The William LeFevre Family

Missionaries to Eastern Europe

Sending Church

Brookside Baptist Church

1558 Vance Tank Rd.

Bristol, TN  37620

(423) 878-8131

Contact Information

 

wdlefevre09@gmail.com

www.lefevrestoeurope.org

www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

Support Address

Charity Baptist Mission

PO BOX 692

Bristol, TN  37621

(423) 878-5800

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 2024

 

“And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium; and the next day we came to Miletus.” Acts 20:15

 

To family, friends, and fellow saints,

 

Chapter twenty of the book of Acts recounts the return trip of Paul’s second missionary journey. The chapter stands out, and in particular this verse, because it still sums up many return trips of modern missionaries. It sounds like our return: depart Dulles in DC; arrive in Germany the next day; depart Germany for Austria; tarry in Austria; eventually depart Austria for Bulgaria; greeted in Bulgaria by friends; take another short journey to our ultimate destination. Things haven’t changed much in two thousand years, except maybe the part where Paul was minded to go afoot.

 

But there’s a bigger lesson to be learned from the text as well: We’re on a journey. We’re headed someplace. We may be pilgrims and strangers, but we’re headed for a country and looking for a city. We’ve said our goodbyes. We embarked by faith, and we have hope, that calm and certain assurance, of our arrival.

 

We, like Paul, have traveling companions. Not only do we have a great cloud of invisible witnesses cheering us ever onward, we have a visible company of likeminded travelers. All of us have made our departure from the city of destruction, deposited our sin burden at the foot of Calvary, and are making our way by faith and patient endurance, with the grace and mercy of God, to the celestial city. More even than those we meet and walk a while with on the road of life, we have a great, indwelling friend, able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, whose riches in glory are inexhaustible and every ready to us, who vowed never to leave nor forsake us no matter what the road holds.

 

As too, like our text, every day has its own adventure, its own challenges, trials, temptations. The Christian life is anything but dull when you set out to follow Jesus. New souls in familiar places, or new places with abounding opportunities or oppositions are around every bend and on every horizon.

 

One day, as with Paul’s journey, after many twists and turns, ups and downs, blessings and blastings, we, by the promise of God, who cannot lie, will reach our destination. Unlike the journey of the text, ours doesn’t culminate in a place as much as at a person. See, we began with Jesus; we travel with Jesus; and one day, bless His name, we’ll appear in His presence. We’ll see Him face to face and never desire to see anything else again.

 

There is such a feeling of peace arriving at your final destination. God was so good to us on this trip, I can’t explain it. After all these years traveling to and fro, I think this had to be the easiest trip we ever made. Our ride from Bristol to DC was excellent. John Porter drove the bus, and Luke Welch provided security. Google guided us, and Ben Franklin kept us fueled up and caffeinated. But it was God who went before us, contented us, and provided peace and joy. Why, even the check-in folks at Dulles were friendly! In fact, every employee at every stop seemed to be having a blessed day. God sure is good! Then to meet Keith and Tracy Blalock at the airport and be driven to an apartment we’ve never even stepped foot in, and find the other missionary ladies had prepared a welcome – it was better than good. We checked everything over and couldn’t have been more pleased. What an arrival!

 

It took us a little longer than usual to get our sleep schedules adjusted. One night I heard Carrick playing his guitar on the balcony off of his bedroom. I had to tell him he couldn’t sing “Country Roads” at 2AM out of doors; people who hadn’t traveled from America were trying to sleep. Two weeks after our arrival, we all came down with Covid. That seemed more in line with being back in Bulgaria. Between that and Hannah’s renewed battles with Bulgarian bureaucracy, we’re feeling everything fall back into place.

 

We were able to attend a special Turkish meeting in Avren a few days after returning. Young Pastor Alish has a new grandbaby that they were afraid had some health issues. Alish decided to have a service to preach to his family and a sofra to thank God for whatever outcome He gave. Isn’t that wonderful? Listening to believers thanking God regardless of what might be, sure does stir the soul.

 

Tomorrow we’ll have our big Turkish meeting in Dabravino. It’ll be good to renew old acquaintances again and worship once more with them in their language.

 

Oh, let me tell you about this. Yesterday, Dixie Joy, along with all her siblings and Hannah, were going to spend the night at “Mimi’s” (Jane Welch’s) house. For whatever reason, while packing the car with their luggage, Dixie’s bag got overlooked. When they arrived at Mimi’s, they realized what had happened and immediately called me. I went to where the car had been parked, and there was no bag to be found. Dixie Joy was inconsolable. Miss Jane said she’d buy her another bag and they’d replace the contents. However, inside the bag was a bracelet from her BFF, and that couldn’t be replaced. So together, Momma and daughter stopped to pray and ask the Lord that it would be returned. After praying, she made a post about it on Shumen’s Facebook page. An acquaintance saw it and shared it, as well. A few minutes later, a friend of that acquaintance saw it and reported she had found it and turned it in to the police. I was able to retrieve it this morning with everything (laptop, earbuds, clothes, and especially the BFF bracelet) still intact.

 

Pray for us. Pray for the nationals. Pray for this people. Pray that blinded eyes would be opened, and seeing eyes would look to Jesus. Pray for the family as we get back into the swing of things. Pray for Bro. Matt Welch, who’s back in America awaiting knee surgery at the end of this month. It’s a big expense, and he’s paying it out of pocket. Pray God raises it all quickly. Pray for Bro. Larry Leach, who has a house to sell here. Pray that God works in that situation, granting a buyer and peace of mind and heart for Bro. Larry. Pray for Bro. Zach and I as we make our way down to Turkey. Pray God would prosper our journey and go before us.

 

We love and miss y’all.

Because of a living Savior,

 

The William LeFevre Family                (A printable PDF version is available here)   www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

June 2024

 

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

Revelation 21:23


To Family, Friends, and Fellow Saints,


The older we get and the longer we serve the Lord, the more Heaven means to us. Maybe it has to do with us having more people over there than here. I was with a preacher the other day who turned 87. He was on his way to preach in the prisons. When asked why, he said something to the effect that he was looking to see old friends. A fellow preacher responded, “You’re 87; if you’re looking for friends, they’re more likely in the graveyard than the prison.” My old dad would often peruse the county cemeteries looking at headstones. When I asked why, he replied, “I know more people here than I do anyplace else.” Heaven is sweeter because of the certainty of a reunion.


Maybe Heaven means more because of the vexation of our spirits living in this wicked world. I know there’s nothing new under the sun. I know that history repeats itself and that the days of Noe and Lot have once again come upon us. And yet, the days of Noe and Lot run concurrent in our day. In addition, according to my humble interpretation of scripture, the devil knows he has a short time left and has redoubled, or trebled, or multiplied his energies at wreaking havoc. His mask of subtlety has slipped, and his hatred is manifest everywhere. Every means of media has been infiltrated and blares out with reckless abandon and obnoxious repetition the odious and outright abominable message of the age. If you make the effort to shut it out, you still have to endure the effects on those who take it in. Only in Heaven will we be once and for all freed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, having passed out of the devil’s domain into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God. Heaven is sweeter because of its absolute purity, its wholesomeness, its goodness.


Maybe Heaven means more because of the pains we bear. There are physical pains: pains that come with age, pains that come with disease and illness, that the passing years exacerbate. There are pains that come with experiences, misfortune and misunderstanding, trials and tribulations. Sometimes the physical hurts are easier borne than the emotional. Regardless of their source or sustain, these burdens grow heavier with the years; or perhaps we grow weaker, too frail to endure long what we once bore patiently. We long to lay off these weights, soar homeward, and be at rest. Heaven is sweeter because all of the things that trouble and have troubled us will be gone forever.


Maybe Heaven means more because we long to worship. There might be some reading this that view worship as an abstract idea. You’ve read the word and even looked up its definition, but you’re unsure of its application. Some folks’ understanding of worship is cultural, i.e. what they do down South, or in a particular church, or at a particular meeting. Some people’s understanding of worship is based on their negative views of the “contemporary” church: “Well, if that’s worship, I don’t want any part of it!” (It isn’t; and you probably won’t.) And there are even some who’ve searched the scriptures and can give a chapter and verse definition of the term, straight from the KJV, who are as much out of practice or unwilling to participate as the modernists they condemn. But the lover of the Lord Jesus longs to lay at His feet and bask in His glory. Have you ever tasted and seen that the Lord is good? Have you ever once experienced His presence?


Have you ever forgotten your cares and lost track of your requests as streams of gratitude poured forth from your heart? Heaven will be worship. Hearts unbounded, free at last, unhindered by any carnal or worldly consideration, will break forth in unceasing praise of Him who loves us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Songs will swell the vaulted corridors of the celestial city. Jeweled crowns of unimaginable splendor and inestimable worth will sail across the throne room and clang at the feet of Jesus without a second thought given. Creatures hitherto unknown and unguessed and unfathomable will chant His praises in perfect harmony with the saints. Heaven is sweeter because we’ll finally get to worship the way the soul intends, and the flesh can no longer hinder.


I guess the list could go on and on, couldn’t it? In the end, Heaven is what it is because of Him. Sam Richards, the old, white-haired Sunday school teacher, would say, “He’s the highlights of Heaven.” In fact, everything there is a reflection of Him. Paul, while referencing Moses and the tabernacle, said, “He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.” And just as everything in the tabernacle pointed to Christ, so everything in the New Jerusalem points to Him. The street, the foundations, the walls, the gates, the river and trees – He’s in all, over all, above all – Lord of all! Not to sound masonic, but He’s the architect, and everything reflects His genius. Everything reverberates with His praise. Everything echoes His goodness.
“And when I see Him face to face…”, that’s Heaven. “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.”
In the meantime, we endure as seeing Him who is invisible; and we walk by faith until we walk in sight.


Gracious that’s not half bad, even if the worst missionary you know did write it. Until we see Him, we’re carrying on doing what we can for all we can. We’ve only got a few more weeks left in the country, then we’re headed back to Bulgaria. We fly out of Dulles on the 23rd of July. The good Lord has provided us another apartment in Shumen, only a few blocks away from the one we had to leave. We’re excited about taking up residence in it.
The boys will be attending a couple of youth camps in July, before our return. Keep them in your prayers. There’s lots to do and get done before our exodus. Pray we can get it all accomplished.


Bro. Zach wrote in his prayer letter about the Turkish Bible. The proofreading is finally done. They want to get it recorded, like Scourby, and put the recordings on the radio in Turkey and on YouTube. To get the whole Bible professionally recorded will cost a big chunk of money, $25,000. A number’s a number to God. What seems big to us is nothing to Him. Help us pray.


Because of a living Savior,

The William LeFevre Family 
            (A printable PDF version is available here)   www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

April 2024

 

“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come … Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Song of Solomon 2:9-13

 

To Family, Friends, and Fellow Saints,

 

Winter is that season of the year when, due to the earth’s tilt on its axis, a hemisphere is farthest from the sun. As such it is defined by coldness, being farthest from the source of its warmth, and by darkness, as the hours of daylight are brief. Without heat and light, growth ceases; plants wither and die. The landscape appears barren and lifeless. Creation is held in suspended animation until in the process of time the planet in its orbit draws nearer to its center once again. Our God in His wisdom ordained the earth’s circuit, and by its placement in the heavens created the seasons we sometimes enjoy and sometimes lament.

 

You can draw many parallels to life from the circuit of the earth. And yet our text points to a contrast. When the Shulamite’s Savior appears, calling her to come away with Him, winter is past. Not that winter has passed, as time passes, but is past, as in gone or done away with.

 

I’m fully aware that when the Lord Jesus appears to summon us to Himself, and we go to forever be with our Redeemer, winter will never come again. The long nights will be over, and we’ll bask forever in the unceasing rays of the Sun of righteousness. Not a single cloud will pass between us again.

 

But I know this as well, that when He comes by His Spirit, through His word, now, in this life, regardless of every contrary consideration – winter is past, as if it never occurred. In the presence of Jesus, the dreary, gray clouds –pouring rain and portending more – vanish, revealing the brilliance of the azure sky. At the sound of His footstep, flowers spring forth, bud, and blossom brightly, exhibiting their most vivid hue. The melody of the song birds fills the air heralding His arrival, every note audible sweetness. The glory of creation flows from Him, reflects Him, and adores Him.

 

And yet for all that, it’s to me He comes. My beloved has eyes and ears only for me. How can winter linger when love burns so vehemently? And who could recall the winter in the wonders of such a spring?

 

That’s a big, fat, flowery way of saying God sure is good, and there’s nothing better than being saved! I hope these few scattered thoughts find you faring well and weathering the storm.

 

We haven’t quite been everywhere since the last prayer letter; it just seems that way. We’ve put some miles behind us, nevertheless. It’s been good getting to places and churches new to us, and equally as good revisiting friends and familiar people and places along the way. It’s refreshing to meet pastors, who are well aware of the times we’re living in and see the storm clouds approaching and yet are still eager to do more – in defiance of the devil and the age. Praise God. We’ve had a number of churches, new to us, take us on for support. I’m always humbled by it, as I wouldn’t support me. I sure am glad they’re trusting the Lord though.

 

We’ve enjoyed missions conferences, revival services, youth meetings, and just good, old-fashioned church. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate Christians meeting with no other agenda than to pray and sing praises and hear the word of God preached. That’s what refreshes the saints. All the programs and extracurricular activities might occupy time and prevent a foray into worldliness, but nothing builds up the child of God like Jesus-centered, Bible-founded worship. That’s our heart and soul. That’s what we want for our family, for your family, for the mission field.

 

I hear from our fellow missionaries overseas that the building in Avren is nearing completion. That’ll be a blessing. I’ve also heard the Turkish Old Testament is nearly finished being proofed. The believers continue to meet monthly in Dabravino for the big Turkish meetings. The pastors are also continuing their monthly fellowship services. Please pray for them. Pray for the children of the pastors. Pray God would touch their homes and help their families.

 

Keep us in your prayers. Time is running out on our furlough. Pray what time we have left, the Lord would use us to be a blessing.

 

The Lord bless y’all and keep you in His love, praying in the Holy Ghost, and looking for His daily mercies and His soon glorious appearing.

 

Because of a living Savior,

 

The William LeFevre Family            (A printable PDF version is available here)   www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

 

------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

 

To family, friends, and fellow saints,

 

I preached recently in our English service from the above text.  Well, in all honesty, I wound up there, closing out a meandering message with a few thoughts from that verse; but what a verse!  (All sermons are like drives to a desired destination.  I admire preachers who can take the most direct route in the shortest amount of time with no deviation.  As in life, so in preaching; I always take the scenic route.  One of the drawbacks to the scenic route, however, is that you see so many wonderful things along the way, the place you arrive at can seem underwhelming.  The biggest drawback, though, is that more often than not, all the passengers arrive worn out or asleep.  Speaking of meandering, I’d better get back to my point.)

 

The entire book of Philippians concerns itself with the believers’ perspective, the apostle delivering holy admonishments regarding the mind, culminating in our chosen text.  The lesson being, if our thoughts are preoccupied with those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, whatever the scripture asserts, we’ll cheerfully accept and set out to accomplish.

 

While there are many things in life that possess one or more of those qualities listed, there is only one thing that possesses them all: Jesus Christ.  He’s true: genuine, real, and not counterfeit, adulterated, or false.  True in the sense that He’s faithful, steady in adhering to friends and promises; loyal, not false, fickle, or untrustworthy.  He’s honest: upright and fair in all His dealings; free from trickishness and fraud.  But He’s also honest in the sense that He’s absolutely and always frank and sincere.  He never dissembles.  He’s never hypocritical.  He’s just: fair, without favor or partiality.  Just in that He always and in everything answers to and fulfills the laws, obligations, and promises contained in Divine ordinance, leaving nothing partially done or undone.  Just in that He’s exact and proper, neither more nor less, lacking nothing.  He’s pure: separate and apart from any outside influence or contaminant; clear, without admixture. But apart from being absolute in His person, He’s pure in that He’s free from any and every moral defilement.  He’s without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt and incorruptible.  In short, He’s holy, separate from sinners, higher than the heavens, and in a category all His own.  He’s lovely: amiable, pleasing to all the senses, exerting such sweet influences that one can’t help but love Him in return.  He has no equal in beauty or goodness, or indeed any virtue, so far excelling all rivals as to be incomparable.  He’s of good report: accounted well of by the honest testimony of many; free from accusation or inference as to His character, word, or action; renown and beloved.

 

Our Paul was so smitten with Jesus, his entire life was consumed with learning all he could about Him.  He said, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung.”  His conversion was so complete, he, without a care or a second thought, abandoned all he once cherished and set out in pursuit of the one who captivated his heart.  So ardent was his dedication, and deep his devotion, that the thoughts of Jesus transformed his jail cell in Rome from a prison to a palace, added sweetness to his sufferings, brought relief to his rigor, and multiplied blessings in his bondage.                                    

 

His circumstances never altered in the least, but the dungeon couldn’t alter his disposition when he was considering Christ Jesus.  He adds this footnote to those thoughts, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

 

In these perilous days of gloom and despair, where a wayward world wends its way on to Judgment, all the while bombarding our senses with invitations to join it, let’s unplug from the madness and let the mercies of Christ occupy our minds until we can, like Paul, rejoice in the Lord.

 

Speaking of rejoicing in the Lord, as I write this, little Özlem even now lingers on the threshold of Glory.  Her body, succumbing to the cancer, is lessening its grip on this life, and her spirit is yearning to fly away to Jesus.  I’ve mentioned her before, and requested your prayers for healing.  The Lord has heard and will soon heal her of every ailment, never to suffer again.  You’ll recall she’s from the village of Zlatna Niva.  She’s old Pastor Alish’s great-granddaughter.  Her constant and consistent testimony of the unfailing help of God, has literally spread all over the world.  And though only ten years old, and her circle of acquaintances so small, her faith has traveled the globe and encouraged hearts far and near.  Pray for her family.  They’ve sacrificed everything to try and get her help.  They’ve lived off of the compassion of others while seeing her to various hospitals and through treatments, being unable to work for the necessities of her health.  If you’d like to be a blessing, they sure could use it, and they’d appreciate it.  Their names are Ramadan, her daddy, and Zülbiye, her momma.  Naturally, they’re devastated, and apart from any other help, need your prayers.  Pray also for her grandparents.  Everyone in that church has rallied around little Özlem; her home-going will be heartbreaking.  Pray Jesus gets all the glory as He gives out grace to remain and carry on.

 

Pray as well for the ongoing building project in Avren.  That’s where the printing takes place, and the assembling of all the Bibles and hymnbooks.  It’s also where we meet for church on Friday evenings.  The second story is dedicated entirely to “Coats for Kids”; it’s the storage and sorting facility and soon-to-be distribution center.  There’s a lot of work yet to be done.

