Family Update

Greetings from Bulgaria,

Winter has finally arrived. While cold in December, the weather was relatively mild, with only one or two snow falls I can recall. The last four weeks have been a mixture of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and fierce winds. Late in January we received about 6 inches, with another inch or two following a few days later, with a few more inches falling now and then. The roads are all covered with snow. And while the village has a snow plow it employs, the broken roads don't allow for a clean scrape, leaving them dangerously slick. I have ventured out for a drive two or three times, and while the powdery snow makes for decent traction, it belies the ice beneath. The temperature is supposed to remain below freezing for quite some time. A day or two ago, we hazarded a drive to Romania. While the majority of the roads were relatively clean, the closer we got to the border, the more large snow drifts we encountered. A kilometer or two from the border, we were brought to a dead stop due to an immense wall of snow that had covered the road. We were forced to wait until a snow plow came along and cleared a path. We returned the same day, and the condition of the roads had improved due to local municipalities cleaning efforts. All the missionaries were supposed to get together in Romania this weekend. However, due to the inclement weather the full assembly has been postponed indefinitely. Instead Zach and I, Lord willing, will travel up there instead. Saturday, while cold, is supposed to be clear. Sunday, however, a 'wintry-mix' is supposed to start up again, lasting (according to www.accuweather.com, my preferred source of weather info) for another week or so.

Christian has began toddling. He still prefers crawling, or walking the perimeters of rooms holding on to furniture. He's quite a pill, not nearly as docile as Carrick was at that age. He has learned to show how strong he is, to clap, to say 'Uh-Oh', to blow kisses, and to shake his head yes. He never does any of these on command, however. When you ask him to do something, he just hollers some unintelligible remark. He is independent. Where Carrick liked someone to hold him, while he held his blanky, and drift calmly off to sleep, Christian doesn't. Christian wont hardly go to sleep if he's being held, kicks all the blankies off him, and will allow the slightest distraction to prevent his slumber. Carrick falls fast asleep while Christian is lamenting the confines of his crib. He does, however, like his exer-saucer. You can put him in it, and he will sit for long durations of time sucking his thumb watching everyone go about their business. He is also quite smiley; smiling at anyone and everyone who might be able to take him out of his exer-saucer, then crying if they don't. All in all, he's a very happy baby, and certainly a harbinger of joy.

Carrick is all boy. He likes to run around with a wooden spoon tucked under his arm and shoot bad guys. He loves the snow. Yesterday he played outside for two hours amidst the blizzard. This morning he was up and at 'em, boots in hand, saying, "Outside, outside!" He also has a temper. The other day he wanted Coke. (Apparently his Aunt Rebecca, during her brief stay, would give him Coke in his sippy cup when no one was looking; his grandmother Jane, affectionately referred to as Mimi, does the same thing.) When Hannah said, "No. You can have water." He got mad, and ran around the table, pulling all the plates off, saying "No eat. No eat!" Thankfully his wooden spoon gun was handy. He loves to sing and perform. Every night at family alter, after singing a few hymns, Bro. Matt, affectionately called Papa, asks Carrick what songs he would like to sing. Usually it's "I'm in the Lord's Army", followed by "Jesus Loves the Little Ones Like Me" followed by "Only a Boy Named David". If they ever teach him "Father Abraham" we'll never get through family alter. He likes to perform. The Bulgarians employ recitation of poems as teaching aids. Every child attending Bulgarian school has to be able to recite certain poems at certain times. The Welch children (those attending Bulgarian school) are constantly practicing and rehearsing their poems. After each rehearsal, Carrick says, "My turn" and then spends a minute babbling something unintelligible, after which he grins and waits for resounding applause, sort of reminds me of my preaching, minus the applause.

Hannah has cabin fever. She has expressed her desire to live in the city, in an apartment. While that may certainly be a necessity at some point, I have no desire to reside in a city for any long duration. She likes the convenience of city life. She likes the thought of being able to get out more than once or twice every two weeks. I tell her she's free to frequent any of the little village stores, but that hardly satiates her. (The village has a bank/post office, a hardware store, and two or three general stores. There is cheap clothing available in the Turkish section, so long as you don't mind track suits, and or jeans with double the standard amount of pockets, and zippers that lead to nowhere.) She has a few things that help her while away the quiet wintry hours (besides the boys and I). She is teaching the oldest two Welch children, twins Luke and Sarah, preparing them for graduation and ACTs. Also, every morning she walks for exercise more than pleasure. At six o'clock every morning she's up, dressed in her warmest clothing, and out the door with her sister, for a three mile traverse of the surrounding neighborhoods. I don't know why she exercises, she can't stand to lose any more weight. I think all the extra clothing makes her feel bigger.

