October 2016 Prayer Letter

"Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people." 1 Chronicles 16:8

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Demir, a friend and fellow labourer, a national pastor with more than ten churches under his care, joined myself and two other nationals for a work day last week. We were meeting to hand sew Bibles and hymn books. (I never thought I'd be part of a male sewing circle, but the Lord's ways are mysterious.) As the labor is not arduous, there is plenty of time for fellowship while we work. I listened as the nationals recounted bygone days in Bulgaria, and in particular to the early days of this ministry. Demir said, "Years ago, whenever trouble came, whether it was sickness or persecution, we fell to pieces. I can't count how many times we begged, wept, and prayed for deliverance over the smallest trouble. But years have gone by, and we've grown up in the Lord and in His word. We don't fear our troubles anymore. We don't have to run from them. We've learned that when trouble comes, if you'll look around, you'll find the Lord nearby. We don't like them, but we like that the Lord comes with them." His small testimony, given among friends, was as honey to a famished soul: enlightening.

A few weeks ago, trouble came, in the form of our little Dixie Joy contracting pneumonia. She awoke around midnight with shortness of breath. We gave her what medicine we had, and watched her throughout the night. Sunday morning, she was none improved. We decided to take her to the ER. The doctor there diagnosed her with a mild touch of asthma, but to be safe, ordered an x-ray. The x-ray showed pneumonia in one lung. They admitted her into the children's hospital and started her on IV's. Our boys went to stay with their grandparents, Missionary and Mrs. Matt Welch; Hannah stayed with Dixie; and I played errand boy for nurse and patient. Dixie showed progress, while Hannah showed exhaustion (one of the medicines contained a steroid that kept Dixie wired for hours, nay, days on end). Praise the Lord, after four days they sent her home, much improved. A week later, her check-up showed she had completely recovered. While the family seemed scattered, the Lord was nigh to us all, comforted us, kept us, and brought us together again rejoicing.

The saints in Detelina have been begging to visit other churches for a while now. (I was scheduled to take them the day Dixie fell ill.) They're a good lot, strong in the faith, ready always to sing or testify. Last week, at our regular meeting, it seemed like everyone wanted to tell of God's personal handiwork. One girl said, "I've been waiting all week to give a testimony. Last week God nudged me to brag on him, but I was scared. All week long it's been like there's a fire in my heart!" She bragged on the Lord for near fifteen minutes while tears rolled down her cheeks. I was finally able to fulfill my promise, gathering them up early Sunday morning, bundling them off an hour and half away to the village of Zlatna Niva. Our meeting began when we pulled up. The saints from there greeted the saints with me with joy and weeping. The meeting moved into the building, where we sang for over an hour. We prayed and then called for testimonies. They testified for another hour. At preaching time, the power was present. It was by far the easiest time I've had preaching since coming to the field. And I had a cheerleading section that would have put U of T to shame. An hour later, we were all filled, happy, settled and secure in the goodness of our God and His Son, Jesus Christ. The couple of the house, National Pastor Alish and his wife Safet, prepared what was in their hand (bread, pickled peppers, and meatballs), and we all dined with grateful hearts.

The Lord has seemed especially good to us of late. I say "seemed" because the Lord is always good, and seemingly to us in particular. But while the Lord is good, it often takes trouble and trials to center our attention upon Him. Once centered, we find in Him everything we sought elsewhere, and we marvel at his forbearance. I am glad to be a missionary. I am grateful to be laboring (though the work is the Lord's) here, in Bulgaria. I am blessed with a loving wife and three little chips off this big blockhead. I am humbled by your all's love, prayers, and support. Pray for us, that the we might show forth the goodness of Lord Jesus wherever and to whomever the Lord lets us go.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

PS – As of right now, we are planning a furlough in 2017. Lord willing, we would return to the states in September of next year, staying through the Spring of 2018. I know many of you pastors like to have advanced knowledge to plan accordingly. If you'd like to have us in to update you on the work, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our information is provided in the footer of our prayer letters. God bless you all.

