Update on William

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to update everyone on William's condition. I have had so many people contact me to let me know that they were praying for us. It is so wonderful to know that there are so many people who care about us and are praying. It is through your prayers that we are able to stay here in Bulgaria.

Today is the is fifth day that William has been in the hospital. Every day Verity or Zach drive me into Shumen so that I can visit William and take him food. It has been such a blessing to have them over here. Katy and Polly (my nieces) have been able to babysit the children so that I can visit William. Yesterday when I went to visit, I was quite worried because William looked very pale and didn't seem to be improving. However, by evening time he had finally been able to get some sleep and it really seemed to improve his condition. The first couple days he had not been able to sleep at all. I think that the combination of exhaustion and pneumonia were really taking a toil on him. Today when I visited him though, his color was improving and he was a bit more talkative. I have read him the letters that some of you sent and he was very happy to hear from you. Thank you once again for all your prayers. We love you all.

Hannah LeFevre

So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations. Psalm 79:13

William

Dear Friends and Family,

I am writing from Zlatna Niva, Bulgaria. The boys and I are staying at Zach and Verity's (my brother and sister in-law)  home for a week. William has been sick for a couple days and yesterday he was feeling so ill that he decided to go the doctor. We know one doctor here in Bulgaria who works in a town called Shumen; which is a little over an hour away from where we live. The doctor doesn't speak any English but I knew enough Bulgarian to be able to communicate with her. She checked William's breathing and then sent us to a lab on the other side of town to get an X-ray and blood work done. After about 20 minutes of looking for an 'orange building' we found it. We took the X-ray back to the doctor's office and after she looked at it she said that William had Bronchial Pneumonia. She told us that he would have to be hospitalized. We tried to see if their was any way to treat it at home (since we live so far away, and I can't drive over here) but she said that the medications he needed were only available at the hospital. 
Once we left the doctor's office we drove back home and I packed a bag for William. In Bulgaria the hospital doesn't provided personal items so you have to bring your own plate, fork, toilet paper, towel, food, water, etc. We found someone to watch the house for a couple days, and then headed to Zach's house. Zach only lives about 15 minutes from the hospital so I left the boys with Verity and Zach drove William and me to the hospital. 
The first thing I noticed about the hospital was that it was clean. This is unusual for Bulgaria. When we arrived they took William's passport info and then after looking at his X-ray they gave him an EKG test. I don't know why they did this but they did. The equipment they were using looked really old too. After that they took his blood about 4 times and then inserted a port. He was allowed to go to his room after that. He was very sleepy and kept complaining about his head hurting him. It was at that point I took his temperature and it was 103.6 F. The doctor's were very concerned about his fever and immediately sent me to the pharmacy to buy him some fever meds and a thermometer. (Over here you also have to supply your own thermometer) They gave him two shots and put him on an IV. I spoke to the doctors for a little while and did some translating for William before heading back to Zlatna Niva. Once I got home, I cried. I don't know if it was because I was sad, sleepy, nervous, or all three; but afterwards I felt much better.  
This morning I headed back to the hospital to take William some lunch and supper. His fever is down to 99.7 now and he seems to be doing a little better. I did google one of the meds he is taking and it is banned in 50 countries; after reading that I decided I wouldn't look up any of the other ones. 

We are in God's hands and I know that he will take care of us. Please pray that the hospital bill will not be very expense as we have our visa fees due shortly. We covet your prayers.

Love, 

Hannah LeFevre

Re: June Prayer Letter

"Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done,

and thy thoughts which are to us–ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee:

if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Psalm 40:5

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Greetings. I trust this letter finds you all well, strong in faith, giving glory to God. All the churches I attend here send their greetings. I have been driving Bro. Hasan, accompanying him to his meetings, since shortly after arriving here. We go to nine meetings a week. In all the time I've been here, there hasn't failed a service that I haven't heard someone, either in prayer or testimony, thank God for the American believers. They are always conscious of the love you all have shown them, in the sending of missionaries, and your sacrificial giving to help meet their needs. Bro. Hasan prays fervently, every service, for the American pastors, that God would bless you all and empower you to preach the gospel. Please pray for these men, as they do for you.