 

Pray for our summer meetings.  Most of our folks in the rural areas are laboring in the fields.  Our crowds are smaller.  Pray for power to preach.  Pray for our boys, Carrick and Christian.  They’re both in America with their Uncle Zach’s family.  They are there seeing friends and relatives and attending youth camps.  Remember our upcoming furlough in the fall.  Seems like the more we pray, the longer our prayer list grows.  Pray the Lord strengthens our faith.  He is good.  He knows our requests.  And the same Apostle that guided our thoughts toward the person of Jesus, directs our attention to His faithfulness in provision.  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:19

 

We love y’all.  Pray for us.
Because of a living Savior,
The William LeFevre Family 
        (A printable PDF version is available here)   www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

---------------------------------------------------------

January 2023 LeFevre Family Prayer Letter

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1-2

To the Strangers and Pilgrims scattered here, there, and everywhere,

I can’t think of a better start to anything than with “God.” He’s enough, and more than enough. The heavens of the heavens of the heavens can’t contain Him. His wisdom is infinite, His power unfathomable, His promise immutable, His love unending. Whatever adjective you use, He excels it. He’s the fullness of Him that filleth all in all. The patriarch Moses heard His call, saw His raw power displayed, hung on His every word on Mount Sinai, and when it was all said and done, still asked for more. He’s God, and I’m His. Bless His name!

If awareness of the nature of God alone wasn’t enough to inspire your heart, our text indicates that the one true all-sufficient, all-powerful God is interested in a close personal relationship with you. He’s been an active participant in this human drama from the beginning, conversing with Adam in the garden. Adam’s sin separated him from God’s intimate fellowship, and so began the period of the prophets, God communicating with man through an intermediary. On the one occasion God spoke to the people directly, they couldn’t endure it. Nevertheless, God, by human instrumentation, called. Some came, and some cussed him, but He still had compassion.

God, not content to endure the widening gulf between Him and His creation, at the last, took upon Himself the nature of man, and humbling himself, veiled His eternal power and glory in flesh. Once again God conversed face to face with man. Once again He called, “Come unto me.” Some came, some cussed Him, yet we all crucified Him; still, He conquered. Now, once again through human instrumentation – by preachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, teachers, Christians – He calls, “Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” What a God! I bless the day, almost thirty-five years ago, I heeded His invitation, and in simple faith, came to Jesus. He took me in. I’ve been His every day since.

Happy New Year to every last one of you. I hope y’all are doing well. God’s been good to us here in Shumen. winter has come, or rather, shows up sporadically. Most days this month have been in the fifties, and mild. Still, it’s winter, and that means our seasonal workers are home from the fields. Church attendance in all of Ahmed’s and my villages is up.

In Byala Reka, we’ve had to switch houses. The man of the house, Mustafa, died. His wife loves us to pieces and would give us the run of the place, but her daughter, returned from Germany on the death of her dad, does not. Praise the Lord, though, on the same day we were told we couldn’t have meetings there anymore, another woman opened her house to us. It’s much smaller in every way imaginable; the ceiling’s only six feet high in places. It’s poorer, as these folks have next to nothing. Yet the crowd’s still coming, and better than that, the Lord’s showing up. Last Thursday the whole place was in tears come praying time. That’s worth it. I asked Ahmed what we ought to do about the daughter that kicked us out of the other place. He said, “We’ll give her a bag of flour and a bottle of oil and tell her, ‘Jesus loves you, and we do, too.’”

Our poorest folks are in Varbitsa. There they hardly have wood to heat their own houses, let alone enough to spare for the room we meet in. Thursday mornings we dress extra warm in multiple layers, knowing the small fire barely keeps it above freezing. Yet, every meeting, regardless of the weather outside or the temperature inside, the crowd comes on. They fill up what few chairs there are and then grab whatever’s left to sit on. When the buckets and wood stumps are all occupied, they grab an extra blanket and sit on the floor. We sing through the gypsy hymnbook as long and loud as we can, warming hearts and generating heat. What we lack in insulation, the Lord makes up for in inspiration. I’ve never been to a meeting there yet where folks didn’t leave happier for attending.

In Lovets we’ve seen the biggest increase of all. For a year or two now, we’ve endeavored to faithfully minister regardless of who came. There was a long span of time where it was just us and a widow or two. Then when Covid struck again last summer, no one attended for weeks, after which those who survived reemerged to tell how God had delivered again. For the last month, though, it’s been standing room only, with both rooms of the little house full. At first, we chuckled and dismissed the surge as those only interested in flour and oil. Yet, it became evident that a number of them were unaware we were distributing anything. They came to see why everyone else was coming. One elderly woman, at the conclusion of last week’s service, said, “You preached my life. I lived everything you said.” Keep praying; God’s still working.

The good Lord willing, and with His help and your prayers, we are planning a furlough come fall. It is early, and it seems odd, out of place even to be mentioning it now, but as so many of our supporting churches plan their calendars well in advance, I thought it best to give early notice to anyone interested in us visiting. If God permits, we’d like to visit those of you up north first. Even if you don’t support us, we’d be happy to come in and declare the glad tidings of good things the Lord’s doing here. As of right now, our plans are to return later in the fall, nearer Thanksgiving. However, if anyone has a meeting you’d like us to attend earlier in the season, let us know, and we’ll see what we can work out. All of our contact information is always in the footer of our prayer letters. Our plans are to return near the end of 2023 and stay through mid-2024. Again, this is all very early and all subject to the will of God and change. “Whatever seems best to the Lord” is always our motto.

Because of a living Savior,
The William LeFevre Family        (A printable PDF version is available here)

-----------------------------------------------------

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.” Psalm 115:3

 

 To the Strangers and Pilgrims scattered abroad,                                    (October 2022 Newsletter)

Howdy from Bulgaria, where the country’s a mess politically, the people are in darkness spiritually, but God’s working miraculously. Does that sound like anywhere else you know? Sounds like the whole world to me. Bro. John (the Apostle, not the preacher you had in mind) said, “The whole world lieth in wickedness.” And instead of repenting, they’re just rewriting the definition of what’s wicked. In fact, the entire saga of mankind has been a giant attempt at rewriting their own story, blaming the Lord for everything, excusing the devil as a misunderstood victim of circumstances, and portraying themselves as determined overcomers, surmounting impossible odds to surpass the need for an omnipotent God.

You don’t think so? Nothing is new under the sun. Remember when Nimrod presided over the first United Nations down in Babel? They drew up a charter of self-determination, resolving that the Almighty was outmoded and unneeded. They instituted a one-world economy centered upon production. Finally, they passed a binding resolution, committing themselves to build a sure defense from future judgment and a means to ascend into the heavens. The good Lord rolled His eyes at their presumption, spoke a word that confounded their words, and derailed their plans, for the time being.

Human history is littered with attempts at supplanting facts forever settled in Heaven with the fictions of fallen man. In our day, it seems like they’ve doubled down on their own fantasy, to the point they think they can recreate the Garden of Eden, this time without the interference of God. (Ever hear of the Green New Deal?) They’re redoubling their efforts at ushering in the Kingdom, minus the King. And the only Christianity they’ll tolerate is one curiously lacking the resurrected Christ. What a mess, indeed!

Nevertheless, while the heathen rage, the kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, He just laughs and goes about His business. Our God is unaffected, unmoved, and unconcerned over His opposition; they can’t do anything to stop Him. They tried once. They assumed they’d put a permanent end to His interference in their affairs. They soon learned their affairs were manipulated to serve His purpose. How can you do anything at all against the One who can do anything at all? In the end, He’ll reconcile all things to Himself, by Himself, and take all the deserved glory for Himself. And praise be to His worthy and blessed name, I’ll be there to see it for myself!

What’s God doing now, you ask? Let me tell you. We had a meeting in late August in Dabravino. It was the biggest meeting we’ve had in a few years. It was attended by Heaven and a couple hundred Turks and Bulgarians. There was singing, testifying, preaching, and praising the Lord. At some point we adjourned from the meeting house to the riverside, where twenty-three souls, who had confessed their faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ, were baptized.

The first man into the river was called Bayram, from Brestak, where Bro. Mitko is the faithful pastor. He had opened his house for the believers to meet in many years ago. At some point he opened his heart for the Lord to reside in, though he was timid and perhaps weak in his faith. Not long ago he was diagnosed with cancer. And though the doctors operated, there wasn’t much they could do. It seems he resolved that before he departed this world he’d confess Christ publicly. He was assisted into our meeting and laid upon a makeshift bed, but he entered and exited the river in his own strength. Not long after his baptism, Bro. Mitko took him to see a doctor in Pleven, about four hours away. The doctor confirmed he didn’t have much time left, and there was nothing he personally could do. On the trip home from Pleven, however, the great Physician healed him permanently. He slipped off the shackles of this decaying form and entered into life in the presence of Jesus.

An older man from a village close by attended the meeting out of curiosity. He listened intently to the preaching, drank in every testimony, and there at the riverside, he presented himself a candidate for baptism. Young Alish asked him, “Are you a believer?” He said, “I wasn’t when I came, but who can deny this? I believe Jesus.” He got immersed in Christ, and then we dipped him in water. Bro. Keith Blalock and I visited the meeting in his village several weeks later, and there he was. Not only was he in attendance, but he was translating everything being said for a Polish man who came.

Bro. Demir had several converts from his villages willingly and joyfully acknowledge their faith in Jesus. Ahmed and I were privileged to baptize the brother and sister from Varbitsa who have opened their house to the church. Young Alish said there were seven from his villages, saved during the last year or so, who were baptized.

Speaking personally, as good as all that was, and it was better than good, it was exceeded only when my little boy, Christian Asher, came to be baptized. I say little boy, but he’s bigger than his momma now. I’ve never pushed my boys to do anything, but I sure have prayed, asking God, that in His good time, they’ll take His hand in theirs and follow Him whithersoever He would. And He would, and did, lead Christian to declare publicly, to Turks, Bulgarians, and Americans alike, that Jesus Christ was his savior. My heart was full to bursting while raising my hand to Heaven, saying, “I baptize you, my brother…” What a God, who’d give His blood to wash a father and son, and make them brothers in the same spiritual family! Carrick Austin, his older brother, says he’s waiting to be baptized when we return to America. He’s a little like Naaman: He thinks the rivers of his own country are better than these here.

Pray for us. We’ve got needs and wants we only mention to God. Pray for the work here. Pray for the workers. God sure is good. “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

Because of a living Savior,           
                                                               
(A print ready version of this letter is available here)
The William LeFevre Family
 

 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Prayer Letter March 2022

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, ... who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth … to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:1-6

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

I believe, as perhaps many of you do, that there is significance in the ordering of the books of the Bible. We know all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and by the Holy Ghost is both applicable and profitable for whatever your need whenever it may arise. Yet it seems also apparent that the latter books hold a special relevance for these latter times. And if you believe, like I do (and I certainly don’t see why you shouldn’t, as the Apostles declared it), that we are in the last days, we might look again to those latter letters and find sustenance to strengthen us for the coming calamities.

With that in mind, let’s cast our eyes to the first line of the last book of the Bible. There the Holy Ghost, by the pen of John, states emphatically the priority of almighty God and the prerequisite for all who profess Christ: the revelation of His Son. What’s the need of the hour? To see Jesus Christ. What does God want above everything else in this day? That His Son should be revealed to the world. Moreover, if the Christ hasn’t been revealed to you, what follows in the book of Revelation will remain a mystery, as it is the revealing of Jesus that brings all things into perspective. And really, what else would one want to see? What else can compare? Cousin Pierce LeFever said there were only two places he wanted to visit in life: Paris, France and Pea Ridge, Tennessee; and after seeing Pea Ridge, he no longer cared to see Paris. So, too, with Jesus; once you’ve gotten a good look at Him, who cares to look at anything else? “Mansions will glisten on the streets of glory… but Jesus will outshine them all.”

Can I add one more thought to this? I’m going to anyway, it’s my prayer letter, and I don’t write that many of them; I reckon I’ll write what I want. Do you know where the Christ was revealed to John? Where did John first see Jesus in the book of Revelation? From where did he hear Jesus’ voice speaking? In the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. What are the seven candlesticks, you ask? Let the Lord Jesus himself give you the answer: “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” In these last days, where will you see Jesus? Where will you hear Jesus speaking? In church.

So much as happened since I last wrote, I don’t know where to begin. (“Why don’t you start writing more?” asks Hannah. Wives: can’t live with them, can’t worry about whose they’ll be in the resurrection.) Quite a few of these things are updated about regularly on our Facebook page, but if you’re like me and indulging social media less and less and feeling better and better about doing so, I’ll recap them here.

We were finally able to replace our vehicle. After almost a year of waiting, litigating, consternating, and aggravating all the wrong people with all the right information, we threw up our hands in desperation, and God filled them with enough to buy a used 2012 Mercedes Vito van. It has low miles and high expectations of being everything we need it to be. It accommodates all of us, with room to spare. But most importantly, it gets us where we need to be to minister to those anticipating help.

I praise the good name of the Lord Jesus for all of you who loved us and gave. And I thank God for guiding us in the right direction at just the right time to find this van available.

As a little postscript to this, the insurance company issued their final verdict via letter a little over a week ago. They concluded that ultimately I was at fault for a thief sneaking onto the gated property, breaking into the back hatch of our locked vehicle, climbing into the driver’s seat, prying open the steering column and hot wiring the car, fleeing the scene in said stolen car, hitting the gate in the process, finally crashing into a concrete pylon totaling the vehicle, leaving the scene, and returning on foot to the exact same village in which we live. Does it seem like this issue makes me a little testy? Listen, I don’t have anything against the thief; I pray he gets saved. I don’t even begrudge the loss of that vehicle. It was never ours to begin with. God gave it to us, and He didn’t need my permission to do whatever seemed best to Him. But, merciful heavens, Bulgarian bureaucracy can knock the shout out of any man. “But he giveth more grace,” and at the end of the ordeal, like Job, we’re better off than when we started. Bless the Lord.

A month ago now, we were able to hold our first big meeting of the year. Our churches were so sick of this pandemic and its restrictions, and so eager to meet again, that we went ahead and invited “whosoever will.” Praise God the “whosoever wills” outnumbered the “I don’t think we shoulds,” and the Great I Am came to the great In Need; the gospel was preached, the hungry fed, and all who came empty went home full.

Brother Keith Blalock preached the second of two meetings. He talked a little about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and mentioned everyone’s fear of Putin dropping the bomb. Brother Keith said, “I ain’t worrying about the bomb. If he drops the bomb, I hope he drops it on me first. I’ll be vaporized here and awake in heaven.” All the Turks took comfort and courage from that message. Most of them have grown up in and around Islam and were taught that no one can really know their soul’s final destination. When Brother Keith said with full assurance that he’d wake up in heaven, it finally dawned on a number of them that they, too, could have confidence in the work Jesus had done in their souls.

Speaking of the Russian invasion, for all who have asked, we are safe in Bulgaria, far from the fighting taking place in Ukraine. Only the Lord knows what tomorrow holds, and He has grace sufficient for what is and is to come. However, no one is expecting anything like what occurred there to happen here. Nevertheless, Bulgaria, like every other European country, is taking precautions.

Those of you keeping up with Hannah on Facebook, or our LeFevre page there, know the work she and our other missionary friends are doing with the Ukrainian refugees. To make a long story short, at the start of this war, Brother Blalock’s daughter, Kylie, had befriended a young Ukrainian girl newly arrived in Bulgaria. Learning from Yulia what efforts were being made to help the refugees in Varna, several of our missionary wives, with Brother Keith driving, went to see what they could do to be of service. After that day of volunteering, seeing the need firsthand, word began to spread, saints in America began to give, and the opportunities for outreach began to grow.

Skipping ahead, this last weekend, along with two missionaries from Ukraine, Brother Richard Maher and Brother Paul Gray, our folks went again, this time armed with gospel literature, to the center. After a morning’s profitable venture into some of the areas open specifically for refugee housing, our group made their way to the Ukrainian anti-war demonstration. There they distributed to small and great the gospel of the good Lord Jesus. Not a single Ukrainian refused a tract. More often than not, they would come back, asking for more for friends or family.

Every day, more and more Ukrainians are crossing the border into Bulgaria. Every day presents new challenges to meet their needs and new opportunities to give out the gospel. Pray for us that whatever the need, as much as we’re able, we’d be able to help. Pray especially for those whom God allows our paths to cross, that they would have open ears and tender hearts to receive the message able to quell the war raging in their souls.

Last, but certainly not least, and much to a hungry people’s hearty rejoicing, we’ve begun to give out flour and oil. Last Tuesday we began early in the village of Goren Chiflik and wound our way around several villages in that neck of the woods, distributing to the poor saints what God had provided for their sustenance. We were met everywhere with smiling faces and empty wheelbarrows and horse carts. The price of sunflower oil has nearly tripled in the last couple of weeks, so receiving a five-liter bottle really was like receiving liquid gold to most of our people. We go this week to our farthest villages, in the Balkan Mountains, to see their needs met. Pray for us as we go. Pray for them as they receive. Pray in all things that the Lord is glorified.

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

---------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Hebrews 6:17-18

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,           November 2021

Have you ever read stronger verses, verses brimming with assurance and comfort, verses that engender hope and infuse love; verses that burst forth in song in the face of the devil’s fury; verses that provide ointment and anointing, a balm and blessings? Every inspired line, authored by God, penned by Paul overflow with an all-persuasive peace, and testify both to the nature and nurturing care of our great Redeemer.

As to His nature, He is God: eternal, immutable, unchangeable; the same yesterday, today, forever; unaffected by time or the tides of men; tested, tried, true; terrible and triumphant. As He is, so is His word: inerrant, inviolate, and, in the person of the Lord Jesus, incarnate; full of glory, grace, and truth; given by God to man that they might trust in Him.

As to His nurturing care, He is willing. Think about that just for a second, or an hour, or lifetime. Of all that He is, of all that He has, of all that He can do, it wouldn’t mean anything to you or me unless He was willing. But not only is He willing, He is willing “more abundantly.” It is His all-consuming desire that we rest securely, sweetly in the knowledge He cannot lie and His word cannot fail; that though our vessel be tossed to and fro, the anchor holding us will not move the slightest degree.

What a thought! The great I Am condescended to the woeful cannot and offered eternal refuge. Though the world, flesh, and devil conspire daily to discourage us, to disqualify us on the basis of our merit, our inability, the author of eternal salvation reminds us, it is His promise – of which He has sworn, and taken an oath to uphold – that secures our souls and succours our spirits. The oath and covenant are both unnecessary, given He cannot lie, but for our sake, that we might rest in Him without the slightest alarm or worry, He cheerfully swears.

Are you happier after reading those verses? Goodness gracious, I am. It might be a gloomy and gray November afternoon, but it’s eternal springtime wherever Jesus is. What a good God!

Where am I? Oh, that’s right, Bulgaria. Things have been on the slow side here for the last little bit. Bulgaria is still in pandemic mode, combating the fourth wave of COVID. Everyone is sick of it (accidental pun intended). The government introduced a controversial measure akin to COVID passports: green certificates. Basically, if you want to shop in larger, non-grocery stores, you have to show proof that you’re not a risk. Bulgarians immediately protested it, but the alternative is complete shutdown again. Thank God for Heaven: no sickness and never a shutdown. And there isn’t a single restriction in place, as there isn’t any need for them; everyone’s free to worship God.

