May 18 Update

I think it's been a couple of weeks since I wrote last.  After ten years our old computer monitor finally quit working.  We were able to get a new one, though, thankfully.   Brother Nasuf is now travelling to his own villages again in his new car.  His son-in-law is also a preacher, and now that they have reliable transportation they want to start some more churches.  Recently, one of the new believers from Varna moved back to his village, which happens to be near a village where Nasuf already has a church.  This new believer said that he wants a church in his house.  It looks like the Lord is opening new doors for new churches out there.  Remember to pray for Nasuf.  He'll need some extra money for fuel each month.  His church continues to fast and pray one day a week.  Recently a woman who had been out of church for eight years came back.  In one of the village churches two ladies walked into the meeting from off the street.  They enjoyed the meeting and came again the following week.  That day they professed faith in Christ Jesus.  Prayer works.   In our village there is a boy who visitted church about two months ago.  He came to the meeting twice and asked for prayer.  He has epilepsy.  Yesterday he told us that he has had fewer seizures, and less severe.  When he was in the meeting he recorded the hymn singing on his cell phone, and says that he listens to it every night.  He asked why he cries every time he hears the hymns.  One of our believers told him, "Don't worry.  That's just the Lord softening your heart.  Keep on listening to the hymns and come back to church."  Pray for him, and pray for all our churches. From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

April 27 Update

This week I met with pastor Alish from Varna.  He told me of a testimony from one of the believers at his church in Varna.   She is a young mother of three.  She first came to the church to pray for her oldest child who was born with heart problems.  The Lord had answered her prayers and the child has been healthy for several years.  Recently her husband left her.  With three small children and no work she has really struggled.  Three weeks ago we distributed flour to the believers in Varna.  She sincerely thanks the Lord and the believers in America who provided her with the one hundred pound of flour, just when they needed it the most.   Well, one day she left the house to go to the neighbourhood store to buy some diapers.  She had found some loose change and was going to buy maybe one or two diapers (they sell them individually like that here, sometimes.)  On the way to the store she prayed, "Lord, I thank you for the flour, but you know my children want more to eat than just bread.  I'd like to buy some candy or fresh fruit, but I've only got money for a couple diapers."  She also said, "Lord, no matter what happens, I want you to keep my faith strong and keep me in the church.  In my struggles, don't ever let me forget you."  When she got to the store, an older woman met her outside.  The woman had a grocery bag and asked her to hold it for a minute.  She took the bag in one hand, then in her other hand the older woman placed some money.  She started crying and told the woman she couldn't possibly accept it.  The older woman said to her, "You can't refuse this.  It was God that told me to give it to you."  She thanked her and walked back home, crying the whole way.  When she got home she opened up the bag and it was full of groceries, including candy.  The children hadn't had any candy in a long time and they all began to climb on her and kiss her.  She told them the candy wasn't from her; it was from their heavenly father.   From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

April 12 Update

We've had a busy week here, and productive.  I've spent a couple of days in Varna looking for a decent used car for Brother Nasuf.  Yesterday we were finally able to buy one.  Today it's getting a tun-up and other maintenance, then later we'll get the title transferred to Nasuf.  Many of the believers send their thanks to those of you who prayed and helped purchase the vehicle.  Keep praying, though, the car will need fuel every day.  The Lord will supply that need as well. Also this week we were able to distribute the flour to the last of our village churches.  Again the saints here thank you all for ministering to their carnal needs.   Today I need to try to find a house for a widow woman.  It was she who called us to come start a church in a nearby village.  Now her children have all gone to western Europe to work, and she herself is left with nothing but a pension of about sixty dollars a month.  Unable to pay the rent she has been put out of her house.  Indeed it is the poor that have the gospel preached unto them.   Continue to pray for us. From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

April 6 Update

Last week we had a wonderful time up in Romania.  Along with the other missionary families we enjoyed five days of singing and preaching in English.  We were blessed and refreshed.  Also in that week was the campmeeting at our mission board's church, Brookside Baptist of Bristol, TN.  At that meeting they raised the funds to buy some much needed vehicles for the national pastors here.   It was a joy to see again some of the believers up in Romania.  The pastors there are preaching better than ever.  The Turkish meeting there lasted over four hours.   On a sadder note, Brother Ali passed away two weeks ago.  Right in the middle of the largest Turkish neighborhood in Constanta Brother Ali had a church in his home for several years.  Now Ali is with is wife again, and with other saints from his church that have gone on ahead. From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

March 21 Update

For the past couple weeks we've been busy with our regular schedule of preaching in the village churches.  Because Brother Nasuf's car is no longer running, I am taking him to his villages.  Brother Alish and his family continue to go to our regular meetings in my absence.   My brother and family are getting settled into the Bulgarian schedule here.  This week they'll be making a trip to the Bulgarian embassy in Greece to get their temporary visas.  After that, they'll be able to apply for a one year residence visa in Bulgaria.  It's been over five years since we did that, but it seems like just yesterday.  We now have our long-term residence visas.   This week we are mourning the loss of a dear friend and fellow missionary, Judy Padgett.  Sister Judy served in Mexico for years, even after the loss of her husband.  She was a true inspiration to us while back when we were preparing to come to the field, and she has been faithful to pray for us and this ministry here.  We will miss her on this earth, but she is now "with Christ, which is far better."  Please remember her family in your prayers.    From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

March 1 Update

We've enjoyed another week of preaching the word in the village churches.  Last week and this week I am with Brother Nasuf, as he is without a vehicle.  The people in his churches are all so happy.   One of the happiest is a woman who is paralyzed.  She can't get out of bed, but she has a continual smile on her face. In a few days we will be joined by my brother and his family.  They're coming to Bulgaria on the eleventh of this month to live and work in the ministry here.  Please remember them in your prayers. This week the Lord protected us on the roads.  Even in snow storms we try to get out and get the work done.  Both Pastor Alish and myself came close to sliding off the road, but the Lord protected us.  I normally drive about five hundred miles a week, as do many of the national pastors.  It's the good grace of God that keeps us safe.  We appreciate your prayers. From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre

February 1 Update

One of our dear saints passed away last week.  Kadriye had called us to come preach the gospel to her about four years ago.  She had been diagnosed with cancer, been operated on, and then refused chemotherapy after her first treatment.  The doctors told her there was nothing left for them to do.  Her sister-in-law has a church in her village, and she had told her about the Lord and the church.  So, Kadriye figured she had better set her house in order, and called us to come preach to her.  She gave her heart to the Lord that night; the rest of her family soon followed.  In the weeks and months that followed she saw the doctor again several times, and he was always amazed at her improved health.  He also heard that it was Jesus who was responsible for it.  Last year she had a severe stroke, then later, cancer came back.  When I saw her last week her body was mangled, but the few words she spoke were kind.  But that was last week.  This week the scripture has come to pass, "...Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise". Please pray for her family, especially her husband.   From Bulgaria, Zachary LeFevre