rejoice to see the way the churches there have grown and are able to stand for the truth. I have 3 new works in difficult places that require considerable help. Also the young preachers who live in these areas have to have financial help. All of the "As Needed" designations to the Harold Draper Fund is used for these new work expenses and for the workers. If the Lord wills, I am praying that my "As Needed" offerings could increase some to help out in this area. Pray about it with us. We don't want to take away anything from the General Fund, which is the primary fund that enables us to be on the field.

This month of August we are scheduled to be in 5 churches in 4 States. Pray for us. In October, I must have a check-up and do some dental work.

May God bless you is our prayer.

Yours In Him,

Harold Draper & Family