One unintended, or perhaps very much intended, consequence of the unrelenting barrage of COVID coverage, (yes, we get it here, too) has been the subconscious fear instilled in people. It has become the new boogeyman, so to speak: Its specter haunts every potential gathering. Now a sniffle, a cough, or a cold chill threaten to close down entire communities. Where once we took care, now we take cover. For weeks on end, we’ve not been able to attend certain meetings due to flu and rumors of flu. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not downplaying this virus or its effects. What I am saying is we’ve become more health conscious than heart conscious, safer but less spiritual; more afraid of assembling than forsaking the assembly; more apt to trust science than search scripture; more concerned with spreading the virus than spreading the gospel. You’d think, being surrounded by this potentially life-threatening illness, people would prioritize being ready to meet God, but they’re doing everything they can to avoid Him, saints included.

In addition to fighting the flu’s influences, the entire work has been accosted with car troubles. Y’all know about the ongoing struggles with my vehicle situation. If you don’t, I’ll mention it in a minute, hang on. A few weeks back, Bro. Mitko’s wife, Monika, was in a serious car wreck that totaled her vehicle. Praise the Lord she escaped with only a mild concussion, as the driver’s side roof was caved in completely. God spared her and her daughter Eliza, who was with her. Just after that, Pastor Nasuf, while returning from service alone, lost control of his vehicle and wound up upside down in a field. Thankfully, God spared him, as well, and apart from soreness and bruising, he escaped without injury. My brother Zach’s vehicle suddenly started having transmission trouble last week. (I haven’t told him yet. We’ll see if he reads my prayer letters.) Help us pray, please, and believe God to provide what’s needed.

As for our vehicle, I don’t have bad news; I have an opportunity to see God work. We received a letter from our insurance company stating we defaulted on our claim, not having turned in the required documents within the prescribed time. Since the car was stolen in April, I have been to the main adjuster’s office in Varna at least once every three weeks. Each visit they set another task, another document to obtain, and each visit we did what was asked. It soon became evident that what we were doing was the equivalent of “buying blinker fluid.” It was busy work with the seeming intent to divert and stall us. When we pushed back, we were given the number of our case worker at the head office, who then sent us on another wild goose chase. So today, I took the letter to an attorney to see if anything can be done. I told you before, and I think some of you thought I was joking, that after the collapse of communism, all the car thieves transitioned to car insurance.

Where do we stand on a vehicle? At present we don’t have one, but I’m not complaining. God’s provided. Other missionaries have graciously allowed us to use their vehicles, for which we are very thankful. For the last few months I have been using Zach’s (see two paragraphs above). Now he’s due to return just after Thanksgiving. When he comes back, the Lord will work something else out. Today we rode the train to town to meet with the attorney. I thank God for the train. Since we’ve been in this valley, they’ve started road work on just about all the roads leading into Shumen, where we live. That means, for Ahmed to go to his mountain meetings, he now has to drive right past our apartment to avoid construction, and he picks me up on his way. God provides. We live in the center of town, surrounded by stores containing anything and everything we need. God provides. Whatever happens, God has, is, and will continue to meet every single need as it arises. Bless His name.

We’d like to wish each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving. We love and miss you, and thank God daily for you.

Because of a living Savior,

The William LeFevre Family

-----------------------------------------------------------

“And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”  Exodus 17:11-13
 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                 August 2021

The above verses should be familiar to every child of God. It is the account of the first direct action the children of Israel saw after crossing the Red Sea. Their deliverance from the “Iron Furnace” of Egypt, and subsequent death of Pharaoh and utter defeat of his armies, was a feat God entrusted to no one but Himself; Moses being His mouthpiece. So, too, our deliverance was the sole work of a selfless Savior. As Charles Gabriel wrote, “He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own; He bore the burden to Calv’ry, and suffered and died alone.” Little wonder he followed that with, “How marvelous! How wonderful!” He could have easily filled the refrain with as many worthy praises as he could imagine, and we’d Amen every one as recipients of that love. Do you still marvel at the love expended to ransom you from Hell? Do you still contemplate with wonder the great machinations enacted by almighty God to woo you to Himself, and win your soul forever in His safe keeping? Gracious me, if you don’t, sing his song again!

However, the verses I’m considering aren’t about our deliverance from Egypt, but from the Amalekites. The Lord dealt with the Egyptians Himself; He left the Amalekites to Moses. In other words, while our salvation is secure, our success is in jeopardy. Hold on a second, don’t get sideways. I’m not preaching Schofield’s notes; hear me out. In spite of certain unbelievers’ perpetual wish to return to Egypt, God made sure there was no Egypt to go back to. The Egypt they held in fond remembrance no longer existed; it had been decimated. There remained only one direction to go, forward, and at this juncture, the Amalekites stood between them and God’s promise. You know the story from here: When Moses held his hands up, the enemy fell back; when his hands dropped, they advanced. In the end, Aaron and Hur, seeing Moses couldn’t do it alone, came to his aid and stayed up his hands until the victory was won. There’s been a whole lot of good preaching (and some questionable) along those lines of helping one another and upholding one another, staying up the preacher’s hands, etc. There’s truth in it! We need one another. The very best among us are feeble, unable to contend long or at all against our enemy. We all need help and assistance.

Nevertheless, Moses himself wasn’t the answer to the Amalekites. Moses alone wasn’t sufficient to win the day. Moses, Aaron, and Hur combined couldn’t even startle the enemy, let alone scatter them. What then? What forced the Amalekites to give ground, turn, and flee? Let me draw your attention to what Moses had with him: “I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.” That was the rod that stayed up Moses as he wandered a stranger among the Midianites. That rod became a serpent, signifying God’s power, and swallowed up all the imitators. That rod wrought wonders in Egypt, called forth plagues, and leveled judgment. Lifted up, that rod made an impossible way through the impassable sea. That same rod struck a rock and brought forth a river to slake thirsty rebels. If you haven’t figured it out yet, that rod is a type of Jesus. As long as He’s lifted up, the enemy must give way before Him. Have you any Amalekites hindering you on your journey, withstanding your advance, threatening your ruin and destruction? Lift up Jesus. Magnify the Lord. Does the Amalekite of unbelief stand between you and God’s promises? Remember, this same Jesus that saved you will assist you. His triumph over sin, death, hell, and the devil was so exact, so complete, so utterly magnificent – that to mention it, to glory in it, to make it your banner is enough to embolden the feeblest of saints, and unnerve the most obstinate enemy.

I hope that helps somebody. More often than not, I write those things to help me. I like to encourage myself in the Lord. I like to see others encouraged in the Lord. I know this is a prayer letter, and I’m supposed to tell what’s going on here, but sometimes I get happy thinking on heavenly things and get carried away. Someone said the other day, “You ought to write a book.” I said, “Did you read my last letter? It was a novella.”

In the general information category, I’d like to mention our move from the village of Dabravino to the city of Shumen. We had been living in the Welch household since our return a year ago. We found this apartment back in early spring, but it didn’t come available to move into until late June. It’s spacious enough, and we’re close to a big park where the kids can get out and play. Additionally, we’re closer to the meetings I attend.

I’ve been waiting until I heard something about our car so that I could update everyone on it. Here’s the update: Nothing is happening. We’re still waiting on the insurance company to pay out so we can use the money to buy another vehicle. Meanwhile, the insurance company says it’s waiting on the police to submit a final report. The police aren’t sure what the insurance company wants and are waiting for the insurance company to tell them. It’s a Bulgarian standoff, kind of like a Mexican standoff without the benefit of enchiladas. Now, seeing as this is a prayer letter, I have a prayer request: Please pray something gives and this is all resolved. And while you’re at it, pray that about the time this gets resolved, that the perfect seven-seater vehicle comes available at the perfect price.

The other thing I was waiting on before I wrote was our meeting in Dabravino. This last Sunday saw a good size crowd, undaunted by the present-day pestilence and its perpetrators and perpetuators, assemble together to sing, pray, worship, and listen to preaching. After a meal, we recommenced our meeting by the river’s side, where twelve souls professed publically their faith in Jesus and followed Him in baptism. Five of those who were baptized were from one family, from our meeting in Smyadovo. I had the privilege of driving the sister to the meeting, whose two daughters, two granddaughters, and son-in-law all owned Christ as Savior. When we met at her house the Monday prior to meeting, all of her daughters said, “Normally we take vacations to return home and see our friends and family. This time we took a vacation to testify in church and get baptized.” After Sunday meeting, on our return trip home, their mother said, “William, I’m drunk on happiness! I still can’t believe it. I woke up this morning and said, ‘I won’t be needing my cane to attend this meeting.’” She must have had the rod of God! Pray for these souls. Pray for this work. Pray for its workmen. Pray for fresh unction.

We love you all and miss you dearly. Hannah, Carrick, Christian, Dixie Joy and Derrick Wade all send their greetings.

Because of a living Savior,

The William LeFevre Family

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

October 2020

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:15-16

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Colossians chapter three is one of those passages where, if you’re not careful, you’ll extract the “dos and don’ts” and miss the “who and why.” How anyone can overlook the resurrected and reigning Christ and His redemptive work is a mystery, but there are those who manage. In chapter three we’re commanded, as resurrected beings, to look and to long for heavenly things. Only those souls who’ve passed from death unto life, by virtue of the second birth, are free to rise unfettered, victorious over the world and its pull. The resurrection not only frees us from things, but frees us to things as well. Being freed from the service of external and internal sin, we’re at liberty to love and serve one another. Looking to and loving the living Christ benefits the whole world, beginning at home.


Tucked right in the middle of this passage are the means for mastering our mess (if you like alliteration): the peace of God and the word of Christ. They are contingent upon one another: Peace can’t rule where the word doesn’t dwell, and the word only dwells in those who dwell in it. To put it another way, get your head in the heavens and make the word your foundation, and you’ll find out that come what may, it’ll be alright. You can face a frowning world with the smile of God’s favor. One more thing on a tangential note - if 2020 hasn’t yet incentivized you to get a hold of Heaven and find some comfort, just wait ‘til 2021.

What an introduction to a prayer letter! Hello from Bulgaria. It’s been quite a while since I’ve sent out an update, though we try and post regularly on our Facebook page “The LeFevres in Bulgaria.” We’ve been back just shy of two months, returning on the sixteenth of August. Our return trip, though uneventful, was nevertheless surreal. Having traveled extensively prior to the global pandemic, we were taken aback by the “new normal”: a sea of highly regulated masked faces, herded onto half-filled planes, providing minimal service. The flights passed quickly, and we were in Bulgaria in record time. Upon arrival, seeing as how America is listed as a hotbed for COVID activity, we were given the option of quarantining or testing. We opted to take the test. Thank the Lord all of us tested negative for the virus, though some of us tested positive for meanness.

Bulgaria, like most everywhere else, has mandatory mask laws, social distancing requirements, and crowd limitations. And like most everywhere else, the general population doesn’t seem to bother: Masks are worn as chin straps; distance is ignored as someone might cut in line, and very few places have ever been filled to capacity. And yet, what is the one type of gathering that draws the most scrutiny? Evangelical meetings. Bulgaria has had almost ninety straight days of mass protests against government corruption. Yet who makes the news for perpetuating the spread of corona? A church in Plovdiv. As such, the meetings have been kept very low key. The national pastors continue to minister circumspectly, endeavoring to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” The weekly American meeting has resumed, as well.

In spite of COVID, or perhaps because of it, people seem hungrier for heavenly things. Those souls that brave meeting, leave with full and grateful hearts, appreciating more what they missed. Pastor Alish testified about a particular village church he’d almost given up on a year ago. He said that when they saw him, they asked if he was coming for church. He said, “If you all want church, I’ll come back next week.” They responded, “What’s wrong with right now?” In no time, a small crowd gathered, and they had a real meeting. In the village here, Hannah and her mother went to sing for a widow woman and her daughter. The man of the house lived and died an atheist, but his loved ones are seeking for something more. Brother Mitko said that everywhere the virus has taken its toll, not on people’s health so much, but on their finances and livelihood, and has them looking for something not subject to change. Praise the Lord we have the answer in our unchanging God and His eternal word


All the family fares well, and everyone sends you their greetings. All of our existing visas are secure, so no worries there. We’re working on getting Derrick his visa. Remember us in your prayers. Remember the ministry.

Love y’all

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family
  www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

----------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” Jeremiah 6:16

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,   September 2019 Prayer Letter

I’ve been hesitant to write this letter, not because I have news to break; rather, just the opposite: I haven’t much news at all. While stateside, I was waiting for something or other to report to y’all. I thought to myself, surely no one cares to hear of doctor visits or our children’s education. Nevertheless, a number of people have asked for those exact, seemingly mundane, details. Forgive my lack of faith in the depth of your personal interest and investment in us; I’m truly sorry. I pledge to do better.

Hannah is now in her third trimester. Baby boy is due to arrive on November 24th. We are currently residing in Bristol, TN, in a house our home church has graciously provided for the occasion. A couple of weeks ago, Hannah went for her blood-sugar screening. Afterwards, the doctor, not being pleased with the numbers, ordered the more in-depth blood-glucose tolerance test. Again, Hannah’s numbers were high. The doctor informed us that Hannah has gestational diabetes and is now considered a “high risk.” The fetal development will be monitored much more closely from here on out, and by a specialist, in addition to an increase in regular appointments. I sometimes doubt whether I made the right decision in returning to America for this birth, but things like this help settle it. Nevertheless, our confidence isn’t in doctors of any nationality or education, but rather in the Great Physician. He’s already been in the womb with “little boy,” and we’re sure He’ll see him safely delivered.

As many of you know, Hannah’s daddy, Missionary Matthew Welch, returned in early September on a short medical furlough. He was in dire need of a shoulder replacement. He had been living with a completely deteriorated shoulder for nigh on two years and was in agony from the pain. Due to a lack of insurance, however, he had put off having surgery, knowing the extremely high costs of American health care. Finally, when he could no longer endure the pain, he resolved to pay whatever the cost to obtain relief. As an answer to prayer, the Lord provided a doctor at one of the best orthopedic facilities anywhere, who would waive as many fees as he could to get Bro. Matt the help he needed. A comprehensive cost of thirty thousand dollars was settled upon, and a date was set. Trusting God to meet the need, Bro. Matt arrived on the first of September; had his surgery on the fourth; and in no time at all, saw the Lord, through the people of God, meet the need. What a blessing! Our God is able and willing to do exceeding abundantly above all we can think or ask of Him.

The work overseas never stops. Last Saturday, there was a big meeting in Dabravino, and we were told a number of souls followed the Lord in believer’s baptism. That counts as “good news from a far country.” Praise the Lord people are still being saved. While on the subject of the work, I have two burdens I’d ask you to pray for. Please remember Bro. Mitko Stefanov, our Bulgarian national pastor. He’s in need of a car. He’s been in the work since he was 17. He’s translated the King James Bible into Bulgarian. He pastors faithfully some six or seven churches. He’s been experiencing a number of health issues the last few years and needs your prayers for strength. A new five-passenger Logan sedan costs less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), but ten thousand would retrofit it with a propane system that would essentially double his gas mileage. With gas being close to six dollars a gallon, that system sure helps. Secondly, please remember this winter’s flour and oil distribution. It costs about thirty-five dollars ($35) to provide each family a hundred and ten pounds of flour and a gallon of oil. As much as comes in will be given out, and as many as can be helped will be helped. Last year, over sixteen hundred families were fed.

I opened this prayer letter with a familiar verse from the book of Jeremiah. It has been on my heart for a while now. The Lord said, “ask for the old paths”; that’s my new prayer request: I want to walk in the “old paths.” I used to hear a lot more preaching on that subject than I have of late, but most of the “old paths” preached about only went as for back as the sixties or seventies. Occasionally, you’d hear a preacher go as far back as Moody or Spurgeon. Some Baptists with a capital B would make a point to go back to John with a capital J. But the paths commanded to walk in by the Lord were already called old in Jeremiah’s day. It seems to me, if the Ancient of Days calls something old, it must go as far back as Him. In fact, the old paths originate with and lead to Him. And any path that leads to an activity apart from Him isn’t that old and isn’t His. Enoch walked in the old paths, as did Noah, Abraham, Moses and David, to name a few. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah discovered the old paths in Babylon. They wound through a fiery furnace and a den of lions but led on to the Son of God. The old paths can still be picked out in our day too. Just look for the garden gate. It has Genesis written at the top. If you enter by faith and continue in prayer, it will always end in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Please remember us in your prayers. Keep Hannah and “little boy” especially on your mind.

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------

 

“I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos,for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” Revelation 1:9-10

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,   April 2019

 

John the Revelator, the beloved disciple, he who pillowed his head over the heart of the Lord Jesus, when writing his introduction, could have listed any number of experiences to establish his credentials. Yet, above everything, he claims kinship: “who also am your brother.” It’s good to have a brother, a fellow member of the family, one in fellowship and relationship, seated at the same table, basking in the love of the same father. And yet, Brother John also claims companionship. He states that he is our “companion in tribulation.” If a brother in blessedness is good, how much more a friend, and fellow traveler through life’s tribulations? To have someone with you when you face uncertainty is worth more than gold. As a final credential, Brother John notes his citizenship in the “kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.” Not only, he declares, are we members of the same family, but we’re also companions on the same journey, fraught with danger, headed homeward to the celestial city where we’ll reside forever.

 

I am thankful today for God’s children, for each and every brother and sister in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our God has a great big family that spans the world over. And wherever you meet a brother or sister, there’s a little slice of home; in the presence of family, you can’t feel like a stranger. I am twice-blessed to have fellow-helpers in time of heartache. The Lord ensures that His own are never alone, that when troubles come and storms arise, there are hands outstretched to lift you, arms open wide to embrace you, ears to hear your cries and complaints, eyes open in watchful waiting.

