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Dear Friends
The
adrenaline is pumping from a demanding schedule that should really be
slowing down but actually seems to be gathering momentum by the day. Another
incredible month of activity, achievement and advancement through-out the
work of Smiles in Romania, United Kingdom and America. A month that has been
so challenging with new objectives established through new projects that God
had to provide for the power, wisdom and determination to see so much
accomplished when so much was already happening.
The start of the month saw the
Tileagd School Choir arriving in Scotland
for the second leg of the UK Tour. After a week in Scotland visiting schools
and presenting 3 concerts in Glasgow, Saltcoats and Troon – we headed to
England for more schools and the
Day of Kindness
Concert in Bromsgrove.
Two schools a day or a morning school and evening concert for 5 or 6 days a
week is quite exhausting when it’s continuous for 3 weeks with 2,500 miles
of travel thrown in! The Choir did brilliantly and it was great to have Nia
join us for 6 of the concerts during the Tour. Tremendous support was raised
and is continuing to be raised. Not least is the example of a school in Oban,
Scotland who since our visit on October 2nd, have raised £3,600
($7,200) for Smiles.
Two days after the Tour finished, we headed back to
Romania to prepare for the
October Mission
Trip. The largest ever October trip – 37
folk involved in a variety of projects. It has been a great trip with more
than 25 visiting for the first time. £20,000 ($40,000) was raised for Smiles
projects from the Mission team. Many thanks to all who worked so hard
raising these funds. The final few leave November 3rd and then
the Mission Centre prepares for the big
Christmas trip December 8th – 21st.
A very special trip indeed as we prepare and
distribute the S.O.S. (Sack of Smiles) to children in all our projects. As a
'Thank You'
for such an amazing 2007 when 382 guests joined us at the Smiles Mission
Centre, we are offering a Special Price for Christmas Trip bookings
confirmed during November.
A huge 50%
discount on trip costs for the first 25 bookings confirmed before November
30th, 2007.
That means, a 7 day full board, all transport (except flight) translators
for all projects starts from just £197 ($394). 13 days just £299 ($598).
Only your flight is at additional cost. A great opportunity not to miss.
Call us now or e-mail:
info@thesmilesfoundation.org
The start of the
October Mission Trip
had several trippers involved in sorting 3 vans full of ‘aid’ that had been
collected from Churches during the Tour. Nearly 5 tons of goods ranging
from clothes, shoes, toys, hygiene and medical supplies, educational needs,
wheelchairs and much more. The response to our ‘Wish List’ last month
was remarkable. Thank you so much
A reduced ‘Wish List’ is now on the site and another van is scheduled for
December 07 with another in January 08. If you can help, contact the Leeds
office.
During the Mission Trip, a new
Sports Project was
launched with tremendous success. Two world class Tennis Coaches joined
Smiles from the World Tennis Federation and undertook 4 hours a day coaching
sessions. Many of those being coached had never before held a tennis
racquet!
John Noakes (UK) and Taco Nijhoff
(NL) led the tennis camp and even having
travelled the world, John commented this was their best trip ever!!
For the middle week-end of the trip, we had another special treat for the
children of Tileagd. On Sunday afternoon, Tileagd Community School hosted
the
World Wide Smiles Mission
(not related to us) for a Clown Show that brought so
much laughter to children and parents. Over 150 crammed into the School
computer room to enjoy the 90 minute presentation. Drinks and snacks were
served afterwards and a fantastic time was had by all.
The Day of Kindness was a great success both in Bromsgrove (UK) and Cihei
(RO). At Bromsgrove, the Choir performed to a packed house at the Artrix
theatre joined by children from Chadsgrove School. More than £2,500 ($5,000)
was raised that day towards the
Disabled Children’s Centre
planning
to be built in Cihei in late 2008. Considerably more funds are now being
raised from events launched on the Day of Kindness.
In Cihei - 40 seniors from the local community had lunch at the Cihei
Mission Centre and 50 kids including disabled children had fun, games and a
party for the first time ever together in one place.
The Smiles Foundation was thankful to sponsors in Romania for helping
the event to be so successful, including Coke Cola Romania for drinks,
KFC for
the children’s meals, Codrean Travel for providing transport for the
elderly & disabled and Se Dolonia SRL for Snacks and Proxima SRL for
providing the Bread and Potatoes for the senior’s meal. The Mayor attended
the event and addressed the crowds and despite the fact that the Romanian
President was in Oradea that day, the Mayor stayed an extra hour at the
Smiles Day of Kindness as he was enjoying it all so much!
Full report and photos.
S.O.S. (Sack of Smiles)
will also bring a lot of joy to children this
Christmas. Please help us provide the only Christmas Gift these children
will receive with a sack of supplies that will really make a difference to
them. Clothes, hygiene supplies, school items, treats and a toy. It’s very
important for us to know by first week of December how many Sacks we are
able to sponsor.
Please respond NOW and make
Christmas special for at least one child.
This month, Kevin heads to America for various meetings which are
lined up in Orlando FL, Jacksonville FL, Leesburg GA, Atlanta GA, Greenville
SC and Charlotte NC. Amongst other things, he will be looking at
possibilities of another tour for the Tileagd Choir in February 2008.
If you are interested in Kevin and the Choir visiting your Church during the
Tour – contact Kevin direct on:
kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org or call (423) 239-9525.
In closing this e-mail, we would like to acknowledge
two people who have left Smiles during October.
Otilia from the Gepiu
team has moved to America to study her PhD in Psychology.
Also,
Jenni from the Family Care
team in Cihei is getting married November
11th and will begin her new life in Alexandria, southern Romania.
Our prayers are for God’s Blessing on Jenni and Dani’s wedding and their
future together.
Thank you for your continued support and interest
in the work of Smiles.
God Bless You!
The Smiles Foundation
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