July 2016 Prayer Letter

"Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go." Nehemiah 9:19

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

It sure is a comfort to know our gracious God will not, nor cannot forsake us; we are not cast off and have no reason to be cast down. The same guiding hand that led us to himself has promised to lead us home. In the brightness of day, the evidence of His presence is everywhere to be seen; His path lies plain before us. In the blackness of night, though unable to see a great distance, He gives us enough light to see Him, and we are consoled that He's near to hand, comforted that the same illuminating flame keeps the enemy at bay.

Being led of the Lord, we held our second big meeting of the summer recently. Believers came from all over to sing, pray, be edified by preaching, and worship the Lord Jesus. We started the meeting around 5:30 p.m., much later in the evening than usual, to help us beat the summer heat. Still, fetching them from their villages began much earlier in the day. The first service went very well. The singing was powerful; tears flowed freely. Bro. Cheatwood preached the first service from Romans chapter 5 about the love God demonstrated to the most unlikely: the weak, the ungodly, and sinners. After the service, four souls came, confessing their faith in Jesus Christ and desiring to be baptized. While half of the congregation repaired to the evening meal, the other half headed to the river. There, amid singing and praying, these fours souls were baptized, entering into the river with fear and trepidation, exiting with joy unspeakable, received by waiting and welcoming saints.

The last meeting of the evening proceeded much like the first, if not stronger. National pastor Alish testified concerning the death of Yashar, the national pastor he was saved under. He said Yashar had three possessions he was most identified with: a coat, his minivan, and his Bible. At his death, his oldest son took the coat to remember him by; his other son asked for the van; Alish said, "All I wanted was the Bible." Alish testified, "Ten years later, and the coat is gone, the van has since been turned into scrap, but I still have the Bible. Moreover, the son who wanted the coat is no longer in church; the son who drove off in the van went to Europe and ruin; but here I am with the Bible, still in church, still praising God." Later on, while preaching, he said, "As preachers, I'm sure we upset God more than anyone else. Who else plants a crop and then never goes back to see if anything came up? We go everywhere preaching and then are surprised when something grows." Pretty good for a man with only a Bible for an inheritance.

During the second meeting, national pastor Ahmed testified about goings on in Vezenkovo, a village three hours to the southwest, where our farthest church is located. He said last month, during one particular service, a woman visibly distraught came to the door. She was inquiring if anyone knew where "the believers" were. Ahmed answered, "We're the believers." Stunned, the woman said, "I set out from a village down the road, determined to find you. This was the first house I stopped at." She told those assembled of a tragic accident that occurred a few days before, that left her son in a coma, and she was asking them to come and pray. Ahmed took a group and returned to the woman's house. There he found a small congregation of broken-hearted and fearful souls. The man of the house testified to Ahmed, "Years ago, we had nothing and were the poorest people in the village, then Europe opened up to us. We went, worked, saved and got rich, but forgot about God. We never gave a single thought to God. We had everything. If I wanted a house, I'd buy it; if I wanted a car, it was mine. Now I've learned there are things that money can't buy. All my money can't wake my son up. All my money can't buy God." Ahmed preached to them, "What money can't do, faith in Jesus can. We're still poor, but we can talk to God, and he listens and answers." Ahmed said, "We preached to them, prayed, and then went on our way waiting to hear what God would do." A few days later, the answer came. The boy was awake and responsive, able to move his hands and legs. The family has since started attending the meeting in Vezenkovo. Our second service concluded after 10 p.m., and it was well past midnight before I returned home, weary, but happy.

