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Greetings to all our Friends
September 1st, 2008
With summer over and most of us getting back to a
more normal routine of life, we want to thank you for your prayers, presence
and practical support during this summer.
In Romania, we’ve had an amazing summer and many of you were a part of it.
Nearly 300 joined us during the summer – starting with the
Complex Grand Opening in June and then on through July and August
with Mission Trips. A tremendous amount of work has been done and we truly
thank all those who worked so hard in such hot conditions through-out the
trips.
We are thankful for all the support raised this summer by visiting
Mission
Trippers. It’s been a record amount – with £71,425 / $139,779 raised
through Mission Trips alone. This has made a significant impact on our
project operating budgets which have received a real boost from the
generosity of our summer visitors and their hard work in fund-raising.
We are also conscious and very grateful for all the prayers our supporters
offer for the staff and work of Smiles as well as the people we attempt to
impact in the Name of Christ.
Thank you for your presence, practical support and prayers.
As the summer Mission Trip experiences pass into
memory and photo albums – a new experience begins. This month, our e-mail
update is written 38,000 feet above ground as 13 of us fly to begin our
American Tour. Our second
Tileagd Choir Tour of the States, when many didn’t think we manage a
first!
The kids are excited of course but by the end of day one they’ll be
exhausted after 27 hours of travel, covering 3 flights across nearly 5,000
miles. Interestingly, over the 5 weeks we’re in the States – we will travel
another 5,000 miles on a round trip that takes us from Jacksonville FL to
Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Louisiana and back
to Florida. Then there will be the 5,000 miles back home!!
It’s hard work on the road and the Choir have worked very hard over the
summer in rehearsals of songs and dance to charm the American audiences. But
more important than ‘charming’ is allowing the presentations to be effective
in the objective of raising support for the new
Tileagd Community Complex in Romania.
Everyone in Smiles and especially in Tileagd is thankful to God for the
Miracle of the Complex but now we must focus on the operating needs to
ensure this wonderful facility can provide the service to as many people as
need it and that’s a challenge every month.
The School with the new Sports Gymnasium, Kindergarten, Medical Clinic with
GP, Dentist and Optometrist plus the Church all adds up to a monthly budget
of £13,000 / $26,000.
Please pray with us
that all the work and investment of our American
tour will provide the results we pray for of having the Tileagd Complex
fully operational as soon as possible.
This will be helped by special gifts received on the Tour, but we are
praying for up to 400 special people who can support monthly or
yearly specifically for the Complex Operation. If 400 people do that – it’s
a commitment per person of £32.50 / $65.00 a month or £390 / $780 a year.
Just 400 Special People can make it happen –
Are you 1 in 400?
Back in Romania – the Gepiu team and children
were all back from Camp last night. A great time was had by all and a
special report is on the web. Thank you to those who supported the Camp by
sponsoring children to have this experience. Another great investment that
will reap a wonderful return in Transformed Lives.
Camp Report.
Pastor Ovidiu’s work schedule is growing. Just back from Gepiu Camp,
he will now continue his pastoral work in Tileagd and in particular his
outreach work with the children and youth. He will continue his Guitar
Classes and is delighted to hear someone has just sponsored 4 more guitars
to be used in the classes.
Pastor Ovi also begins this month his work with the School. For the
first time he will hold weekly assemblies and he will be teaching the
Christian Education class in School, 2 days a week.
Pastor Ovidiu's personal report and photos from last month.
We continue to be under pressure at the
Mirlou Emergency Housing facility and Safe House for Abused women
and also the
Cihei Children’s Centre. All these projects are operating at maximum
capacity for the staff and supplies we currently have available within our
budget.
We have a van coming over from the UK
later this month and we want it filled with
urgently needed supplies – especially babies and children’s need of
Pampers, Baby Oil, Talcum Powder, Soap, Tooth brushes & Toothpaste and
more.
All special needs are on the
site.
If you can help with these urgently needed supplies and get them to the
Leeds Office, please contact Dawn to coordinate arrangements. Please note
– ONLY the requested items can be taken as space is limited. But these
items are urgently needed.
If you can't help with supplies, you might like to
make a donation towards us buying supplies so urgently
needed.
UK £ Donate by PayPal
USA $ Donate by PayPal
Well, another update must draw to a close. These are
exciting yet challenging times for Smiles. We are so thankful to have you
partnering with us and to know:
with God – All things are
Possible.
Please continue to reach out beyond your ‘comfort zones’ to
support the work God is doing through Smiles. It is an incredible
opportunity before us to truly Transform Lives and after so much ‘ground
work’ has been prepared, please stay involved to faithfully ‘work and water
the seed’ so that His Kingdom might be extended and His Plan & Purpose for
these lives might be established.
With Praise to God for all His Goodness.
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