The William LeFevre Family
Missionaries to Eastern Europe
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Sending Church Brookside Baptist Church 1558 Vance Tank Rd. Bristol, TN 37620 (423) 878-8131 |
Contact Information
(423) 534-3152
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Support Address Charity Baptist Mission PO BOX 692 Bristol, TN 37621 (423) 878-5800 |
April 2012
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor;
he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, o preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18,19
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
According to Luke's gospel, these words were spoken early in the ministry of our Lord. He had just returned from the wilderness after having been tempted by the devil. It is important to remember that Jesus, being full of the Holy Ghost, was led of the Spirit into the wilderness; by that same Spirit resisted the devil while in the wilderness; and by the power of the Spirit He returned from the wilderness. At no point during His wilderness experience was He forsaken of the Spirit; that's a comforting thought. It's good to know that while going through a "rough patch," with the devil seemingly around every corner, and that though He can't always be felt, God's Spirit is ever with us.
This winter has been a 'rough patch." And yet we thank God for it, as He has shown Himself, time and again, faithful and able to meet and exceed whatever came our way. Toward the end of February, our littlest son, Christian, was hospitalized with double pneumonia. A week later, Carrick, his older brother, was hospitalized with the makings of the same. When a child is hospitalized here, a parent is required to stay with him. Also, the patient is responsible for everything apart from hospital-administered medicine, and I mean everything. When Carrick was admitted, he was placed in an entirely different facility than Christian. Thankfully, Hannah's sister Sarah cheerfully volunteered to stay with Christian while Hannah moved to the other facility to stay with Carrick. I was left to make sure patients and caregivers had everything they needed. Praise the Lord the boys recovered, the bills were paid, and the Lord's work moves on. And our God illustrated that the hills and valleys are alike to Him, and He's able to do anything His children need. What a Savior!
While we rejoice in what God proved again to us, we sure are thankful for being led out of the wilderness. Our Savior came out of the wilderness and into the pulpit, preaching good news to the poor, brokenhearted, captives, blind and bruised. It's our privilege to tell the same audience that our God is still alive and able to save. And it's the joy of our hearts to hear from them that they've believed the gospel. Bro. Matt Welch preaches at the house church in Dolgapol. The man of the house, though cordial, always refused the invitation to come into the service. Nevertheless, when the service would begin, he could always be found within earshot. After several months of this, one day Bro. Matt arrived to find the man already in attendance right in the middle of the room. When testimony time came around, he was up declaring how after all those months listening in, he had believed the Gospel and no longer would remain on the outside. Praise God, what He's given us is worth coming in for. In the village of Nikolai Kolevo, due to some necessary minor repairs, the church had to temporarily meet in another house. The room dedicated for the meeting was up a steep flight of narrow outdoor steps. One of our believing ladies, though heavyset and infirm, determined to make it to the meeting. When her weakness prevented her climbing the stairs on her feet, she got down on her hands and knees and crawled her way to the top. When she entered the room she greeted everyone individually with a “Praise God” and tears of joy. It's a blessing serving Jesus; whether in the storm or out, He's good all the time. Keep us in your prayers. This month we move out to Zlatna Niva to look after my brother Zachary's place while he's on furlough. While there, I'll also be looking after his meetings. Pray for his churches and myself, that in whatever capacity, God will use me to be a blessing. God bless you all. We love you.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
November 7, 2011
"
A Song of degrees of David. If it had not been the LORD who was on our side..." Psalm 124:1Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
The Lord's greatness is not only illustrated in the answering of our 'big' requests, but in his faithful supply of everyday necessities. This September the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to call Hasan, the national pastor I've traveled with since arriving here, home to be with Him. All Summer long Hasan complained of heart trouble. He knew that if he went to the doctor, more than likely, he would be hospitalized. He felt he could hold on till my father-in-law's return; that way, were he hospitalized, his churches would not be without a preacher. Many services we prayed the Lord would heal him, and He did, in the best way possible. Hasan departed the local assembly for the general assembly, his faith of many years finally being made sight. While we mourn his loss, we praise God for that our Christian friendships our eternal, and that one day we'll pick up where we left off, and worship God together while the ages roll. Please keep his family, and the churches he left in your prayers. Also in September, through the loving-kindness of his people, the Lord provided us with a new Dacia Logan MCV (a seven passenger mini-van of sorts). Through the Spring and Summer we drove my father-in-law's van. In the June prayer letter I wrote that we had the funds to put in our order, and just over a month ago we received our vehicle. Praise the Lord, it was a good day getting it dusty on the way to the village. While we want to be good stewards of what the Lord provides, we also want to put as many miles as we can on it for the furtherance of the gospel.
