"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
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