cool kids

I praise God for two really cool kids!  Wesley and Coulter are spunky, fun and have hearts full of compassion.  They have such a good time together... well, most of the time.  They play Legos most of the day.  This week they filled the dining room table full of Legos and played all day for three days.  They both have adapted well to living here in Romania.  Coulter usually gets languages a little confused but tries to speak Romanian with his friend, Emi.  Emi, a Rroma friend, stayed with us recently for three days.  It was amazing to me how much fun they had even though there was some language barrier.  We enjoy our kids.  We are glad that we are living here and do not feel the pressure to have them in "everything".  I love to see how God is working in their lives.  I love when we are walking and Coulter says " Mom, there's a Gypsy...you better pray for them to know Jesus."  Or today when we were walking and saw someone picking up trash (which is rare here!), he said "Mom I think they are cleaning up the trash because they heard the 'Gaspel' (Gospel)".  Wesley is sensitive to others needs as well.  We are making it a habit to have food available for the beggar children instead of giving money.  If I forget, Wesley will usually say "Mom, aren't you going to feed them?"  We desire to raise them to fear the Lord, walk humbly and love mercy.  Pray for the Banks boys.

burst of beauty

Some days are hard.  Not sure just how or why, they just are.  Some days it is hard to be positive.  Some days all I can see is the negative things about this country and the different cultures.  And then most days... when I open my eyes wide... I begin to notice just how beautiful God's creation is.  God's Word says that "the invisible qualities of God are clearly seen throughout His creation."  When I stop looking at the bad, I begin to see His bursts of beauty all around me in Romania.  

Tata Dumnezeu,  give us eyes that find beauty in all things...

beautiful beggar

She is why we are in România...

When I hate the numerous stray dogs, trash in the streets, not being able to communicate effectively,etc.... Faces like hers make us love this place.  God has placed us here for this time because He desires that all would come to repentance and know HIS hope... She needs to know that someone loves her and that He has purpose for her life!

I hate taking pictures of people in need. I have missed so so so many good pictures just because I do not want them to feel ashamed or feel like a freak show.  Today,  when I saw this Rroma girl begging, all I could think was -- what if that was me?  She was so beautiful - her feet were so dirty - I wish I could have washed her feet. I told her she was beautiful and that "O Dell si amența" (Gypsy for God is with us) -- she smiled so sweet.  I think she enjoyed me taking her picture -- someone paid attention to her, instead of telling her to just go away.  What if my parents made me beg?  What if I was told I was scum of the earth?  What if...noone ever told me that Jesus Christ died for me so that through a personal relationship with Him I could have an abundant life here and in the future for eternity.  Pray for the Rroma of Romania.  Pray for the Rroma of Braila.  Pray that God will give us courage and boldness to speak His name in places that seem scary at times.

We love you and thank you for your prayers.