October witnessed the Lord providing us with our first one-year visa. As I wrote to one supporting church:
"
In order to obtain a permanent residence visa here (which is the visa we need to live and work in the country for multiple years in succession), we first had to obtain a 6 month temporary, or probationary visa (which we did upon arrival). After that, we had to apply for 'residence', stating it was our wish to stay, and minister in the country indefinitely. The 'residence' visa program is, at present, a ten year contract. We obtain five one-year visas, after which we obtain one five-year visa. Upon completion we will be considered 'residents' of Bulgaria. So long as we are in the 'residency program'- progressing toward permanent residence, we are free to work in the country. This has been a long and costly affair, and we're thankful we're nearing the close for this year."Praise the Lord, our paperwork was in order and accepted, and we now have our visas. In a few days we will pick up our Bulgarian identity cards stating our visa status. One year down, nine more to go, Lord willing.
October 6th, Bro. Matt and his family returned from their furlough. Their return has allowed me to visit more of the churches that prayed for our safe arrival. Lord willing, as the days progress, I'll be able to visit the bulk of the churches the Lord has established here in Bulgaria. Day in and day out the Lord continues to help us, whether it's in language study, or going to meetings, or accomplishing any of the mundane tasks of life. If He were not with us, and more than that, on 'our side', then even the simplest things would prove overwhelming. Keep us in your daily prayers; the Lord knows our needs. Keep my oldest brother, Craig LeFevre, in your prayers. He was recently involved in a serious car crash on his way to church, in which he sustained a punctured lung, multiple broken ribs, and a fractured pelvis. He is now at home recuperating. Pray for a successful recovery. We love you all. God bless you.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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September 14, 2011
Since leaving the hospital a few
weeks ago, the work of the Lord has kept us busy. The Saturday after being
discharged, we had our first baptism of the year in Bulgaria. 28 souls were
baptized. Following the baptism, they had a service that went past midnight.
They sang and rejoiced and testified for hours.
Sunday morning, my family and I went to Romania, to be with our fellow
missionaries at the children's home, for their morning service. (For the last
month or so, US military personnel from the base in Constanta, have been coming
out for services.) The Lord blessed us, as we met together to sing, pray and
preach, and glorify the Lord.
That Wednesday, we baptized 18 in Romania, in a channel of the Danube. Though it
was hot outside, they erected a make-shift shelter where Bro. Ralph could preach
in the shade. It was wonderful to see so many, with so little, enjoy themselves
so much in the Lord.