I am well. After having lost forty some pounds, the diet is on hold. I would say it's on hold due to the weather, and that would partially be correct. Mainly it's on hold because of all the good cooks in the house. My Turkish studies are progressing, albeit slowly. I can understand quite a bit, however, I am slow in replying. By the time I have formulated either answer or question, the conversation has moved on. Due to the weather, I haven't been able to get to many other meetings outside the one in this village. Last Sunday, I made it to the meeting in Varna, but we had to cut it short due to the start of a freezing rain. A couple of days ago I made it as far as Provadia, but noted the roads to both our Thursday villages were closed due to snow. I love the Winter weather; I love the snow, and the cold temperatures; I don't much care for being stranded days on end.

Hope everyone is doing well. From Hannah, Carrick & Christian and myself: we love and miss you all. God bless you. Pray for us.

William LeFevre

January 2012 Prayer Letter

"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?" Isaiah 53:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

It is our pleasure, by the grace of the Lord Jesus and the power of the gospel, to send you 'good news from a far country,' as THE good news cannot but yield good news. B.R. Lakin once said, "Every bush is ablaze with God, but only those with eyes to see pull off their shoes." If we're not careful, the routine of day-to-day life can keep us distracted from the provision, and ultimately the presence, of God. And God is forever at work, reaching out to saint and sinner alike, wherever they're found, demonstrating His infinite love. That's my prayer then, to have eyes to always behold the handiwork of God, and not only beholding, but partaking of as well. In 2011 the Lord showed us at every turn His interest in and faithfulness towards us by conveying us safely here and providing the necessities for our remaining here. 2012, though newly upon us, has already proven (and that many times over) God's great, magnanimous love for these poor Turks, and the power in prayer His people possess.

Since Bro. Matt Welch's return, I have been attending Bro. Alish's meetings. Alish is a younger national pastor, in his mid thirties, and has been in the work for the last ten years. Alish pastors eleven churches. The newest of these churches is in Avren, the village where Alish's in-laws live. The Lord birthed a church in this village as a result of two teenage girls' fervent prayer and desire. In late 2010 they began to meet in an abandoned house, just the two of them, sing the few songs they knew, and pray God would start a church in their village. The Lord heard, and a little while later, Alish's in-laws opened the doors of their home for a meeting; soon after, revival broke out. Alish's father-in-law, known as the village drunk, was gloriously saved and sobered, and set the town talking. Though Avren has only a small Turkish population, they all heard and were soon making their ways to the meeting.

Ahmet, Alish's brother-in-law, had married a Bulgarian girl, a university graduate. She had been a philosophy major and an avowed athiest. Not long ago, she was diagnosed with cancer. After seeking medical help and finding no relief, Ahmet said there was a place he knew of where she might find help. A few days later, she was the sole Bulgarian in a room crowded with Turks, listening to songs and a sermon about someone she denied existed. Praise God her denial couldn't quench His desire, and she, too, was saved. Soon after, she went back to the doctor for reevaluation. The doctor couldn't understand it, but said the cancer was gone. He added, however, that from all the tests, it looked as though she would never have children. Two weeks ago, the Lord confounded the wise again, and she's now expecting; they're praying for twins.

Alish's father-in-law began praying for his brothers. From all accounts, his brothers were much worse than he was, one of whom was nicknamed "The Captain" because he intimidated everyone he met. He was not only a drunk, but a violent drunk. His wife said she had never known him sober and had never lived without abuse. But God heard the prayers of his people and began to work in the Captain's heart. He was invited to, and attended, of all things, a baby dedication at the church (typically supper is made, hymns are sung, a message is preached, and the baby and family are prayed for). The Captain had never heard anything like it. He went home later and poured out all his liquor. He said he had to go back the next time they had church. A few days later, he was sitting on the floor next to his brother, tears in his eyes, listening to the songs of Zion, opening his heart to God. Though several villages and many kilometers away, he still comes as regularly as he can and has started attending other of our meetings closer by. His wife, who, as a result of his dramatic conversion, became a believer herself, testified, "It's all like a dream; I don't know whether I'm awake or asleep. I feel like I'm floating. My husband's a new man and I'm a new woman." There's still a brother or two who need saving, so keep this family in your prayers. And pray for us; the Lord knows all our needs. Remember, the same God, through his son, the Lord Jesus, who heard and answered all these prayers, hears and answers, and will answer yours. God bless you all. We love you. Happy 2012!