Testimonies. The believers in Kamarevo, though desperately poor, are nevertheless rich in joy. This is one of the happiest meetings I attend, and I look forward to it every Saturday. They sing louder, longer, and with more enthusiasm than churches double their number. Recently, during the service, an elderly sister exhorted the crowd never to be afraid to testify. "Don't be fearful. You should always stand and thank God for something!" That's pretty good advice. And she's a good example, happily testifying every service. Last week, in the village of Sadavo, a family called for us to come and pray for the man of the house, who was very sick. We sang a few hymns, and then gathered round the man and prayed. Afterwards, Bro. Hasan told the man, "Now when you get better, come to the church and testify." Bro. Hasan's faith blessed me. He didn't tell the man, "Well, I hope you get better. I'm praying for you."; but stated as a matter of fact, "when you get better", and not as a natural course of events, as the man was evidently very sick, but as the supernatural result of prayer. I like that kind of faith. That's the kind of faith that saves a seat for you at the meeting, expecting you to show up and tell what God's done for you.

Praises. The Lord graciously supplies all we need. When my father-in-law left, he left us with the use of his van, ensuring I wouldn't be without transportation. But this was a temporary provision, as he wouldn't be away too long. Yet, before I had even left the States, the Lord had given me the assurance that he'd provide a vehicle. I even went out and picked up a little key-chain by faith. Well, this last week I was able to put in an order for a car of our own. The Lord does all things well, and we praise Him for it! At the same time I bought the key-chain, I purchased a welcome-mat too. I see that welcome-mat every day, and trust the same God who puts cars to key-chains will soon put a house to a welcome mat! I don't know how, but the 'knowing how' is not my business. I bless him for what was, is, and is to come. Speaking of which, Hannah and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary this month. We marvel at how far the Lord has brought us, all that He's done for us, and how exceeding abundantly He's blessed us in these few short years. Can you imagine, with a God this good, what the future holds for us?!

We love you all. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to study the language, that God might use us, in our limited capacity, to be a blessing. God bless you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

June Prayer Letter

"Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done,

and thy thoughts which are to us–ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee:

if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." Psalm 40:5

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Greetings. I trust this letter finds you all well, strong in faith, giving glory to God. All the churches I attend here send their greetings. I have been driving Bro. Hasan, accompanying him to his meetings, since shortly after arriving here. We go to nine meetings a week. In all the time I've been here, there hasn't failed a service that I haven't heard someone, either in prayer or testimony, thank God for the American believers. They are always conscious of the love you all have shown them, in the sending of missionaries, and your sacrificial giving to help meet their needs. Bro. Hasan prays fervently, every service, for the American pastors, that God would bless you all and empower you to preach the gospel. Please pray for these men, as they do for you.

Testimonies. The believers in Kamarevo, though desperately poor, are nevertheless rich in joy. This is one of the happiest meetings I attend, and I look forward to it every Saturday. They sing louder, longer, and with more enthusiasm than churches double their number. Recently, during the service, an elderly sister exhorted the crowd never to be afraid to testify. "Don't be fearful. You should always stand and thank God for something!" That's pretty good advice. And she's a good example, happily testifying every service. Last week, in the village of Sadavo, a family called for us to come and pray for the man of the house, who was very sick. We sang a few hymns, and then gathered round the man and prayed. Afterwards, Bro. Hasan told the man, "Now when you get better, come to the church and testify." Bro. Hasan's faith blessed me. He didn't tell the man, "Well, I hope you get better. I'm praying for you."; but stated as a matter of fact, "when you get better", and not as a natural course of events, as the man was evidently very sick, but as the supernatural result of prayer. I like that kind of faith. That's the kind of faith that saves a seat for you at the meeting, expecting you to show up and tell what God's done for you.