Today we buried Pastor Hasan. He's the national pastor I've been driving to
meetings 5 days a week, since arriving in Bulgaria. We became as good a friends
as the language barrier allowed; better even, as our friendship was in Christ
and for the spread of the gospel. Hasan was a faithful minister, and a caring
pastor. He loved going to the meetings, not only to preach, but to find out how
his members fared. Before every meeting he would greet every one personally and
ask how they were doing. He was a gracious man. Though I knew very little of the
language, he would always encourage me to take part in the services in whatever
capacity I could. When I first learned my Turkish numbers, he had me call out
the hymn numbers for the congregation. I had no idea what the hymns said, and he
knew that, but it gave me practice. Last Tuesday Hasan, his wife, and I went to
Yunak, a meeting close by. He sang well, he preached well, he seemed strong in
body. An hour after we returned from the meeting, and I had dropped him off, his
grandson came running to the house, asking me to come and take Hasan to the
hospital, as he was having chest pains. We rushed him to the nearest hospital,
but after an hour the pain subsided, and they told him to go home and rest. He
rested one day and was back in meetings by Thursday. Friday I picked him up and
he seemed stronger and happier than I had seen him in a month. We went to Sadavo,
where I noticed, he was rubbing his chest. Still, he sang strong and preached
from John 9. At Venelin, he conducted a special meeting at a believers house,
who had the church over for a thanks-giving meal. He preached, ate supper, and
rejoiced with everyone in attendance. I took him home that evening, and 30
minutes later they came and told me he had collapsed. Again, we rushed him to
the nearest hospital. There, they realized he needed more urgent care than they
could provide, so they took by ambulance to the university hospital in Varna.
That was the last his family saw him alive. After arrival (and dismissing the
family), the doctors concluded there was nothing they could do for him. They
called the family Monday, and told them to come get him Tuesday, and let him
rest at home. On Tuesday morning they called again to say he was dead. About a
month ago, Hasan told me he knew he was ill, that there was something wrong with
his heart, but that he couldn't go to the hospital until Bro. Matt returned, as
he couldn't leave his churches without someone to preach to them.
Today, at the funeral, the believers from Dolgapol (tomorrows village) asked if
we would still come. I was happy to tell them yes, and that we would sing, and
pray, and thank God for Hasan, and rejoice that we'll see him again.
It's good to be in the Lord's work, whether that means lying in a hospital bed
with pneumonia, standing at a river side watching new Christians exercise their
faith, or sitting with a grieving family as they say their goodbyes. The Lord is
good. The Lord's work is worth it: a fact I'm sure Hasan would tell you now.
William LeFevre
PS - Please make it a point to pray for our national pastors. Recently, the
support they receive, that puts gas in their tanks, and food on their tables,
has dropped off significantly. These men are all full time, pastoring multiple
churches, laboring to start more. Without them, we missionaries couldn't cover
half the churches they look after. Please pray that the Lord will stir hearts to
help the national pastors fund through Charity Baptist missions. God bless you
all.
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August 22, 2011
“A Song of
degrees of David." I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the
house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
What a privilege it is to be able to attend ‘God’s House’! There is nothing like
it on earth, when fellow believers come together, in one mind and one accord,
for the express purpose of worshipping God. It’s a little slice of ‘Heaven on
earth’. It reminds us that we’re only pilgrims here, and that our pilgrimage
won’t be long, and that one day we’ll arrive at the “house of the LORD”, never
to depart. These refreshing truths were made all the clearer, as we recently
attended our second missionary camp meeting. (Three times a year, all the
missionaries cooperating together to reach the Turks here, gather for four or
five days of English preaching and singing.) The first camp meeting we attended
was soon after our arrival, and having just been in almost two years of services
stateside, it felt like any other camp meeting. But now, after having been
isolated, for the most part, from regular English speaking interaction outside
of the home, this camp meeting was sweet. It makes a difference when you can’t
afford to have division. No one can afford to come to meeting with a chip on
their shoulder, lest they miss a blessing, and have to go another three months
without hearing preaching in their mother tongue. I go to meetings all the time
here, and while I don’t understand the language well enough yet, I’m aware of
God’s presence, and am able, in measure, to participate in the services through
song and prayer. Still, there’s an intimacy in hearing the “wonderful works of
God” in your own language. That’s why, though we live and labor in Bulgaria,
and, for the most part, these Bulgarian Turks all speak fluent Bulgarian, it’s
our desire to learn Turkish, to speak ‘their’ language.
