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Dear Friends
The past month has been most interesting for us all and for many – very
concerning. The uncertainties of this world, clear for us all to see in the
governments, banks and financial markets, help us to understand why the poor
and vulnerable get forgotten as the pressures of the modern world take over
everyone’s thoughts.
It has concerned us at Smiles over the recent weeks of
financial turmoil, how will the people we care for be affected. Certainly
not by a drop in investment values or a dip in house prices. But, by
people’s withdrawal or inability to support the great work God is doing day
by day for His people in Romania. That will make a difference and that
concerns us all in Smiles and we ask for your prayers over the coming weeks
in regard to levels of support.
Once again, as He has done before, God is reminding us that we are to be
concerned with Building His Kingdom – not our own kingdom, which will fall
and lose value and one day – return to dust. His Kingdom will not and so we
believe now is the time to invest in His Kingdom and ensure His commands of
caring for Widows and Orphans – Loving Our Neighbour and, - Doing unto the
least of these … as if for Him, are taken seriously.
Our prayer is, that as we rejoice in all that is happening within Smiles,
you will remain committed to the work and ensure we can finish what we have
started in the firm belief it is what God called us to do.
October has been an incredible month and another month begins today. So many
things to update and report that this month we are going to list them to
help you navigate through the web-site for all the details and full reports:
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The
US
Tour
finished on October 6th and we returned knowing God had
blessed our trip so wonderfully. Thank you to all who were a part of it
and who prayed for all the travels.
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Many hosts
welcomed the Choir during the Tour. We are thankful to them all. Here is a
Special Report from our host in Lake Wales, Florida.
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We are already planning the next
Tour for February 2009 – this time to the United Kingdom. A
great schedule is shaping up and this tour will include the entire UK –
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Check out where we are,
plan to come and if you see we’ve a space in the tour – see if we can
visit you!
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Within 24 hours
of returning from the American Tour, we started a Mission Trip in Romania
with a team of 11 from Marr College in Scotland. October has had over 65
Mission Trippers visit Smiles – the biggest October we’ve ever had. Marr
College was a trip with a difference. Borne out of the 2007 Educational
Challenge – the school decided on an Educational Experience that could
make a difference. Lots of Schools are talking about ‘Global Citizenship’
– Marr College came and Did It!
READ the Special Report.
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The Educational Challenges of 2007 and 2008 were extremely successful and
numbers grew significantly for the second year. Spaces are limited, so
start thinking now if you work in the Educational profession to attend the
Smiles
2009 Educational Challenge. Check the site and contact us for
further information.
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As October was
the first full month of the new academic year, we have Special Reports
from our educational and childcare projects.
READ - PRAY – SUPPORT
i. The
Cihei Children’s Centre
ii. The
Gepiu Community Project
iii. The
Tileagd Children’s Centre – NURSERY
iv. The
Tileagd Community School
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November sees the start of preparing for Christmas. The School & Nursery
will be rehearsing their ‘Nativity’ presentations. The Church will be
practising their Christmas Carols. Others in Smiles will be gearing up for
S.O.S. Sack of Smiles. This is a crucially important project
as we aim to provide gifts for children and families who would face
Christmas without anything – unless you can add them to your Christmas
List today!
-
The Christmas
Mission trips will be the next visitors to Cihei and there is still room
for you to join us. Mission trips are just one means through which you can
visit Romania with The Smiles Foundation. Check out the options and make
plans soon.
i.
Mission Trips
ii.
Church
Challenge
iii.
Educational Challenge
As we said – a lot to keep up
with. We hope all the information available on the site provides you with
the easy, up to date and exciting way to know what’s happening in The Smiles
Foundation. The only better way we know, is to come and see for yourself!
In closing, I want to recommend you take a look at the new Video on site
from an historic day in Romania. It brings a tear to this writer’s eye every
time I view it because it reminds me what all the work, pressures and
difficulties are all about. Encouraging all to
‘Come to Jesus’.
Enjoy!
Thank you for your continued
support and for making Smiles for so many people who need to know ‘we love
them’. Keep in touch and anything you want to know, just write or call.
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