A little more than a week ago now, we received excellent, though unexpected, news. A chance visit to the migration police resulted in learning we could now apply for permanent residence in Bulgaria. (We had been informed, before ever coming here, that obtaining permanent resident status would be a ten-year process. After completing five individual-year visas, we would be eligible for a single five-year visa. After that, we could apply for permanent residency. By that math, we assumed we would be applying for our five-year visa soon.) Delighted, we began the mad scramble to gather up all the paperwork. I first contacted our attorney to relate the good news and solicit his help. He informed us that a mistake had obviously been made, as there was no way possible we could be applying for permanent resident status. He listed his reasons and ruined our elation. Determined to press on, we returned to the migration office and laid out everything he had said before the case workers. They derided his so called "expertise," told us not to pay any attention to him, and assured us they would help us every step of the way. A week to the day, and with special and invaluable assistance from fellow missionary Larry Leach, we were able to turn in our documents. The ladies in the office asked us, "Did that lawyer help you in any way getting these?" "No," we replied. "Good," they answered, as they processed and approved our application. Lord willing, we return in September to pick up our permanent residence visas. On a side note, due to the time constraint (one week from when we were notified, to when we applied), we borrowed the necessary funds. Permanent visas are double the cost of our yearly visa expense, making it around $3,500. Yet, we are confident that the Lord — who led us here, went before us, and prepared the way — will provide. Keep us in your prayers. We love and miss you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

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May 2016 Prayer Letter

"In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul." Psalm 94:19

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

Years ago, Pastor Fred Potter preached a message from Philippians chapter four that he entitled, "Something to Think About." He related that the Lord Jesus is the source of all the true, honest, just, pure, He related that the Lord Jesus is the source of all the true, honest, just, pure, and lovely things we know, and that of all the things of good report, He is the best. To think on Him is the best preoccupation of one's mind. Such is life, however, that the cares of this world seek to crowd out the loveliness of our Lord. It is a struggle, therefore, but one well rewarded, to think on Him. Our meditations of Him are a steadying force in an uncertain world. To think on Him is to seek comfort and obtain delight. "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD." Psalm 104:34

This past Sunday, I was again in Zlatna Niva, worshiping with fellow believers there. Before service began, two ladies entered, one a regular attendee, one a first-time visitor. The visitor was introduced to all and was welcomed heartily. We began our song service, and soon, through the singing, hearts were opened and tears flowed freely. The visitor sat stunned, wide eyed, and appeared bewildered. As she gazed upon us, she began wiping tears from her own eyes. At the conclusion of the service, while others were leaving, she remained behind, as if rooted in place. Silent through the entire meeting, now she began to sob and talk simultaneously. She testified that she didn't understand what was happening to her, her heart was full to bursting; she had never felt anything like it or heard anything so amazing. She embraced all the women, and weeping tears of new joy, departed. Thank God His presence and the sincere praises of His people are still sufficient to draw sinners to the Savior.

Özlem is a beautiful 9-year-old girl who lives in the village of Staro Oryahovo. Her mother, Ahsi, is one of our faithful church members. A few years ago, when the devil came against the meeting there, Ahsi and her sister, P'ska, were some of the few who stayed true, opening their hearts to God and the doors of their houses to what was left of the church. Özlem grew up in that meeting, loves it, and gives herself to the hymns. Last year, when everyone was readying to go to Romania to our bi-annual Turkish camp meeting, Özlem threatened that if we didn't take her, she would pray car trouble on us and storms the whole journey. She won, and went. Recently we learned one of the cults had moved into the village and was trying to recruit children with the promise of games and candy. Özlem's friend invited her, saying, "Come to our meeting, we have candy for you." Özlem responded, "Come to our meeting, we have Jesus!", "...Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise..." Matthew 21:16