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

October Prayer Letter

"A Song of degrees of David.

If it had not been the LORD who was on our side..." Psalm 124:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

The Lord's greatness is not only illustrated in the answering of our 'big' requests, but in his faithful supply of everyday necessities. This September the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to call Hasan, the national pastor I've traveled with since arriving here, home to be with Him. All Summer long Hasan complained of heart trouble. He knew that if he went to the doctor, more than likely, he would be hospitalized. He felt he could hold on till my father-in-law's return; that way, were he hospitalized, his churches would not be without a preacher. Many services we prayed the Lord would heal him, and He did, in the best way possible. Hasan departed the local assembly for the general assembly, his faith of many years finally being made sight. While we mourn his loss, we praise God for that our Christian friendships our eternal, and that one day we'll pick up where we left off, and worship God together while the ages roll. Please keep his family, and the churches he left in your prayers. Also in September, through the loving-kindness of his people, the Lord provided us with a new Dacia Logan MCV (a seven passenger mini-van of sorts). Through the Spring and Summer we drove my father-in-law's van. In the June prayer letter I wrote that we had the funds to put in our order, and just over a month ago we received our vehicle. Praise the Lord, it was a good day getting it dusty on the way to the village. While we want to be good stewards of what the Lord provides, we also want to put as many miles as we can on it for the furtherance of the gospel.

October witnessed the Lord providing us with our first one-year visa. As I wrote to one supporting church:

"In order to obtain a permanent residence visa here (which is the visa we need to live and work in the country for multiple years in succession), we first had to obtain a 6 month temporary, or probationary visa (which we did upon arrival). After that, we had to apply for 'residence', stating it was our wish to stay, and minister in the country indefinitely. The 'residence' visa program is, at present, a ten year contract. We obtain five one-year visas, after which we obtain one five-year visa. Upon completion we will be considered 'residents' of Bulgaria. So long as we are in the 'residency program'- progressing toward permanent residence, we are free to work in the country. This has been a long and costly affair, and we're thankful we're nearing the close for this year."

Praise the Lord, our paperwork was in order and accepted, and we now have our visas. In a few days we will pick up our Bulgarian identity cards stating our visa status. One year down, nine more to go, Lord willing.

October 6^th, Bro. Matt and his family returned from their furlough. Their return has allowed me to visit more of the churches that prayed for our safe arrival. Lord willing, as the days progress, I'll be able to visit the bulk of the churches the Lord has established here in Bulgaria. Day in and day out the Lord continues to help us, whether it's in language study, or going to meetings, or accomplishing any of the mundane tasks of life. If He were not with us, and more than that, on 'our side', then even the simplest things would prove overwhelming. Keep us in your daily prayers; the Lord knows our needs. Keep my oldest brother, Craig LeFevre, in your prayers. He was recently involved in a serious car crash on his way to church, in which he sustained a punctured lung, multiple broken ribs, and a fractured pelvis. He is now at home recuperating. Pray for a successful recovery. We love you all. God bless you.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

The Lord's work

Since leaving the hospital a few weeks ago, the work of the Lord has kept us busy.  The Saturday after being discharged, we had our first baptism of the year in Bulgaria.  28 souls were baptized.  Following the baptism, they had a service that went past midnight.  They sang and rejoiced and testified for hours.  

Sunday morning, my family and I went to Romania, to be with our fellow missionaries at the children's home, for their morning service.  (For the last month or so, US military personnel from the base in Constanta, have been coming out for services.)  The Lord blessed us, as we met together to sing, pray and preach, and glorify the Lord.

That Wednesday, we baptized 18 in Romania, in a channel of the Danube.  Though it was hot outside, they erected a make-shift shelter where Bro. Ralph could preach in the shade.  It was wonderful to see so many, with so little, enjoy themselves so much in the Lord.