 

As many of you already know, the end of March found us in need of help, spiritually and physically. My wife, feeling uneasy in body and mind, visited her doctor. We learned, to our surprise, that she was expecting. However, there was a problem apparent in the ultrasound. The doctor said the problem could be taken care of with a small procedure, which she readily performed, except it couldn’t, and wasn’t. Having failed, the doctor suggested an abortion was the best alternative. An abortion, she assured, would prevent any and all complications with the developing fetus as well as Hannah’s health. We absolutely refused and were met with cold indifference. Leaving the doctor’s, we resolved that Hannah should immediately return to America and give this little miracle every fighting chance to survive. We committed everything into the hands of our good God and made the arrangements. That was Tuesday afternoon; by Thursday morning, she was on a plane bound for America. Friday morning, she walked into the ER in Bristol, Tennessee. After a battery of tests, the ER doctors reached the same conclusion: There was an obstruction to fetal development in the womb that could be easily extracted, except it couldn’t, and wasn’t. Having failed, they assured us that even though there was an obstruction, they would monitor every step of fetal development to ensure survival. Hannah would not be allowed to travel. Further, they recommended her to a well-known specialist in the field. They sent all the information ahead, and the doctor readily agreed to see Hannah. That was Friday; the appointment with the specialist would be on Tuesday. When this problem first arose, I posted about it on Facebook, requesting prayer. That post went the world over and was seen by thousands. People were praying everywhere. Our little group of missionaries were praying. Our nationals and churches here were praying. It came into my heart that Friday, after learning what the ER doctors had said, that if the Holy Ghost could enter the womb of Elizabeth and fill John the Baptist, yet unborn, with the Spirit, that it wouldn’t be any trouble at all for Him to see to the problems facing our little baby. Tuesday morning rolled around. Hannah visited the specialist. The specialist viewed all the material available. She looked at the pictures taken in Bulgaria. She looked at the pictures sent from the ER. She decided she could do the procedure the others had failed at. She sent Hannah for an ultrasound. They studied the ultrasound, and studied, and studied, and couldn’t find the problem. It wasn’t there. It was gone. “You have a perfectly healthy baby, developing right on schedule,” she told Hannah. “There is no problem.” Bless the Lord! He alone “doeth great wonders.” “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:” 1 Samuel 1:27

 

I had intended to write this letter as a special “thank you” to all who helped towards our vehicle. I am extremely grateful for it, but more so, for you all. Y’all helped meet a need, for my family and the ministry. It was a great need, beyond our personal means. I thank God for everything that was given and for everyone who gave. The Lord bless each and every one of you. But then this “trial” arose, which eclipsed all other concerns, a trial that money couldn’t solve, and again, you all helped. You prayed. You took what you knew to God above, and He intervened on our behalf. Thank you for giving toward the purchase of a vehicle. But thank you so much the more for praying for us in our time of need. The Lord God has been close these last few days, weeks, months even. More than ever before, I see His handiwork, His soon answering of prayers. Someone said, “Wow, as lucky as you are, you ought to buy a lottery ticket.” But it’s not luck. I won the lottery thirty-one years ago, the day I trusted Jesus Christ to save me from sin, death, and hell. And He’s an ever present help in and out of trouble. He’s been looking for a means, a way in, that He might illustrate His love, power, mercy, and faithfulness. And every now and again, I have sense enough to throw open the door and cry, “Come in and be all You want to be, and do all You want to do!”

 

Continue to pray for us. Hannah and Dixie Joy return the twenty-fifth of April. (Did I forget to mention Dixie Joy accompanied her Momma? She did. Did I forget to mention my in-laws, the Welches, how much of a blessing they are, and a help, every single one of them? They are. Did I forget to mention that just yesterday I received a text that said our plane tickets were paid off? They have been. Can I forget to mention that the Lord is behind every single one of these things, using people to say, “I love you”? I can’t.) Pray for Hannah, for the trip, for the upcoming months. Pray for “Our Little Miracle,” that everything would continue to go well. Pray for us boys, that we get everything in order before Momma shows back up. Pray for the work and its workmen. The Lord blesses and blesses, in spite of us. God bless each and every one of you, exceeding abundantly above all you may ask or think, out of His abundant riches in glory. We love y’all.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family  wdlefevre09@gmail.com  www.lefevrestoeurope.org  www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

 

-----------------------------------------------

 

“He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                  January 2019

 

Happy New Year to one and all. We trust everyone had a Merry Christmas and blessed holiday season.

 

I’d like to express my praise and thanks to our good God. For over a year now we’ve been praying for a new vehicle. Our present car, a Dacia MCV Logan (if you’d care to Google it) was purchased in 2011, right after arriving here. The years, miles, and especially the roads, have taken their toll, and we knew it was only a matter of time before something major happened. We made our petition to Heaven, trusted God to provide and to take care of us until He did. This last furlough I didn’t emphasize our needs, choosing rather to uplift the Lord whenever and wherever I had opportunity to preach. Just before Christmas, and maybe even before then, the Lord began to move in people’s hearts to help us. By New Year’s we had all the money we’d need to purchase a new Dacia Lodgy. A week later we placed our order. Our vehicle will be ready, Lord willing, at the end of March. While we bless the Lord Jesus, and give Him all the praise and glory, we acknowledge that He uses men to accomplish His purposes. Therefore, we bless the Lord for every one of you who prayed, passed the word, and gave to meet this need. The Lord bless you all exceeding abundantly out of His riches in glory.

 

Pastor Demir sends his greetings to one and all. As many of you know, he has struggled physically, the result of two strokes two years ago. He has other health issues, and has been back and forth to doctors seeking relief and treatment. Just before Christmas an offering was taken to help him meet the needs of this expense. I was pleased to be the agent delivering that demonstration of love. When I explained a church filled with fellow believers he didn’t know, and would likely never meet, loved him and sent help for him, he fought back tears, and said, “Please tell everyone ‘Thank you.’” His wife, Asiye, didn’t fight anything back, and cried at every meeting, testifying of God’s good grace demonstrated through His people. Demir entered the hospital just before Christmas. His medicine has been adjusted, and he seems to be improving. A week ago he went in for a week of physical therapy. He was supposed to stay at the hospital, but as the therapy was only in the early morning and evening, he would escape during the day and come to meeting. Bless the Lord for a faithful pastor.

 

Bro. Larry Leach has been faithful in distributing to the needs of the poorest among our church members. “Coats for Kids” has been a blessing to hundreds upon hundreds of our believers. I heard a testimony today from a dear sister in the village of Detalina. She said her husband had been out of work for a long time. Finally, last week, the Lord opened a door for him to work in Varna, about thirty minutes away. She said, with no work, they had run out of money. They had no idea how they would make it until his first paycheck arrived. She personally went to a number of neighbors and relatives, asking for fifty leva to help make it through the week; no one had any money to spare. Then came the coat distribution. In spite of their lack, they were overjoyed to at least have a warm coat for their child, and thanked the Lord for it. When they got home, they checked the pockets and found them filled with socks and candy. The little boy noticed another pocket on the sleeve, too small for anything significant, and asked his mother to see if anything was in it. To her wonder, she found folded up, French Francs. Not recognizing the currency, she showed her husband, who upon asking a neighbor’s advice, took it to a money changer, who exchanged the two French bills for the fifty leva they stood in need of. The real blessing is, that some time ago, someone, somewhere, by Divine providence, stuck some money in a pocket and forgot about it; that before this need was ever felt, our good and gracious God had already provided for its relief; and that burdened men were used by God to convey the blessing. Can anyone beat this? Can anyone anywhere find anything better than being in this good way? As the Psalmist said, “Who is so great a God as our God?”

 

I think of the verse that preceded this prayer letter. I thought of it the other day, and my heart smote me. Too often I’ve read that verse, and prayed that verse, claiming the promise of God’s free provision of “all things”. I’ve preached about the “blank check” that faith in a good God provides; and it does, I still believe that. I’ve viewed that verse through the prism of my own need, glossing over the expense to meet my need. “He that spared not his own Son”, the verse says. But notice where God began. He didn’t begin by providing everything else, then at the last, as a final demonstration of His great love, offer His own beloved Son. No, He first gave His most treasured possession, His only begotten Son. What is it then to give anything else, when He’s already given His everything? How insignificant our little prayers are then to One who would give us everything. Oh for the boldness to believe the loving provision of God, and open our mouths wide!

 

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for our little children, for their physical and spiritual well-being. Pray for Hannah and me, that we’d be parents pleasing to the Lord. Pray for the work here. We seldom tell of opposition, or problems we face, but know there are plenty. Pray the Lord protects and keeps our hearts and minds. Pray for the work: we’ve got a ton, and we can’t do it without the help and power of God. Pray for the national pastors, the Lord knows the things they face on a daily basis. Pray that we’d be strong in faith, not staggering at the promises of God; that our faith wouldn’t be in word only, but in watching and waiting with joyful expectation. And if you think about it, pray for our other needs: our home fund. I’m blessed to serve the resurrected Christ, who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or think. Not only is He able, but He wants to as well. He delights in illustrating His care for us all. Bless His name. Believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. The good Lord bless you all out of His abundant riches in glory.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,” (Acts 7:55)  &  “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.” (Acts 26:13)

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                       October, 2018

 

I reckon Saul of Tarsus headed down the road toward Damascus, pondering the events of the previous few days. The stoning of Stephen had unnerved him, particularly that look on Stephen’s face. What had Stephen seen that could cause such sublime tranquility while facing such satanic terror? A few minutes later and the maddened crowd was literally gnashing him with their teeth, and he seemed not to notice. Whatever he was looking at blinded him to everything occurring around him and to him. What object was so captivating that a riot in progress couldn’t distract him? I reckon Saul thought to himself, “If I could only see what Stephen saw…” when, lo and behold, the object of Stephen’s attentions stepped into view. All at once, Saul understood: His brightness eclipsed the sun in its strength; His glory exceeded everything else in view; His voice drowned out all other sounds; His words melted Saul’s heart. What else could Saul do but happily surrender? He asked for a name, and received in answer the name above every name: “I am Jesus.” What a change the “heavenly vision” made! Old things were passed away, and everything was made new. That same glorious spectacle is revealed to us today by the gospel. No wonder Paul, formerly Saul, said, “Preach the word.” The preaching of the cross might be foolishness to some, but it’s the revelation of the glory of God to all who believe. Hallelujah.

 

Well howdy, one and all. Let’s jump into this prayer letter with a prayer request. Please pray for Pastor Demir’s health. He’s had several bouts of severe illness, and we’re not sure whether the doctors are treating the symptoms or the cause. We’re not even sure if the doctors here know the cause. Just pray. Demir’s faithfulness and desire are humbling. The other day, at the close of our meeting, he excused himself and was sick outside. That evening, I dropped him off at home and told him I’d see him again on Sunday. Sunday rolled around and there he was, waiting for me outside his house. On entering the vehicle, his wife informed me he had been sick and in bed since I’d dropped him off three days before. He said he awoke that morning determined to go to church, and prayed for the Lord to strengthen him. He said, “What else do I have? This is my life; this is what I live to do.” Asiye, his wife, worries over him constantly. She tells him, “We already lost Bro. Ralph this year; don’t you even think about joining him!”

 

Our eleven churches are doing well. One of the indicators of spiritual health is how the members treat the pastor. Bro. Demir’s churches love him. At most meetings, someone always gives him something, be it dried goods, something from their canning, bread, or a dessert, anything to minister to his needs. That does my heart good to see their care demonstrated. They might not be able to give money, but they give what they can.

 

We’re now in Gypsy summer, and the temperatures are back up after the first serious cold snap of fall. Everyone is hurrying to get their wood cut and put up in preparation for the onset of winter. Our little family is doing well. We have made it through the first wave of seasonal sickness. I can’t say we’re looking forward to the next wave. Dixie Joy is attending pre-K here in the village, as well as doing A Beka at home. She calls the school that she physically attends “real school” and the DVD school “fake school.” The boys only attend “fake school” but are prize pupils. Carrick excels in language and writing, where Christian does exceedingly well in math. It is amazing how much information their young minds absorb even when you don’t think they are paying attention. The other day, their Aunt Verity held a history party, with the theme being Bible characters. Christian wanted to go as Moses. We asked, “What do you know about Moses? What would you say about him?” He then recited Moses’ life story in rich detail. After the party, his cousin Levi told his mama, “Christian’s story made us all look like wimps!” That means the world to me: knowing my little boy is learning the scriptures.

 

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray for our little children, for their physical and spiritual well-being. Pray for Hannah and me, that we’d be parents pleasing to the Lord. Pray for the work here. We seldom tell of opposition or problems we face, but know that there are plenty. Pray the Lord protects and keeps our hearts and minds. Pray for the work: We’ve got a ton, and we can’t do it without the help and power of God. Pray for the national pastors; the Lord knows the things they face on a daily basis. Pray that we’d be strong in faith, not staggering at the promises of God; that our faith wouldn’t be in word only, but in watching and waiting with joyful expectation. And, if you think about it, pray for our vehicle and home fund. I’m blessed to serve the resurrected Christ, who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or think. Not only is He able, but He wants to, as well. He delights in illustrating His care for us all. Bless His name. Believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. The good Lord bless you all out of His abundant riches in glory.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

 

-----------------------------------------------------------

 

“And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf,
because he hath received him safe and sound.” Luke 15:27

 

August 2018

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

 

Greetings from Dabravino, Bulgaria! It’s been close to a month since we were received “safe and sound,” and while we’re not quite back in the swing of things, we’re certainly closer. Every return trip requires readjustments. Returning to “life as usual” in Bulgaria is a relearning process. The first night in country, trusting adrenaline to overcome travel delirium, I went into town grocery shopping. Ambling through the store, filling my cart with what I deemed as necessities, I eventually made my way to check out. Placing my items on the conveyor, the attendant began setting certain things aside, eventually accumulating quite a pile. She then informed me her scanner wouldn’t read these items and asked if I wanted to put them back or allow someone else. Somewhere inside me, a voice said, “Welcome back!”

 

A week after our arrival, we headed north to Romania, to Casa Julia, for our Missionary Camp Meeting. It was the first meeting we’ve had without Bro. Cheatwood. Things were notably different, not bad, just different. Things change. We wish they could remain comfortably the same forever, but they can’t, and won’t. Change isn’t necessarily bad. Change awakens us to what is missing, and what was, and forces us to forge onward. No one felt more keenly the loss of Elijah than Elisha, and yet he didn’t wish him back, but rather sought the God who made him the man he was. We missed Bro. Ralph; every message reflected that, but we met to worship God. While there was a definite loss felt, there was also an unmistakable presence. I preached the first service on “The Empty Seat and the Missed Servant” from the twentieth chapter of first Samuel: David was gone, but he left a binding promise of perpetual kindness to Jonathan and his house; he exhibited a surpassing love; and he eventually enjoyed a glad reunion. It is a comfort to know that when inevitable change comes, it brings to light things we’ve missed. When temporary things pass, eternal things shine forth. It was a good spirit-refreshing, soul-restoring meeting, and I bless the Lord for it.

 

A few days following our camp meeting, we were invited to a Sofra in the village of Zlatna Niva. As you may recall from previous prayer letters, a Turkish Sofra is a meal of thanksgiving. When the Lord has done something extra special in someone’s life, to show gratitude, they hold a supper. They bid all who can, come to the feast. The supper is preceded by a service. Hymns are sung, then the individual is given the opportunity to declare the reason for the Sofra. In this case, national pastor Alish’s oldest daughter, Emine, wanted to give thanks to God for a clean bill of health from the oncologist. After her testimony, many others testified of God’s great kindness and mercy in relieving their distresses. Young Alish brought a message from Matthew on “Ask and ye shall receive,” regarding our heavenly Father’s love for His children. A young woman, herself battling cancer and touched by the testimonies and preaching, begged for prayer. We cheerfully obliged and are trusting God for her help. The service over, like all good Baptists everywhere, we eat. We dined on young goat, wild rice, cucumber-tomato salad, and fresh rustic bread, with a side of hot peppers. We wish all our believers would be that thankful.

 

We held our first big meeting of the summer last weekend, our first Bulgarian meeting without Bro. Cheatwood. We had planned for a modest crowd, around one hundred people, thinking most would be working. When the count was made, we had over a hundred and fifty. Pastor Demir called me that morning and informed me more people wanted to come than we had planned. So, we changed our plans and made accommodation for them. The service was excellent, with Bro. Zach preaching from the first chapter of John regarding the baptism of Jesus. That afternoon, four souls who had professed Christ in their village church were baptized in the Kamchia River. The Kamchia was flowing particularly swiftly that day, and after almost losing the last candidate and a few of the missionaries, no one else felt the urge to enter the baptismal waters.

 

For the foreseeable future, I’m helping national pastor Demir. He’s been ill for the last couple of years, suffering the after effects of a number of mini-strokes. Due to his health, he hasn’t been able to shepherd his meetings as he’d like. Prior to his initial stroke, Demir was as faithful a pastor as we have, always in church. Now he’s uncertain what the day will hold or whether his strength will sustain him. Still, he doesn’t complain. Rather, he says his change in health is the best thing that’s happened to him in a long time. In every meeting this last week, he’s testified that it’s better to have no strength and rely on the Lord than to know everything and be able to work but miss God’s will. He said for years he preached from the shallow pool of his own understanding. Then he had his stroke. He couldn’t speak hardly, and he wasn’t strong enough to walk unassisted. All he could do was lie in bed. He returned to his Bible and prayed for strength. He said the Lord opened His word to him, and everything was sweet, fresh, and new. He’s a different preacher now. He said today, “Sometimes when I come back from meetings, I can’t remember how I got there or how I got home. But in the church, during meeting, I feel like a young man, like I could do anything, and all I want to do is preach!”

 

The meetings have been strong, though sparsely attended. The other day in Venelin, four people came out. Still, we had meeting as if there were a hundred in attendance. We closed the meeting with an invitation for prayer. While praying, a horse wandered in. Demir, without missing a beat, said, “Lord, grant this horse whatever he came for!” The woman of the house, embarrassed, hurried the horse out. On the way home, the ladies who came with us were lamenting the size of the crowd, wondering aloud where everyone was. Asiye, Demir’s wife, said, “Tsk, tsk, tsk, only four people!” “Six,” Demir said emphatically, “the horse counts as two.”

 

The Lord sure has been awfully good to us. Before departing America, money came in to be put toward a future home, while still other money was designated for a vehicle. We’re a ways off from both, but closer than we were. We thank everyone who gave, and bless the Lord who put it in your heart to help. He’s a good God, and our eyes are upon Him, trusting Him to do what’s best. We miss you all. Pray for us. We love you and look forward to hearing from you. Believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. The good Lord bless you all out of His abundant riches in glory.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

 

-------------------------------------------------------------

May 2018

 

“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh… were without Christ … having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:11-13

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

 

Paul states in the above verses that as Gentiles, we were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise.” While those two facts might not seem a reason for dismay, we are reminded by Scripture that: “salvation is of the Jew”; that Jesus Christ was the “minister of the circumcision” to “confirm the promises made unto the fathers”; that Christ was “made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law.” He sent out His disciples with this charge, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles… But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He said of Himself, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” John said, “he came unto his own,” and Matthew stated, He came to save “his people from their sins.”

 

Now then, we see the terrible significance of being Gentile aliens and strangers: We were “without Christ.” We were left without a Savior or even the promise of a Savior. We were wholly alone, resigned to live and die in our sins. “Without Christ,” we were “without hope, and without God.” “Without Christ,” we were left as dead men walking, subjects of Satan, doomed to wander the course of this world with the children of disobedience, seeking fulfillment in the vanity of our flesh and minds, left to our own sinful lusts, under the awful condemnation of Heaven, awaiting the righteous judgment and wrath of Almighty God.

 

We were without Christ, without hope, without God! But God in Heaven was not without love. Israel, as a helpless newborn loathed by its mother, was cast in an open field, discarded as trash: navel uncut, lying in afterbirth, covered in blood, repellent to all who passed by. But beholding him, God pitied him, and in love flew to his relief. That great love that provoked God almighty to intervene on behalf of helpless Israel would not allow Him to forsake us in our hopeless estate. He who is rich in mercy made a way on Calvary to welcome every Gentile into the family of God. By the blood of Jesus Christ, we who were strangers and foreigners, outcasts and enemies, are now sufficient to sit at the same table with the saints. Our sins having been atoned for by the same Lamb, we are now fellow citizens of the same country, fellow heirs of the same inheritance, fellow occupants of the same exalted state, and fellow partakers of all the spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. We enjoy the same access to the Father and fellowship with His Son. And we patiently wait for this same Jesus to return in the clouds and take us home. In the meantime, we preach everywhere the same glorious gospel that opened the hearts of those first Gentile believers and trust the selfsame God to accomplish the same thing today. Now we not only have Christ, but are in Christ, and, as such, we have the hope of glory, and by the Spirit of His Son in our hearts, we cry unto God our Father.

