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

December 2010 Prayer Letter

Our praying friends and family in the Lord, 

 

 

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…" Isaiah 9:6

 

Rejoicing.  This verse is precious to all of God's children, especially during this time of year.  Though the world seeks to deny our Lord, or, on those occasions when they cannot, at least twist the meaning to their own purposes, I am glad we can still rejoice in the truth.  We do not have to succumb, or partake in their diminishing of our Saviour.  We can still hold forth the word of life, and glory in the 'reason for the season'.  I am thankful that over 2000 years ago, just as the scripture records, in the city of David, a Saviour was born.  I am also thankful that our faith doesn't end with the birth of Jesus Christ (like some would wish): for our God was not only "manifest in the flesh", but also, "justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory"; and because He was "manifested to take away our sins", we can live through Him.

 

This verse is a particular blessing to my wife and I.  We rejoice first and foremost in the birth of God's Son, but the same God that saw His Son safely into the world, saw ours delivered safely as well.  Christian Asher LeFevre, 7 lbs. 10 oz., 21 in. , was born December 20^th at 11:15AM at the Cookeville Regional Medical Center, Cookeville, TN.  The Lord answered so many of yours and our prayers regarding the birth of Christian, that we lack the space to recount them here.  Needless to say, Hannah's entire birth experience was as easy as natural birth can be, marveling the doctor and nurses.

 

Preparing.  So, Lord willing, now begins the final leg of deputation.  We are already applying for Christian's passport, and have been in contact with our Bulgarian attorney regarding our visas.  We have been busy packing our belongings into boxes for shipping, and hope to have them out soon.  Please remember us especially in the next few weeks and months, as they will prove to be the most demanding.

 

Believing.  Thank you all so very much for your faithful prayers for our family.  They have meant, and continue to mean the world to us, as they have secured our needs time and again.  And so I am confident that, through your prayers, the Lord will continue to supply all the way to the field, and beyond.  Please remember Hannah and Christian in your prayers, that they will both remain healthy, as Hannah continues to recover, and the baby continues to grow.  Also, remember us as we travel to a few more meetings before our departure.  The Lord knows the remainder of our needs, and will provide.  He sure is good like that!

 

 

"I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living." Psalm 27:13

 

 

May the Lord bless you all.  You are in our prayers.  Happy New Year!

 

 

Because of a living Saviour,

 

 

The William LeFevre Family

November Prayer letter

Our praying friends and family in the Lord, 

 

 

This is the season of Thanksgiving, and as children of God, we have much to be thankful for.  We are thankful for our homes, our families, the country we live in, and our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We are thankful as well, for all the Lord's material provisions he blesses us with daily.  First and foremost, however, we are thankful that Jesus Christ has "made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light". Colossians 1:12  What a priviledge to know that our names are written in Heaven; that simple faith in the word forever "settled in heaven", settled our soul's destination, and set us among princes!  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." Hebrews 13:15

 

Preaching.  Recently I returned from a three week preaching trip.  The Lord opened the doors for me to present the work at Truth Baptist, in West Salem, OH; to preach a revival for one of our supporting churches, Faith Baptist Temple of North Ridgeville, OH; and to present the work and preach at Beacon Baptist in Lorain, OH.  Besides making new friends and fellowshipping with old ones, it was good to 'break the bread of life' and feast on God's word.  One night of the revival I preached about Joseph.  I recalled how the newly exalted Joseph had been set over the storehouses, to meet, not only the needs of the world, but especially the needs of his brethren.  How good it is to know, that our 'Heavenly Joseph' has opened the storehouses to us, and stands ready to meet our needs! 

 

Believing.  It is good to rest secure in the knowledge that our God is able, and that there is nothing too hard for him.  It is another matter entirely to know that the God 'who is able', will; therein is comfort.  As a matter of personal confession, so many times I pray, recongnizing God's ability, but walk away empty-handed and disheartened, never having believed he would.  So it is with many of us, praying over our own needs; but that's the blessing and the necessity of the church; that though we struggle for oursleves, we're strong for others, and others for us.  And so I thank God for you all, for not only praying for our needs, but that your faith has secured those needs.  Please continue to pray for more open doors and opportunities to present the work.  Please continue helping us believe for what we lack.  I know the Lord will provide, and so I offer my thanks to God in advance for meeting all our needs.

 

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."  1 Corinthians 15:57

 

 

 

May the Lord bless you all.  You are in our prayers.

 

 

Because of a living Saviour,

 

 

The William LeFevre Family

 

 

PS – Please remember Hannah in your prayers.  It is less than a month now until her due date.