Today we buried Pastor Hasan.  He's the national pastor I've been driving to meetings 5 days a week, since arriving in Bulgaria.  We became as good a friends as the language barrier allowed; better even, as our friendship was in Christ and for the spread of the gospel.  Hasan was a faithful minister, and a caring pastor.  He loved going to the meetings, not only to preach, but to find out how his members fared.  Before every meeting he would greet every one personally and ask how they were doing.  He was a gracious man.  Though I knew very little of the language, he would always encourage me to take part in the services in whatever capacity I could.  When I first learned my Turkish numbers, he had me call out the hymn numbers for the congregation.  I had no idea what the hymns said, and he knew that, but it gave me practice.  Last Tuesday Hasan, his wife, and I went to Yunak, a meeting close by.  He sang well, he preached well, he seemed strong in body.  An hour after we returned from the meeting, and I had dropped him off, his grandson came running to the house, asking me to come and take Hasan to the hospital, as he was having chest pains.  We rushed him to the nearest hospital, but after an hour the pain subsided, and they told him to go home and rest.  He rested one day and was back in meetings by Thursday. Friday I picked him up and he seemed stronger and happier than I had seen him in a month.  We went to Sadavo, where I noticed, he was rubbing his chest.  Still, he sang strong and preached from John 9.  At Venelin, he conducted a special meeting at a believers house, who had the church over for a thanks-giving meal.  He preached, ate supper, and rejoiced with everyone in attendance.  I took him home that evening, and 30 minutes later they came and told me he had collapsed.  Again, we rushed him to the nearest hospital.  There, they realized he needed more urgent care than they could provide, so they took by ambulance to the university hospital in Varna.  That was the last his family saw him alive.  After arrival (and dismissing the family), the doctors concluded there was nothing they could do for him.  They called the family Monday, and told them to come get him Tuesday, and let him rest at home.  On Tuesday morning they called again to say he was dead.  About a month ago, Hasan told me he knew he was ill, that there was something wrong with his heart, but that he couldn't go to the hospital until Bro. Matt returned, as he couldn't leave his churches without someone to preach to them.  

Today, at the funeral, the believers from Dolgapol (tomorrows village) asked if we would still come.  I was happy to tell them yes, and that we would sing, and pray, and thank God for Hasan, and rejoice that we'll see him again.

It's good to be in the Lord's work, whether that means lying in a hospital bed with pneumonia, standing at a river side watching new Christians exercise their faith, or sitting with a grieving family as they say their goodbyes.  The Lord is good.  The Lord's work is worth it: a fact I'm sure Hasan would tell you now.

William LeFevre

PS - Please make it a point to pray for our national pastors.  Recently, the support they receive, that puts gas in their tanks, and food on their tables, has dropped off significantly.  These men are all full time, pastoring multiple churches, laboring to start more.  Without them, we missionaries couldn't cover half the churches they look after.  Please pray that the Lord will stir hearts to help the national pastors fund through Charity Baptist missions.  God bless you all.

August 2011 prayer letter

"A Song of degrees of David.

I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalm 122:1

Our praying friends and family in the Lord,

What a privilege it is to be able to attend 'God's House'! There is nothing like it on earth, when fellow believers come together, in one mind and one accord, for the express purpose of worshipping God. It's a little slice of 'Heaven on earth'. It reminds us that we're only pilgrims here, and that our pilgrimage won't be long, and that one day we'll arrive at the "house of the LORD", never to depart. These refreshing truths were made all the clearer, as we recently attended our second missionary camp meeting. (Three times a year, all the missionaries cooperating together to reach the Turks here, gather for four or five days of English preaching and singing.) The first camp meeting we attended was soon after our arrival, and having just been in almost two years of services stateside, it felt like any other camp meeting. But now, after having been isolated, for the most part, from regular English speaking interaction outside of the home, this camp meeting was sweet. It makes a difference when you can't afford to have division. No one can afford to come to meeting with a chip on their shoulder, lest they miss a blessing, and have to go another three months without hearing preaching in their mother tongue. I go to meetings all the time here, and while I don't understand the language well enough yet, I'm aware of God's presence, and am able, in measure, to participate in the services through song and prayer. Still, there's an intimacy in hearing the "wonderful works of God" in your own language. That's why, though we live and labor in Bulgaria, and, for the most part, these Bulgarian Turks all speak fluent Bulgarian, it's our desire to learn Turkish, to speak 'their' language.