I began this letter, early on the morning of the 12th. I had been ill, suffering
for a couple of days with what I thought was a strain of the flu. Friday morning
I awoke early, feeling better than I had, and determined to see my wife to a
doctor’s appointment. As the day wore on, I began to feel worse and worse. As we
were in the area anyway, I stopped by our family physician to see if she
couldn’t recommend something to take care of this flu. After listening to me
breathe, she recommended an x-ray. Upon receipt of that, she informed me I had
pneumonia. I was told only the hospital could administer medication strong
enough to help me, and that I was to report immediately there. I knew I wasn’t
well, I just didn’t know how ill I was. They admitted me that night with a 103.5
degree fever, and told me I would remain there a mandatory 7 days. The hospital
was exceptional by Bulgarian standards, and all the staff I encountered were
friendly and as helpful as they could be regardless of the language barrier.
Because of my inability to communicate, I was at their mercy as to what they
prescribed me and why, and could only pray that the Lord would help me. My wife
asked me, before being admitted, if I was nervous. I told her I felt too bad to
be nervous. But, looking back, I wasn’t nervous at all. In fact, all I could do
was resign myself to God’s will, trusting that he had me there for his purpose.
And, in spite of my physical discomfort, I enjoyed a week of fellowship with the
Lord: reading and praying and enjoying His company. I am now home, and on a high
powered antibiotic for a few more days. I feel a tad weak in body, but refreshed
in the Lord. Please keep me in your prayers, that the Lord would grant a full
recovery, and that I would soon feel myself again. Also, please keep us in your
prayers, as our residency visas will soon come due. We are presently here on a 6
month visa, awaiting our residency visas. We have other prayer requests, and the
Lord knows them all. Help me believe God for the needs of this work, and ours as
well. God bless you all.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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“Many,
O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and
thy thoughts which are to us–ward:
they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee:
if
I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.”
Psalm 40:5
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
Greetings. I trust this letter finds you all well, strong in faith, giving glory to God. All the churches I attend here send their greetings. I have been driving Brother Hasan, accompanying him to his meetings, since shortly after arriving here. We go to nine meetings a week. In all the time I’ve been here, there hasn’t failed a service that I haven’t heard someone, either in prayer or testimony, thank God for the American believers. They are always conscious of the love you all have shown them, in the sending of missionaries, and your sacrificial giving to help meet their needs. Brother Hasan prays fervently, every service, for the American pastors, that God would bless you all and empower you to preach the gospel. Please pray for these men, as they do for you.
Testimonies. The believers in Kamarevo, though desperately poor, are nevertheless rich in joy. This is one of the happiest meetings I attend, and I look forward to it every Saturday. They sing louder, longer, and with more enthusiasm than churches double their number. Recently, during the service, an elderly sister exhorted the crowd never to be afraid to testify. “Don’t be fearful. You should always stand and thank God for something!” That’s pretty good advice. And she’s a good example, happily testifying every service. Last week, in the village of Sadavo, a family called for us to come and pray for the man of the house, who was very sick. We sang a few hymns, and then gathered round the man and prayed. Afterwards, Brother Hasan told the man, “Now when you get better, come to the church and testify.” Brother Hasan’s faith blessed me. He didn’t tell the man, “Well, I hope you get better. I’m praying for you.”; but stated as a matter of fact, “when you get better”, and not as a natural course of events, as the man was evidently very sick, but as the supernatural result of prayer. I like that kind of faith. That’s the kind of faith that saves a seat for you at the meeting, expecting you to show up and tell what God’s done for you.
Praises. The Lord graciously supplies all we need. When my father-in-law left, he left us with the use of his van, ensuring I wouldn’t be without transportation. But this was a temporary provision, as he wouldn’t be away too long. Yet, before I had even left the States, the Lord had given me the assurance that he’d provide a vehicle. I even went out and picked up a little key-chain by faith. Well, this last week I was able to put in an order for a car of our own. The Lord does all things well, and we praise Him for it! At the same time I bought the key-chain, I purchased a welcome-mat too. I see that welcome-mat every day, and trust the same God who puts cars to key-chains will soon put a house to a welcome mat! I don’t know how, but the ‘knowing how’ is not my business. I bless him for what was, is, and is to come. Speaking of which, Hannah and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary this month. We marvel at how far the Lord has brought us, all that He’s done for us, and how exceeding abundantly He’s blessed us in these few short years. Can you imagine, with a God this good, what the future holds for us?!
