August 7, 2006

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

This will be the last time we give the above mailing address and phone number before leaving out for Brazil, the Lord willing. I had hoped to write this letter from Brazil but due to a heavy travel schedule and an unexpected minor health issue we are forced to leave two weeks later than planned. I am scheduled to have a tumor removed from my groin on the 23rd of this month and will have to return to have the stitches removed about eight days later. It will be done at the V.A. Hospital in Marion, Illinois in the outpatient clinic with local anesthetic. The Lord willing, it will all be over and okay by the time you read this letter.

The news from Brazil is generally good. We have eight awaiting baptism in Diamantino. We plan to go there on the 30th of December to do the baptizing. We plan to get right into the planning and preparing for the construction of the Sunday School rooms at the two missions. In January, if not before, we hope to start to close in the partially erected building at the Altos do Coxipo Baptist Church. This will depend in part on the offerings that come in for our New Works Fund.

We are anxious to get back to the work and the precious saints of God there in Brazil. We have one preacher who is terminally ill who is trying to hold out for our return to see us again one more time this side of eternity. Another one of our pastors is recovering from open heart surgery and is wanting us to hurry back.

Today I visited with Brother & Sister Howard Wilson Jr. He is suffering from a very bad heart condition and from cancer. He preached yesterday two times and taught Sunday School. We had the opportunity of hearing him once again. We ask that you all pray for him and for the Calvary Baptist Church of Arlington, Kentucky. This is the church I pastored before going to the mission field. May the Lord bless all of you.

Yours in Him,

Harold & Ursula Draper