Praise God, the Lord is still working here; though the laborers are few, the labors are increasing. We have installed all the windows and doors in our printing facility in Avren. This week we've been preparing the roof to set the tiles. We'll soon be ready for rewiring and plumbing. Once the roof is tiled, Bro. Ralph will move all of the copiers and printing supplies in, and we'll begin in earnest the printing of New Testaments. Please remember this endeavor. Printing is costly, averaging $1,000 a month, but it's our desire to make the word of God available to all who want it. In addition to printing, we want to begin streaming our Turkish services in Avren, to go where we haven't been as yet, and as supplements to existing meetings, but not in place of them; there is no substitute on earth for the local church. To do this, we are in need of a technology update, a laptop and camera capable of the task. Please help us pray and believe for all of these needs to be met. One more prayer request, not as urgent, but growing so: Our car has been in and out of the shop quite a bit recently, with little problems and big. The rough village roads and long miles are taking their toll, not to mention packing it to capacity with believers bound for meetings. Please help us pray for a replacement. This isn't just our ministry vehicle; this is our only vehicle. Praise God, He knows all of our needs and is the source of all of our hopes and joys. God bless you all. We love and miss you.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

February 2016 Prayer Letter

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me,

Write: for these words are true and faithful." Revelation 21:5

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The old year is gone, having passed, never to return. With it the experiences, the blessings and failings, triumphs and tragedies it saw have gone as well. They exist now only in memory or in resolve taken from lessons learned or faith strengthened. Some we mourn the passing of, others we are glad to see go. Some experiences have marked us and made us different, but all have passed. And we press forward into the new, "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Preacher John Geouge warned of the dangers of building a house on Memory Lane. "Too many people who move in, never move on," he reasoned. Lot retired to the well-watered plains of Sodom because it reminded him of early days in Egypt, while Abraham kept looking for a city. Lot surmised it couldn't get any better; Abraham believed God, that the best was yet to come. I don't know what this new year holds, but I'm determined to meet it with a new heart, new love, new faith, trusting God for new grace, looking to the old book for fresh promises. Maybe this will be the year we receive a new name, sing a new song, convene in new Jerusalem to worship Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever. Amen.

December closed the old year with mild temperatures and open skies. The holiday season passed with more choruses of "Mele Kalikimaka" than "White Christmas." So amenable was the weather, the late December nights barely necessitated our fireplace furnace. Still, taking the chill off the old rock house we rent took a toll on our wood reserve. Then January arrived determined to make the most of winter: temperatures plummeted while snow fell. Thankfully, as a result of your generosity, and just prior to the first major snow, I was able to purchase sufficient wood to weather the storm. Then again, midway through the month, I purchased another truckload that will hopefully see us the season through. While in comparison many of you receive much more snow than us, Bulgaria's agricultural countryside and open fields result in massive drifts that can close a village for days on end. A snowfall that began one Saturday afternoon accumulating eight inches of snow, by Sunday morning saw drifts covering our roads in excess of four feet. On that occasion they weren't able to plow us out until sometime on Tuesday. Even then they seldom plow the roads clean, and in some places plow only one lane. Still, ample firewood for home and good tires for the road mean the worst of winter's burdens are borne much easier. I cannot sufficiently convey my thanks to every one of you who gave to help meet our need. Please know that we love you and pray often for you, that God would provide in blessings what we lack in words to communicate.

In spite of inclement weather, the work continues. While present, we hear of those who met in our absence to pray and sing and carry on. When we can meet, we are making preparations for our flour and oil distribution. In addition to this, we are manufacturing hymnbooks with the gospel of John added to them. Also, at Bro. Ralph's invitation, we are all helping proof portions of the Turkish and Cyrillic New Testament. There's never a dull moment, and never a moment at home or in the village when there isn't work to be done. Thanks be to God for both strength and light to work in, for "the night cometh, when no man can work." We also thank God for you all, for your love and prayers and your faithfulness to us, making mention of you often in our prayers. The Lord richly bless you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

December 2015 Prayer Letter

 "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The holiday season is upon us. We have just celebrated our Thanksgiving here and are preparing for Christmas and the new year. As believers, however, every day is Thanksgiving; we celebrate every day the Lord's birth, life, death, and resurrection. Still, we don't begrudge a fallen world's attempts at imitating our joy. Some complain, and with good cause, of the world's commercialization and abandonment of the sacred; but what do we expect from those in darkness and at enmity with God? Rather, I praise the Lord that at this season, above all others, whether consciously or in ignorance, the Lord is exalted. Songs and hymns of adoration can be heard in the most unlikely of places. I have heard, "Christ, by highest heav'n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord... Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail th' incarnate Deity! Pleased as man with man to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel" echo through the halls of commerce and fall on seemingly oblivious ears, but it sung, nevertheless. "What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." Philippians 1:18 What a privilege is ours then, to guide lost souls from imitation to sincere acceptance, from ignorance and unbelief to faith in the resurrected Christ!

