traveling Banks

Traveling with the Banks band of Gypsies…

We are pleased and honored to share with you what God is doing in our midst.  We asked you over the last few months to pray for God’s widom and discernment for decisions about our service here in România.  We would like to extend our sincere gratitude for those prayers.  He has heard  our heart cries for the Roma people and has opened a door of opportunity to walk alongside other missionaries in the Romany community.  We are delighted to join God where He is already working in the lives of Gypsies.  Our transfer to Team Romany took place around the middle of June.  Many things will be changing for us and transitioning will be a little different than when we arrived in Bucuresti.  Again, we covet your prayers and praises to the Father.  We will need you to continue to lay our requests both personal and for the Roma people at the foot of the cross.  Clinging to Christ Jesus on this journey is what gives us joy, hope and tremendous peace as we follow Him. 

God began placing within us a desire to live amongst God’s beautiful people years ago when Wes first came to România.  As we look back over the past seven years and even as close as the last ten months, we see how God has been developing, equipping, strengthening, and calling us to the Roma people. However, when we first applied to the IMB, there were no postions open in România to work with the Romany people.  Even though, we knew that God was still asking us to go to România to work amongst the Romanians. In the last few months, God worked mightily in our lives and revealed a plan that we did not imagine could happen during our term of service.  He was opening a door for us to serve on Team Romany.  Our hearts were still being heavily drawn to this oppressed, outcast group of God’s people.  In July, we will begin a new chapter of our journey in România.  We will move from a city of 2.5+million to a city of about 220,000.  We will focus on the Roma people living outside of city limits and in surrounding villages.  God is drawing the hearts of the Roma to Himself.  Romany missionaries have been raised up and will be sent out this summer.  However, there is much work to be done and there are many who do not know the power of the Gospel.  Look for more updates on our new city, Gospel focus with the Roma and just normal life with the traveling Banks band of gypsies!

the team, partners and servants

barcă la Lacul Herăstrău

God knew before the foundation of the world that we would make a great team.  He knew Wes' strengths and my weaknesses.  He knew that we would compliment, balance and enhance each others lives.  God knew that our gifts, talents and abilities would take us to România to love and serve others.  Wes, we make a great team.  I am honored to be your partner, teammate and fellow servant.  May God bless our efforts to share His Truth of Love, Peace and Joy to the Romany of România.  Thank you for loving Jesus with all that you are.  Thank you for encouraging me to go to România on that first trip.  You knew that my heart would respond in obedience.  Thank you for being a great spiritual leader in our home.  Thank you for leading our boys by example.  You are a great father.  God knew that you would be a missionary with an amazing servant heart and humble spirit.  I appreciate your deep faith in prayer and consumed heart of praise.  Let's keep running after Jesus with all that we are!   I am certain that a caravan of Gypsies will follow... 

Happy Father's Day to the world's best husband!  I am proud to be your wife and the mother of your children.  Love ya too much.  Te Iubesc si te pup, Brownies.

hats off to Romany

I will just about buy anything from a Gypsy.  If making a small purchase will give me a chance to smile and speak a few words about Jesus, then my wallet is open.  I have bought fruit, vegetables, handmade brooms, baskets, spoons, honey, walnuts, blueberries, fresh cut flowers, car deodorizes, fresh herbs, an old coin, handmade copper earrings, floral tea leaves and two leather hats.  I will chase them down to see what they have for sell and make a bee-line for their booth in the piața.  Recently,  I met a Kalderash Gypsy on my way to Lipscan.  Before I knew it we were in the middle of a price squabble for a leather hat.  He and I we went back and forth trying to agree on a price that suited the both of us.  We finally agreed and I walked away with two new hats for the boys.  Was it a good deal?  Well, I was able to share a smile, a good laugh and tell him why I was in România --- to help lead others to follow Jesus Christ.  He kissed my hand and we parted ways.  It was a great deal to me!  Every chance I have to speak about Jesus is great to me.  As I thought about how I like to bargain for the lowest price, I was reminded that Christ did not bargain the price for my soul.  He knew that it would cost His life to pay my sin debt.  I was worth it to Him.  He paid that same sin debt for the Roma.  He loves the Gypsies even more than we do.  As our family seeks to share Jesus with the Gypsies, pray that we offer them the greatest deal -- to sell their soul to Jesus Christ.  The unlimited offer they receive is free love, forgiveness, and eternal life with no extra charges.