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June 7th & 8th,
2008
The Opening of the Tileagd Community Complex, Romania
A project of
The Smiles Foundation. |
Link to photo gallery -
Opening
Link to photo gallery -
Phase 1:2005-2006
Link to photo gallery -
Phase 2:
2007-2008 |
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In
addition to over 100 people from the United Kingdom and United States,
people also travelled from across Romania, including from Bucharest a
Government Minister.
We also had a local Mayor present and the Chief
of Police. |
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As 3pm struck on
Saturday afternoon, our Chief Executive – Kevin Hoy, the
visionary behind the Complex – called the congregating crowd together
to begin the official Opening Ceremony. After a short speech, the
ribbon was cut with Kevin joined by Romanian trustees Mircea Toca
& Maria Cimpoca along with Dave Clark, UK Trustee and
construction advisor to Smiles.With the ribbon cut,
Kevin unlocked the door to the Church and every one entered for the
formal Opening Ceremony. |
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A number of speeches
were received, including the Minister of State from Bucharest,
Gabriela Pastor – who spoke of Education’s role in changing
lives; Romanian Trustee – Mircea Toca – spoke of how it all
began; American Trustee – Mark Jones – spoke of God’s Heart
demonstrated through the Heart of Smiles; Honorary Trustee – Nia
Price – led the ceremony in song with ‘Great is Thy
faithfulness’ and ‘Amazing Grace’. |
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The Children’s
Choir – sang a song from their CD; Several of the Romanian
Smiles Team expressed their thoughts on the Complex and their ‘sefu’
including: Guiry & Meda Rostas – Leaders of the Gypsy
Community; Clara Ungureanu – Director of the Tileagd
Community School; Delia Bideran – Director of Tileagd
Children’s Centre; Dr Ema Buzle – Smiles Family Doctor to
Tileagd
Chief Executive, Kevin Hoy brought the event to a close as
final prayers of Thanks & Blessing were offered by: Pastor Ilie
Cimpoca – Senior Pastoral advisor to Smiles Romania and Rev.
Dr. Scott Suskovic – American Trustee to Smiles. |
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Following light
refreshments, a demonstration followed in the new Gymnasium of our
Wheel Chair Tennis project. World renowned coach, John
Noakes had flown in from Holland to join the Smiles Sports
Project Team and Romanian Gypsy Wheelchair Champion Stelian
Matreata
to demonstrate tennis with our local players who enjoy the meeting
of the Sports project every 2 weeks. |
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Then everyone returned
to Cihei for dinner – prepared for over 100 people by our own kitchen
staff at the Smiles Mission Centre, headed up by Luci Gal. Then
it was off to bed with Day 2 of the Miraculous Week-end to follow ……!
What a wonderful day as all the Praise and Honour was given to God
for such a Miracle! |
Sunday June 8th
was to be another breath-taking experience.
The first Worship service to be held in the new Tileagd Community
Church.
The Induction of Smiles own full-time pastor – Ovidiu Butnaru
The Baptism of two believers from the Gypsy Community – Guiry Rostas
and brother Christian. |
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With worship led by
Nia and the Children’s Choir, messages were brought first
from Pastor Ioan Moraru of the Tileagd Pentecostal Church. Then,
Pastor Bobby Harrell, senior pastor of First Baptist Church,
Leesburg GA. shared some challenging words. The main sermon was
delivered by Rev Dr Scott Suskovic of Christ Lutheran Church,
Charlotte NC.
With standing room only
in the Church, more than 350 people gathered to witness the induction
of Ovidiu Butnaru as pastor of Tileagd Community Church with
Pastors Ilie Cimpoca and Scott Suskovic overseeing proceedings. |
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Then, as the service
moved into its third hour, two candidates stood forward for baptism.
This was the miracle of miracles… to see Guiry and Christian
come to an understanding of all Christ had done for them. Jesus died
for Gypsies too and these two were accepting Him as Saviour and
testifying to the world what they believed. Changed men and a new
commitment to follow Christ and pursue His Plan for their lives.
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Witnessing Baptism is
always an emotional experience – but these Baptisms had a very special
sense of Celebration which this whole week-end was all about. |
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Following a Buffet lunch
for all 350 people attending, and there was just about enough food for
everyone! – we returned to the Church for a full Concert Presentation
of
Nia and the Children’s Choir. The same performance that has
toured UK so many times. Visited the United States in February 2007,
was now being seen in Tileagd for the first time ever. Parents who had
never seen their children perform so wonderfully, stood and wept but
grew tall with pride as they watched their children like never before. |
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After the Concert, again
back to Cihei for dinner and final reflections on a Week-end of
Historical importance and one where we – The Smiles Foundation
– believe new opportunities began. The work in Tileagd will of course
continue as it has over the past 7 years. It will continue to develop
and adopt new programmes to meet the needs of the local people. But
one aspect was seen for sure this week-end. The Smiles Foundation is
about transforming lives in the Name of Christ. |
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This will continue to be
our objective through all the projects that help build the bridges to
the people who need to know of a God who loves them and has a Plan and
Purpose for their Lives.
Link to Complex photo gallery -
Opening
Link
to photo gallery - Phase 1:2005-2006
Link
to photo gallery - Phase 2:
2007-2008 |
For those who missed the
week-end, you might like to purchase the DVD currently being edited of
the entire week-end events. Of course, those who were there, wouldn’t
want to miss the DVD!
Either way, if you would like a copy, please confirm your interest
here and how many copies you want. We will notify you of when we
expect it to be ready, how much it will cost, and process your order
upon your confirmation.
It will be available in European PAL and American NTSC versions. |
To Confirm Your
Interest:
I am interested in the Grand Opening DVD when ready.
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