"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,
The Lord's greatness is not only illustrated in the answering of our 'big' requests, but in his faithful supply of everyday necessities. This September the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to call Hasan, the national pastor I've traveled with since arriving here, home to be with Him. All Summer long Hasan complained of heart trouble. He knew that if he went to the doctor, more than likely, he would be hospitalized. He felt he could hold on till my father-in-law's return; that way, were he hospitalized, his churches would not be without a preacher. Many services we prayed the Lord would heal him, and He did, in the best way possible. Hasan departed the local assembly for the general assembly, his faith of many years finally being made sight. While we mourn his loss, we praise God for that our Christian friendships our eternal, and that one day we'll pick up where we left off, and worship God together while the ages roll. Please keep his family, and the churches he left in your prayers. Also in September, through the loving-kindness of his people, the Lord provided us with a new Dacia Logan MCV (a seven passenger mini-van of sorts). Through the Spring and Summer we drove my father-in-law's van. In the June prayer letter I wrote that we had the funds to put in our order, and just over a month ago we received our vehicle. Praise the Lord, it was a good day getting it dusty on the way to the village. While we want to be good stewards of what the Lord provides, we also want to put as many miles as we can on it for the furtherance of the gospel.
October witnessed the Lord providing us with our first one-year visa. As I wrote to one supporting church:
"In order to obtain a permanent residence visa here (which is the visa we need to live and work in the country for multiple years in succession), we first had to obtain a 6 month temporary, or probationary visa (which we did upon arrival). After that, we had to apply for 'residence', stating it was our wish to stay, and minister in the country indefinitely. The 'residence' visa program is, at present, a ten year contract. We obtain five one-year visas, after which we obtain one five-year visa. Upon completion we will be considered 'residents' of Bulgaria. So long as we are in the 'residency program'- progressing toward permanent residence, we are free to work in the country. This has been a long and costly affair, and we're thankful we're nearing the close for this year."
Praise the Lord, our paperwork was in order and accepted, and we now have our visas. In a few days we will pick up our Bulgarian identity cards stating our visa status. One year down, nine more to go, Lord willing.
October 6th, Bro. Matt and his family returned from their furlough. Their return has allowed me to visit more of the churches that prayed for our safe arrival. Lord willing, as the days progress, I'll be able to visit the bulk of the churches the Lord has established here in Bulgaria. Day in and day out the Lord continues to help us, whether it's in language study, or going to meetings, or accomplishing any of the mundane tasks of life. If He were not with us, and more than that, on 'our side', then even the simplest things would prove overwhelming. Keep us in your daily prayers; the Lord knows our needs. Keep my oldest brother, Craig LeFevre, in your prayers. He was recently involved in a serious car crash on his way to church, in which he sustained a punctured lung, multiple broken ribs, and a fractured pelvis. He is now at home recuperating. Pray for a successful recovery. We love you all. God bless you.
Because of a living Saviour,
The William LeFevre Family
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