 

Does that excite you? It certainly does me. Wherever I am, whatever I need, through Jesus I can obtain help of God. What else could anyone want? Maybe a prayer letter every now and again. It’s been a good while since I’ve updated you on our furlough. Here’s my update: It’s going well and is almost over. My wife (who once more begs me to make up my mind whether I’m writing devotionals or updates), informed me a day or two ago that we’d been in forty meetings in the last forty days. We’ve been in many meetings, some with great rejoicing, some that fed our hearts and stirred up our pure minds, but all good. I’ve been encouraged in the last few meetings, as several people have mentioned reading these letters. One preacher mentioned an object of prayer I thought no one but the Lord had noticed, and informed me he was earnestly praying for its fulfillment. That means more to me than I can express. I trust that, through your prayers, the good God of Heaven will grant all our petitions.

 

A few weeks back, I was preaching about our God being a personal God, knowing our desires, and working on our behalf for His glory. Well, I preached myself under conviction. After the service I thought, I’m not allowing God to be my God. I’m not consciously giving Him place to work in my life. I found a quiet corner of the church, pulled out a pen and paper, and wrote out a “Honey-do” list. I wrote out things I needed done in my heart, home, and in the work of God. In short, I renewed our relationship and invited Him to renew me. What do you expect followed? If you guessed “health, wealth, and prosperity,” you’re probably reading the wrong missionary’s letter. Spiritual warfare took place. I reckon the devil must have been looking over my shoulder, reading my list, and listening to my prayer. We’ve been in good meetings since, don’t get me wrong; they’ve been blessed meetings, but hard-fought meetings. The work of God doesn’t come without spiritual opposition and oppression. Nevertheless, I believe God, that everything shall be well. My beloved Savior knows our needs and will be pleased to supply them. Furthermore, He knows us and will be glorified in us. My Lord will work when all hell is raging, and spread a table for us, laden with the delectables of Heaven, in the very presence of our enemies, and they won’t be able to do a single thing about it. O what a Savior is mine!

 

I close as last time, with the verse etched on my dear old Dad’s gravestone: “Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.” Pray for us. We depart for Bulgaria July 9. Keep us in mind as we reach the home stretch. We love you and look forward to hearing from you.

 

Believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. The good Lord bless you all out of His abundant riches in glory.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family  wdlefevre09@gmail.com  www.lefevrestoeurope.org  www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“...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,          October 2017

 

For those of you who don’t know, as it’s been too long since I’ve written, we are Stateside. We arrived safely and without incident August 24th. After a brief period of rest and recuperation, we started on the road. We’ve been traveling for almost a month, all the way from Michigan to Florida and many points in between. It has been good to renew old acquaintances, and make many more new ones. We also, after securing a cell phone, have a new, direct means of contact. Our new phone number is: (828) 592-1498. If you’d like to have us in, to update you on the work in Bulgaria, to testify, sing or preach, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’d love to come and tell the goodness of our Savior demonstrated toward our gypsy Turks. Also, feel free to pass our information along to any other pastors or churches, and especially to as many praying people as you know.

 

We have been blessed to be in several good, strong meetings; and they have refreshed our spirits. It is a blessing in itself to be in meetings where Christ Jesus is glorified, and His Spirit manifested; to know that God is still at work in America, in this wicked day; to know that there are still, scattered here and there, people who both know, and desire the God of glory and the glory of God. It is my heart’s desire to be in, and have my little family in, as many of those meetings as I can. And when I can’t, to bring that same spirit to as many meetings as I’m in. If there is a dearth in this land, it is for a lack of preaching that provokes people to worship God in Spirit and in truth: that gives Jesus Christ the preeminence, and lifts Him high as an object of wonder and adoration, worthy of worship, love and sacrifice. O what a high estate to be known by Him, to be called His own! O for an insatiable hunger to know Him greater!

 

Pray for us. As we are traveling, pray the Lord fills us with His good Spirit, that we might bring Him glory, and be a help and a blessing wherever He leads us. Pray for our safety. Pray for more opportunities to testify of God’s goodness manifested on the mission field. Pray for our upcoming needs, those here, and those awaiting us when we return. It is human nature to calculate the immensity of a need, against the little at hand, and so grow discouraged. But that equation leaves out the key component: our great Savior. The last day of a three day meeting, and the Savior said they’d close with a meal. Brother Philip surveyed the crowd, and then checked the bank account, and said there wasn’t enough to feed everyone. Brother Andrew went a little farther, and found among the thousands, only one little boy brought lunch, but stated, as a matter of fact, it wasn’t enough. They both had subtracted Jesus; but add the Lord to your want and watch what happens. Bless the Lord, my needs exceed your resources and mine, but not His. Thank you Lord, for meeting all we stand in need of! Help us pray; believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. We love you and look forward to hearing from you.

 

Because of a living Savior, The William LeFevre Family

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

 

April 2017 Prayer Letter      “...Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.” Acts 15:36

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

 

Last month the Leaches, our fellow missionaries here, returned to the states for furlough. While Bro. Larry is gone, my brother Zachary and I are looking after his meetings. Bro. Larry works with national pastor Ismael; together they take care of eight churches. Ismael is one of our longest serving national pastors.  He’s a good preacher and a loving shepherd to his flock. The last time Bro. Larry returned for furlough, I spent the better part of year going to his churches, learning from Bro. Ismael, growing to appreciate and love his people. They, like their pastor, are a tenderhearted lot. It was good, then, to return to them, to see familiar faces faithfully serving their Lord in their churches.

 

In the village of Stoyan Mihaylovski, the little church continues to thrive. Sister Minka, a widow who opened her house to the church many years ago, recently lost everything in a fire. It seems she was adding wood to her stove when a burning coal rolled out and set the room on fire. Soon, the entire house was engulfed in flames. Sister Minka escaped with her life, and that was it. The only other things to survive the fire were the hymnals the church uses. At present, she spends her time trying to clean up the wreckage and plant and tend her garden. By day, she occupies a stall in an outbuilding where livestock once resided; by night, she stays with a relative nearby. Still, she faithfully attends the meeting and testifies that, while it’s possible to lose everything you have in this life, the word of God will stand the fire. You can also scroll down to see photos of the devastation, and get a sense of what we need to fix it.

 

If you would like to help in the rebuilding of Sister Minka's home, you can make checks payable to:

Charity Baptist Mission P.O. Box 692 Bristol, TN 37621 Memo: Widow Minka’s House

 

Sister Sidika is a doting mother, loving wife, and faithful believer. Her husband, as well, loves the Lord and on meeting day stops work to come to church. The night the fire struck, she was in the crowd watching the destruction, helpless to do anything other than pray. She cried for Minka, for the church, and for those in the crowd mocking the believers. She asked the Lord what she could do. She determined then and there that the church wouldn’t be without a meeting place. She testified a few weeks ago that she had always wanted to host the believers but had never been in a position to. Her little family is desperately poor. They live in a two-room, mud-brick, whitewashed house. The electricity is spotty when working at all. What furniture they have couldn’t be sold, as no one would want it. Sometimes, to accommodate visitors, they bring in logs they haven’t yet split and put a pillow on them for a makeshift chair. Still, as the fire raged, she gave what she had to the Lord and opened her heart and house for the meeting. Every Wednesday now, she’s as happy as a soul can be, watching her heavenly family gather in to sing, pray, and worship God. Last week, at the close of meeting, she said it was on her heart to pray for her friends, that they, too, would come to the meeting and hear the word of God. Yesterday, when we arrived, we were gladly greeted by a house full of new faces. Sister Sidika was ashamed and embarrassed of her poverty, but in opening her house to the Lord Jesus, she found He makes himself quite at home there. In opening her heart to Him, she found He answers exceeding abundantly above all she asks or thinks.

 

I’d like to ask you all for your faith and prayers. We’re slowly making preparations for our upcoming furlough this year. Our needs are many, but I’m not asking for anything more than your help in praying and believing. I’m thankful for all that the Lord Jesus does for us and with us in Bulgaria. I bless the Lord in everything, for good times and hard times. I even thank Him for the ole Devil that fights us, for trials, storms, and valleys. And I thank Him now for what will be, for meeting these things we have need of. I rejoice in their fulfillment. My needs exceed your resources and mine, but not the Lord’s. Our heavenly Joseph is in charge of the storehouses of God’s bounty, and they stand open to needy souls. Help us pray; believe for us when our faith wanes, and we’ll do the same for you. We love you.

 

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

February 2017 Prayer Letter

"And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.    And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch." John 10:22-23

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The place is Jerusalem; the occasion, the feast of dedication; the season, winter. The air is chill, the landscape bleak, the skies gray; all nature is clothed in death. But then we read these words: "And Jesus walked in." And though time and place remain the same, and the season maintains its predetermined course, there is a change. Though He bears the weight of winter on His head, and His feet burn with the heat of summer, there is a perpetual spring time in His heart, and wherever He goes, harvest follows. As Charles Butler wrote, "Where Jesus is, 'tis Heaven there." It may have been winter outside, but when He walked in, life sprang to attention.

In Genesis chapter eight verse twenty-two, the LORD gave us the seasons in perpetuity. He promised, "While the earth remaineth… summer and winter… shall not cease." For our part it seems He's making good on that promise this winter, as it feels never ending. But, thanks be to God, we have the hope of summer in our hearts. Winters must be endured for summers to be enjoyed; and without "seedtime," there is no harvest. Still, regardless the season, we rest confident that nothing hinders our God: the bitter cold of winter can't chill Him, nor the stifling heat of summer fatigue Him. He is master of tempest and wave; stormy winds fulfill His will; snow and rain accomplish his purpose; night and day are alike to Him; the sun and moon move or stay by His permission; all things were created by Him and for Him and, as such, obey Him. Therefore, come what may, I bless Him. And "when I am happy in Him," John Newton declares, "December's as pleasant as May."

This January, according to the Bulgarian news, has been the coldest in 30 years. We have seen more snow this year than our entire six years on the field, and, according to the other missionaries, more than in their twenty-year tenure. We have been snowed in on several occasions, for days at a time. During the biggest snowfall, two thirds of the country lost power, and in many places, it remained out for days. Ours was reduced to a trickle, with just enough current to charge our cell phones. In our little village, the main road to and from the big cities was completely covered over with drifts. When they opened the main road, we still had to wait a couple of days for them to clear our side roads. Once we were able to get out and about, we were amazed at the sheer amount of snow. The berms the tractors plowed up in opening the roads were well over the top of our vehicle; they created deep, one-lane canyons of snow, that though you could pass through them, you didn't relish the prospect. Stuck at home, I tried to make good use of my time sewing Bibles. At present, the weather has cleared, though it's supposed to get cold again.

During this break in the weather, my brother, Zachary, national pastor Alish, and I headed to Romania to attend the funeral of national pastor Ahmet. Ahmet maintained a good profession before many witnesses. He was saved from a life of alcoholism and abusiveness. He was changed gloriously by the gospel, and set out to preach the Christ that converted him. They said the day he got saved, he entered the church and listened to them sing a hymn that talks about seeing God. He prayed that day that God would make him fit, that he might be able to see Him. The Lord did much more than that, he used Ahmet to show Himself to hundreds. Finally, the other day, Ahmet's very first prayer was answered, and he got to see God. His wife testified at the funeral, "These aren't tears of sadness, these are tears of Joy. My husband's happy and home, and I'm happy for him."

A few days later, all the missionaries and nationals met in Dabravino to sew our reserves of Bibles. Midway through our day, a young couple showed up to the church asking for prayer. It seems the young lady was in the grip of fear, afraid to live, afraid to die. In a few minutes, we had assembled a crowd of believers. We sang, and then Bro. Cheatwood preached from 1 John 4:18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear." He said the perfect love of Jesus secures us that we need never fear. We don't have to fear Him never loving us, never helping us, never hearing us. At the end of his message, we all knelt around the young couple and prayed for them. By this time, a significant crowd had gathered, and there was power in that prayer. What a marvelous thing! Whether enduring the storms safely at home, shedding tears at a funeral, laboring with brethren to ready Bibles for distribution, crowding around a hurting heart seeking God's strength, the Lord was always near to hand, ready to bless, eager to comfort. Is there anyone like our God? Is there any work better than His?

As of right now, we are planning a furlough this fall. Lord willing, we will return to the states in September, staying through the spring of 2018. I know many of you pastors like to have advanced knowledge to plan accordingly. If you'd like to have us in to update you on the work, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our information is provided in the footer of our prayer letters. God bless you all.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


October 2016 Prayer Letter

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people." 1 Chronicles 16:8

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Demir, a friend and fellow labourer, a national pastor with more than ten churches under his care, joined myself and two other nationals for a work day last week. We were meeting to hand sew Bibles and hymn books. (I never thought I'd be part of a male sewing circle, but the Lord's ways are mysterious.) As the labor is not arduous, there is plenty of time for fellowship while we work. I listened as the nationals recounted bygone days in Bulgaria, and in particular to the early days of this ministry. Demir said, "Years ago, whenever trouble came, whether it was sickness or persecution, we fell to pieces. I can't count how many times we begged, wept, and prayed for deliverance over the smallest trouble. But years have gone by, and we've grown up in the Lord and in His word. We don't fear our troubles anymore. We don't have to run from them. We've learned that when trouble comes, if you'll look around, you'll find the Lord nearby. We don't like them, but we like that the Lord comes with them." His small testimony, given among friends, was as honey to a famished soul: enlightening.

A few weeks ago, trouble came, in the form of our little Dixie Joy contracting pneumonia. She awoke around midnight with shortness of breath. We gave her what medicine we had, and watched her throughout the night. Sunday morning, she was none improved. We decided to take her to the ER. The doctor there diagnosed her with a mild touch of asthma, but to be safe, ordered an x-ray. The x-ray showed pneumonia in one lung. They admitted her into the children's hospital and started her on IV's. Our boys went to stay with their grandparents, Missionary and Mrs. Matt Welch; Hannah stayed with Dixie; and I played errand boy for nurse and patient. Dixie showed progress, while Hannah showed exhaustion (one of the medicines contained a steroid that kept Dixie wired for hours, nay, days on end). Praise the Lord, after four days they sent her home, much improved. A week later, her check-up showed she had completely recovered. While the family seemed scattered, the Lord was nigh to us all, comforted us, kept us, and brought us together again rejoicing.

The saints in Detelina have been begging to visit other churches for a while now. (I was scheduled to take them the day Dixie fell ill.) They're a good lot, strong in the faith, ready always to sing or testify. Last week, at our regular meeting, it seemed like everyone wanted to tell of God's personal handiwork. One girl said, "I've been waiting all week to give a testimony. Last week God nudged me to brag on him, but I was scared. All week long it's been like there's a fire in my heart!" She bragged on the Lord for near fifteen minutes while tears rolled down her cheeks. I was finally able to fulfill my promise, gathering them up early Sunday morning, bundling them off an hour and half away to the village of Zlatna Niva. Our meeting began when we pulled up. The saints from there greeted the saints with me with joy and weeping. The meeting moved into the building, where we sang for over an hour. We prayed and then called for testimonies. They testified for another hour. At preaching time, the power was present. It was by far the easiest time I've had preaching since coming to the field. And I had a cheerleading section that would have put U of T to shame. An hour later, we were all filled, happy, settled and secure in the goodness of our God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The couple of the house, National Pastor Alish and his wife Safet, prepared what was in their hand (bread, pickled peppers, and meatballs), and we all dined with grateful hearts.

The Lord has seemed especially good to us of late. I say "seemed" because the Lord is always good, and seemingly to us in particular. But while the Lord is good, it often takes trouble and trials to center our attention upon Him. Once centered, we find in Him everything we sought elsewhere, and we marvel at his forbearance. I am glad to be a missionary. I am grateful to be laboring (though the work is the Lord's) here, in Bulgaria. I am blessed with a loving wife and three little chips off this big blockhead. I am humbled by your all's love, prayers, and support. Pray for us, that the we might show forth the goodness of Lord Jesus wherever and to whomever the Lord lets us go.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

PS – As of right now, we are planning a furlough in 2017. Lord willing, we would return to the states in September of next year, staying through the Spring of 2018. I know many of you pastors like to have advanced knowledge to plan accordingly. If you'd like to have us in to update you on the work, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our information is provided in the footer of our prayer letters. God bless you all.
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


July 2016 Prayer Letter

"Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go." Nehemiah 9:19

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

It sure is a comfort to know our gracious God will not, nor cannot forsake us; we are not cast off and have no reason to be cast down. The same guiding hand that led us to himself has promised to lead us home. In the brightness of day, the evidence of His presence is everywhere to be seen; His path lies plain before us. In the blackness of night, though unable to see a great distance, He gives us enough light to see Him, and we are consoled that He's near to hand, comforted that the same illuminating flame keeps the enemy at bay.

Being led of the Lord, we held our second big meeting of the summer recently. Believers came from all over to sing, pray, be edified by preaching, and worship the Lord Jesus. We started the meeting around 5:30 p.m., much later in the evening than usual, to help us beat the summer heat. Still, fetching them from their villages began much earlier in the day. The first service went very well. The singing was powerful; tears flowed freely. Bro. Cheatwood preached the first service from Romans chapter 5 about the love God demonstrated to the most unlikely: the weak, the ungodly, and sinners. After the service, four souls came, confessing their faith in Jesus Christ and desiring to be baptized. While half of the congregation repaired to the evening meal, the other half headed to the river. There, amid singing and praying, these fours souls were baptized, entering into the river with fear and trepidation, exiting with joy unspeakable, received by waiting and welcoming saints.

The last meeting of the evening proceeded much like the first, if not stronger. National pastor Alish testified concerning the death of Yashar, the national pastor he was saved under. He said Yashar had three possessions he was most identified with: a coat, his minivan, and his Bible. At his death, his oldest son took the coat to remember him by; his other son asked for the van; Alish said, "All I wanted was the Bible." Alish testified, "Ten years later, and the coat is gone, the van has since been turned into scrap, but I still have the Bible. Moreover, the son who wanted the coat is no longer in church; the son who drove off in the van went to Europe and ruin; but here I am with the Bible, still in church, still praising God." Later on, while preaching, he said, "As preachers, I'm sure we upset God more than anyone else. Who else plants a crop and then never goes back to see if anything came up? We go everywhere preaching and then are surprised when something grows." Pretty good for a man with only a Bible for an inheritance.

