An Update

Howdy Bro. Mike,

I pray this short note finds you filled with God's grace and enjoying his love.  Just a quick update on some things happening with us.

Bro. Brett emailed a few months back and asked to keep him posted on our search for a home.  Here's what I wrote him this morning.

"Just to update you on our search for housing.  Two weeks ago Bro. Mitko and I 'scouted' out four villages centrally located around Provadia.  We are interested in this area presently because we don't know where we'll be working permanently.  There are villages closer to Zach as well that we've looked at, but they are on the fringes of the present work.  And any commute to the more established meetings, should it prove necessary, would be substantial.  We looked seriously at 6 or 7 houses, and ruled out a couple.  The going rate is right around 20K lev, rather that's the figure everyone quotes initially; I am assured they can be talked down.  The two we ruled out, though they were cheaper, were on the fringes of the gypsy section in the village of Sava (CaBa).  While we work with gypsies all the missionaries say it's best not to live in the gypsy section.  One home, which Mitko very much liked, was in the Turkish village of Royak.  They are clean Turks, however, and not gypsy Turks.  (The difference being they are pure ethnic Turks, not merely gypsies who have intermarried.)  Still, it is an entirely Turkish village.  We looked at two homes in Petrov Dol, both asking 20k, that would need to be either gutted or torn down completely.  Again, that's what they're asking, Mitko said, more than likely they would go for less.  The village of Chaika is a strong possibility, as there are many empty houses in the village.  The problem is getting in touch with whomever owns the house.  We have made up fliers in Bulgarian with Mitko's contact information, so as they know they're dealing with a Bulgarian and less liable to inflate the price as they would with an American.  In the meantime we have a few people inquiring into apartments for us, as Zach will be returning at the first of the year.  Though I have not been asked yet, it seems more than likely that we will remain in the area of Shumen while Larry returns for furlough to help look after his meetings.  Again, I haven't been asked and the subject hasn't been broached, but that's what I'm thinking."

We completed work on our visas yesterday, turning in the last of the paperwork.  We return in a week to pay for them and process our new identity cards.  This marks the start of our second year visas.

If you think about it, keep us in your prayers.  Support always ebbs and flows, the last three months have marked an ebb, pray a flow comes soon.  The Lord knows and will provide.

We were saddened to hear of the passing of Bro. John Jr., not for Bro. John's sake, but for his wife, children, and mother.  May the Lord save his children, if they are not already.  Reminds me of Dean Bumgardner's mother, while on her death bed she asked Preacher to bring her children to heaven with him.  God help us to pray for them.

I haven't heard lately how Miss Theresa is?  The last news we received indicated she was still taking chemo.  Is she improving? are the treatments working?  I hope and pray so.  She is asked after every week in our meetings.

Miss Jane's told of some real good services she's been in there of late.  May the Lord multiply his blessings upon you all.

Again, thank you Bro. Mike for all you do.  Give our love to the church.  Your family remains in our prayers.

William LeFevre

September Prayer Letter

"...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,

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

The Blessings of God

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 elses 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

July Prayer Letter

"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,

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

PS - If you would like to see pictures from our last baptism go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dBV5sMtaeA&list=UUBHsVxvLAE725H8RknRGD7Q&index=1&feature=plcp  

Updating

Howdy Everybody,

Just a quick update to let you all know what's going on with our family.

After one year on the mission field (as of March), we are more excited today about the Lord's work here, and the Lord's working in our lives than when we first arrived.  The first year we spent in the village of Dabravino (in the home of Missionary Matthew Welch, my father-in-law) forty minutes from the Black Sea.  The first six months we took care of his home while he was away on furlough; the last six months we lived and worked together.  We are so very thankful for the Welches' hospitality; we couldn't have asked for better or more patient hosts.

While Bro. Matt was on furlough, I went to meetings with national pastor Hasan.  Bro. Hasan had 8 churches he looked after weekly.  Sadly (for us), the Lord took Hasan home in 2011.  Upon Bro. Matt's return, he resumed going to Bro. Hasan's meetings, leaving me free to go with another national.  So, for the next six months I attended meetings with our next door neighbor, Bro. Alish.  Alish is a strong young preacher.  He is one of the best Turkish nationals in this work.  It was both a privilege and a learning experience being with him.

