Larry D. Harris of Newport News, a native of Mathews County, recently received a letter from President Donald Trump thanking him for a gift and prayers.

Harris, a poet and author of the 2010 book “Blessed by the Best,” sent the president a copy of the book and copies of posters describing his life and beliefs.

Trump’s letter reads, “Dear Mr. Harris, Thank you for your thoughtful prayers and the wonderful gift! The generosity and patriotism of Americans like you are part of what makes our country so special.”

The letter continues, “For 250 years, prayer has been the enduring foundation of our Nation’s strength. It was our faith that gave us the courage and inspiration to build the strongest, most powerful, and most prosperous National in all of history—and it is our faith that gives us confidence in our future. With God’s grace, pride in our country, and the love of our families, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”

Trump closes his letter, “May God bless you and your family” and it bears his distinctive heavy signature.

Harris was ordained in 1997 as an elder and founder of Warpath Ministries, a telephone ministry that provides spiritual counseling, he said. The book, he said, expresses, “some of my beliefs on how faith in God can turn things around.” He has needed that faith since being injured as an innocent bystander in a drive-by shooting many years ago. He was left blind.

An artist, singer, poet and elder, Harris keeps in touch from his phone with his many friends in Gloucester and Mathews, and elsewhere. He has framed the President’s letter as a valuable keepsake item.