Praises. The Lord graciously supplies all we need. When my father-in-law left, he left us with the use of his van, ensuring I wouldn't be without transportation. But this was a temporary provision, as he wouldn't be away too long. Yet, before I had even left the States, the Lord had given me the assurance that he'd provide a vehicle. I even went out and picked up a little key-chain by faith. Well, this last week I was able to put in an order for a car of our own. The Lord does all things well, and we praise Him for it! At the same time I bought the key-chain, I purchased a welcome-mat too. I see that welcome-mat every day, and trust the same God who puts cars to key-chains will soon put a house to a welcome mat! I don't know how, but the 'knowing how' is not my business. I bless him for what was, is, and is to come. Speaking of which, Hannah and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary this month. We marvel at how far the Lord has brought us, all that He's done for us, and how exceeding abundantly He's blessed us in these few short years. Can you imagine, with a God this good, what the future holds for us?!

We love you all. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to study the language, that God might use us, in our limited capacity, to be a blessing. God bless you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

April Prayer Letter

"¶ And David the king came and sat before the LORD, and said, Who am I, O LORD God,

and what is mine house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?" 1 Chronicles 17:16

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Merhaba! Greetings from Dabravino, Bulgaria. God is very good to us: not only did we arrive safe and sound, and without incident, our bags arrived with us. We were assisted every step of our journey. Even at check in at the airport, when so much has the potential to go wrong, the Lord had a missionary mother working the counter, whose gracious help set the tone for our travels. Upon arriving in Varna, we were greeted at the airport by fellow missionaries and family members.Soon after our arrival we traveled to Sofia to meet with our attorney. We then traveled to Greece, to apply for our visas (they have to be applied for at a foreign Bulgarian embassy). The entire visa process is both costly and time consuming, but a necessity to remain and labor here. Once applied for, it can take up to (and sometimes exceed) three months to receive them. Please pray that there wont be any problem with the paperwork and the receiving of our visas.

We have spent the last several weeks getting adjusted to village life. The pace is much slower, but there is no shortage of activity. Already I've had the privilege of attending several church services in the surrounding villages. The people, though terribly poor, nevertheless count themselves rich that God would send them the gospel, and missionaries to preach it. I have been humbled numerous times over, as the poorest people I've seen express their love and gratitude for coming to be with them. Please make it a point to pray, that the Lord will help me with the language, that I may declare the wonderful works of God to these people. In addition, I've also been privileged to help distribute flour to many of the poor Turkish believers. What a blessing to be one of His 'disciples' distributing bread to the hungry multitudes!

A point or two to pray about: if you think about it, please pray as we begin our search for a vehicle. Gas is approaching eight dollars a gallon; the roads are in a horrible state of disrepair; and we need something that's both sturdy and economical. The Lord is able. Also, pray for us as we search for a dwelling of our own. Presently, we are staying at my father-in-law, Matthew Welch's, as they are on furlough in the States. Soon, though, we will have to have a place we can call home. Pray that the Lord will direct us where to settle, and provide the dwelling.

I can't tell you what a relief it is, what confidence it provides, knowing we have a God whose desire is toward us, who not only has all we need, but takes pleasure in providing it. What a blessing to say with the Psalmist, that the Lord has "brought me hitherto"! That acknowledges and implies three things: that the Lord did for me what I could not do on my own; and as it was He who brought me here, He will take care of me while here; finally, as He was able to see me thus far, I am assured He will see me all the way home.

Finally, let me say, we miss all of you. We're not alone, and not lonely, merely separated from those whom God has made dear to us. It is our desire to have the best of both worlds. If we could, we'd love and labor here by day, and come home to you all at night. Alas, God's work necessitates a separation, which makes Heaven all the sweeter. Thank God for the day when we'll never have to say 'Goodbye' again. Still, we're not very far apart, as the throne of grace is close at hand to us all; and as the song writer wrote, "though sundered far, by faith we meet around one common mercy seat!' Please pray for us. You all are in our prayers. We love you.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

PS - Our new field address is below

William LeFevre

PO BOX 627

Centralna Poshta

Varna 9000

BULGARIA

Safe Arrival

Made it safely to Bulgaria, without any major complications.  In Varna today getting paper work done.  Pray for us, that everything works out with our visas.  Also, I have a very special object of prayer I'd like you to pray about; the Lord knows what it is.  God bless you all,  We love you.

