Dear Friends June 2009
Another very full and exciting month to report in the life of The Smile Foundation. As we reported on May 1st, the month was starting with great excitement at the arrival of a Mission Team along with the Container from Ballymena in Northern Ireland. Filled to the brim with our latest Wish-List items for the Romanian people, it was exciting to unload such a 'box of treasures',
The people of Ballymena have once again been so generous. Blair's International Transport company kindly donated the truck and trailer. Sydney Collins gave his time and skill to drive the truck across Europe - from Northern Ireland to Cihei. Everyone worked so hard to unload, store and distribute the
supplies.
Thank you everyone who was involved so very much and do check the photo gallery for a record of the day.
The Mission Trip was an amazing week with many saying it was the most incredible week they'd ever experienced. Just a couple of the comments received:
From Ballymena: The team were blown away by the work that Smiles is doing and have already started planning further trips and fundraisers. Be assured of the prayers of so many people here in Northern Ireland. Smiles' has a very special place in the hearts of many people here.
From Belfast: I can truly say that this trip was one of the most meaningful and significant for me out of all the trips I have been on. The service I attended last night with some of the team compounded that feeling of deep fellowship and commitment that was experienced by all the group.The core of the team have already reserved ‘Same time - Same place' next year for a Reunion Mission Tip. Some of the highlights of activities were:
The work in Gepiu continues to thrive this year, both at the Centre and on the Farm. The educational support for the 30 children at the Centre every day is helping the students immensely with their studies.
On the Farm, hundreds of chickens are being raised to support the Smiles projects. Our sow is just days away from producing up to 12 little piglets!
The 2 hectares of winter-wheat is doing well, as are the 6 hectares of sun-flower. We have also just purchased a new piece of land in Gepiu, allowing a further 2 hectares of agriculture to be planned. The Poly-tunnels are having their best year ever, helped by having the irrigation system completely operative. We thank God that all is working so well and that Danute and Livia are seeing the fruits of their labour and deep commitment to the project. See photos of results so far!!
Adi has settled in amazingly well. Everyone loves him, but he needs your help with some guitars.
Check his report!
Tileagd continues to develop well on all fronts. The School and Nursery draws towards the end of another year. For six years now, the Tileagd Community School has been providing opportunity through education for the Gypsy Community and poorer families of the region. Possible only through your sponsorship - so please continue to support and share the opportunity with others.
This month, we have a special report from the School and Nursery.
Take a Read.
Just 4 days ago, the third annual Educational Challenge finished in Tileagd and another wonderful experience was enjoyed by visiting teachers. Read the special report from Smiles Educational Advisor, Stephen Woodward.
If you are interested in attending the 2010 Educational Challenge.
Register for further information here.
We are also pleased to bring an update on the Regional Development Associates.
The new strategy is working very well and we can see great evidence of the positive impact new RDA's are making across the United Kingdom. This past month, 4 new RDA's have been added.
Sue Allen who is based in Belper (Derbyshire) has accepted the position for North Midlands (Region 3) leaving only Region 1 (North-East) without an official RDA.
If you are interested, please let us know. info@thesmilesfoundation.org
Northern Ireland has 3 new RDA's working closely with Penny Kennedy who continues to do an excellent job developing and promoting Smiles in Northern Ireland. Angela Murphy based in Richhill, Alistair Smyth from Sion Mills and Myrtle Irvine in Enniskillen. Rhonda & Phil Tedford have taken the role of Smiles Ambassadors following their Mission Trip in May.
Our Chief Executive, Kevin Hoy, returned to England from Romania to prepare for his visit to various cities in America, but before leaving, he spent 36 hours in Northern Ireland
attending the latest fund-raiser for Smiles at Hillsborough Castle. A beautiful venue, where only two weeks ago, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stayed. The Castle has also hosted George Bush, Bill & Hilary Clinton, the late Princess Diana and His Highness, the Emperor of Japan to name but a few!
On May 21st, the Castle hosted a fund-raiser for Smiles with a classical concert performed by Concentio - a wonderfully gifted Chamber Choir formed while all the members were students at Queen's University in Belfast, with an objective of bringing communities together, now they were bringing Romanian communities into the hearts and lives of a full-house at the Throne Room of Hillsborough Castle. The event raised £2,500 ($3,750) and if you would like a copy of the new CD from Concentio, contact the Leeds office. £10 a copy plus £1 p&p.
Development Associates across the country have also been busy preparing for the Tileagd Choir Summer Tours to the UK. A tremendous schedule is being established and can reviewed on the Itinerary Page. If you would like to have the Choir visit your School or Church - contact the office as soon as possible to see what can be arranged.
The 2 Tours run:
June 20th - July 11th Northern Ireland, England & Wales
August 28th - September 14th Scotland & England
Don't Miss It!
Having been so thrilled with the Ballymena Container that arrived May 1st, we are now very excited to have another huge Container coming this summer. The 40ft Container, filled again to maximum capacity is being coordinated by Barbara Morrison. The truck will be ready to leave Ballymoney next month and will arrive Cihei early August. This means there is time forany last minute urgent WISHLIST items that can be donated will be gratefully received. Please contact us for details of drop-off. Check the WISHLIST.
Don't forget we want Container Challenge Coordinators in England, Scotland and Wales. If you can source a Container and help with coordinating the load, contact Kevin as soon as possible. kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org
*News Just in*
We've just heard that Scotland have their Container - further details about that next month.
Come on England and Wales .... Who's to be next?
We thank God that even through the difficulties of recession, He has given us wisdom and provision to see the projects in Romania continue meeting the basic needs of our 1,300 beneficiaries.
There are updates this month from some of the projects. We hope you'll enjoy reading all the news.
Tileagd Church Youth Work
Mirlou Emergency Housing Centre
Smiles Medical Project
There we must draw this update to a close as the end of May has been a very busy period. This e-mail and web-update has been prepared over a week of extensive travel due to Kevin and Maria being in the States on a whistle stop tour of meetings with Church leaders and supporters across Ohio, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia. They also attended a US Trustees Board Meeting on June 1st in Atlanta, which is why we are a day late in sending this e-mail. Tremendous work is being done throughout the Foundation, so please remember Kevin & Maria in your prayers as they undertake the leadership of Smiles across UK, USA and Romania.
They, and the entire Foundation, need your support in prayer, practicalities and financially - so please do all you can to continue supporting this great work which is impacting the lives of so many in the Name of Christ, drawing people closer to Him.
Our thanks to you all, for your love and support.
USA: P O Box 35602, Phoenix AZ 85069 Tel: 423 239 9525