During the second meeting, national pastor Ahmed testified about goings on in Vezenkovo, a village three hours to the southwest, where our farthest church is located. He said last month, during one particular service, a woman visibly distraught came to the door. She was inquiring if anyone knew where "the believers" were. Ahmed answered, "We're the believers." Stunned, the woman said, "I set out from a village down the road, determined to find you. This was the first house I stopped at." She told those assembled of a tragic accident that occurred a few days before, that left her son in a coma, and she was asking them to come and pray. Ahmed took a group and returned to the woman's house. There he found a small congregation of broken-hearted and fearful souls. The man of the house testified to Ahmed, "Years ago, we had nothing and were the poorest people in the village, then Europe opened up to us. We went, worked, saved and got rich, but forgot about God. We never gave a single thought to God. We had everything. If I wanted a house, I'd buy it; if I wanted a car, it was mine. Now I've learned there are things that money can't buy. All my money can't wake my son up. All my money can't buy God." Ahmed preached to them, "What money can't do, faith in Jesus can. We're still poor, but we can talk to God, and he listens and answers." Ahmed said, "We preached to them, prayed, and then went on our way waiting to hear what God would do." A few days later, the answer came. The boy was awake and responsive, able to move his hands and legs. The family has since started attending the meeting in Vezenkovo. Our second service concluded after 10 p.m., and it was well past midnight before I returned home, weary, but happy.

A little more than a week ago now, we received excellent, though unexpected, news. A chance visit to the migration police resulted in learning we could now apply for permanent residence in Bulgaria. (We had been informed, before ever coming here, that obtaining permanent resident status would be a ten-year process. After completing five individual-year visas, we would be eligible for a single five-year visa. After that, we could apply for permanent residency. By that math, we assumed we would be applying for our five-year visa soon.) Delighted, we began the mad scramble to gather up all the paperwork. I first contacted our attorney to relate the good news and solicit his help. He informed us that a mistake had obviously been made, as there was no way possible we could be applying for permanent resident status. He listed his reasons and ruined our elation. Determined to press on, we returned to the migration office and laid out everything he had said before the case workers. They derided his so called "expertise," told us not to pay any attention to him, and assured us they would help us every step of the way. A week to the day, and with special and invaluable assistance from fellow missionary Larry Leach, we were able to turn in our documents. The ladies in the office asked us, "Did that lawyer help you in any way getting these?" "No," we replied. "Good," they answered, as they processed and approved our application. Lord willing, we return in September to pick up our permanent residence visas. On a side note, due to the time constraint (one week from when we were notified, to when we applied), we borrowed the necessary funds. Permanent visas are double the cost of our yearly visa expense, making it around $3,500. Yet, we are confident that the Lord — who led us here, went before us, and prepared the way — will provide. Keep us in your prayers. We love and miss you all.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                 May 2016

 

Years ago, Pastor Fred Potter preached a message from Philippians chapter four that he entitled, “Something to Think About.” He related that the Lord Jesus is the source of all the true, honest, just, pure, He related that the Lord Jesus is the source of all the true, honest, just, pure, and lovely things we know, and that of all the things of good report, He is the best. To think on Him is the best preoccupation of one's mind. Such is life, however, that the cares of this world seek to crowd out the loveliness of our Lord. It is a struggle, therefore, but one well rewarded, to think on Him. Our meditations of Him are a steadying force in an uncertain world. To think on Him is to seek comfort and obtain delight. “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.” Psalm 104:34

 

This past Sunday, I was again in Zlatna Niva, worshiping with fellow believers there. Before service began, two ladies entered, one a regular attendee, one a first-time visitor. The visitor was introduced to all and was welcomed heartily. We began our song service, and soon, through the singing, hearts were opened and tears flowed freely. The visitor sat stunned, wide eyed, and appeared bewildered. As she gazed upon us, she began wiping tears from her own eyes. At the conclusion of the service, while others were leaving, she remained behind, as if rooted in place. Silent through the entire meeting, now she began to sob and talk simultaneously. She testified that she didn't understand what was happening to her, her heart was full to bursting; she had never felt anything like it or heard anything so amazing. She embraced all the women, and weeping tears of new joy, departed. Thank God His presence and the sincere praises of His people are still sufficient to draw sinners to the Savior.

 

Özlem is a beautiful 9-year-old girl who lives in the village of Staro Oryahovo. Her mother, Ahsi, is one of our faithful church members. A few years ago, when the devil came against the meeting there, Ahsi and her sister, P'ska, were some of the few who stayed true, opening their hearts to God and the doors of their houses to what was left of the church. Özlem grew up in that meeting, loves it, and gives herself to the hymns. Last year, when everyone was readying to go to Romania to our bi-annual Turkish camp meeting, Özlem threatened that if we didn't take her, she would pray car trouble on us and storms the whole journey. She won, and went. Recently we learned one of the cults had moved into the village and was trying to recruit children with the promise of games and candy. Özlem's friend invited her, saying, “Come to our meeting, we have candy for you.” Özlem responded, “Come to our meeting, we have Jesus!”, “...Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise...” Matthew 21:16

 

Praise God, the Lord is still working here; though the laborers are few, the labors are increasing. We have installed all the windows and doors in our printing facility in Avren. This week we've been preparing the roof to set the tiles. We'll soon be ready for rewiring and plumbing. Once the roof is tiled, Bro. Ralph will move all of the copiers and printing supplies in, and we'll begin in earnest the printing of New Testaments. Please remember this endeavor. Printing is costly, averaging $1,000 a month, but it's our desire to make the word of God available to all who want it. In addition to printing, we want to begin streaming our Turkish services in Avren, to go where we haven't been as yet, and as supplements to existing meetings, but not in place of them; there is no substitute on earth for the local church. To do this, we are in need of a technology update, a laptop and camera capable of the task. Please help us pray and believe for all of these needs to be met. One more prayer request, not as urgent, but growing so: Our car has been in and out of the shop quite a bit recently, with little problems and big. The rough village roads and long miles are taking their toll, not to mention packing it to capacity with believers bound for meetings. Please help us pray for a replacement. This isn't just our ministry vehicle; this is our only vehicle. Praise God, He knows all of our needs and is the source of all of our hopes and joys. God bless you all. We love and miss you.

 

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family     wdlefevre09@gmail.com  www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres  www.lefevrestoeurope.org

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The William LeFevre Family - Missionaries in Bulgaria

“And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.” Psalm 35:9

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                              December 2015


The holiday season is upon us. We have just celebrated our Thanksgiving here and are preparing for Christmas and the New Year. As believers, however, every day is Thanksgiving; we celebrate every day the Lord's birth, life, death, and resurrection. Still, we don't begrudge a fallen world's attempts at imitating our joy. Some complain, and with good cause, of the world's commercialization and abandonment of the sacred; but what do we expect from those in darkness and at enmity with God? Rather, I praise the Lord that at this season, above all others, whether consciously or in ignorance, the Lord is exalted. Songs and hymns of adoration can be heard in the most unlikely of places. I have heard, “Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord... Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th’ incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel ” echo through the halls of commerce and fall on seemingly oblivious ears, but it sung, nevertheless. “What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18 What a privilege is ours then, to guide lost souls from imitation to sincere acceptance, from ignorance and unbelief to faith in the resurrected Christ!


This year, as you know, I've been helping national pastor Alish in his meetings. At the start of the year, Alish pastored ten churches and preached at other meetings beside. Midway through the year, he assumed the care of three more churches without forfeiting any of his regular meetings. On some days we go together to meetings, on others we go to separate meetings. It is my joy to witness these souls growing both in their understanding of the Word and their love and care one for another and those around them. The woman of the house where we meet in Shkorpilovsti has cancer. She has been through several rounds of chemotherapy already, seemingly to no avail. She suffers a great deal from the treatments and a great deal more from her condition. The other day, during our service, she was weeping inconsolably. When it came time to pray, she asked prayer for two boys she had seen at the hospital during her chemo session. She said the boys had been in a terrible accident and were writhing in pain, crying out for relief. Though she suffers pain of an increasing nature and herself often succumbs to its effects, she was moved by the plight of these boys. Her heart was broken for them. She testified, “I suffer with hope, that one day my suffering will all be over. Those boys suffer with no hope, without faith; their sufferings are only starting.” That service she prayed fervently for those souls, and her zeal took hold of our hearts, as well.


Pray for Nasuf. He's one of our national pastors laboring in Targovishte. Recently I was asked to attend his meetings with him and distribute new hymnals to all of his members. I was happy to do so. I was made happier by the welcome I received from all his churches, not just in hospitality shown, but in heartfelt gratitude for our work in the LORD. Nasuf has been having heart trouble, and just this week went for a heart catherization in Sofia. Praise the LORD the procedure went well. Please pray he makes a full and speedy recovery, as we miss him in the work.


With the exception of visas, I seldom mention any of our personal needs. Some churches have chided me for this, stating that's partly the reason for prayer letters. I chafe at this and don't want to be burdensome, but on this occasion trust to your understanding and ask your prayers. Our winter wood supply, our primary heating source, is depleting rapidly. So please pray that either the LORD turns up the heat or sends in the wood. God bless you all. We love and miss you, and more so during the holidays. From our family to yours, we pray you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.


Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

Contact Information:  wdlefevre09@gmail.com - www.facebook.com/bulgarianlefevres - www.lefevrestoeurope.org

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

[I posted some of this on our Facebook page, but for those of you who don't Facebook, I thought I'd send it in an email as well. It's an answer to prayer, a testimony of God's goodness, His care, and provision. What a blessing to see His handiwork, and to know that He does things just for us!]

We begin our visas for another year. While the whole process takes about a month, from application to finally picking up our visas/id cards, we begin making preparations mid Spring. It's one of the more stressful things we have to deal with to live and work here.

This year we hit a bit of a snag early on. It came to my attention that Christian and my passports were due to expire, and that we would need new ones prior to applying for visas. Normally that's not a problem, new passports are fairly easy and quickly obtained. However, and unbeknownst to us, we learned from direct communication with our embassy, America is experiencing difficulty and delays in processing passport applications worldwide. We were advised to apply as early as possible, which we then did.

After a month had elapsed, with no word from the embassy, our lawyer phoned us this past Friday to ask for our updated information. When I mentioned we had not received our passports, he asked when had we applied. Mid July was my answer. He informed me, that on average it's taking at least four months from the date of application, and that's with constant communication with the embassy. We discussed various scenarios and options should our passports not arrive before our visa renewal in a couple of weeks. We decided to wait on it, and see what, if anything would develop over the weekend. We ended the conversation on a general note of anxiety and despair.

Yesterday morning, at the breakfast table, after rehashing the lawyers conversation, and fed up with worry, we committed the matter to God, trusting him for whatever the outcome. A few minutes later, national pastor Alish called me to say, our meetings had been canceled for the day, and that I was free to do whatever. A few minutes after that, Hannah came down from upstairs, having just heard from the embassy that our new passports were ready and waiting, and that if our schedule permitted, we could come that day for pick up. I grabbed my hat, wallet, and keys, and with my old passports in hand, headed to Sofia. I returned, twelve hours later, exhausted but rejoicing.

My text for today's meetings was, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6 Thank God, The Lord knows what we have need of before we ask, and when we ask he can sure get it done in a hurry.

More paperwork to get done this week, and then we reapply the second of September. However, knowing the Lord is on your side makes things a lot easier. Pray for us.

On a personal note, we're doing well. Carrick will begin first grade in a few weeks. He's our top student at LeFevre Home-School Academy. For the last two years he's been our only student. However, this year he will be joined by new enrollee, Christian. I would say that Christian is excited to start school, but I think that would be an exaggeration. I think Christian is intrigued by the concept of school, it's the mandatory attendance and participation he might find difficult. We'll see.

As many of you had heard, Carrick suffered a fractured ankle mid July, an unfortunate accident on a trampoline. He has now been officially cleared to resume life as he knew it. After the doctor's pronouncement, he was so excited to show me he was better, he jumped off a high porch nearly sending us all into cardiac arrest. He landed safe and sound and all smiles, until he saw our terrified expressions. We gently urged him to reconsider jumping from heights for the immediate future, to which he responded positively.

Dixie Joy is ten days away from turning one. She can say Daddy, and that's it, but that's enough for me. She is on the verge of walking, like she is on the verge of saying Momma, almost, but not quite. She is petite for her age, still in nine month clothing. She has white blond hair, bright blue eyes, and an infectious smile. She prefers the company of anyone who will promptly put her on the floor to crawl around.

Hannah is well, and more than anyone else, ready for school to begin. The temperature has dropped into the low seventies here, the sky is gray, and portending rain, and Hannah is in her element. She loves this time of year. Very soon the house will be decked in all the glories of Fall. I haven't the heart to tell her the weatherman is giving Summer another few weeks to do its worst.

The meetings I attend to are all doing well. A couple of weeks ago, my brother Zachary attended with me. It made me very happy to be in church with him, just to lead singing and listen to him preach. All of the churches were blessed, and entreated his soon return. With the break in the weather, services will be a little easier. It's a shade difficult trying to sing and preach when it's ninety-five outside and no breeze inside. By the second meeting you look and feel like you've been to a baptism and fell in. Alish had started packing extra shirts on days with multiple meetings.

Whatever the weather, I'm thankful to be here. These Gypsy-Turks are a despised people, oft neglected of men, sometimes rightly so. Still, the Lord of Glory is a frequent guest in their hovels, and I'm blessed to be there when He is. Yesterday, at our little house church in Krivnia, fourteen souls gathered to worship God, and He came to accept it.

Moses was a man “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians”, “mighty in words and in deeds”, but one day it came to his heart to visit his brethren. I reckon after that visit, he was never the same. He refused a place in Pharaoh's home, the pleasures of sin, and Egypt's treasures to bear the burdens of the people of God. Moses chose his crowd, knowing the cost, but confident in the blessings. One day it came into my heart to visit God's people, and like Moses, things were different after that. I'm not as smart as he was, and certainly lack the education, but you don't have to have exceptional intelligence to choose right or good, just enough to know the difference. Like Moses, I made the people of God my choice, and haven't regretted it. I'd rather be in the little unknown unheralded gypsy meeting, singing the praises of our great Redeemer, and testifying of His grace, than anyplace else on earth. And I think the Lord would too.


Pray earnestly for us. We love and miss you all. May God continue to richly bless you for Jesus' sake.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart:  for consider how great things he hath done for you.” 1 Samuel 12:24
 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord, July 2015

“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” (Psalms 126:3) We have just returned from our Missionary Camp Meeting. As many of you know, we gather three times a year with the other missionary families cooperating together in this work, for the exaltation of the Savior and edification of the saints. Our Spring and Fall meetings last from Wednesday until Sunday. However, in the summer, we meet for ten days. This last meeting was perhaps one of the best we've been in since our arrival on the field. One night in particular, the Lord's presence was especially strong, and by the end of the night seven souls had been saved. The service spilled over from the church room to the dining room and continued well into the night. Over the course of the week, many prayers were answered. Indeed it seemed that whatever we asked, the Lord answered. The meeting was completed with a baptism at the Black Sea. It was then with a bitter sweetness we departed Sunday afternoon. I sympathize with the Apostle Peter, who on the Mount of Transfiguration expressed a desire to build tabernacles and tarry where they had witnessed the Lord in his glory. And yet, glory to God! We found the Lord awaiting us as we returned to the little village church and our regular meetings. In the village of Shkorpilovtsi this last Friday, closing prayer felt like we were more in heaven than on earth. If you'd like to partake of some of our services, you can join us on our YouTube channel: Brookside East Baptist Church.

The last few months us missionary men have been taking a few days out of our schedule every week to work on our Bible printing facility in the village of Avren. Bro. Cheatwood purchased the house and property two years ago. It used to be a cheese factory before it fell into disuse and disrepair. It was Bro. Cheatwood's burden to “do what we can and believe God to do what we can't.” So, by faith, we have been slowly tearing away the old failing substructure in preparation for new construction. Our aim is to have a room for the church, an area for the printing and assembling of Bibles and hymnbooks, and finally a living area for a facility caretaker. We trust the Lord will provide; help us pray it in.

Summer is on us. Many of our believers are busied with seasonal work. Church attendance is down because of this, but the Spirit of God is still rich unto all that call upon Him. Every week, in almost every meeting, someone stands and testifies of God's protection or provision. This week alone, a number of our elderly women testified of God's grace, how the Lord had given them strength equal to the day. In the village of Staro Oryahovo, a young lady testified recently: “I don't know what we are. The Bulgarians wont claim us because they say we are Turks. The Turks don't want us because they say we're Gypsies. The Gypsies say we can't speak their language, so we don't belong to them. The Muslims don't want us because we've turned to Jesus. The Orthodox say we're not Christians because we don't cross ourselves. I guess we're just Believers.” What a glorious privilege, to be rejected by men and yet accepted in the beloved, all by faith in the Lord Jesus.

Pray earnestly for us. We love and miss you all. Our every need is known to the Lord, and we marvel at his provision.

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth;
so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations” Isaiah 61:11



Our praying friends and family in the Lord,       April 2015

Spring has arrived in Bulgaria. A revival is taking place. The deadness of Winter is giving way to new life. Flowers are appearing, sometimes springing up in the most unlikely of places. The birds have regained their song. The fields, sown when everything was gray and dreary, are now green and lush. In every village the conversation centers itself upon what has been planted, how it is progressing, how to maintain it, and what remains to be done, all in earnest expectation of harvest. So too goes the work of God.

Since late Winter I have been attending meetings with Alish the younger. We traveled together four years ago, when I first arrived, and it is good to return to his meetings. Presently Alish is pastoring fourteen churches. A couple of years ago I wrote about his church in Staro Oryahovo; about how they needed to build an additional room due to increased attendance. Well, wherever the Lord is blessing the enemy is sure to fight. The family in whose house the church met, assumed preeminence over the pastor, and consequently splintered the church. Alish was devastated, naturally. He went from having a thriving church, with the need for additional meetings to accommodate people's hunger, to not even having a home for the faithful handful to meet in. One of his number volunteered to open a room to make due for the next service. At that service another member volunteered their home for a service. And so it continues to this day, except, it is no longer just meeting a necessity, believers are clamoring to have the church meet in their home. The woman of the house we met in last week, stood, testifying with tears in her eyes, how thankful she was that the church had come to her house. So thankful are the hosts and hostesses, that in many cases, to show their appreciation they fix a meal. What the enemy had thought would be their ruin, God turned into their blessing.

On Sundays, Bro. Cheatwood, our senior missionary, travels with us, and preaches at the meetings. He is 76 years old. Years ago, when the work began here, Bro. Ralph said it was his desire to take the right word in the right spirit to the people of Bulgaria. Bro. Ralph's advice for missionaries? Love the people and learn their language. He has given his life to the translation of the bible into Turkish. He works day and night, pouring himself into this labor of love. It is therefore both a blessing and privilege to watch him at work in the meetings, to hear him preach, to see his love. A few weeks back, after the last service of the day in Goren Chiflik, a woman who had attended the meeting invited us back to her house. There she confessed she wanted to be a believer but was fearful. For an hour Bro. Ralph addressed her fears, and witnessed to her one on one of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus. At the conclusion of his efforts, he told her we'd have prayer for her, and invited her to give her fears to God. We all knelt and prayed, and watched as a woman found a comforter.

Thank God for faithful words and a loving witness.

