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Special Report of
Christmas Mission Trips
December 2008
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Christmas is a special time
of year for us all but it can so easily become the most stressful time
of year as we prepare for all the expectations of the season. Presents
to buy, food to stock up on and travel plans to arrange to ensure
everyone is happy!
In the busyness of it all, it is so easy to forget the real meaning
of Christmas. |
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 A
Smiles Mission Trip to Romania in December reminds us perfectly
that Christmas is about ‘Giving to Others’. As God gave His greatest
gift in the birth of Christ to a world in need, so we in His Name,
have given great and wonderful gifts to people in need this
Christmas.
Not only tangible gifts of food, medicine and toys – but the gift of
friendship, time, concern and presence. For people who often believe
they are forgotten and don’t really matter, visiting them,
expressing an interest and concern for them and greeting them with a
handshake or hug, often shares more about Christmas than any single
greeting card or pretty wrapped gift could possibly do. |
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Our 35 guests from
America and United Kingdom, shared the Christmas message of Joy,
Hope and Love in so many special ways to hundreds of people through
the projects of The Smiles Foundation.
S.O.S. (Sack of Smiles) now in it’s 5th year, was
once again a huge success. So many children, amazed to even receive
a gift, couldn’t believe the wonders their small sack held for them.
Clothes, toys, school supplies and of course sweets and candies. All
the beautiful teddies were very kindly provided by Teddies for
Tragedies. |
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Smiles also started several years ago the opportunity to sponsor a
Christmas Food Parcel to provide some extra family support at
Christmas. Again this year, hundreds of people will enjoy a little
extra on their table due to the love and support (and sponsorship)
of food parcels by so many Smiles supporters. |
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There are some people who
have so little it can be hard to reconcile our wealth and excess as we
visit them. In December ’08, with Marian Zaharia – the new
Smiles 200 Hope Club manager – the team were shown the real
seriousness of need amongst the Homeless Community of Oradea.
Like never before, the Mission team visited right into the heart of
the problem, even to the extent of entering a city sewer to see how
the Homeless people will make their bed anywhere warm and dry, even if
they share it with the city rats!
We need support to maintain the ministry with the Homeless as we want
to see our involvement with ‘long-term’ changes having a real strategy
in the new year. This will require financial support, but however
things seem for us as we listen to the news – they are a whole lot
better than the Homeless folk who need our help. |
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The Elderly luncheon in
Gepiu has been a ‘hit’ for Mission Teams since we started the
monthly meetings over 2 years ago. This month was such a blessing to
see 26 elderly enjoying the fellowship and great food of their Special
Christmas Lunch.
Marian was there with his guitar to lead the singing. 3 girls from
Wales on the Mission Trip with beautiful voices led some songs in
English and Welsh. Many others served the elderly in preparing the
food and presenting it to their table. This single act of service
reminded us all of an important aspect of Christmas – Christ came to
Serve! |
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 Many say ‘Christmas
is for Children’ well, Jesus certainly made Children very special
throughout His life on earth and we made things special for many
children, through the Tileagd School and Nursery project, enabling 161
children to have school every day. A wonderful opportunity to provide
real Hope for the future, another important aspect of Christmas –
Christ came to give Hope!
The Christmas Presentation from the School and Nursery children
was, as always, a joy to be a part of. Mission Trippers loved it,
parents and teachers were so proud of their children and we believe
God would have been smiling to see so many professing the truth of His
Gift to the World through Baby Jesus. |
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Jesus also came for the
sick and we visited Bratca State Hospital for the severely
disabled, mentally and physically. These patients are beginning to
know and understand the love we have for them, that cause us to visit
and share our bounty with them, is motivated by God who has a special
place in His Heart for these precious people. |
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 Equally
special was the opportunity to deliver Emergency Housing Units to
Salard before the bad Romanian winter sets in. Since our
introduction to the Salard community in 2007, Smiles has built 3
houses for families in need, undertaken support for a heart operation
for a 2 year old miraculous little girl named Panna, and added several
to our Family Care project. Now we have made a start on providing
emergency housing in the form of converted containers.
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Supported by various individuals and churches, considerable funds have
been raised to start and continue this project until all those living
in inhuman conditions can have a suitable alternative provided. For
some in Salard, this was a wonderful Christmas Surprise – Thank You. |
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Back to Tileagd, one of
the last celebrations we had was the Christmas Party for the new
‘Princess Club’ and Youth Groups of the Gypsy village. Led by
Maria, our Director of Operations in Smiles, her love for these girls
is demonstrating through the commitment she has to help them
understand in the Eyes of God, He doesn’t see ‘dirty, smelly Gypsies’
– He sees them as Princes and Princesses. They are learning so much of
God’s Love and Plan for their lives that we believe this Outreach work
will be the basis for many commitments to accept Christ as their own
Lord in the year ahead. Please pray with us for this to happen, that
we shall see Transformed Lives in a special way in 2009. |
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2008 has been a very special year with so many great experiences and
achievements. Of course, we have also known challenges and
disappointments but we firmly believe that Spiritual Warfare only
impacts us when God’s Work is being undertaken in an effective and
successful manner. Then the devil is at work and we need your prayer
and support to stand firm, be encouraged and assured that what God has
started, He is faithful to complete.
We pray in 2009 for your continued support as we see God’s Plan for
the work of Smiles in Romania unfold and rejoice with all He is
achieving day by day.
Thank you for your support and God Bless you this Christmas with
His Joy, Hope & Peace. |
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