At the end of last month we moved out to the village of Zlatna Niva, about an hour West of where we were living.  My brother Zachary took his family back to the States for a much needed furlough, and we agreed to look after his portion of the work as well as his home while he was away.  Now I am traveling with Pastor Alish the elder (at present, he is the oldest national pastor, where Alish from Dabravino was the youngest).  Alish the elder has at present seven meetings he preaches at.  Alish's family have taken us in, and really made us a part, not only of the work in this area, but also their family.  On Sundays I also drive an hour farther West to Targovishte to be with Pastor Nasuf for his Sunday morning services.  Presently pastor Nasuf has a number of young people attending worship service and testifying regularly.

My language studies continue, and I slowly continue to improve.  I am able to understand more than I speak, but am also able to make myself understood.  Since going with Alish the elder, I have been reading a passage of scripture every service, and giving brief testimonies.

Presently, the boys, Hannah and I are all in good health.  The boys have recovered well from their bouts with pneumonia in the Winter.  We are all enjoying life here in Zlatna Niva.  This September Carrick will begin preschool here.  He will be attending with other Bulgarian and Turkish children, so hopefully he'll get the fundamentals of the language.  He's a sharp little boy.  His Momma's been teaching him sign language, so now when he awakes in the morning he signs he's thirsty instead of shouting it.  Hannah's pretty sharp too for teaching him to sign!  Christian (the Turks call him Kristi) is happy, healthy, and a handful.  We love them both; they bring unimaginable joy into our lives.

Please keep us in your prayers.  While at Zach's we need to begin looking for a more permanent dwelling (we can't always house sit for missionaries on furlough).  Please join us in praying the Lord will direct us to where we need to live and minister.  We've no doubt that where ever he leads he will supply our needs; but please help us believe God.

We love and miss you all.  God bless you.

William LeFevre and family

PS - If anyone's interested in hearing about the work first hand, my brother Zachary, veteran missionary here for over 15 years, would be more than happy to stop by.  He's on furlough through January, Lord willing.  His cell number is: 931-952-9194  You can also reach him via email at zacharylefevre@yahoo.com

March 2012 Prayer Letter

"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, to 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

Home

Dear Praying Friends,

Praise the Lord both our boys are home from the hospital.  On Monday Carrick was discharged, and yesterday they released Christian.  Both boys will continue antibiotics and cough medicine as needed, however, they'll both be cared for (spoiled) in the most  loving environment there is.  Both boys are happy, and it's hard to put into words our feelings about having them home again.  Thank you all, so very much, for your faithful loving prayers.  Please continue to pray for full and complete recoveries; as that's what we are trusting the Lord for.  God bless you all.  We love you.

William LeFevre

Sunday Morning in Shumen

Dear Praying Friends,

I have just returned from the hospitals, and both boys continue to fare well.  Christian, our baby, is off his breathing treatments.  And we are awaiting testing to determine the present condition of his infection.  Carrick still has an infection, and some of his present happy-go-lucky state is due to his medicines controlling and partly masking the problem.  Hannah mentioned today, that first thing in the morning, prior to his injections, he's weak and his breathing labored.  However, medicine or no, he is much improved from the evening we brought him in.  And whether it's a couple more days or even a week, we are praising God they are still with us and getting better.  And we are trusting God to deliver them home again, happy and healthy.  

Please continue to pray for Hannah and Sarah, as they are rooming with the boys.  Thank you all again for your gracious outpouring of love, both in your words, and especially your prayers.  We love you all.  God bless you.

William LeFevre

A Good Report

Dear Praying Friends,

A quick update.  Both boys are much improved.  Last night Carrick gave us quite a scare.  His fever was terribly high, he was out of it.  This morning, he was himself again: playful, respectful, but mischievous.  When Hannah would step out of the room, he'd hide himself in the closet.  So very good to see him better than he was.  Christian continues to make progress.  They have ordered another series of tests for Monday, which is good news, in intimates a possible release pending the results.  From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for praying.  You'll never know what your prayers wrought in our lives, and what you all mean to us.  God bless you all.  We love you.

William LeFevre

A Second Prayer Request

Dear Praying Friends,

First, let me thank you for your prayers on behalf of Christian, our 1 year old.  He continues to improve.  Today they altered his medicine to reflect his condition, as he doesn't need quite the strong dosages he was taking upon arrival.  He continues with nebulizer treatments, but only as needed.  I was able to see him briefly this evening, as I replenished supplies to the room.  (In Bulgaria, the patient is responsible for everything: sheets, towells, food, etc., even so far as to go to the pharmacy for any medicines the nurse might need.)  The doctors said they still anticipate at least 4 or 5 more days in the hospital before he can be discharged.

