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

January 2014 Prayer Letter

"And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ." Romans 15:29

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The good Lord willing, we will be returning to the States on March 4th for a four-month furlough, departing again on July 8th. We hope while there to see as many of you as we can. If any of you pastors would like us to come by, please drop a line and let me know. Our personal email is at the bottom of the prayer letter, as well as our mission board phone number.

I have begun attending Pastor Ahmet's churches again, assisting him in whatever capacity I am able. On Monday we head up the coast to Balchik, a little seaside resort town with a large gypsy population. Ahmet's father was from Balchik, and in his travels, he found and married a village girl and then settled down to raise a family in her village. Over the course of time, he succumbed to drink and became the village drunk. Still, when his wife became a believer, he told her he would make a room for the church to meet in their house. The church met there, prayed for him, and over time he, too, came to know the Lord, abandoning his drink. Shortly before he died, he told his son, whom he had seen saved and called into the ministry, that by faith the Lord would one day open a meeting in Balchik, that his family might have the same opportunity to hear the truth and be saved as he did. Several years passed until one day Ahmet's aunt fell sick. She knew her nephew often made trips into Romania, passing through Balchik on his way, and asked him to stop in and pray for her. This he did, and the Lord heard his prayers and healed his aunt. When his other family saw the miraculous change in his aunt and heard her testimony, they opened up the family home and invited Ahmet to begin regular meetings. A few years have passed now, and many of Ahmet's extended family have trusted the Lord Jesus as Savior. Two weeks ago, a woman there asked our prayers for her daughter. Her daughter is 28 and has been diagnosed with cancer and given two months to live. Please help us pray that God would be glorified in this need.

On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, we travel to the Balkans. There Ahmet has ten meetings. I leave from Varna a little after 6:30 in the morning and usually return late in the evening. Our farthest meeting is in Vezenkovo, a good three and a half hours from home. There eight or ten people come together every Friday morning to sing, pray and listen to the word of God proclaimed. The woman of the house prayed for ten years to have a baby. She is now pregnant with her third and asking the Lord that this be her last. Ahmet told her, "Be careful what you ask for, you just might get it." Every Friday after meeting, the family sets before us whatever they have to eat, in appreciation for our efforts on their behalf. I can't imagine how the Lord will one day reward these poor gypsy believers who give in love out of their lack.

Pray for us as we travel. Pray for Ahmet that God supplies his need. And pray for the poor gypsy Turks, that many, many more would come to know the Lord.

Also, please help us pray about transportation while we're in the States. We need the use of a reliable vehicle able to stand the wear and tear of frequent road trips while we're home. The Lord knows were they are: pray I have the faith to facilitate one.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

November Prayer Letter

 "O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people." Psalm 105:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

As Christians we've so much to be thankful for, one day a year just wont do. While we endeavor everyday to be thankful, we find the days too short and our blessings far too exceedingly abundant to express our gratitude with any measure of sufficiency. The late Preacher John Geouge asked, "Who can truly comprehend all it is we have to be thankful for?" Still, as best we can, as sincerely as we can, we offer our praise and thanksgiving for what we understand.

In one of the last meetings I attended with Bro. Ismael, an elderly woman testified of God's intervention in her life. She had a problem with one of her teeth that caused her jaw and face to swell. She tried to wait the problem out, hoping that a home remedy or two might prove an ample solution. To her dismay, as the days passed her problem grew worse. She finally broke down and went to the doctor. The doctor took one look at her and said they'd have to operate on her jaw. She came home terrified. She testified, "I wasn't afraid of an operation, I was afraid of the surgeon." She laid down that night in much distress, but called to mind the new song we sang at church 'the Great Physician'. She prayed, "Lord, if I have to have surgery, would you do the operation?" She awoke the next morning cured.

The second week of this month we headed North to Romania for our final camp meeting of the year. We enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship with the other missionaries in the work here. We were refreshed spiritually and physically. We also witnessed the new birth of one of the children in the home, Aslan. We saw his tears, and heard his first words as a child of God, "I'm saved! God saved me!" As we're presently exploring ways and means of getting the gospel into Turkey, towards the end of the meeting Bro. Ralph mentioned that he would like my wife and I to take a survey trip there with several of the other missionaries. We were minded to go before the Bulgarian weather turned bad, so we set off three days after camp meeting. We took six days, toured as many biblical sites and cities as weather permitted, and made many contacts. Please pray that the Lord will bless these endeavors; guide those souls to whom we gave bibles to the truth; and show us what to do.