We love you all. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to study the language, that God might use us, in our limited capacity, to be a blessing. God bless you all.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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"¶ And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God,
and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" 1 Chronicles 17:16
Our praying friends and family in the Lord, April 2011
Merhaba! Greetings from Dabravino, Bulgaria. God is very good to us: not only did we arrive safe and sound, and without incident, our bags arrived with us. We were assisted every step of our journey. Even at check in at the airport, when so much has the potential to go wrong, the Lord had a missionary mother working the counter, whose gracious help set the tone for our travels. Upon arriving in Varna, we were greeted at the airport by fellow missionaries and family members. Soon after our arrival we traveled to Sofia to meet with our attorney. We then traveled to Greece, to apply for our visas (they have to be applied for at a foreign Bulgarian embassy). The entire visa process is both costly and time consuming, but a necessity to remain and labor here. Once applied for, it can take up to (and sometimes exceed) three months to receive them. Please pray that there won’t be any problem with the paperwork and the receiving of our visas.
We have spent the last several weeks getting adjusted to village life. The pace is much slower, but there is no shortage of activity. Already I've had the privilege of attending several church services in the surrounding villages. The people, though terribly poor, nevertheless count themselves rich that God would send them the gospel, and missionaries to preach it. I have been humbled numerous times over, as the poorest people I've seen express their love and gratitude for coming to be with them. Please make it a point to pray, that the Lord will help me with the language, that I may declare the wonderful works of God to these people. In addition, I've also been privileged to help distribute flour to many of the poor Turkish believers. What a blessing to be one of His 'disciples' distributing bread to the hungry multitudes!
A point or two to pray about: if you think about it, please pray as we begin our search for a vehicle. Gas is approaching eight dollars a gallon; the roads are in a horrible state of disrepair; and we need something that's both sturdy and economical. The Lord is able. Also, pray for us as we search for a dwelling of our own. Presently, we are staying at my father-in-law, Matthew Welch's, as they are on furlough in the States. Soon, though, we will have to have a place we can call home. Pray that the Lord will direct us where to settle, and provide the dwelling.
I can't tell you what a relief it is, what confidence it provides, knowing we have a God whose desire is toward us, who not only has all we need, but takes pleasure in providing it. What a blessing to say with the Psalmist, that the Lord has "brought me hitherto"! That acknowledges and implies three things: that the Lord did for me what I could not do on my own; and as it was He who brought me here, He will take care of me while here; finally, as He was able to see me thus far, I am assured He will see me all the way home.
Finally, let me say, we miss all of you. We're not alone, and not lonely, merely separated from those whom God has made dear to us. It is our desire to have the best of both worlds. If we could, we'd love and labor here by day, and come home to you all at night. Alas, God's work necessitates a separation, which makes Heaven all the sweeter. Thank God for the day when we'll never have to say 'Goodbye' again. Still, we're not very far apart, as the throne of grace is close at hand to us all; and as the song writer wrote, "though sundered far, by faith we meet around one common mercy seat!' Please pray for us. You all are in our prayers. We love you.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
PS - Our new field address is below
William LeFevre
PO BOX 627
Centralna Poshta
Varna 9000
BULGARIA
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“... So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works
to the children of men!” Psalm 107:30b, 31
Our praying friends and family in the Lord,
Desiring Since the middle of 2009, it has been our desire to love and labour in the field of Bulgaria. My wife and I prayed to that end, and by faith prepared for it's realization. We are very happy to announce (and grateful to God for all his provisions making it a reality) that, Lord willing, March 11th we will depart for our 'desired haven'. We are heading to Bulgaria to lend whatever hand we can, as Missionary Matt Welch returns for a six month furlough, in easing the burden his departure will bring; and to prepare for the work the Lord would have us to do. God's goodness is beyond description, and all his gifts unspeakable. We are blessed! “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
