God’s
Grace for unthankful hearts!
Maria’s Report – May 2012 
Have you
ever complained when receiving things that once you asked for??
Things that you once wished for? But once you’ve got them, you
complained. Sadly this is us. Or at least me. And perhaps the
human nature.
I did this mistake no longer than a few days ago! After a long
winter and a very cold one, I remember praying to God for summer
to come fast…..Well, just a few days later, God sent the summer to
us! Hot weather, 32 C (94F.) For us to have this during May is
wow and unusual.
This past Sunday, I was smiling when I had to translate the
sermon. The pastor said at one point: ”are we not weird?? If we
are thin, we ask God to help us put weight on, if fat and the
other way around; when we are short we ask God to make us taller,
when short the other way around; when is summer outside we prefer
winter and the other way around”……The good part is that God
does NOT give us what we always ask for, but what we need!!!
So, what has God given me during April in
Smiles??? Well, lots of things. Some that I asked for, some that I
dreamed of, some that I did not plan but was happy to receive….and
some that I did not really want them!
April started as a “more easy month”.
We
had the Educational Challenge team visiting Romania. Because I
have a great team of colleagues, I was not involved a lot in it.
Cristina and Stephen were the two main people from Smiles
that took care of the team. But I knew what was happening each
day, because of the reports I’ve heard at the end of the day!
Thank you guys for doing a great job. And thank you to all the
people that are visiting us through the Educational Challenge
experience. It’s true that without education you can’t do much
these days! So thank you for being a part of it!
Than we had a
small team that came to experience the work we do here in RO. Even
though they were few, they did a great job!! I remember we went
on the first day to re-design the shop in Salonta. It was
great. By the end of the day the shop really looked different!
This “little place” in Salonta is raising money for the work we
do. Together with the other shops that Smiles has operating under
the Sminro banner, funds can be raised now in Romania too. But all
of this is not possible without the support we have from people
around the world. Buying or donating clothes, good quality, in
any amount it helps a lot!!! If you are wondering how YOU can help
just drop me an e-mail and I will be more than happy to share with
you!
After the team left, we had a few days off. It was the Romanian
Easter. We celebrate one week later than the people in UK/USA.
So, I took advantage of this and went home to my little village! I
went to Susca, to spend time with my family and friends there.
Even though I was home just for 3 days, I had a great time.
Soon after
that we had a new group of people coming to Romania. This time
what we call a “Church Challenge” . 14 people, sharing
their love, time, money, and energy with the people from Romania!
I would like to say thank you to them for everything that they did
while they were here as well as back home raising funds. They did
not take account of their age and they did heavy jobs in
construction, corn de-cobbing, glasshouse, warehouse cleaning
….and many many other things. THANK YOU all the guys from Worthing
and see you soon!
Once the team of 14 left, on Saturday 3pm, 26 arrived!!!
When I see the enthusiasm of these guys in everything they do,
I’m charged up!!!!! I spend one day on Sunday with them and I feel
great! I’m sooooo sorry for a few of my friends from Ireland that
could not make it this time. I’m sure I will see them again soon!
So, guys, next year???? But I was sad to hear that two of the
people that needed to come this week had to cancel in the last few
days because of illness. Please pray for them. Please pray for
my friend John, as he needs our prayers at this time!
Pray for the work we do because we need it.
This is a busy time of the year for us here in Romania and it only
just started and we need wisdom, strength, power and energy
Thank you for everything you are doing for
us. If I see you this summer great, can’t wait!! If not, I hope to
see you sometime soon!
Take care and be blessed in everything you
do!
Sincerely,
Maria
