November 2014 Prayer Letter

"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,

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

Corrected Link in 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/bulgarianlefevres). 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

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

Dixie Joy LeFevre

"And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them..." Luke 18:15

"And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Mark 10:16

Dear friends,

Those of you on Facebook know already.  To those who aren't, we are blessed to announce the birth of our first daughter, Dixie Joy. She was born August 31st at 9:45 PM.  She was 19 1/2" long and 6 lbs. 12 oz. at birth.  She was born at a local maternity hospital here in Varna.  Lord willing she'll be coming home tomorrow, to be introduced to her brothers.  Hannah is a real trooper.  She and Dixie are doing fine.  For this new addition to our family, we give thanks to the Lord of Glory.  Our prayer is that He would take little Dixie and her brothers into his arms, place his hand upon them, and bless them.

Keep us in your prayers.  We love you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

William & Hannah

Carrick, Christian, & Dixie Joy

 

June 2014 Prayer Letter

"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.

PSS - Forgive the tardiness of this email: with all the activity being on the road entails, this post version was sent but the electronic was overlooked.

April 2014 Prayer Letter

"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." 2^nd John 1:12

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

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 4^th 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, Tenn. 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 2^nd 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