Speaking of 'the desires of the heart', recently, in the midst of packing our belongings for shipping, my wife's engagement ring slipped off her finger. We made a diligent search of every possible place it could have been, but came up wanting. My wife was sick with worry and remorse. However, by the grace of God, I was cheered. We had just witnessed three months of God's richest and miraculous blessings in providing all we needed to move overseas. I was confident that the God who could raise support, secure a vehicle, facilitate shipping, and reserve plane tickets, could find a little lost ring. Sure enough, two weeks later, in a purse she had received as a gift, and had tucked away, my wife found her ring. Someone told her, “My scientific brain tells me God didn't put it there, and if it were me, I'd rack by brain trying to remember how and when it got there!” But I prefer Hannah's explanation, “For all I know God might have put it there just so that I could find it. I believe He is capable of doing things like that. I am thankful I lost the ring, because I prayed so much about it, that when I found the ring it was such a revelation to me. I felt so special. It suddenly struck me that the God of Heaven was so interested in me that he would answer even the smallest request.” And what a revelation that is, to know that our God's not only interested in the 'big picture' of us getting to, and sustaining us while on the field, but also in each and every of the smallest details of our lives. What confidence that provides us, that, come what may, be it big or small, be it a great sum or pennies, in life or in death, our God is with us, to aid us in our time of need!
Praying. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 It has been our great privilege on deputation to both renew, and to make many new acquaintances. Such is the nature of deputation: not only is it the necessary burden to secure support enabling a missionary to go where God calls him; but also the means of meeting and forging loving friendships that will span the ocean. The Lord has so ordained it, that we cannot labour independently; we are bound one to another in the fulfilling of the great commission, as senders and sent ones; but how gracious the Lord has been to Hannah and I, in that you are our supporters; that we are not names on a page, absent from your presence, and so absent from your thoughts, but that your care is felt in your words of encouragement, and especially your prayers. It's a wonderful blessing to know there are yet thousands who have not 'bowed the knee to the image of Baal'. “Brethren, pray for us.” Thessalonians 5:25 As you have, so continue to do, and more. We have enjoyed your company in America, in your churches, and your homes, but how much more do we need you now, as we take our leave of you. Pray that God will help us in learning the language, especially. Pray for our family: that Hannah and I would be Spirit-filled parents, and that our little boys will be saved, and fall in love with Jesus. Pray that God will fill us for use on the field. And if you think about it, pray that our car sells.
Farewell. As this is the last prayer letter we'll be writing from America for a while, I wanted to say 'thank you'. The Lord has certainly used you all to be a blessing to us, and in turn we pray the Lord uses us to be a blessing to others. We love you all. “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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My brethren, fellowcitizens, soldiers, and labourers in the Lord, September 2010
I trust this letter finds you all rejoicing in the Lord, and growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We have been on the road now for several weeks, and marvel at God's care demonstrated though his people. He has met our needs every step of the way, and secured more praying friends for us and the ministry.
“I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.” Psalm 130:5, 6
Waiting. For those of you who don't know yet, we are waiting on the arrival of our second son. Christian Asher LeFevre is due December 16th. Please keep our family in your prayers, Hannah and the baby especially. Very soon Hannah will have to come off the road, resting until the baby's birth. Also, keep us in your prayers, as we have now applied for our Bulgarian visas. We have been informed that the entire process will take close to six months. This starts the countdown clock for our departure. Please pray for us, and help us believe for the support we lack, and for the finances required for a vehicle once we arrive in country.
“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” Psalm 140:16
Rejoicing. We have received word from our missionaries in country, that this last month saw one hundred new believers baptized. What a blessing to hear of former Muslims publicly and unashamedly professing their faith in Christ! Continue to pray for the work overseas, our believers, both new and old, and our missionary families laboring to convert the unsaved, and strengthen the converted.
