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Page
last updated on
01/06/2010 12:39:35 PM |
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Summer
means different things to different people. Hotter days for sure.
Vacation time for many. But for the Smiles Foundation – summer means
moving life into Overdrive as we not only continue the huge task of
managing our Operational Program for all of our projects, impacting
over 1,300 people every day – Summer means the start of the heaviest
Mission Trip schedule of the year.
From June 1st through
August 21st – 229 visitors will stay at the Smiles Mission Center in
Cihei, in north-west Romania.
We are delighted that this year, the number of visitors from America
is rising again and already we have many beginning to make plans for
2011. Preparing for and Participating in a Mission Trip is an awesome
experience and evokes tremendous emotions about our life, our faith
and our commitment to service.
On
June 4th more
than 20 Americans will
be boarding planes to cross the Atlantic Ocean
and be amongst the first
to experience a Mission trip with Smiles this summer. Some are going
for the first time, some are returning after many previous visits, but
all are excited for sure and waiting to see what God does in their
life through this important step of obedience. Here are comments from
3 different folk, all preparing to leave Romania in a few days! 3
people from totally different parts anticipating totally different
experiences.
In March of 2010, the Tileagd Children’s choir
came to Madison Christian Church in Groveport, Ohio, representing the
Smiles Foundation, a mission our church has supported for ten years.
The Choir sang at both morning services. That evening they presented a
concert and Kevin Hoy, gave a report and update on their current
mission work in Tileagd. Because of my musical background, and my
desire to work with missions, I was particularly interested in the
work of the Children’s Choir. I have been blessed with opportunities
that many others have not had in music. My father has been in Worship
Ministry for over 30 yrs. I am a member of Columbus Children’s Choir
and have toured internationally myself. After listening to the program
and talking with Maria my heart was stirred. I have a desire to seek
the direction God has for me. I have seen how blessed I am to be an
American and to be raised by Godly parents. I want to serve. After
talking with Kevin, Greg and Maria I knew that God could use me in
Romania. I am excited to go and share God’s love. I am excited to
learn and grow in this experience. 
kids were so enthusiastic about their
experiences. You could not help but to be moved by the testimonies of
how their lives had been changed by the people they met and by seeing
God's hand at work in such powerful ways through Smiles. Their stories
inspired nine new folks to take the challenge to see for themselves
what God is doing in Romania. My wife Donna, son Brannon and I will
be making our 6th trip. The group will also include Rev. Whitney
Alexander, the youth minister of our church and a real supporter of
mission trips. Six other adults and two youth group participants
round out the team. We'll see you there in a matter of days!!!”