Pray earnestly for us. We love and miss you all. May God continue to richly bless you for Jesus' sake.

Because of a living Saviour,The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.” Psalms 46:4

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                             February 2015

The Kamchia River starts high in the Balkan mountains, flowing eastward, eventually emptying into the Black Sea just south of Varna. It flows near many of the villages where we hold meetings and, in some instances, directly through the village. In fact, every summer for the past several years, we have baptized in the Kamchia where it flows nearest our central church in the village of Dabravino. Recently, due to a mild winter and prodigious rains, the Kamchia river basin has flooded. At one point, many houses adjacent to the river had to be evacuated, and many of the surrounding fields, planted in cold-weather crops, resembled vast lakes. Driving by the flooded areas with a car load of believers headed to a meeting, we couldn't help but marvel at the scope and the effects of the flooding. I was reminded of the river Ezekiel notes in chapter 47, proceeding from the sanctuary, growing ever deeper the farther it travels. Unlike the Kamchia, this “River of God” brought healing and life wherever it flowed. While Ezekiel's river is physical, I couldn't help but draw certain spiritual parallels between it and the rivers our Lord mentions in John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” This “river of the Spirit” proceeds from God out of the sanctuary, through believers, to bring life and healing to a world devastated by Satan and sin. Just as we witnessed the damage and loss the Kamchia's overflowing wrought, at the meeting we marveled at the scope and effects, equally as literal, the River of God has produced here among the Gypsy-Turks. While we pray for those effected by the weather, and thank God for the Kamchia's subsiding, we rejoice we have another river and pray it floods often. Like Daniel Whittle wrote, “Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.” Pray for another heavenly deluge here in Bulgaria.

For the last two years, as many of you know, we have resided in a small apartment in Varna. We don't take for granted the Lord providing this place for us. It was what we needed and where we needed to be. With the addition of Dixie Joy and all the accoutrements a new baby requires, not to mention the increasing energy growing boys need to expend, our apartment has shrunk. We have been praying the Lord would open up something a little more suited to our expanding family for some time, but all searches and inquiries led nowhere. Just recently, however, in answer to many prayers, we found a house for rent. It is located in the village of Levski, 30 minutes to the east of where we live now. It has everything we had been looking for: a walled in yard for the boys, another bedroom for the baby, and more than double the space we have now. The icing on the cake? It's only 50 leva more a month than what we're paying now. You can't tell me our God isn't interested in details. He knows our needs better than we do. So, by the next prayer letter, Lord willing, we will be country folks again, living in a new village in a new place. Please pray for us as we make this transition.

Since late September of last year, I have been attending my brother Zachary's meetings. I welcomed the opportunity to return to these meetings. It has been good seeing his people again, especially since my ability to communicate has improved since the last time I had been in their homes. In the village of Sekulovo, the man of the house fell desperately ill. His wife, distraught by thoughts of life without him, was the very definition of importunity. She pursued us by every means at her disposal, at one point offering to come to Varna to get me; she would not be denied. When finally we returned to the village, we found the man unable to rise from his bed. We prayed for him, committing his recovery to God, and paid his way to the hospital. At the hospital, he was denied admittance due to his lack of insurance. He returned home, where we prayed for him again the following week. Returning this week, a crowd had gathered. We found him up and about, in good health and spirits. His wife testified that whatever his illness was, it was gone, and that the Lord had done what the doctors refused to do.

The Lord is good. His mercy is everlasting. His blessings are ever new and exceeding abundant. He not only knows us, he loves us and delights to help us. We thank God for every one of you. You are often in our prayers, that the Lord who has blessed us bless you more. We miss you all. Please keep us on your hearts and in your prayers. Our needs and the needs of this work are many, and every one known to God, and we rest in the promise that He will meet them all for His glory. We love you all.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. ” 1 Chronicles 16:7
“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” 1 Chronicles 16:34

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                 November 2014

We've just returned from our final missionary camp meeting of 2014. It was a privilege to spend our time in adoration of our Lord and in fellowship with our fellow laborers. The two verses above represent a command and exhortation, a cause and effect. Obeying the caveats of the first verse will produce the sincere declarations of the second. We saw this illustrated in our meeting and see it fulfilled time and again. In song and in testimony, we gave thanks unto the Lord; before and during our services, we called upon His name; His deeds were made known in preaching, morning and evening. In such an atmosphere, it didn't take long for our hearts to express His goodness, thankful for His eternal mercies. I can't think of a better way to return to regular meetings and head into Thanksgiving than fresh out of a good camp meeting.

The weekend prior to our American meeting, a Turkish meeting was held in Romania. Many testimonies were given of God's guiding hand. National Pastor Ali told of his recent stay in the hospital. He was admitted due to heart problems but was determined not to spend the time in fear or worry. He took his New Testament and was comforted out of the eleventh chapter of John, where Jesus said, “This sickness is not unto death.” Believing he would soon be better, he considered why he was in there to begin with. It didn't take him long to understand he was there to help others. The other men in the room began to inquire about what he was reading. By the end of his stay, he was able to witness to everyone he shared a room with, praying with some, receiving invitations for meetings from others. During the course of our meeting, several others gave similar testimonies. It's a joy to see the workings of the Spirit of God in the maturing of our believers' faith.

One of the themes that came out of our English camp meeting was “rejoicing regardless.” A theme or a topic is never set, and all the singers and preachers have license to preach as the Lord leads. It is a marvel, then, to see how songs and sermons issuing from many different but sincere sources deliver the same message. Senior missionary Ralph Cheatwood had the song “It Is I” on his heart at the outset. The last line of the chorus reads, “You can't go under, for I'll take you over, don't be afraid, 'It is I.'” We might not rejoice for the storm, but we can rejoice in the storm. In the world, we are at present in days of unavoidable tumult, but we are not left alone, and the tumult works for the child of God, not against. This is the day of the Muslim, the day of Islam, but the day of the Lord advances fast. Thanks be to God.

Our needs are many, and every one known to God, and we rest in the promise that He will meet them all for His glory. Keep us in your prayers, as you all are in ours. We love you all.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                       September 2014 Prayer Letter                       “Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.” Psalm 90:16

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

On Sunday, August 31, at 9:45 in the evening, Dixie Joy LeFevre made her entrance into this world. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. and was 19 1/2” long. Hannah did marvelously throughout the delivery. We had our trepidations about giving birth in Bulgaria, and when we arrived at the hospital at the time of delivery, some of the equipment and nursing methods increased our concerns. But in the end, by the grace, mercy, and help of our God, we couldn't have asked for a better experience. As of the writing of this letter, both mother and baby are doing fine, healthy and enjoying home life with us boys.

We write also to praise the Lord for supplying another year's visas. Our visa renewal applications were due the same time as the baby. We talked to the Department of Immigration, which told us the baby can come whenever she wants to, but your paperwork cannot; it must be turned in on time. The Lord assisted us, and our paperwork was completed and turned in just a few days before Dixie arrived. As of this week, we payed for our fourth-year visas and are now awaiting our new identity cards. The Lord is good.

I'd like to inform everyone of our new Facebook page, The LeFevres in Bulgaria (www.facebook.com/Bulgarian LeFevres). Hannah and I have individual pages as a means of communication to keep up with family and friends here and abroad. The new page is exclusively related to the work and will be used to give real-time updates as to what's happening in the ministry in Bulgaria and Romania. Please, if you have access to the internet, give us a visit, view our photos and videos, and help us spread the word concerning the Lord's work here.

Finally, brethren, pray for us. Very soon we'll have to travel across country with our newborn and apply for her passport and American birth certificate at the embassy, and then returning, apply for her visa. Please keep Dixie Joy in your prayers for her health, growth and safety. Also, our little family has an unspoken request that we would appreciate you all remembering; the Lord knows, and we thank Him for his eventual supply. We love you all. God bless you.

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 2014

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

Our praying friends and family in the Lord, 

Our time in America is drawing to a close. While we complete our scheduled visits, regretting those we missed this furlough, missing those we've met, we are beginning the preparations for our return to the work. We have been gone only a few short months, but as our treasure remains in Bulgaria our hearts are ever pulled in that direction. We have heard good reports in our absence and are anxious to rejoin our fellow missionaries and resume our small part in reaching the gypsy Turks with the gospel.

As many of you know, Hannah is expecting our third child in September. The Lord granted us the desires of our heart, and we are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our first little girl, Dixie Joy. As our flight draws near, please be in prayer for Hannah's health, as well as the baby's. At present we are planning on being overseas for the baby's birth. Obviously, should anything arise putting either Hannah or the baby at risk, our plans would change. Should we make it safely back, keep Hannah in your prayers for peace of mind and a healthy delivery.

A few days ago a fellow missionary contacted me. He is leaving the field, returning to the States permanently. He is selling his house in preparation for his return. He called in order to offer it to me first before he put it on the market. He had it appraised at €39,000 or $45,000. As I had no ready capital, I told him I'd pray and see what the Lord would do. We know that, because of a new arrival, when we return we will have to find a place bigger than our current apartment in Varna. A house in the village would be a great blessing, and, by faith, an eventuality. Whether the Lord's timing is now or later, I don't know. I do know where I deserve to live, and thank God for mercy that delivered me from it. Regardless of where we wind up, I am just happy and blessed he included me in His work, in this work. So long as God is with us, whenever, wherever, we're happy. Please remember these special concerns of ours, that the Lord would both show us his will, and provide what we need.

I preached the other day from the text prefacing this letter, Matthew 18:19. It is the verse God sent us out with on deputation. It is the verse God sustained and sustains us with on the mission field. I have seen it fulfilled time and again in our lives and in the lives of those to whom we minister. The key to the verse is the word “agree,” meaning to come under the weight of the same burden. Though the participants are plural, the cause is singular; that is, we both earnestly desire the same thing – the will of God being done – for the same reason: to bring glory to Jesus Christ. The Lord knows the needs of this work and its workmen. Please, please agree with us in prayer that all would be met to the glory of Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. If you will agree with us, we have the assurance that “it shall be done”. May the Lord richly bless you. We love you all.

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family

PS - Please pray for our church in Asparuhovo, a subdivision of Varna.  On the 19th of this month this area received torrential rains and experienced major flooding.  Twelve people lost their lives.  Thankfully none of our church members died, however, a few lost their homes in the catastrophe.  Please pray all the souls affected by the flood, and for our church members, that the Lord might restore all they lost.  A few of our missionaries are assisting in their relief, pray for them as well.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                                          April 2014

“Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”  2nd John 1:12

We have returned.  Actually we've been in the states for a month now but haven't been "up" to traveling. Our flights over were excellent. We departed Sofia, Bulgaria, early on the morning of the 4th of March. All of our flights passed smoothly, our layovers minimal.  We arrived in Nashville, Tenn., greeted at our gate by a Delta employee saying there had been an accident and that the person sent to meet us had fallen on ice outside and was consequently rushed to the nearest emergency room.  Though exhausted, we fetched our luggage, entered the awaiting vehicle, and made our way to the emergency room of Summit Medical Center.  There we found my mother, laid out wearing a neck brace, suffering from the effects of a concussion.  We waited with her until they admitted her and then headed home.  All in all, the last few hours of our journey seemed to eclipse the whole both in time passed and stresses endured.  My mother stayed an additional two days at the hospital, returning to us better, but still suffering residual effects of the concussion.

As my mother convalesced, we waited to appropriate a vehicle.  Our mission board has use of a Nissan Quest, graciously provided by New River Baptist Temple of Radford, Va., and Pastor Gary Stike. After having a low- mileage motor installed, we were informed the vehicle's readiness would coincide with the Tri-State Baptist Camp Meeting at our home church.  While waiting at Mom's, we were blessed to attend our home-away-from-home church, Calvary Baptist of McMinnville, TN.  To be honest, the preaching of Pastor Fittis and the fellowship of the saints there so refreshed us, we were in no hurry to obtain our ride.

Finally, though, Hannah's brother Matthew came over from Bristol and drove us back to East Tennessee toward the end of March.  The days spent in camp meeting there were worth the time spent waiting. It was refreshing renewing old acquaintances, preaching and being preached to.  From the camp meeting services of Brookside Baptist Church, in our new transportation, we headed back to Middle Tennessee and to the 2nd annual missions conference at Calvary Baptist. 

The missions conference passed too quickly; had it been a month of meetings, it would have been over too soon. How can missionaries recount the works of God witnessed over years in a few days?  Like the beloved apostle expressed in John 21:25, “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”  In the recounting of testimonies and rekindling the fires of our hearts; in the reminding of the blessings behind us and the challenges before us; in the preaching, singing, praying and fellowship our hearts were stirred again.  Were I not a missionary presently, I would surrender anew.
 
Having now obtained a means of transportation, if you would like to set up a definite time for us to present the work, my American cell # is (931) 252-1614.  I can also be reached at (615) 215-1211 or at the email address listed under contact information.  Pray for us. We love you and pray God blesses you all richly. 
Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

December 2013 

"O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people." Psalm 105:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

As Christians we've so much to be thankful for, one day a year just wont do. While we endeavor everyday to be thankful, we find the days too short and our blessings far too exceedingly abundant to express our gratitude with any measure of sufficiency. The late Preacher John Geouge asked, "Who can truly comprehend all it is we have to be thankful for?" Still, as best we can, as sincerely as we can, we offer our praise and thanksgiving for what we understand.

In one of the last meetings I attended with Bro. Ismael, an elderly woman testified of God's intervention in her life. She had a problem with one of her teeth that caused her jaw and face to swell. She tried to wait the problem out, hoping that a home remedy or two might prove an ample solution. To her dismay, as the days passed her problem grew worse. She finally broke down and went to the doctor. The doctor took one look at her and said they'd have to operate on her jaw. She came home terrified. She testified, "I wasn't afraid of an operation, I was afraid of the surgeon." She laid down that night in much distress, but called to mind the new song we sang at church 'the Great Physician'. She prayed, "Lord, if I have to have surgery, would you do the operation?" She awoke the next morning cured.

The second week of this month we headed North to Romania for our final camp meeting of the year. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with the other missionaries in the work here. We were refreshed spiritually and physically. We also witnessed the new birth of one of the children in the home, Aslan. We saw his tears, and heard his first words as a child of God, "I'm saved! God saved me!" As we're presently exploring ways and means of getting the gospel into Turkey, towards the end of the meeting Bro. Ralph mentioned that he would like my wife and I to take a survey trip there with several of the other missionaries. We were minded to go before the Bulgarian weather turned bad, so we set off three days after camp meeting. We took six days, toured as many biblical sites and cities as weather permitted, and made many contacts. Please pray that the Lord will bless these endeavors; guide those souls to whom we gave bibles to the truth; and show us what to do.

We are considering a short furlough to the states next year, Lord willing. As part of the parameters of the residence visa application, we can not be absent from the country for more than ten months in a five year period. Pray the Lord shows us what to do, and when to do it. God bless you all. We love you and thank God often for you in our prayers.

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear praying friends,                                                                                                                                     August 2013


Please help us pray.  As I wrote in our last prayer letter, over the last two and half years we've been here, we have always applied for our visas in October.  Our attorney prepares the paperwork well ahead of time, usually in mid-Summer so that it's ready when necessary.  This also helps stagger our payments, as we pay his fee earlier.  This year there has been a change in the law, and anyone seeking visas are required to submit their applications 45 days in advance, a fact our attorney failed to mention to us when he contacted us to begin this years visa application.  That means our application is due next week.  Presently we lack the funds requisite for our visas.  The Lord knows our need.  Please help us pray and believe to see it met.  The Lord bless you.

Sincerely for Him, William LeFevre

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,


The last two months have been busy but blessed. Since our last letter, we have had two more Turkish meetings and our American camp meeting. The first of these meetings saw close to 300 souls coming out to worship the Lord, of whom 30 came to publicly confess their faith in Christ by following the Lord in baptism. Three hundred souls singing their hearts out on an early July evening in a room built for half that many made things almost unbearably hot, but we cheerfully carried on. As one brother remarked, “Think of how many preachers and missionaries would love to have our problems - too many people!” At the start of the service, several men came through with newly printed hymn books and New Testaments. Immediately people began clamoring for a hymn book. When they discovered we were giving away Bibles as well, they began to surge forward almost to the point of trampling others to obtain a copy of God's word. Again a fellow missionary remarked, “Years ago they acted this way when we gave out bread. Now they're hungry for the word of God.”

We decided to scale our second meeting back some, and we were able to proceed more effectively. In this meeting, another 19 souls who had trusted the Lord during the year came to be baptized. These baptismal services are some of the most blessed. Family members rejoice to see loved ones follow the Lord. During this last meeting the Alishes, Pastor Alish the elder from Zlatna Niva and Pastor Alish the younger from Dabravino, were brought to tears as both were able to baptize family. Several of our longtime believers, as well, came to be baptized. Their faith in the Lord grew to master their fear of the water.

Earlier this month, a group of Americans visited the work in Romania on a medical missions trip. Not only did they aid the people with medicines and rudimentary health care, but they were also able to assist in some much-needed work around the children's home. While conducting a clinic in a nearby village, a boy was brought in with a severely abscessed tooth. Half the child's face was swollen to near bursting. The doctor, upon seeing him enter, remarked the boy needed to be hospitalized immediately, that his life was in jeopardy from the infection. This was translated to his mother, who declined not only to take him, but also for an ambulance to be called. Several frustrating minutes passed trying to reason with this woman to no avail. At the last, they obtained permission to at least pray with the boy. Everyone present, inside and out, felt the urgency of the situation, and with one heart and mind called on the Lord to intervene. Within moments of finishing the prayer, an ambulance pulled up outside, asking if anyone there had called them. When they saw the boy and heard the explanation, they immediately conducted him to the hospital. We heard later in the week that the boy was much improved.

Pastor Ismael received bad news this last week. After a trip to a specialist in the capitol of Sofia, he was told he has a cancerous tumor in his head. He has started chemotherapy. In spite of this setback, he attended our big meeting in Dabravino and has remained faithful to go to his meetings. When I mentioned it might be better for him to rest at home for awhile, he said, “I don't know how many more days I have. I want to go as long as I can.”

Please keep us in your prayers. We submit our paperwork for our third-year visas soon, and as yet lack the funds for their payment. But my Lord is faithful and will see to all our supply. God is so good.

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family
 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”  Psalm 118:23

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                                                  June 25, 2013

We have begun our series of summer Turkish meetings.  This month's meeting took place in Dabravino, Bulgaria.  More than 200 souls came out to sing, pray, testify and listen to preaching.  Last month, in Romania, was our first big gathering of believers for the year.  We met for three days and two nights at facilities belonging to our children's home.  The property is the former residence of the mayor of Constanta, who was no friend of the gypsies.  It is a blessing to behold the handiwork of the Lord and to witness these poor, despised, and most neglected members of his constituency worshipping God in the former mayor's living room.  We were able to bring more than 40 souls up from Bulgaria, each missionary making two trips.  It was a long day of driving, fetching people to the meeting, but the joy that filled their souls that weekend repaid any toil on our part.

