We also had a great time enjoying some Romanian cuisine cooked by some of our Romanian friends. We were able to sled down the snowy mountains in Sinai. And we built many new relationships with some incredible people.
This was a special trip for many reasons, but one reason is because it was the first time we took a trip and partnered with MCR. MCR was a dream in our heart for almost a decade that is now a living reality. God is faithful to keep His promises!
Hey everybody! I was asked to write something for the newsletter and am so excited to be sharing this with all of you!!
A team from XMC had the privilege of going to Romania for about two weeks this past March, and we all loved it. I flew out later than the team did, and had a lot of opposition with the flights. (which led me to believe that something HUGE was about to happen in Romania!
As many of you know, this past December, we were able to launch the very first Master's Commission in Romania! We did a lot of ministry with them. It was the best!! I LOVE this team!! The first years of MCR got their covenant rings while we were there. It was so exciting!!
(Editors note: A covenant ring is a titanium band that represents the unbreakable bond of a covenant with God worn on the wedding finger, and then moved to the right hand after marriage. The ceremony is traditional to XMC culture.)
Last year when I went to Romania, I told Liz (Elizabeth St. Germain Cucu: XMC alumni) that her boyfriend (now her hubby) would be Masters Commission directors one day, and she was like "Pshh. Yeah right girl, you're silly. :)" --Well, needless to say, they are now incredible MC directors! Our team built relationships with MCR (Master’s Commission Romania) that will last a lifetime! I love them so much! They are my brothers and sisters for real! I love the MCR team! Please be praying for them. They are for real changing the face of Romania for Jesus! Words can't express how extremely proud I am of them for changing the world!!!
We did our tour production all over the country of Romania. Many people were saved and challenged. I loved that we got to meet many awesome people and build connections with people. One of my favorite parts was connecting with some of the women before and after the services. -- One lady and I talked for the first time ever for about 10 to 15 minutes before we had to leave. Well, we went back to that church a week later and she was there! She had written me a letter and gave me a picture of her. Needless to say, before the service started, I immediately got someone to translate what she wrote me. In the letter, she's 25 years old, was abandoned by her parents at two days old in the hospital she was born at, she grew up in an orphanage until she was 18, and from then on until now, she lives in a homeless shelter. She then went on to say that I was her friend. I was so touched. --I got really close to God on this trip, just like I always do when I go to the nation of Romania. :) ha-ha.
One of my favorite parts of this trip was going to the women's home. This women's home specifically is for rescued victims of human trafficking. We went last year and three of the same girls were still there. We were all thrilled when we discovered that 4 of the 11 girls in the home are getting baptized soon!! :O) Praise God for that!! Please be praying for the women in this home. The woman who runs the home is a Christian and gives the opportunity for the girls to go to church and she does devotions, but doesn't make them go. I love this. She doesn't force Jesus on them. She loves them. :)
Anyway. We did many things on this trip. And I was so blessed to have been able to go. :) I'll end this with this quote. It has now become one of my favorites, and it's from the mouth of our very own MC director Pastor Shawn. --"World Changers are intentional. You don't wake up naturally changing the world. You have to choose to do it."
So, what are you waiting for? Go love somebody. Go change the world for Jesus, world changer! :O)
Sharing His love,
Ashley Banks.
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