Secondly, please pray for our 2 year old Carrick, as he has now been hospitalized as well.  He was admitted this evening with a severe case of the flu (presently Bulgaria is experiencing an influenza epidemic), complicated by the onset of bronchitis.  At anyone time there are several 'bugs' running their course through the people we come in contact with.  This particular strain quickly escalates or morphs from run of the mill childhood illness to something more severe.  In 24 hours Carrick went from mild to non-stop coughing, from a low grade fever to 104+ when he was admitted.  They were able to bring his fever down some shortly after arriving, however, Hannah just called to say it has spiked again.  The nurses are trying to determine the best, and quickest way to get his illness under control.

This, of course, is a double strain on Hannah.  Not only does she have two sick little boys, but they are hospitalized in two separate facilities: Carrick in an infectious disease building and Christian in the children's hospital building.  The buildings are part of the same sprawling complex, but a ways apart.  Consequently, her sister Sarah is staying with Christian, while Hannah takes care of the present sicker of the two.  I am busied running errands for both patients and their nurses.

Again, thank you for all your kind words, and especially your prayers.  As my father-in-law is want to say, we are still doing better than we deserve. God is good and merciful and worthy to be praised in every circumstance.  God bless you all.  We love you.

William LeFevre

Another Update

Dear Praying Friends,

Christian continues to make steady progress. The doctors informed Hannah this morning that the infection was much deeper than they had at first thought, but, the medicine was doing its job. They also cautioned us that, more than likely, he would begin vomiting as the medicine breaks things up. His appetite continues to grow, as does his impatience with being cooped up. Hannah has been allowed a few hours reprieve, for rest and a private shower, as the doctors consented to let her sister Sarah stay with Christian. When she returns, we've been informed, she'll have a private room with it's own separate facilities. Hopefully, they will also permit visitors. Thank you all again for your many words of exhortation and comfort, and especially your prayers. We are blessed indeed, and so thankful to be part of the family of God. We love you
all. God bless you.
William LeFevre

Updating

Dear Praying Friends,

A quick update on Christian.  At this moment he is still in intensive care.  This morning the shift doctor came around, listened to his breathing, shook his head, and told Hannah Christian would remain there for now.  Last night was difficult, not so much so because of his laryngitis or pneumonia, but because of the port they put in his hand for medicines.  Throughout the day, by irritation and activity, Christian had affected the port to such a degree that when they tried to give him his injections it was extremely painful.  They then had to re-insert the port.  Long story short, and minus many details, they weren't very skilled at it.  We are thankful the night has passed, and joy comes in the morning.  He awoke after getting some sleep, with an appetite.  He didn't eat much, but at least he's hungry and trying to eat.  Keep him and Hannah in your prayers; last night was very trying for Hannah.  

Thank you one and all for remembering us to God.  Your prayers work, availing much.

William LeFevre

Prayer Request

Dear Praying friends,

Some of you know, some of you don't, but our 1 year old, Christian Asher LeFevre, was hospitalized last night.  He was admitted into intensive care with breathing problems.  After blood work last night, and an x-ray this morning, he was diagnosed with a bad case (the Dr.'s words, what all that entails were not sure of as yet) of pneumonia and laryngitis.  The laryngitis has prevented him from taking any food, and any medicines orally.  Currently he has a port in his left hand for injections, and is under going regular breathing treatments.  Please pray he regains his appetite soon, and does not become dehydrated.  Also, keep Hannah in your prayers, that she doesn't get worn out and ill, as she is rooming in with the baby.  Typically a child diagnosed with pneumonia is hospitalized for no less than 5 days.  There is a flu epidemic presently in Bulgaria, and more than half the children hospitalized are there with it.  Please pray the Lord would keep him (and Hannah) from contracting it while his immune system is low.

Presently Hannah is staying at the hospital in Shumen, while I go back and forth from Dabravino.  Carrick, our 2 1/2 year old, is staying with his grandparents, and I return to him nightly.  Christian is such a happy baby, it is distressing for his mother and I to see him in such a pitiful condition.  We trust our God to deliver him, with the help of your prayers.  We love you all.  God bless you.  