One of the believers that rode with me to the meeting was a middle-aged woman named Ihtsaniye.  Though faithful in church attendance, Ihtsaniye had never, ever testified or indeed said much of anything in church other than “hello”.  On our way home from the meeting, I couldn't believe the change the Lord had made in her.  She was freely praising the Lord, singing for joy without a care in the world.  Since returning from Romania, she has testified at every meeting we attend and often begs to carry our bags to and from the services.

During a break between services, at this first meeting, I was conversing with a small group of people.  A couple of them remarked at my progress in the language and said they had been praying for me.  One woman in particular, Narchis by name, said she prays night and day that I learn good Turkish.  She is a Romanian-Turkish believer.  She said that several years ago, before Zachary moved down to Bulgaria, she overheard him listening to a sermon of an American preacher.  She said she couldn't understand a word of English, but something moved her heart at the preaching.  She asked who it was, and Zachary replied, “My brother.” She said from that day on she began to pray that God would bring me to the mission field.  And now she prays I learn Turkish that I might preach to her.

The last two months we have been engaged in mission work of another kind.  Once a week, as many men who are free meet together with Bro.  Ralph to proofread the New Testament.  We have only the gospels remaining to proof, and then we'll begin putting together New Testaments and gospel portions for distribution.  In addition to proofreading, we have been hand-making hymnals.  A few days before our most recent meeting, we gathered to put together and hand-sew more than 150 hymnals.  We hope that, by the end of summer, every believer in every church will have his or her own hymnal and, soon, his or her own Bible.

Remember to keep us in your prayers.  Hannah and I recently celebrated five years of wedded bliss.  Pray that God gives us many, many more.  Remember us also as we begin again the task of renewing our visas.  Our attorney has already contacted us to begin paperwork to be filed in October.  I suppose it takes that long to navigate the halls of bureaucracy, obtaining the same permissions from new government officials.  The Lord knows all about it; he certainly knows more than anyone else in Bulgaria about visas, and we trust he will see to their supply.  God is so good.

 

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”  Psalm 118:23

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

It may sound strange, but one of the hardest tasks a missionary obligates himself to is the writing of prayer letters, particularly in this work.  Where does one begin?  I feel, as John wrote, that there are so many things the Lord has done, that I have heard or witnessed, “...the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books”.

Since my brother’s return from America I have been at liberty to attend the meetings of some of our other nationals.  For three weeks or more, I opted to go with Pastor Ahmet.  Ahmet is perhaps the hardest working national I know.  He looks after 17 house churches, and maintains at least two big gardens to help feed his family and pay his way.  His churches are also the farthest away from where he lives.  On Mondays he heads up the Black Sea coast to Balchik, while Thursday through Saturday finds him in the Balkan Mountains, about two and half hours from his home.  And he treats each church with the same care, as if they were his only church, dedicating to each one the same amount of time and attention to detail.  Ahmet is by no means a loud or overly dramatic preacher, but his messages ring with the confidence that if you believe God he’ll do the same for you.  And all his meetings reflect the same hospitality and generosity he shows.  In some meetings he has to cut the testimonies short to allow time for preaching, the result of his contagious faith.  In Varbitsa he has a Gypsy meeting.  While all our Turkish gypsies love to sing, pray and testify, the gypsies of Varbitsa do it with reckless abandon.  In the short time I’ve been here, I haven’t heard a more exuberant or joyful bunch of singers as reside in Varbitsa.  Their joy is made all the more poignant, because the house where we meet is less than fifty feet from the village mosque.  And while the call to prayer does little to move the ritualistic Muslim, the songs of Zion raise the roof of the shack next door.  Several years ago, on our honeymoon, we were able to visit the great Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, the jewel of Ottoman Islam.  A little ways away stood the famed Saint Sophia church, a religious marvel of Eastern Roman antiquity.  But neither of them hold a candle to the little dilapidated house on the hill in the mountain village of Varbitsa, where God comes down and visits with his people.

Bro.  Larry Leach has returned to America for furlough.  In his absence I’ll be going to his meetings with national Pastor Ismael.  All of Bro.  Larry’s churches were sad to see him go.  My first visits in his stead, they all told how they cried the hour they knew Larry and his family were in the air.  Pastor Ismael said, “It was like my own son was leaving me.” One woman, a little vague on international travel, assumed Larry would be taking a balloon to America, and asked how many days it would take.  Still, all of his churches have received me graciously.  On the way to the first meeting I asked Bro. Ismael who normally did the preaching.  He replied, “Sometimes it was me, sometimes it was Larry, but now it’s you – all you!” I said, “But I don’t even know Turkish!”  He replied, “Öğrenmek lazım” – you’ll have to learn.  Please pray then, that my Turkish is not only understandable but edifying.

Recently I was able to accompany Bro. Ahmet in the flour distribution.  As he's been doing this a number of years now, he had it down to a science.  Four of us, myself, Ahmet and two other nationals, followed the flour truck in a separate vehicle as we made our way to the villages.  In the village, Ahmet instructed the driver which house to go to, and how many bags of flour would be offloaded.  At the house, Ahmet inquired as to the best place to store the bags while we began the offloading.  Let me say here, that it was a stroke of genius on the part of whichever missionary ordered the flour in 25 kilogram bags as opposed to the customary 50 kilogram bags; it was twice the work, but less wear and tear on us.  It was softly raining on this particular day, so that by the time we finished the day, we looked as though we had collapsed in concrete, rather than having carried flour.  Typically, as we worked a crowd would gather, eyes wide, as bag after bag of flour was taken into usually the poorest house in the village.  It was a blessing to know, that truly, “the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.”  What a testimony!

For the last few months, Bulgaria has been in turmoil.  What started as a protest against sky-rocketing energy costs, quickly turned into a rage against the entire Bulgarian political system.  So rapidly did things escalate, that the prime minister's entire cabinet resigned soon after the protests began.  And a few weeks ago, less than a mile from where we live, on the steps of the state capitol, a man set himself afire – dying in protest of a failing government.  In the villages, the topic of conversation revolves around the amount of money they receive in pensions verses what they have to pay for medicine and utilities.  As Bulgaria is the poorest country in the EU, the average worker making 540 lev a month ($360), and the average pensioner receiving less than half of that, they can't do both.  It's either buying medicine and defaulting on utilities or vice versa.  Regarding the unbelievers, it is easy to see the magnitude of their predicament, and sympathize with their feelings of hopelessness, frustration and resentment.  And yet, faced with the same difficulties, our believers maintain their hope in God who hears and answers their prayers.  In the village of Mirovsti, a woman testified that her pension was far less than the medicine her doctor prescribed for a life-long affliction.  She got tired of always borrowing to make ends meet.  One day, in her frustration, she complained to the Lord that he was going to have to do something about it, because she couldn't live like that anymore.  She went for her regularly scheduled checkup, and after all her tests came back, the doctor said she no longer had to take the medicine; she was cured.  She returned home, and in few months had paid off all her creditors.

Given the state of affairs presently existing in Bulgaria, it is easy to see and understand the joy that accompanies receiving a couple bags of flour and bottle of oil.  It means that amidst all of their present uncertainties, they don't have to worry about eating.  It also means, as Bro. Zach recently preached to them from the life of Elijah, that while everything around them is drying up, God still takes care to provide for his own.  We are still in the process of buying and distributing flour and oil if anyone else is interested in getting in on the blessing.

 Pray for our family.   The Lord knows all our needs and sees, and will see, to their supply.   God is so good.

 We love you all.   God bless you.

 Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17


Our praying friends and family in the Lord,


Happy New Year from Bulgaria! We pray your holiday season was a blessed one. Every season with the Lord Jesus is blessed, and every place sacred. We thank the Lord for the blessings of 2012 and look forward with expectant hearts for the blessings of 2013.

This month my brother Zachary returns from America. The last few months we have concerned ourselves with finding a place to move into as we depart his house. Thankfully, we have found an apartment in Varna and will occupy it for the foreseeable future. While we are overjoyed to have the LeFevres back, we are saddened to relinquish this part of the work. The believers in Zlatna Niva and the churches under Zach's care have endeared themselves to us. In every home, in every service we are made to feel like family.


In mid-December we received our first snowfalls. After the first snowfall we made our way as usual to our northernmost meetings. While the roads were relatively clear in our village, farther north they were treacherous. At our first really rough patch of snow, all the believers, including Alish the national pastor, said to turn back. I persevered and made it through, albeit slowly. The roads cleared for a bit and then again turned bad. To me, this section looked worse than the last, and I offered to turn us homeward. Alish encouraged me to go on, as he thought he spied a track of shallow snow. We went on easily enough and soon passed through with no problem. Time and again en route to church that day, these scenarios repeated themselves: one fearing it couldn't be done, the other encouraging the attempt. Eventually we arrived at our meeting. The Lord blessed our perseverance and taught us all the value of fellow believers.

A week later we received our second snowfall. A foot of snow fell in less than 24 hours. However, due to fierce winds, we awoke to six- and eight-foot drifts across all the major roads into and out of the village. On our own little street a drift had covered Zach's minivan. I spent the better part of an afternoon shoveling a way to the main road to Shumen, only to discover it had been closed. While we weren't able to get to the meetings for several days, here and there believers gathered, sang and prayed and thanked God they were safe and sound.

2012 witnessed an abundance of answered prayers, both personally and for the work's sake. We saw whole families become believers. We saw errant children return home and turn to God. We witnessed more than 160 newly saved souls follow the Lord in baptism. We saw babies born and dedicated. And we watched saints depart this life for their eternal reward whispering the name Jesus as they passed. Please continue to pray for the work. Pray for more souls to be saved, for more men to be called to preach, and for the churches to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. And pray for our family. The Lord knows all our needs and sees, and will see, to their supply. God is so good.

We love you all. God bless you.

Because of a living Saviour, The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends and family,                                                                               January 2013

Greetings from Bulgaria. We celebrated our second Christmas on the mission field this year. If you remember, we arrived in March of 2011. It doesn't seem that long ag and yet so much has happened from then until now. In late April, early May, we moved from Hannah's parents' house in Dabravino to Zlatna Niva. We've remained in Zlatna Niva, house sitting for my brother Zachary who returned state-side for a much needed furlough. A few weeks ago, we rented an apartment in Varna. By the time you all receive this we'll be living in it. Varna's a big city, but this neighborhood is not quite as busy as others. Our apartment over looks a beautiful kindergarten facility, that hopefully Carrick will get to attend.

Speaking of Carrick, he is not looking too forward to leaving his present kindergarten. Though he is only three, we thought it best to enroll him in pre-k, to help him in learning the language. He goes to school Monday through Friday, from 8:30 till 12:30. They feed him breakfast, a mid-morning snack, and lunch, and even send him home with a mid-afternoon snack, all for one lev a day (about sixty eight cents). Zlatna Niva has a small but nice facility, and all his teachers dote on him, being the little American boy. The facility in Varna is much much larger, but equally as nice. Carrick and his brother are 'all boy', as the expression goes. They very much love playing with cars, trains, their styrofoam swords, or just wrestling. As Christian grows, Carrick realizes he doesn't have to be quite as gentle as he once was. Also, as Christian has grown he has realized he can use his teeth for more than eating. This makes their play sessions a little more interesting, noisy, and more carefully monitored.

Christian is an adorable two year old. He is a little mischief maker, constantly in need of loving supervision and correction. But he's also sugary sweet, grabbing your face, spinning it until you look into his eyes, and then kissing you. Hannah has taught him multiple words in sign language. He can sign 'banana', 'thirsty', 'please', 'thank you', 'daddy', 'mommy', 'stop', 'no-no', and of course 'sorry'. He is also learning his way around our Turkish meetings. He knows when to shake everyone's hand, when to say hello and goodbye, and knows no stranger as long as food is involved. Whichever believer is handing out treats (a custom they have to show thankfulness for a special answer to prayer), is always his best friend.

Hannah is a busy homemaker, and I am busied in the work. I rely heavily upon Hannah's excellent Bulgarian, as I am studying Turkish. She is very capable in not only day to day conversation, but also the necessary medical and clerical vocabularies we often find ourselves in need of. For the last two years Hannah has handled all of our visa work without a problem. She is a jewel, irreplaceable. Though we dote on our children, she is what makes our home happy.

My Turkish continues to slowly progress. Last week I was conversing freely with some of our Romanian believers, and they remarked as to the change a year has made. Of course when I say freely, I don't mean correctly; I just talked and they understood. However, I praise God for every word learned, every concept comprehended, and every instance, however few and far between; I am able to use it correctly.

Please keep us in your prayers. We think of you all often. God bless every one of you.

Because of a living Saviour,

William, Hannah, Carrick, and Christian LeFevre

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

...they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Psalm 78:19

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                               September 2012

This past weekend we held our third baptism of the summer, during another one of our extended meetings. While the crowd wasn't quite as large as at our other meetings, more than 30 believers were baptized. That makes more than 100 souls who have testified of their newfound faith so far this year. It's difficult to explain what baptism means to these new converts. Most of them were raised with a deathly fear of the water, especially the swiftly running rivers. Among the older generation, most of them have never stepped foot in lake, river or stream. For them to surmount their fear, willfully walk down into the river (we baptize right below a spillway) and submit to being plunged beneath the water is quite a testimony. While the soul being baptized wades out into the river, those on the shore sing loudly the songs of the redeemed. Prior to the preacher immersing the convert, all of the preachers present pause and pray for the faith of the new follower. After the baptismal service, we adjourn to the meeting house for several hours of singing, preaching, testifying and praying. At this last meeting, we had to make a special rule that only the new converts and those who came from the farthest villages could testify. Had we not, we might still be in meeting. With those limits explained, the service still lasted until after 10 p.m., having begun just before 6 p.m., with people waiting in line to tell the blessings of being a child of God.

This month we begin the process of applying for our second-year visa. During the spring, our attorney began preparing the paperwork and collecting the government signatures we need for application. Please pray that processing the paperwork will not be delayed, as our visas expire in October. Also, please pray that when the processing is completed, the money will be there to pick them up. The lawyer informed us the visas have gone up since last year. We know the Lord will supply, but pray for our faith.

I don't often mention our family life, as there is so much to say about the work that I haven't the space left to talk about us. We are presently looking for living accommodations, preparing for my brother's return just after the New Year. We want to be close to both of our families and right in the center of the work. If you think about it, pray the Lord leads us to the place He wants us to be. This week, our three-year-old, Carrick, began Bulgarian preschool. A little hesitant at first, he now enjoys the time he spends there. We hope he'll pick up the language. While officially everything is in Bulgarian, most of his classmates are Turks, so he's sure to get a good dose of both languages. Christian, now almost two years old, remains at home with Hannah. At the beginning of the month, we took him to the doctor for help with his congestion. After a thorough examination the doctor informed us Christian has asthma. If you remember, earlier in the year he spent almost two weeks in the hospital with respiratory problems. Please keep him in your prayers. My language studies continue to progress, albeit slowly. I read a portion of Turkish scripture almost every meeting, and I try to express my thankfulness to God for His word. Pray the Lord helps me learn this language for His glory.

We love you all. God bless you.  Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts... Psalm 145:10-12

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                                 August 2012

First, let me apologize for the tardiness of this newest prayer letter.  The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity, and unfortunately the timeliness of our communication has suffered.  The Lord's work is never dull and seldom slow.  And we are grateful to be part of it anywhere, but especially here.

We've just returned from our English camp meeting in Romania, and our hearts are full.  Three times a year we try and assemble together as a group and exhort one another through preaching and fellowship.  We also discuss the state of the work and its needs.  I am very pleased to report that, though the devil opposes, the Lord continues to save souls and establish churches.  One such new meeting is in Sekulovo, about 45 minutes north of my brother's home.  A year or more ago, there was an attempt made at starting a meeting there, but with little interest among the people.  Two months ago Alish (the national pastor I'm presently working with) expressed a desire to return.  After meeting with some of the people from the village, he said there were two homes that would welcome us.  One home was newer, and the family a little better off; however, they were particular about who came to the meeting.  The other home was in the poorest section of the village and was plagued with more flies than Egypt, but the woman, a widow, was gracious and hospitable.  The Turks asked, “Which one do we go to?  The one's a better place to meet, but the other has love.” The answer was easy enough; we go where there's love.  Our first service commenced with loud and joyful singing.  As we began to sing, friends and neighbors began dropping by to see what was going on.  By the end of the first service, twenty or more people crowded the room and lingered outside amazed at what we were doing.  That scene has been duplicated every time we have returned.  Praise the Lord.  (Halfway through our first service, mid-singing, I glanced up toward the ceiling and discovered the widow woman's attempt at fly control: she had let a spider build its web across the ceiling.  That was the busiest spider I have ever seen.)

We have had three big Turkish meetings since the beginning of summer: one in Romania, two in Bulgaria.  The meeting in Romania lasted three days.  The others were just protracted services, beginning around 4 p.m.  and ending well after midnight.  At our last big meeting in Bulgaria, by the working of God, we were able to see over 70 souls, saved throughout the year, follow the Lord in believers' baptism.  Two of those baptized were from Sekulovo.  Lord willing, we'll have at least one more big meeting in Bulgaria and another Turkish camp meeting in Romania before summer ends.

In Romania we also discussed our present needs for the work.  As the Turkish and Bulgarian Bibles are still in the proofing stages, we are not quite ready for a mass printing.  Regardless, the demand for Bibles, Bible portions, and hymnbooks continues to rise.  Presently, we have one copier/printer working ceaselessly to fill the void.  We are praying now for the money to purchase two more copiers and the computers to run them.  We can buy a new copier and computer for $2,000.

As always, thank you all so very much for remembering us in your prayers.  By the grace of God we are all in good health, marveling at God's blessings.  If you think about it, pray for our visa situation.  Our yearly visa renewal comes in September, and it entails quite a bit, both bureaucratically and financially.  We know the Lord will supply, but pray for our faith.  We love you all.  God bless you.

 

Because of a living Saviour,  The William LeFevre Family

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Blessings of God                             August 13, 2012

Returned last night from our Turkish Camp Meeting in Romania.  I took a load of believers up on Friday night, for a three day meeting.  There were over 100 Turks in attendance, with a little more than half from Bulgaria.  Every service was blessed.  Friday night Bro. Ralph preached.  Saturday morning the Romanian Turkish pastors preached and testified, while the Bulgarian Turkish Pastors took their turn during the afternoon service.  By the evening service Saturday night, souls who had come empty were hungry for God, and he spread a table for everyone present.  It was the best service I've been in since coming to the field, and one of the very best I've ever been blessed to be in anywhere.

Sunday morning the preaching, singing, and testifying were all with strained voice, everyone having exhausted their's praising God the night before.  At one point mid someone else’s testimony, and man jumped up, begged the forgiveness of the man testifying, but said he had to testify before his heart burst out of his chest.  When the floor was opened for other testimonies, people were climbing over one another to be the first one up to tell what God had done for them.  That one service was worth everything it costs to be a missionary.  I thank God for allowing me to be a small part of it.

William LeFevre

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

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 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A Song of degrees of David.  If it had not been the LORD who was on our side..." Psalm 124:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,                                                                    November 7, 2011

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 “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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"¶ 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“... 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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 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

 

(Home Page) (Previous)