I began this letter, early on the morning of the 12^th. I had been ill, suffering for a couple of days with what I thought was a strain of the flu. Friday morning I awoke early, feeling better than I had, and determined to see my wife to a doctor's appointment. As the day wore on, I began to feel worse and worse. As we were in the area anyway, I stopped by our family physician to see if she couldn't recommend something to take care of this flu. After listening to me breathe, she recommended an x-ray. Upon receipt of that, she informed me I had pneumonia. I was told only the hospital could administer medication strong enough to help me, and that I was to report immediately there. I knew I wasn't well, I just didn't know how ill I was. They admitted me that night with a 103.5 degree fever, and told me I would remain there a mandatory 7 days. The hospital was exceptional by Bulgarian standards, and all the staff I encountered were friendly and as helpful as they could be regardless of the language barrier. Because of my inability to communicate, I was at their mercy as to what they prescribed me and why, and could only pray that the Lord would help me. My wife asked me, before being admitted, if I was nervous. I told her I felt too bad to be nervous. But, looking back, I wasn't nervous at all. In fact, all I could do was resign myself to God's will, trusting that he had me there for his purpose. And, in spite of my physical discomfort, I enjoyed a week of fellowship with the Lord: reading and praying and enjoying His company. I am now home, and on a high powered antibiotic for a few more days. I feel a tad weak in body, but refreshed in the Lord. Please keep me in your prayers, that the Lord would grant a full recovery, and that I would soon feel myself again. Also, please keep us in your prayers, as our residency visas will soon come due. We are presently here on a 6 month visa, awaiting our residency visas. We have other prayer requests, and the Lord knows them all. Help me believe God for the needs of this work, and ours as well. God bless you all.

Because of a living Saviour,

The William LeFevre Family

Home

Dear praying friends,

Thank you all very much for the kind expressions of love sent during my hospital stay.  Also, thank you, from the depths of my heart, for your prayers.  I can't express their worth in words, the Lord knows.  I was discharged from the hospital today, at 11 AM Bulgarian time.  The doctors came in this morning at 6 and woke me up to draw blood.  Then 30 minutes later, they returned to stick my finger for more blood.  An hour later the Dr. came by, spoke to me in Bulgarian, and left (I still don't know what he said.)  Later a nurse dropped my with a prescription (for some extremely high-powered antibiotics) and my discharge papers.

I am now with my family at my brothers house, and we'll soon make our way back to Dabravino.  Please continue to pray for us.  We love you all.  God bless you.

William LeFevre

Update from William

William wrote this letter from the hospital and asked me to mail it for him. At the visit today I spoke to the doctor and they said he might get out in a day or two. We can't wait to have him back home. 

Hannah

Dear praying friends,

Let me say firstly, The Lord is good, always has been, always will be, especially to me.  He treats me very well, in fact it seems I'm spoiled by his goodness.

I'm writing this from a cafe near to the hospital where I'm staying.  This is the first day I've been out of my room.  I was admitted Friday evening, after our doctor concluded I had pneumonia.  I thought at first, that I had merely contracted a strain of flu going around.  Wednesday morning I awoke feeling 'achy'; Thursday morning, still achy, I felt slightly feverish, but, thought this would be the worst.  Friday morning I awoke early, cleaned up, and felt well enough to take Hannah to her Dr.'s appt. in Shumen.  As the morning progressed, I began to wear down, and thought, that while we were here I may as well have the Dr. check me out too.  I wasn't expecting the diagnosis.  But, having accepted it, I resigned myself to whatever the Lord had for me.  Friday afternoon, we returned to Dabravino (a little over an hour away) collected what I'd need for my stay, and then made our way back to the hospital via Zlatna Niva to pick up Zach to help us with admitting and driving arrangements.  I was admitted that night with a 103.5 temp, a little sore and weak, but contented in the Lord.  I can honestly say that I've enjoyed the peace of God during this whole experience.  I don't feel well, still at the writing of this, (I have a port in my left arm through which they administer meds once or twice a day), but I know who is with me, and have been blessed with his fellowship.  Thank you all very much for your prayers.  Please keep Hannah and the boys in your prayers.  And pray for this work.  I have confidence in the Lord concerning anything I might go through here.  But let's pray the Lord blesses this work, and makes the days and years to come, the best yet.  It seems that everything the Lord commences, he concludes better.  It is my prayer, that this work, that He so obviously began, He will, even now, bless exceeding abundantly above anything He has done previously, and show us all again, that, He is God and beside him there is none else.

Pray for us, the Lord knows our needs.  You're in my prayers, daily.  God bless you.  

William