Dear Friends                                                               May 1st  2009  

In the current uncertain times, it is easy for our focus and concentration to be diverted or pre-occupied, but in Smiles, we are brimming with exciting news and encouragement with God's blessings and guidance in all we are doing. It has been a busy April and so there are lots of updates and special reports to read this month.

We are also starting a full month of activities - so do check everything carefully, keep praying for the work, the workers and for the beneficiaries in Romania and where you can, please support the projects to help meet their financial targets so that all God has called us to do can be faithfully, professionally and compassionately done in His Name.

As this format seems to be appreciated by many of you in the feedback we receive, we'll again list all the news and as appropriate, link you to the web-page within the site.

At the end of March and beginning of April, Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte NC. was once again fund-raising for Smiles in grand fashion. Six performances of the 100+ cast presented a stage production of ‘The Music Man'. Throughout every show, Smiles projects were promoted, sponsorships were received and the result from the 1,800 attendees - $10,000 (£6,650) raised for the work of The Smiles Foundation. Senior pastor of CLC Charlotte and Trustee of Smiles - Rev Dr Scott Suskovic - was proud and excited of all that was achieved. So was everyone at Smiles and to the Cast & Supporters, we say a BIG THANK-YOU

In Romania, wonderful progress is being seen in many of our projects. With the staffing disappointments of 2008 now well behind us, it's exciting to see God blessing the new era. You'll really enjoy reading the Special Report from Gepiu Community Project.

Likewise, the progress of Tileagd Community Church is amazing as we watch God transform lives, one at a time. The work amongst the children of Tileagd is particularly thrilling and recent special support for the Princess Club is enabling more activities to be planned. This is really impacting the children's work positively. Maria continues to provide oversight leadership to the work in Tileagd so be sure to read her May report.

May 1^st is an exciting day for us here in Romania. 24 more people prepare for another Mission Trip beginning tomorrow. May 1^st is a national holiday in Romania, so most of our staff have a day off - but only 1 day! Because by Saturday May 2^nd, not only will the 24 Mission Trip team have arrived, but also Sydney Collins, driver for Blair International Transport from Northern Ireland who are bringing the Huge Container to Smiles in Cihei full with contents from the WISHLIST valued at more than £25,000 ($37,500). All of Saturday will be taken to unload the Container and storing nearly 800 boxes plus rolls of carpet, plasterboard, drywall, playground equipment and much, much more. See the news report to date and watch for all the pictures next month.

GREAT NEWS in the UK too. Following Anna Quelch stepping down in January as DA for England & Wales due to family commitments, it was decided to restructure the support base in the UK with more Regional Development Associates. We are delighted to have 5 of the 7 regions confirmed for England and Wales with the final 2 regions to be confirmed soon. The new Regional DA's are as follows:

• Region 2 - North-West is Derek & Lynda Donaldson based in Carlisle.
• Region 4 - Southern Counties - David Lee based in Chelmsford.
• Region 5 - South East - Annette Hoskins based in Worthing.
• Region 6 - South West - Keith & Sandy Jones based in Mitcheldean.
• Region 7 - Wales - Leah Slaymaker based in Llandysul.
  
  Regions 1 and 3 will hopefully be finalised soon and confirmed on the web site.

We are also looking to expand our Development Associates in Northern Ireland. Penny Kennedy will remain as coordinating DA from Belfast and we now welcome applications for 2 new RDA's in Fermanagh/Tyrone area and North Coast area.

Anyone interested in a Regional Development role in the UK should write to kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org or telephone Leeds office on 0113-276-5060.

Anyone interested in a Regional Development role in America should write to kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org or telephone the TN office on 423-239-9525

With growing interest in the Tileagd Choir visits, more dates are being added for UK Presentations. June 20^th - July 6^th and then again August 28^th - September 14^th.

Those interested in hosting a School or Church presentation should contact us as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in the schedule, currently planned as follows:
June 21^st - 27^th : Northern Ireland            
June 28^th - July 5^th : England
August 28^th - Sept. 4^th : Scotland              
Sept. 5^th - 13^th  : England
Contact: info@thesmilesfoundation.org or Telephone: 0113-276-5060

Plans for the next American Tour of the Tileagd Choir is scheduled for February 2010. To lodge your interest and for further information to be sent when scheduling begins, write info@thesmilesfoundation.org or Telephone: 423-239-9525

Also for the US, Chief Executive Kevin Hoy and Director of Romanian Operations Maria Cimpoca are planning a visit to several states between May 25^th / June 3^rd. Current plan is for them to be visiting Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. If you would like to meet and discuss - Your greater involvement in Smiles, A Church Mission Trip to Romania, A Choir Visit next year - please write kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org or Telephone: 423-239-9525 to see if we can schedule a time to meet.

Finally, looking ahead to next month - we celebrate the 1^st year anniversary of the Grand Opening of the Tileagd Community Complex. June 7^th this year is our special ‘Gift Day' for the work of the Church as it continues to share God's Love and Saving Grace to transform lives in Romania. Please support the ‘Gift Day' with a special gift or fund-raising event.

So - there we have it. A lot going on for sure, but Smiles is a large organisation now and we need your continued support to maintain the work.

Please keep Praying - for God's Plan to be fulfilled through His faithful people.

Please keep Supporting - the current economy is having its impact on so many Charities - please help to safeguard Smiles from facing cut-backs due to finance.

Please keep Coming - there are places for Mission Trips this summer. It's not too late!
Special prices start from just £399 / $599 plus airflight also on special offer recently.
Why not inquire? You may be surprised and you may be in Romania sooner than expected!!

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to you all for your love and support.


The Smiles Foundation