March 2010
Well,
as I write to you, we are almost a month into our
2010 US Choir Tour. I
can’t even begin to tell you what a terrific experience this has
been for me. I have met so many great people – many have been Smiles
supporters for years and some are first learning about the great
work that Smiles is doing in Romania.
The churches and families who have been hosting us have been so
wonderful to us. I must send out a huge
THANK YOU
to all of you. I have met the most wonderful people so many of whom
have a deep, deep passion for missions. It has been truly uplifting
and encouraging. It has also been encouraging to see folks across
the US showing so much interest and excitement in the work of
Smiles.
There
truly is a buzz at the moment. Many churches we have visited are
discussing mission trips for 2010 or 2011. When I first wrote to you
in our Special Report that was mailed in November, I mentioned
my prayer and desire to see a renewed and re-energized support base
in the US. During this choir tour, I can see the beginnings of just
that. It will be very exciting to see God’s hand at work of the next
12 months and beyond. Hang on, every one. It is going to be a fun
ride!
At this point, I am still looking for a few mission trippers. There
are spaces still available in the teams I will be leading in July
(sports camps), October (construction) and December (Sack of
Smiles). But the window of opportunity is beginning to close for
these trips. If you would like to be a part of these times, please
send me an email or give me a call. Also, if you know someone who
will be a good fit, please pass this along.
Many of you who support us
financially might work for an employer who has a matching program
for
contributions to non-profit organizations. If you do,
PLEASE
let me know. We can work to get Smiles as an approved non-profit for
matching funds through your employer. One such employer that has
recently approved us for matching funds is Bank of America. So, if
you work for Bank of America and you are supporting us, please be
sure your contributions are being matched. If you have any
questions, please e-mail or call me.
During the choir tour, we have had the opportunity to tell the
Smiles story again and again. It has been my experience that when
the Smiles story is told here in the US, that Americans respond
generously and passionately. It has certainly been true during this
tour and I’m sure it is just the same in the UK.
In fact, it reminds me of a story in the book of Acts when Peter and
John were called before the Sanhedrin and told to stop preaching the
gospel. Under threat of imprisonment and even worse consequences,
the two apostles gave a very memorable response. They told the
Sanhedrin, “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and
heard.” (Acts 4:20, NIV). Their experiences with Christ were so
genuine and life-altering that they couldn’t contain themselves even
if they wanted to. This story reminds me of every Smiles mission
tripper I have ever met.
All of us come home from Romania unable to contain ourselves. We
share our stories, our memories, our photo albums and much more with
every one we know. We have life-changing experiences that come only
from spending time with the people of Romania and the work of Smiles
first-hand.
If you have never taken a short-term mission trip, you are
short-changing yourself. I encourage you to strongly consider taking
a short-term trip with Smiles. I promise that you will have a
life-changing experience of your very own. If you have any questions
at all, please do not hesitate to contact me.
All My Best,
Greg Willis
Contact by E-mail :
USDA@thesmilesfoundation.org
or
Telephone (423) 239 9525
Previous News from Greg
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