William LeFevre

Family Update

Greetings from Bulgaria,

Winter has finally arrived. While cold in December, the weather was relatively mild, with only one or two snow falls I can recall. The last four weeks have been a mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and fierce winds. Late in January we received about 6 inches, with another inch or two following a few days later, with a few more inches falling now and then. The roads are all covered with snow. And while the village has a snow plow it employs, the broken roads don't allow for a clean scrape, leaving them dangerously slick. I have ventured out for a drive two or three times, and while the powdery snow makes for decent traction, it belies the ice beneath. The temperature is supposed to remain below freezing for quite some time. A day or two ago, we hazarded a drive to Romania. While the majority of the roads were relatively clean, the closer we got to the border, the more large snow drifts we encountered. A kilometer or two from the border, we were brought to a dead stop due to an immense wall of snow that had covered the road. We were forced to wait until a snow plow came along and cleared a path. We returned the same day, and the condition of the roads had improved due to local municipalities cleaning efforts. All the missionaries were supposed to get together in Romania this weekend. However, due to the inclement weather the full assembly has been postponed indefinitely. Instead Zach and I, Lord willing, will travel up there instead. Saturday, while cold, is supposed to be clear. Sunday, however, a 'wintry-mix' is supposed to start up again, lasting (according to www.accuweather.com, my preferred source of weather info) for another week or so.

Christian has began toddling. He still prefers crawling, or walking the perimeters of rooms holding on to furniture. He's quite a pill, not nearly as docile as Carrick was at that age. He has learned to show how strong he is, to clap, to say 'Uh-Oh', to blow kisses, and to shake his head yes. He never does any of these on command, however. When you ask him to do something, he just hollers some unintelligible remark. He is independent. Where Carrick liked someone to hold him, while he held his blanky, and drift calmly off to sleep, Christian doesn't. Christian wont hardly go to sleep if he's being held, kicks all the blankies off him, and will allow the slightest distraction to prevent his slumber. Carrick falls fast asleep while Christian is lamenting the confines of his crib. He does, however, like his exer-saucer. You can put him in it, and he will sit for long durations of time sucking his thumb watching everyone go about their business. He is also quite smiley; smiling at anyone and everyone who might be able to take him out of his exer-saucer, then crying if they don't. All in all, he's a very happy baby, and certainly a harbinger of joy.

Carrick is all boy. He likes to run around with a wooden spoon tucked under his arm and shoot bad guys. He loves the snow. Yesterday he played outside for two hours amidst the blizzard. This morning he was up and at 'em, boots in hand, saying, "Outside, outside!" He also has a temper. The other day he wanted Coke. (Apparently his Aunt Rebecca, during her brief stay, would give him Coke in his sippy cup when no one was looking; his grandmother Jane, affectionately referred to as Mimi, does the same thing.) When Hannah said, "No. You can have water." He got mad, and ran around the table, pulling all the plates off, saying "No eat. No eat!" Thankfully his wooden spoon gun was handy. He loves to sing and perform. Every night at family alter, after singing a few hymns, Bro. Matt, affectionately called Papa, asks Carrick what songs he would like to sing. Usually it's "I'm in the Lord's Army", followed by "Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like Me" followed by "Only a Boy Named David". If they ever teach him "Father Abraham" we'll never get through family alter. He likes to perform. The Bulgarians employ recitation of poems as teaching aids. Every child attending Bulgarian school has to be able to recite certain poems at certain times. The Welch children (those attending Bulgarian school) are constantly practicing and rehearsing their poems. After each rehearsal, Carrick says, "My turn" and then spends a minute babbling something unintelligible, after which he grins and waits for resounding applause, sort of reminds me of my preaching, minus the applause.

Hannah has cabin fever. She has expressed her desire to live in the city, in an apartment. While that may certainly be a necessity at some point, I have no desire to reside in a city for any long duration. She likes the convenience of city life. She likes the thought of being able to get out more than once or twice every two weeks. I tell her she's free to frequent any of the little village stores, but that hardly satiates her. (The village has a bank/post office, a hardware store, and two or three general stores. There is cheap clothing available in the Turkish section, so long as you don't mind track suits, and or jeans with double the standard amount of pockets, and zippers that lead to nowhere.) She has a few things that help her while away the quiet wintry hours (besides the boys and I). She is teaching the oldest two Welch children, twins Luke and Sarah, preparing them for graduation and ACTs. Also, every morning she walks for exercise more than pleasure. At six o'clock every morning she's up, dressed in her warmest clothing, and out the door with her sister, for a three mile traverse of the surrounding neighborhoods. I don't know why she exercises, she can't stand to lose any more weight. I think all the extra clothing makes her feel bigger.