William

February Prayer Letter

"... So he bringeth them unto their desired haven.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness,

and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"  Psalm 107:30b, 31

 

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Desiring  Since the middle of 2009, it has been our desire to love and labour in the field of Bulgaria.  My wife and I prayed to that end, and by faith prepared for it's realization.  We are very happy to announce (and grateful to God for all his provisions making it a reality) that, Lord willing, March 11^th we will depart for our 'desired haven'.  We are heading to Bulgaria to lend whatever hand we can, as Missionary Matt Welch returns for a six month furlough, in easing the burden his departure will bring; and to prepare for the work the Lord would have us to do.  God's goodness is beyond description, and all his gifts unspeakable.  We are blessed!  "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalm 37:4

Speaking of 'the desires of the heart', recently, in the midst of packing our belongings for shipping, my wife's engagement ring slipped off her finger.  We made a diligent search of every possible place it could have been, but came up wanting.  My wife was sick with worry and remorse.  However, by the grace of God, I was cheered.  We had just witnessed three months of God's richest and miraculous blessings in providing all we needed to move overseas.  I was confident that the God who could raise support, secure a vehicle, facilitate shipping, and reserve plane tickets, could find a little lost ring.  Sure enough, two weeks later, in a purse she had received as a gift, and had tucked away, my wife found her ring.  Someone told her, "My scientific brain tells me God didn't put it there, and if it were me, I'd rack by brain trying to remember how and when it got there!"  But I prefer Hannah's explanation, "For all I know God might have put it there just so that I could find it. I believe He is capable of doing things like that. I am thankful I lost the ring, because I prayed so much about it, that when I found the ring it was such a revelation to me. I felt so special. It suddenly struck me that the God of Heaven was so interested in me that he would answer even the smallest request."  And what a revelation that is, to know that our God's not only interested in the 'big picture' of us getting to, and sustaining us while on the field, but also in each and every of the smallest details of our lives.  What confidence that provides us, that, come what may, be it big or small, be it a great sum or pennies, in life or in death, our God is with us, to aid us in our time of need!

Praying.  "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:" 2 Thessalonians 3:1  It has been our great privilege on deputation to both renew, and to make many new acquaintances.  Such is the nature of deputation: not only is it the necessary burden to secure support enabling a missionary to go where God calls him; but also the means of meeting and forging loving friendships that will span the ocean.  The Lord has so ordained it, that we cannot labour independently; we are bound one to another in the fulfilling of the great commission, as senders and sent ones; but how gracious the Lord has been to Hannah and I, in that you are our supporters; that we are not names on a page, absent from your presence, and so absent from your thoughts, but that your care is felt in your words of encouragement, and especially your prayers.  It's a wonderful blessing to know there are yet thousands who have not 'bowed the knee to the image of Baal'.  "Brethren, pray for us." Thessalonians 5:25  As you have, so continue to do, and more.  We have enjoyed your company in America, in your churches, and your homes, but how much more do we need you now, as we take our leave of you.  Pray that God will help us in learning the language, especially.  Pray for our family: that Hannah and I would be Spirit-filled parents, and that our little boys will be saved, and fall in love with Jesus.  Pray that God will fill us for use on the field.  And if you think about it, pray that our car sells.

Farewell.  As this is the last prayer letter we'll be writing from America for a while, I wanted to say 'thank you'.  The Lord has certainly used you all to be a blessing to us, and in turn we pray the Lord uses us to be a blessing to others.  We love you all.  "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:  The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." Numbers 6:24-26

 

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace;

and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family