This year, as you know, I've been helping national pastor Alish in his meetings. At the start of the year, Alish pastored ten churches and preached at other meetings beside. Midway through the year, he assumed the care of three more churches without forfeiting any of his regular meetings. On some days we go together to meetings, on others we go to separate meetings. It is my joy to witness these souls growing both in their understanding of the Word and their love and care one for another and those around them. The woman of the house where we meet in Shkorpilovsti has cancer. She has been through several rounds of chemotherapy already, seemingly to no avail. She suffers a great deal from the treatments and a great deal more from her condition. The other day, during our service, she was weeping inconsolably. When it came time to pray, she asked prayer for two boys she had seen at the hospital during her chemo session. She said the boys had been in a terrible accident and were writhing in pain, crying out for relief. Though she suffers pain of an increasing nature and herself often succumbs to its effects, she was moved by the plight of these boys. Her heart was broken for them. She testified, "I suffer with hope, that one day my suffering will all be over. Those boys suffer with no hope, without faith; their sufferings are only starting." That service she prayed fervently for those souls, and her zeal took hold of our hearts, as well.

Pray for Nasuf. He's one of our national pastors laboring in Targovishte. Recently I was asked to attend his meetings with him and distribute new hymnals to all of his members. I was happy to do so. I was made happier by the welcome I received from all his churches, not just in hospitality shown, but in heartfelt gratitude for our work in the LORD. Nasuf has been having heart trouble, and just this week went for a heart catherization in Sofia. Praise the LORD the procedure went well. Please pray he makes a full and speedy recovery, as we miss him in the work.

With the exception of visas, I seldom mention any of our personal needs. Some churches have chided me for this, stating that's partly the reason for prayer letters. I chafe at this and don't want to be burdensome, but on this occasion trust to your understanding and ask your prayers. Our winter wood supply, our primary heating source, is depleting rapidly. So please pray that either the LORD turns up the heat or sends in the wood. God bless you all. We love and miss you, and more so during the holidays. From our family to yours, we pray you have a Merry and Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

An August Update

 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

[I posted some of this on our Facebook page, but for those of you who don't Facebook, I thought I'd send it in an email as well. It's an answer to prayer, a testimony of God's goodness, His care, and provision. What a blessing to see His handiwork, and to know that He does things just for us!]

We begin our visas for another year. While the whole process takes about a month, from application to finally picking up our visas/id cards, we begin making preparations mid Spring. It's one of the more stressful things we have to deal with to live and work here.

This year we hit a bit of a snag early on. It came to my attention that Christian and my passports were due to expire, and that we would need new ones prior to applying for visas. Normally that's not a problem, new passports are fairly easy and quickly obtained. However, and unbeknownst to us, we learned from direct communication with our embassy, America is experiencing difficulty and delays in processing passport applications worldwide. We were advised to apply as early as possible, which we then did.

After a month had elapsed, with no word from the embassy, our lawyer phoned us this past Friday to ask for our updated information. When I mentioned we had not received our passports, he asked when had we applied. Mid July was my answer. He informed me, that on average it's taking at least four months from the date of application, and that's with constant communication with the embassy. We discussed various scenarios and options should our passports not arrive before our visa renewal in a couple of weeks. We decided to wait on it, and see what, if anything would develop over the weekend. We ended the conversation on a general note of anxiety and despair.