I am well. After having lost forty some pounds, the diet is on hold. I would say it's on hold due to the weather, and that would partially be correct. Mainly it's on hold because of all the good cooks in the house. My Turkish studies are progressing, albeit slowly. I can understand quite a bit, however, I am slow in replying. By the time I have formulated either answer or question, the conversation has moved on. Due to the weather, I haven't been able to get to many other meetings outside the one in this village. Last Sunday, I made it to the meeting in Varna, but we had to cut it short due to the start of a freezing rain. A couple of days ago I made it as far as Provadia, but noted the roads to both our Thursday villages were closed due to snow. I love the Winter weather; I love the snow, and the cold temperatures; I don't much care for being stranded days on end.

Hope everyone is doing well. From Hannah, Carrick & Christian and myself: we love and miss you all. God bless you. Pray for us.

William LeFevre

January 2012 Prayer Letter

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" Isaiah 53:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

It is our pleasure, by the grace of the Lord Jesus and the power of the gospel, to send you 'good news from a far country,' as THE good news cannot but yield good news. B.R. Lakin once said, "Every bush is ablaze with God, but only those with eyes to see pull off their shoes." If we're not careful, the routine of day-to-day life can keep us distracted from the provision, and ultimately the presence, of God. And God is forever at work, reaching out to saint and sinner alike, wherever they're found, demonstrating His infinite love. That's my prayer then, to have eyes to always behold the handiwork of God, and not only beholding, but partaking of as well. In 2011 the Lord showed us at every turn His interest in and faithfulness towards us by conveying us safely here and providing the necessities for our remaining here. 2012, though newly upon us, has already proven (and that many times over) God's great, magnanimous love for these poor Turks, and the power in prayer His people possess.

Since Bro. Matt Welch's return, I have been attending Bro. Alish's meetings. Alish is a younger national pastor, in his mid thirties, and has been in the work for the last ten years. Alish pastors eleven churches. The newest of these churches is in Avren, the village where Alish's in-laws live. The Lord birthed a church in this village as a result of two teenage girls' fervent prayer and desire. In late 2010 they began to meet in an abandoned house, just the two of them, sing the few songs they knew, and pray God would start a church in their village. The Lord heard, and a little while later, Alish's in-laws opened the doors of their home for a meeting; soon after, revival broke out. Alish's father-in-law, known as the village drunk, was gloriously saved and sobered, and set the town talking. Though Avren has only a small Turkish population, they all heard and were soon making their ways to the meeting.

Ahmet, Alish's brother-in-law, had married a Bulgarian girl, a university graduate. She had been a philosophy major and an avowed athiest. Not long ago, she was diagnosed with cancer. After seeking medical help and finding no relief, Ahmet said there was a place he knew of where she might find help. A few days later, she was the sole Bulgarian in a room crowded with Turks, listening to songs and a sermon about someone she denied existed. Praise God her denial couldn't quench His desire, and she, too, was saved. Soon after, she went back to the doctor for reevaluation. The doctor couldn't understand it, but said the cancer was gone. He added, however, that from all the tests, it looked as though she would never have children. Two weeks ago, the Lord confounded the wise again, and she's now expecting; they're praying for twins.

Alish's father-in-law began praying for his brothers. From all accounts, his brothers were much worse than he was, one of whom was nicknamed "The Captain" because he intimidated everyone he met. He was not only a drunk, but a violent drunk. His wife said she had never known him sober and had never lived without abuse. But God heard the prayers of his people and began to work in the Captain's heart. He was invited to, and attended, of all things, a baby dedication at the church (typically supper is made, hymns are sung, a message is preached, and the baby and family are prayed for). The Captain had never heard anything like it. He went home later and poured out all his liquor. He said he had to go back the next time they had church. A few days later, he was sitting on the floor next to his brother, tears in his eyes, listening to the songs of Zion, opening his heart to God. Though several villages and many kilometers away, he still comes as regularly as he can and has started attending other of our meetings closer by. His wife, who, as a result of his dramatic conversion, became a believer herself, testified, "It's all like a dream; I don't know whether I'm awake or asleep. I feel like I'm floating. My husband's a new man and I'm a new woman." There's still a brother or two who need saving, so keep this family in your prayers. And pray for us; the Lord knows all our needs. Remember, the same God, through his son, the Lord Jesus, who heard and answered all these prayers, hears and answers, and will answer yours. God bless you all. We love you. Happy 2012!

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family