We are considering a short furlough to the states next year, Lord willing. As part of the parameters of the residence visa application, we can not be absent from the country for more than ten months in a five year period. Pray the Lord shows us what to do, and when to do it. God bless you all. We love you and thank God often for you in our prayers.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

Visa Update

As you recall, we weren't told until just a few days before when our visas were due, and then had to scramble to complete the paperwork and raise the funds to pay for them.  Praise the Lord we were able to turn in our paperwork on the 2nd of September money in hand. However, we were informed then and there that some of our documents were not in order.  It became apparent that our attorney had neglected to sign certain certificates of validation that were vital to processing Carrick and Christian's visas.  We were told that none of our paperwork could be processed until these documents were completed correctly.  We stepped out of the Migration office and tried to contact our attorney only to learn he was on vacation in Turkey for the next nine days.  Finally we were put in touch with his secretary who immediately set to work to rectify the problem.  Two days later we turned in the new documents properly done, and were told to return in two weeks with our final payment.  Yesterday the migration police showed up at our residence making inquiries as to our work and whereabouts in the country.  It was a bit disconcerting as we've never had them do that before. That night, Hannah and I prayed and committed our concerns to the Lord and trusted Him to work them for his glory and our good.  We returned today, made our payment, and were told everything was in order and our visas were accepted.  They even stamped our boys passports right then and there, something they've never done before.  A month from now Hannah and I will receive our identity cards which indicate our status in the country.  Praise the Lord that through all the unforeseen events of this application process, the Lord has supplied our every need.  Thank you to all who helped financially, and to all who prayerfully took our needs to God and believed for their supply.  Words cannot express our gratitude, but know that you are loved and prayed for often.  God bless you all.

The William LeFevre family

Re: August 2013 Prayer Letter

praying about your finances for visas.
My computer has been down foe several months but John got it fixed and now I can get mail.
Love AND PRAYERS,
Hattie
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August 2013 Prayer Letter

Dear praying friends,

Please help us pray.  As I wrote in our last prayer letter, over the last two and half years we've been here, we have always applied for our visas in October.  Our attorney prepares the paperwork well ahead of time, usually in mid-Summer so that it's ready when necessary.  This also helps stagger our payments, as we pay his fee earlier.  This year there has been a change in the law, and anyone seeking visas are required to submit their applications 45 days in advance, a fact our attorney failed to mention to us when he contacted us to begin this years visa application.  That means our application is due next week.  Presently we lack the funds requisite for our visas.  The Lord knows our need.  Please help us pray and believe to see it met.  The Lord bless you.

Sincerely for Him, 

William LeFevre

"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The last two months have been busy but blessed. Since our last letter, we have had two more Turkish meetings and our American camp meeting. The first of these meetings saw close to 300 souls coming out to worship the Lord, of whom 30 came to publicly confess their faith in Christ by following the Lord in baptism. Three hundred souls singing their hearts out on an early July evening in a room built for half that many made things almost unbearably hot, but we cheerfully carried on. As one brother remarked, "Think of how many preachers and missionaries would love to have our problems - too many people!" At the start of the service, several men came through with newly printed hymn books and New Testaments. Immediately people began clamoring for a hymn book. When they discovered we were giving away Bibles as well, they began to surge forward almost to the point of trampling others to obtain a copy of God's word. Again a fellow missionary remarked, "Years ago they acted this way when we gave out bread. Now they're hungry for the word of God."

We decided to scale our second meeting back some, and we were able to proceed more effectively. In this meeting, another 19 souls who had trusted the Lord during the year came to be baptized. These baptismal services are some of the most blessed. Family members rejoice to see loved ones follow the Lord. During this last meeting the Alishes, Pastor Alish the elder from Zlatna Niva and Pastor Alish the younger from Dabravino, were brought to tears as both were able to baptize family. Several of our longtime believers, as well, came to be baptized. Their faith in the Lord grew to master their fear of the water.

