March 2013
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything
on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He’s the One who will keep you on track.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Easter Baptism
As the Western World celebrated Easter on March 31st, we thought of you, our dear friends, and rejoiced with you, thanking the Lord for His sacrifice on the cross! Every four years or so, there is a larger “gap” between the date Easter is celebrated in the Western Tradition and in the Eastern Tradition, and so Easter Sunday in Romania is May 5th.
For the Ban family, May 5th will not only be a wonderful Easter Celebration but it will also be a memorable day filled with gratefulness and expectation as Andy will get baptized in our home church! We truly are overwhelmed with joy and praise to our heavenly Father!
We hope your celebration was filled with joy and peace, as the Lord promises to those who obey Him and listen to His voice! We are called not only to obey and listen, but also trust in Him.
In this sense, we really like Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible we quoted above. So many times we find ourselves trying hard to figure things out on our own, and forget that He is the One and only one who keeps us on track and knows what tomorrow will bring in each of our lives.
Radio Broadcast
Ministry-wise, we were invited back into the Radio Voice of the Gospel studio in Oradea, where we taped a two-session program on family issues, especially pertaining to those who are preparing to get married.
Young people today (and dating couples, in particular) are more exposed to written and visual materials on relationships and marriage – both positive and negative – and are more apprehensive about reaching a decision.
Following the broadcast, a young lady who is a new believer, called Ema and requested a meeting. She really wanted Ema to make clear for her if she should marry or not the young man she’s dating.
The Home Front
On the home front, the boys, especially Eduard and Tommy, are looking forward to Spring Break, which is the second week in April. They have continued to play the piano and indoor tennis, the latter being a very good activity these winter months. We’ve had a milder winter, then a very cold and rainy March, and April seems no different so far.
Andy has continued to study diligently in school and prepare for the ACT and SAT Tests. A good friend of ours enrolled him and paid for an on line prep course, which has benefited Andy tremendously.
My parents have gone through several “emergencies” in their home – from clogged drains to water dripping from their ceiling. . . This past month it was been one thing after the other.
As they both approach their 80th birthday – Lord willing, my father will turn 80 in June and my mother next year in October – we realize more and more the move to a smaller place, possibly an apartment, is now desirable if not inevitable. The situation is not easy and we pray and trust the Lord to bless this transition and make it as smooth as possible.
Prayer
As we look at the following months, we would be grateful if you would pray with us for:
- Our time in the US this summer – we are grateful to have a place to stay until the end of June and still need housing for the first week in July.
- Please continue to pray for our need of a car during that time.
- Andy, who is preparing for the ACT and SAT Tests this Spring.
- Ema’s parents’ situation, especially the emotional and financial implications.
- The listeners who heard our radio broadcast. We’ve received several phone calls and e-mail messages thanking us for the program. Among those who called was a young lady with an incredibly sad story (past and present). Ema met with her and spent time answering her many questions regarding her fiancée and their relationship. Please remember her in your prayers.
Thank you very much for being our faithful prayer partners, encouraging us and the ministry in Romania!
Adrian, Ema, Andy, Eduard and Thomas Ban