The Smiles Foundation
 News Update July 2008

Dear Friends 

The monthly update always comes around quickly, but with the Grand Opening of the Tileagd Community Complex in June, it’s actually only 2 weeks since an update was sent. We trust you appreciate the web-site update is more limited so that people can continue to enjoy the extensive news posted in June. However, this e-mail has important news so do read on!

Everyday is so exciting as our packed summer programme benefits from so many Mission Trippers eager to serve God in Romania through The Smiles Foundation. In the next 4 weeks, over 130 folk will be with us from across the UK and America – touching lives, young and old, in the Name of Christ.

A number of new initiatives are in hand and a full report on progress will be posted with the August update which is likely to be a ‘bumper package’.

  1. Today, we begin a significant new Hygiene programme in the Tileagd Gypsy community. Dr Ema with an army of Mission Trippers will begin major cleaning house by house. Changes in bedding, sterilising living and sleeping areas with a view to killing harmful germs and thereby reduce the health hazards of living in such poor conditions. Our efforts will reduce the impact of lice in the hair, flees on the body, worms in the stomach, mice and rats in the house – all of which seriously effects the children’s health and well-being.

    This is a crucially important initiative, but very expensive for so many homes. If you can help our budget, please support through the     Medical Budget.
     

  2. Next week we begin a small agricultural project with the Gypsy community. Missionary, Jutta Meyer will embark on a series of classes and practical sessions in ‘Organic Agriculture’.

    Our goal is not only to teach children and adults how to grow vegetables, but to also give a deeper insight and awareness of the environment, their surroundings and nature which God has called us to ‘care for’.
     

  3. There are always lots of activities in Gepiu as the Community work with Children and the Elderly touches many lives. The Gardens in Gepiu are also proving very successful and providing tremendous harvests that supply many of Smiles projects with great food. Added to the Pig and Chicken farm for meat are now ‘egg laying hens’ and it’s wonderful to see the project growing!

    We have a special request this month for help with Gepiu. We would like your help in supporting a Hiking Trip for the teenagers of Gepiu and then a Camp for all the kids and staff to attend together.

    Catalin Bakai – leader of the Gepiu project, asked for help to provide these trips for the following reasons:   
    i.           to invest in unity
    ii.           to enrich knowledge as they study Moses and Jesus on the mountains
    iii.          to increase love for God’s creation
    iv.          to teach basic hiking and camping techniques
    v.          to build a healthy attitude towards team work
    vi.          to worship God and be thankful for His blessings
    vii.         to expose the children to The Way, The Truth & The Light

We need your support for these 2 separate trips.
The Hiking Team is planned for August 7th-10th
We need:

            15 Backpacks @ £15 / $30 each
            15 Pairs of Boots @ £35 / $70 each pair
            15 Sleeping Bags @ £7 / $14 each
            15 Flash lights & Batteries @ £8 / $16 each
              6 Camping stoves & Gas @ £30 / $60 each

The Camp is planned for August 25th-29th
We would like to take up to 30 children and the cost will be £25 / $50 per person.
If you can provide this opportunity for a Gepiu Child or Young Person, please Sponsor Now!
 

In closing, thank you for your tremendous support to the work of Smiles. We need your help at this busy time of year when budgets are stretched to fulfil all the outreach opportunities we have.

Take a good look through the web-site and support where you can but most important of all – keep praying for God’s presence and direction in all we do.
 
Our thanks again for your prayerful & practical support.


The Smiles Foundation


Click here to donate now through the website, or contact your Smiles Office.
 

The Smiles Foundation
 Tel: UK 0113-276-5060    :   Tel: USA 423-239-9525
 E-mail:  info@thesmilesfoundation.org
Website: www.thesmilesfoundation.org

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