“...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly…” James 5:16, 17
Praying. We would like to thank each and everyone of you for praying for us. Your prayers of faith, asking God on our behalf, and believing for the answers, have brought us this far. We earnestly beseech you to keep on praying and believing God for us. We are conscious that all that has been gained thus far, has been granted by prayer. And we are doubly conscious of all the prayer we will need as we begin this transition. The Lord knows what we need, and what we will need as our departure draws close. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
May the Lord bless you all. You are in our prayers.
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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My brethren, fellowcitizens, soldiers, and labourers in the Lord, July, 2010
One of the many blessings of being a missionary on deputation, are the people God brings across your path to help you. I’m thankful for every individual that supports us financially, but then the Lord allows some into your life to help you in other ways. I am not the most internet or technologically savvy person there is, and in an increasingly internet and computer driven society that can be a detriment. But for my lack, God makes up with his supply. A few months back we were presenting the work at Westphal Avenue Baptist Church, in Whitehall, OH, just outside of Columbus. Pastor Toby Cambron had visited my brother Zachary the previous October, and returned with a real burden for the work among the Turks. Not only did he invite us to share our call to the field, but helped facilitate more meetings in the area. In addition to helping us with meetings, Bro. Cambron introduced us to Eric Baldwin, one of his members with experience in web design. Over the course of a meal on Monday night, Bro. Baldwin took our ideas, and utilizing his knowledge, launched www.lefevrestoeurope.org Lord willing, and with Eric’s assistance, over the next several months we hope to utilize the sites full potential for spreading the word about the Lord’s work, both in our lives, and among the Gypsy Turks of Eastern Europe. I couldn’t have done this by myself. Thank you Bro. Eric, for all your help. And Bro. Toby, thank you, for your burden, not just for the lost, but for missionaries as well. These are just two examples of God’s care demonstrated through his people. I feel like Paul, writing in Hebrews 11, where he said, “And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of…” Tim & Sara Braddock, of Bro. Doug Powell, of Bro. David and Miss Sandra Carpenter, and his parents, Bro. Ray & Miss Brooks; of all the saints at Brookside in Bristol, and Temple Baptist in McMinnville, and the list could go on and on. I know, according to Psalm 145:9 “The LORD is good to all”, but it sure seems like he favors me best.
Keeping with the technology theme, I am apparently so far behind the times that I am still sending the bulk of my prayer letters out via ‘snail mail’. If you would rather receive the LeFevre family prayer letters via email, please drop me a line at wdlefevre09@gmail.com Anyone else interested in receiving our prayer letters and updates via email, drop me a line at the same address as well.
Keep us in your prayers, helping us believe God about a departure date. The Lord knows all that we need prior to heading over. At present we are praying and planning on a departure date of early 2011, but whatever the Lord wills, whether sooner or later, we will follow him. More than anything, continue to pray that God rests his hand upon us, and keeps it there, that we might bring him glory, and be a blessing. We love you all. God bless you.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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My brethren, fellowcitizens, soldiers, and labourers in the Lord, God bless you all. March, 2010
God sure is good to us! Though it has been a bit since our last prayer letter, it hasn’t been for lack of blessings to write about. Everyday He illustrates his affection for us, in more ways than can be numbered. While the last several weeks have been slow in regards to meetings, the Lord has increased our support and supporters. We are presently over the 50% mark of our needed monthly financial support. Please pray and believe with us, that the remaining support will come in quickly.
In addition to the increased support, we have had money given toward the purchase of a vehicle once we arrive in country. I mentioned in January's letter, Bro. Cheatwood’s exhortation, that there were believers ready, waiting for me to take them to the villages. Well, we now have money towards a van to get them there. I hadn’t even thought of mentioning the need for a vehicle. I thought to myself, the need is too far down the road to mention at this juncture. Well, The Lord knows better than I do, and knows the things I don’t even know I need and when I need them.
