We have nearly 30 people joining us in Romania between December 6^th - 20^th sharing the message of Christmas in person. Others are still enquiring about options to join us. Yes, there is still limited availability for a Mission Trip this month!          

David Lee, Development Associate for the Southern Counties will be one of those Mission Trippers. He is excited to be making his 17th Mission Trip Adventure and his report this month reflects on some his precious memories.                        

If you can't make this month, don't miss out on the opportunity in 2010 to join one of our amazing Mission trips, designed to change the World - starting with yours!!

The Smiles Foundation has at least 10 Mission Trips planned through-out the year - so make plans now to do something special.

The past month has been very busy with particularly a lot of travelling. At the beginning of the month, Kevin and Maria had guests visiting Cihei for the first time from the British Charity ‘Global Care' who have a project in Mures County, Romania. After a couple of days visiting Smiles projects, Global Care CEO, John White and Trustee, Norman Lockhead took Kevin and Maria to the ‘Home of Hope' in Targu Mures - some 5 hour drive east of Oradea.

We had a wonderful time together seeing how God is working in different parts if the country, but very similar work of sharing His Love to disadvantaged children and young people. We met a lot of wonderful people who have experienced the touch of God in their life through so many caring and supporting people in the United Kingdom.  

Maybe we'll have further opportunity to work together in the future but certainly God is making a lot of smiles in Targu Mures and continuing to provide global care in Ordaea!

Soon after the trip to Targu Mures, Kevin and Maria returned to England for a few days before leaving for America. They spent 10 days on a whistle-stop visit with DA for America Greg Willis who was able to be with them visiting numerous supporters, old and new in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

It was a fun time, although obviously quite exhausting, but interesting to discuss the differences with three cultures travelling together! Some moments were very funny. Did you ever hear the one about ... the Englishmen, the American and a Romanian .... Well if you did - don't believe it!

It was a very successful visit to America with great foundations laid for the future development of Smiles in the US. As a result, Maria's and Greg's Reports this month are a must read. Don't miss out on their stories and thoughts shared this month. 

A lot of the meetings in America included details of the Tileagd Choir Tour starting January 29^th 2010. Extra dates are being added to the schedule each week - so keep an eye on the Tour and be sure not to miss the Choir if they are near you. If your Church is not yet a Host Venue for the Tour, contact us now to consider the possibilities.          

It's also been a wonderfully busy and successful month for Smiles back in the United Kingdom.

Just this past week-end in Chesterfield, a very special Christmas Market was held at St John's in Walton where one of our most active and un-tiring supporters, Carol Woodward runs the annual event with outstanding success. By the time everything is counted and ‘matching gift' support received, we expect £2,500 / $4,000 will have been raised on Saturday. Of course, as Carol is always keen to point out, she couldn't have done it alone and we thank all the people who helped make the Christmas Market such a success, including her youngest helpers, Zoe (4) and Emily (11).

Also, after an enormous response to appeals for donations, the Scottish Container Challenge was completed in November and left Troon on 25^th for its journey to Romania, where we trust it will arrive in Cihei around December 14^th. What a Christmas Gift that will be for the so many projects in need.

Our sincere thanks to Ann Cowan, our Development Associate for Scotland, for making it happen and to all the Smiles Supporters, north of the border, who got involved.    

There was also a lot of activity this past month in Northern Ireland, particularly in North Antrim. A Bag-Pack in Tesco Balleymoney, a Praise Service and various Smiles Presentations in Dervock, Coleraine, Mosside as well as Ballymoney itself. Regional DA, Barbara Morrison has seen over £2,500 / $4,000 raised this past month.

Northern Ireland is one of our most remarkable regions for raising Support for Smiles. Now a team from the Province is planning an incredible challenge and adventure for January 2011 in the hope of raising lots of money for Smiles. An adventure to Africa and a challenge to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro.

If you are interested - check the details and get connected.

A little sooner, as in December 2009, Radio Cracker in Ballymena is back on air, raising money for Charity and sharing the Good News of Christmas. We are hoping and praying that this year Radio Cracker will be helping with support for the Nursing Home & Centre for Children with Disabilities that we plan to have start being built in Romania next year.