Earlier this month, a group of Americans visited the work in Romania on a medical missions trip. Not only did they aid the people with medicines and rudimentary health care, but they were also able to assist in some much-needed work around the children's home. While conducting a clinic in a nearby village, a boy was brought in with a severely abscessed tooth. Half the child's face was swollen to near bursting. The doctor, upon seeing him enter, remarked the boy needed to be hospitalized immediately, that his life was in jeopardy from the infection. This was translated to his mother, who declined not only to take him, but also for an ambulance to be called. Several frustrating minutes passed trying to reason with this woman to no avail. At the last, they obtained permission to at least pray with the boy. Everyone present, inside and out, felt the urgency of the situation, and with one heart and mind called on the Lord to intervene. Within moments of finishing the prayer, an ambulance pulled up outside, asking if anyone there had called them. When they saw the boy and heard the explanation, they immediately conducted him to the hospital. We heard later in the week that the boy was much improved.

Pastor Ismael received bad news this last week. After a trip to a specialist in the capitol of Sofia, he was told he has a cancerous tumor in his head. He has started chemotherapy. In spite of this setback, he attended our big meeting in Dabravino and has remained faithful to go to his meetings. When I mentioned it might be better for him to rest at home for awhile, he said, "I don't know how many more days I have. I want to go as long as I can."

Please keep us in your prayers. We submit our paperwork for our third-year visas soon, and as yet lack the funds for their payment. But my Lord is faithful and will see to all our supply. God is so good.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

June 2013 Prayer Letter

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen:

for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." Psalm 118:23

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

We have begun our series of summer Turkish meetings. This month's meeting took place in Dabravino, Bulgaria. More than 200 souls came out to sing, pray, testify and listen to preaching. Last month, in Romania, was our first big gathering of believers for the year. We met for three days and two nights at facilities belonging to our children's home. The property is the former residence of the mayor of Constanta, who was no friend of the gypsies. It is a blessing to behold the handiwork of the Lord and to witness these poor, despised, and most neglected members of his constituency worshipping God in the former mayor's living room. We were able to bring more than 40 souls up from Bulgaria, each missionary making two trips. It was a long day of driving, fetching people to the meeting, but the joy that filled their souls that weekend repaid any toil on our part.

One of the believers that rode with me to the meeting was a middle-aged woman named Ihtsaniye. Though faithful in church attendance, Ihtsaniye had never, ever testified or indeed said much of anything in church other than "hello". On our way home from the meeting, I couldn't believe the change the Lord had made in her. She was freely praising the Lord, singing for joy without a care in the world. Since returning from Romania, she has testified at every meeting we attend and often begs to carry our bags to and from the services.

During a break between services, at this first meeting, I was conversing with a small group of people. A couple of them remarked at my progress in the language and said they had been praying for me. One woman in particular, Narchis by name, said she prays night and day that I learn good Turkish. She is a Romanian-Turkish believer. She said that several years ago, before Zachary moved down to Bulgaria, she overheard him listening to a sermon of an American preacher. She said she couldn't understand a word of English, but something moved her heart at the preaching. She asked who it was, and Zachary replied, "My brother." She said from that day on she began to pray that God would bring me to the mission field. And now she prays I learn Turkish that I might preach to her.

The last two months we have been engaged in mission work of another kind. Once a week, as many men who are free meet together with Bro. Ralph to proofread the New Testament. We have only the gospels remaining to proof, and then we'll begin putting together New Testaments and gospel portions for distribution. In addition to proofreading, we have been hand-making hymnals. A few days before our most recent meeting, we gathered to put together and hand-sew more than 150 hymnals. We hope that, by the end of summer, every believer in every church will have his or her own hymnal and, soon, his or her own Bible.

Remember to keep us in your prayers. Hannah and I recently celebrated five years of wedded bliss. Pray that God gives us many, many more. Remember us also as we begin again the task of renewing our visas. Our attorney has already contacted us to begin paperwork to be filed in October. I suppose it takes that long to navigate the halls of bureaucracy, obtaining the same permissions from new government officials. The Lord knows all about it; he certainly knows more than anyone else in Bulgaria about visas, and we trust he will see to their supply. God is so good.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family