The distribution of flour and oil finished up earlier this month. All in all over 215, 000 lbs. of flour was given out, as well as over 2,500 gallons of cooking oil. As many of the Turkish believers were without work, your charity satisfied their necessity. I’m told one believing woman testified, that she was very poor and had no money, but said, "Praise God, I have flour and oil!" Each family received an 110 lb. sack of flour and over a gallon of oil. Well over 1,500 families were sustained through this difficult Winter, because of your faith and charity.
Thank you all again, for your faithfulness in loving and supporting us. Keep us in your prayers, not only that God would meet our material needs in going overseas, but that he might fill our hearts with grace and power to minister to needy hearts. God bless you all. We love you.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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Our brethren, fellowcitizens, soldiers, and labourers in the Lord, God bless you all. January, 2010
It’s a pleasure to write once again and tell of the Lord’s blessings on the deputation trail. Our God is faithful! It’s been six months since we began our press toward the mission field, and God’s blessed us every step of the way. I always knew God was good, by word and experience, but I never imagined He could be this good. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
December 30th, 2009 we left on a two week visit to Bulgaria. During our stay we were able to fellowship with our families. (While there my brother Zachary saw a new addition to his family with the birth of John Levi LeFevre. He was born in the back seat of Zach’s van in the maternity hospital parking lot, as they had locked the hospital up for the night. Zach delivered the baby, and mother, son, and dad are all fine.) We were able also to visit several churches while there, testifying in each, and receiving encouragment from each. We were able also to assess more completely the costs and needs of making the transition to Bulgaria. (Housing is a little cheaper now, but the prices in the stores remain relatively the same. Gas is currently about $6 a gallon.) All in all it was a wonderful, and needed visit.
The first church service we attended, just a few days after we arrived, rekindled my fire and gave me a renewed urgency to get to the field. What a refreshing it was to sing the Turkish hymns, listen to the testimonies of new believers, and pray with seasoned saints! At the end of the service, we were asked forward, and the church prayed for us, that God would meet our needs quickly, and bring us quickly and safely to them. Help us believe God for this answer. After the service, Bro. Ralph Cheatwood, the senior missionary over the work, said, “Your van is filled with believers ready to go to the village, we’re just waiting on you.”
The Lord God knows our every need, both for today and tomorrow. Please keep us in your prayers, believing God for all we need. I’d like to say ‘Thank you’ to all our supporters for your faithfulness in giving and praying. May the Lord continue his richest blessings toward you. We love you. “Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
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October 2009
Our brethren, fellowcitizens, soldiers, and labourers in the Lord, greetings. This is our first prayer letter. We are happy to report that our God is faithful. He has met our every need while we are on deputation, and we have great hope that He will continue to do so.
It has been a blessed few months since our beginning. We have been encouraged by the churches visited. They’re excitement for the work of God in Bulgaria and Romania matches our own. It has been a priviledge meeting with those who know the work, and those new to it. It has also proved a necessary strengthening of our faith, that the God we look to serve overseas, is able to care for us on the way. Thank you all, very much, for being intruments of his kindness, vessels of mercy, ministering to us as we try and minister to others.
We are happy to report from our fellowmissionaries in country, that God continues to do ‘exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think’. There have been four baptisms this Summer, one each month. Over 150 gypsy-Turks, former Muslims, publicly identified with the Son of God, that he was their Saviour. There are now 96 churches in Bulgaria and Romania. There have been thousands of preaching DVDs distributed throughout the Turkish community, that, literally have reached the world over. And the Macedonia call still rings out, “Come over … and help us.” The work continues to grow; the door of faith remains open; the labourers are still few. Help us believe God for the remaining support necessary to reach our field, and lend our hand in the work He has called us to. We want to get there as soon as possible, but not at the expense of the work; we want to be a blessing and not a burden. And we believe our God will do this for us.
Our God has given us ‘exceeding great and precious promises’ that serve to illustrate who He is, and what He is able to do; Let’s lay hold of them. Keep us in your prayers, as we keep on the road. Trust God for us, that He will be glorified in us, that we might be a blessing to all we meet.
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 18:19
Because of a living Saviour,
The William LeFevre Family