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