Dear Friends September 2009
The summer is over and everything is getting back to normal. School starts a little later in Romania (September 15th) and that has allowed an opportunity to arrange another tour for the Tileagd Choir to the United Kingdom. Check the schedule and if you can get to any of the concerts in Ayr (Scotland), or in England - at Kendal, Carlisle, Blackburn, Yardley or Gorsley - please do. We'd love to see you during the tour.
In between the concerts we'll be visiting numerous schools promoting the Tileagd Community School and the opportunity for British Schools to support our Romanian School - giving children the HOPE of a future through Education.
On route to the UK from Romania, the Choir had a visit to Paris, France. They enjoyed an educational visit to the City, including the Eifel Tower. Then a day of fun at Euro Disney for which they were kindly sponsored. Thank you to those who provide such special opportunities for our children to experience.
Before heading across Europe - Kevin and Maria had to wrap-up a busy Summer in Romania and prepare for an equally busy September launch of all the projects. We are beginning with some great new team members. We had no idea (or plan) to add to the team at this time, but when God provides the people and opportunities to do something special, we don't want to miss out! The danger in these hard times financially is to ‘back-off' and ignore the opportunities God provides - letting them ‘pass by' - but then they are lost, along with the blessings He intended. So, we stepped out in Faith once again and with excitement and anticipation appointed several new members to the team during August.
Whilst Angela Fetea celebrates her wedding this month, we're sorry to be losing another long serving team member as she moves to Denmark. During our interview process for a replacement, we met Nelu Cioara - a very experienced Social Worker who had been director of a project in Oradea for more than 7 years. When the project closed due to financial difficulties, Nelu was out of a job. Smiles were thrilled to have him join our team, serving the Family Care project along side Marius, Dana, Dr Claudia and Marian.
Following the success of the Family Centre in Cihei and the expansion to include the new Crisis Care project for young mothers, we needed a qualified staff member to support the young families. Gabriela Tepes from Brasov had just finished her Masters Degree in Social Work with experience in Romania and America in Crisis Care. We had no idea if she would consider coming to us from Brasov but following a couple of meetings and some correspondence - Gabi joined Smiles in late August to work in the Crisis Centre as well as supporting the Children's Centre. We are delighted to have Gabriela with us.
In preparation of the Crisis Care Centre being fully operating by Spring 2010 and fully accredited by the Romanian State, we also appointed Carla Cioara - a very experienced worker with Crisis Care amongst Young Mothers and Babies. Carla will be doing much of the Research and Administration work to get Smiles functioning professionally within the desperately urgent area of need in Romania.
Read the Special Report on the new project ‘CRISIS CARE'.
Finally on staff appointments, we are delighted to have join the Team Ministry for Tileagd, Gepiu and Cihei - Brother Titus Pop, who has joined with particular responsibility for Pastoral Care, working closely with Pastor Ilie in Tileagd as well as Adi and Marian in Gepiu and Cihei.We are humbled that God would bless us with these new team members. We welcome them all and look forward to working together in the months ahead for His Glory in Building His Kingdom.
With Romania continuing to build so excitingly, it is also fantastic to see God working in America for Smiles. After a couple of years without a specific Development Associate, it is wonderful to have Greg Willis on board and I encourage you all, especially our US supporters, to read Greg's DA page for USA. Greg is truly committed to building the support base for Smiles and wants your help if you are a US supporter of Smiles. Read the page and please get in touch with Greg to let him know you are with him. Kevin and Maria will be travelling America again in November (15th - 23rd) this time with Greg and have meetings scheduled in VA, TN, NC, GA and FL. If you would like to meet with them, write to Kevin or telephone to see what can be arranged. kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org / 423-239-9525
The summer was, as always, a great time in Romania for Mission Trippers to share in experiencing the projects first hand. We are thankful to all who helped this summer and for your support to everything we do. The Container Challenge is gripping UK and with the second Container arriving in August from Ballymoney, we are overwhelmed to hear that the next Container is already in place - this time Scotland, in Dundonald near Troon. Our Scottish DA, Ann Cowan is responsible for the Container and anyone who can help us in Scotland to fill it, should contact Ann. ann@thesmilesfoundation.org
To assist with the Container Challenge, we have compiled a new WISHLIST and would ask you to help us by checking the WISHLIST before collecting or buying for any of the Containers currently being filled.
Another highlight of our Summer Mission Trips was to have the Flying Seagulls with us for a week who provided excellent fun and entertainment to all our projects, bringing SMILES to hundreds of children, and quite a few adults! See some of there activities on this month's report from Maria's Desk.
With the strengthening of our network of Development Associates across the UK and in the US, we are delighted that each month on the website update will be a Special Report from our US DA - Greg Willis, but also a Regional DA from the UK will deliver a page of news. For September, it is DA for Northern Ireland and Eire, Penny Kennedy. Read Penny's Special Report and hear of the news from Northern Ireland, especially the Fund-Raising efforts going on across the Province.
There are always an incredible number of fund-raising events going on for Smiles around the world. In addition to all that Penny's tells us for Northern Ireland, Greg is getting ready for his half marathon in Richmond VA. Support him at his fund-raising sites detailed on the Events Page.
Like wise, support Paul Swithenbank and Stephen Lawton on their ‘Great Wall of China' trek in October. Today, we hear Kimberley Miller of Gr8Enterprise in Prestwick is doing a Skydive during September and is hoping to raise £1,000 ($1,600) for Smiles.
Many other events are on and if you have one we don't know about
- TELL US - and we'll add the information to our Events Page.
September 1st also sees the re-launch of our Romanian website. www.asociatiasmiles.ro
The Romanian team has worked hard to produce an informative, inspiring and challenging site. If you know Romanian, or know Romanian friends who would enjoy reading the news in their language, please direct them to the site.
As always, there is much to report and so much to constantly thank God for as He guides and provides all that is needed for this great work to continue. He directs His people to support and provide and we thank you for your faithfulness and obedience. We pray that these exiting times in the growth of Smiles will bear much fruit in the transforming of lives in the knowledge of Christ who loves and cares for each and every one of those we serve each day in Romania.
Thank you for your love and support in all we do. We need your continued support as much today as ever before. We face a huge task but tremendous opportunity and believe together we can achieve great things for God. Please continue to be a part of this amazing team.
Keep at it. Keep in touch. Keep praying.
God Bless you all.
The Smiles Foundation
USA: P O Box 35602, Phoenix AZ 85069 Tel: 423 239 9525