Yesterday morning, at the breakfast table, after rehashing the lawyers conversation, and fed up with worry, we committed the matter to God, trusting him for whatever the outcome. A few minutes later, national pastor Alish called me to say, our meetings had been canceled for the day, and that I was free to do whatever. A few minutes after that, Hannah came down from upstairs, having just heard from the embassy that our new passports were ready and waiting, and that if our schedule permitted, we could come that day for pick up. I grabbed my hat, wallet, and keys, and with my old passports in hand, headed to Sofia. I returned, twelve hours later, exhausted but rejoicing.

My text for today's meetings was, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6 Thank God, The Lord knows what we have need of before we ask, and when we ask he can sure get it done in a hurry.

More paperwork to get done this week, and then we reapply the second of September. However, knowing the Lord is on your side makes things a lot easier. Pray for us.

On a personal note, we're doing well. Carrick will begin first grade in a few weeks. He's our top student at LeFevre Home-School Academy. For the last two years he's been our only student. However, this year he will be joined by new enrollee, Christian. I would say that Christian is excited to start school, but I think that would be an exaggeration. I think Christian is intrigued by the concept of school, it's the mandatory attendance and participation he might find difficult. We'll see.

As many of you had heard, Carrick suffered a fractured ankle mid July, an unfortunate accident on a trampoline. He has now been officially cleared to resume life as he knew it. After the doctor's pronouncement, he was so excited to show me he was better, he jumped off a high porch nearly sending us all into cardiac arrest. He landed safe and sound and all smiles, until he saw our terrified expressions. We gently urged him to reconsider jumping from heights for the immediate future, to which he responded positively.

Dixie Joy is ten days away from turning one. She can say Daddy, and that's it, but that's enough for me. She is on the verge of walking, like she is on the verge of saying Momma, almost, but not quite. She is petite for her age, still in nine month clothing. She has white blond hair, bright blue eyes, and an infectious smile. She prefers the company of anyone who will promptly put her on the floor to crawl around.

Hannah is well, and more than anyone else, ready for school to begin. The temperature has dropped into the low seventies here, the sky is gray, and portending rain, and Hannah is in her element. She loves this time of year. Very soon the house will be decked in all the glories of Fall. I haven't the heart to tell her the weatherman is giving Summer another few weeks to do its worst.

The meetings I attend to are all doing well. A couple of weeks ago, my brother Zachary attended with me. It made me very happy to be in church with him, just to lead singing and listen to him preach. All of the churches were blessed, and entreated his soon return. With the break in the weather, services will be a little easier. It's a shade difficult trying to sing and preach when it's ninety-five outside and no breeze inside. By the second meeting you look and feel like you've been to a baptism and fell in. Alish had started packing extra shirts on days with multiple meetings.

Whatever the weather, I'm thankful to be here. These Gypsy-Turks are a despised people, oft neglected of men, sometimes rightly so. Still, the Lord of Glory is a frequent guest in their hovels, and I'm blessed to be there when He is. Yesterday, at our little house church in Krivnia, fourteen souls gathered to worship God, and He came to accept it.

Moses was a man "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians", "mighty in words and in deeds", but one day it came to his heart to visit his brethren. I reckon after that visit, he was never the same. He refused a place in Pharaoh's home, the pleasures of sin, and Egypt's treasures to bear the burdens of the people of God. Moses chose his crowd, knowing the cost, but confident in the blessings. One day it came into my heart to visit God's people, and like Moses, things were different after that. I'm not as smart as he was, and certainly lack the education, but you don't have to have exceptional intelligence to choose right or good, just enough to know the difference. Like Moses, I made the people of God my choice, and haven't regretted it. I'd rather be in the little unknown unheralded gypsy meeting, singing the praises of our great Redeemer, and testifying of His grace, than anyplace else on earth. And I think the Lord would too.

Pray earnestly for us. We love and miss you all. May God continue to richly bless you for Jesus' sake.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family