Dear Friends July 2009
Do you ever wonder "Can life be any busier?"
In Smiles, we have certainly asked the question several times this past month. The pace of life seems to have reached ‘fever pitch' and keeping up with all the work in so many projects is a challenge at the same time as an awesome privilege and opportunity. We are a week later than normal publishing our update as we have the UK Schools Tour which is very demanding, although extremely rewarding.
One month ago, Kevin and Maria were completing their ‘whistle-stop' tour across several South-East States in America. The trip was enormously successful and will lead to many more Mission Trippers in 2010 as well as several new stops for the Tileagd Choir on their US Tour in February 2010. Although hard work, Kevin and Maria are considering another trip in November this year to further new States and old contacts to start supporting the work of Smiles.
Possibly the most significant achievement from the trip last month was the extensive meeting with Kevin's good friend - Greg Willis - who first visited Romania with Smiles in 2003. Greg is now considering the role of US Development Associate, a critically important role and one which we are delighted to have such a committed and capable man considering. Please pray for God's leading in Greg's life and decisions at this time.
We are also delighted to confirm the final remaining Regional Development Associate has been confirmed for North-East England. Smiles Ambassador and long term supporter - Rob Nightingale from Redcar has taken up the challenge.
In Romania, it is absolutely astonishing the development progress of the various projects.
This month, we are excited to announce a new development in Cihei -where the Children's Centre facility is being expanded to include greater Family Care. From July 1st, the Cihei Family Centre will incorporate the previous ‘Children's Centre' but will now provide greater support for the entire family. The decision has in part been taken following the huge success and demand for the ‘Emergency Housing Unit' and greater respect and cooperation from the State for Smiles Care programmes to the vulnerable, whether children, young families or the elderly.
The Cihei Family Centre is caring for all aspects of the ‘family' and was virtually full following constant requests from those ‘in need' for our help within days of transitioning the Centre during the month of June.
See the initial report and pictures from CFC Social Worker - Mioara Ţărău
Marian and Dana Zaharia continue to perform a wonderful ministry to the ‘Homeless' community in and around Oradea. As qualified psychologists and devoted Christians - they show and share the compassion of Christ as they minister to those living rough. Their special report this month is a valuable read.
During their regular visits to Homeless this month,
Marian and Dana were able to take Optometrists Chris Calow and Howard Dick, who were on June Mission Trips, to provide crucial ‘Eye Care'. With the great facilities Smiles built at Tileagd Medical Complex, glasses can be made within hours. It's also wonderful, some would say miraculous, to have Aurica Rostas now working for the Optometrists in the Tileagd laboratory. It is remarkable that a 30 year old mother who 3 years ago couldn't read or write is now in her first job with Smiles working computers and machines that make our glasses. Praise Be To God!
Also at the Tileagd Medical Centre - the Dental facilities are inundated
with the needs of children and adults from the School and Gypsy Community. Having had virtually no dental treatment all their life, except extractions, the dental needs within this community are huge. This past month, the Smiles Dental Practice received full accreditation by the Romanian Health department and Dr Calin Scurt is now working with Smiles as our Dentist. All the years of planning and fund-raising for the Dental Facility is now truly making a difference in the lives of so many. However, it is an expensive project to maintain, with weekly costs currently running around £250/$375. Please support the Dental Unit if you can and make even more beautiful Smiles in Tileagd!
See the Special Medical Report from our Dentist and Optometrists.
2009 is truly destined to be ‘GEPIU's YEAR'. Amazing success is being seen in the work with the children. Both in the educational support we provide and the Spiritual development we continually and faithfully work on. In June we held Holiday Bible Club (VBS) in Gepiu and were delighted with the response of the children.
We are also thrilled with the Elderly Lunch in Gepiu where up to 25 senior citizens enjoy lunch and fellowship that is such a special experience for them and our Mission Trippers who laugh and cry through-out their time in Gepiu but love and remember every minute. We are so thankful that a recent Mission Team has donated designated support of £1,200 ($1,800) to ensure Smiles can now provide the Elderly Luncheon every 2 weeks which is a delight to everyone involved with the project.
And on the Farm .... Absolutely amazing - the best year ever. Danut and Livia are working so hard and totally devoted to all the demands of the farm and garden as they clearly see God using their dedication to achieve great things within Gepiu and other Smiles projects. Our sow gave birth to 7 healthy, strong piglets and the chickens continue to grow, providing greatly needed meat for so many children in Gepiu, Cihei, Tileagd and Mirlou. Absolutely amazing news!Well Done Gepiu!!
As we turn another page on the calendar - Kevin and Maria are on the road again with the Summer Schools Tour in Northern Ireland, England and Wales. Up to 3 schools a day, sometimes 4 separate performances, the small Choir are doing fantastically well sharing the ‘Tileagd Story' with thousands of students, all keen to support the Tileagd Community School through Child Sponsorship. Smile's aims to secure 100 schools nationwide to sponsor children to attend Tileagd Community School and change their world with the opportunities ‘education' provides. If successful, which we believe we will be, £42,000 ($63,000) will be raised towards TCS Operating costs in the 09/10 academic year. See the report and pictures of this special Tour on Maria's page.
We'll be on the road until July 14th this trip, then again from August 24th -Sept. 14th. If you are interested in the Choir visiting your area, contact the office, as judging by the success of this tour, we'll be arranging another one very soon!
During the trip to Northern Ireland we enjoyed a special presentation at High Kirk Presbyterian Church in Ballymena where we reunited with a recent Mission team for a great evening of photo's, testimony and the Choir!
We also visited Ballymoney for a ‘Press Call' of photographs with the next Container on its way to Cihei. Once
again, it was filled to the brim with great supplies for the Romanian people. The Container left Northern Ireland on June 27th and will be delivered to Cihei August 10th.
Many Thanks to all the people involved, especially Barbara Morrison who has coordinated the challenge. We are so excited with all that is on board, plus a full van from England leaving July 8th - includes a Piano and Organ for the Tileagd Church, a drum kit, accordions and 6 new guitars for Adi to continue his teaching programme to kids in Tileagd and Gepiu. So many children want to play an instrument. We'll soon have a Romanian Praise Band to Worship God and Give Thanks for all He Has Done.
So another full and exciting month. Other New Reports also featured this month are:
We are so thankful to have a great team in Romania continuing the work with all the projects and Mission Trips while Kevin and Maria are away. Please pray for them always. We are very thankful to God for His continued provision and guidance in all we do.
Thank you for your interest and wonderful support.Keep at it. Keep in touch. Keep praying.
God Bless you all.
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