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Barbara Morrison

Volunteer’s Corner from Barbara – July 2017

Two children sitting on the stepVolunteer Corner July 2017

1 Cor 16:13-14 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”

The Mission Field seems to be getting closer. These scriptures are becoming more meaningful and relevant.
Reading this as a Smiles Volunteer, I encourage you that God wants us where He can use us most effectively. We all have a part to play in His Kingdom; your heart has been lead towards Smiles and the tremendous work God is doing, therefore we need to ‘stand firm in the faith’ and commit with real vision to being a people who will be part of His life-changing work in Romania.

We can’t change the WHOLE world, but we can change the whole world for SOMEONE! Be where God can use you most effectively.

There has been much activity to share with you this month.

John Campbell has completed the 80 mile Skye Trail. ‘It was a beautiful walk, a demanding challenge and a pleasure to do, knowing it will put smiles on children’s faces and make a great difference to the quality of life for someone.’
John Campbells Walk

Hannah Davidson
spent May with Smiles. She wrote;Hannah Davidson

‘I can’t put into words how much I enjoyed it. I had been out on Mission Trips before for 1 or 2 weeks at a time. The extended trip really made me feel part of the work in Romania. The Smiles Team all made me feel so welcome and encouraged me to challenge myself, and do things that I normally would shy away from. I have to say my experience has strengthened my faith, and I feel I am being guided by God to be in this area of work.
I helped deliver food to the Homeless and Families, seeing people so grateful for our visit as well as the food. I worked with Young Adults with Special Needs, an experience I will never forget. We played bowls, made flower pictures, and lots of dancing! Luke and I showed them the ‘Cha cha slide’ dance, and one of the students came over & gave me a hug, a massive achievement for her as she never shows affection.
I went to the Zoo and McDonalds with children from the Nursery School. Most had never been to McDonalds, smelling the boxes with excitement, their faces a picture when they saw the animals. 
I am making plans to return again, praying this will come to pass if it is God’s plan for me!’

Thank you to sisters, Helen & Mary McIlroy who opened their beautiful new home to friends and neighbours on a sunny Saturday morning for Coffee, raising an amazing £1,126 ($1,464)
Helen's Coffee Morning

Leckpatrick Presbyterian Church hosted Taking Care & Smiles evening with sale of Books, Vegetables, Flowers, Craft, a Smiles update and fantastic spread of cakes with coffee for supper.

Thank you Amy and Francis, who are going out on 1st July.
Barbara with Amy and Francis

Peppa PigSmiles very own Peppa Pig was bringing much joy to the toddlers in Dalemllington at the Mum’s and Chums group with Jean Barclay. Thank you Peppa for being so committed to making little ones smile.

Hear from Student Ambassador Caron McKane, busy at Chester University
As a Christian Union we decided to support Smiles.
Firstly, we held a Promise Auction – a relaxed evening of music, cake and an auction! The auction was made up of vouchers and treats donated by local shops, cafes and salons in Chester, whilst members of the Christian Union pledged promises including three course meals and a month’s supply of cake! It was also a great opportunity to give a short talk sharing the great work of Smiles and share some of the ways people can get involved and support the work. All in all, we had a great evening raising over £700 ($910)
Secondly a Sponsored Walk, 18 miles around Chester Walls. it was a great day of spending time with friends while raising £176 ($229) for Smiles.
We’ve really enjoyed raising money for Smiles and I would now really love members of the CU to come to Romania and see the amazing work! ‘

Chester Christian Union

NW200 Record Holder Alastair Seeley joined Smiles for an evening entitled ‘Ordinary People – Extraordinary Stories’; a very inspiring and interesting time of sharing, with added attraction of a Motorcycle display.
Motorcycle Group

Bryony Aldridge
aged 8, on her first Mission Trip wrote a great blog, here’s a taste…..

I made a new friend called Dennis, we played together and while we were playing hide and seek I had a little restI encourage you to read the full story from this beautiful little girl. 
Denis and Bryony

Thank you for sending in your news and continuing in all your efforts to make a difference. Please continue, as we encourage each other, but more importantly be a part of ‘changing the world for someone’!

I close this month with the Container update. We are packing now, and it will leave in September. Kevin has sent a Priority Wish List, so I invite NI supporters to distribute this list as far as possible; we need lots of stock of these items! If you can deliver to either the Ballymena Depot or to me at the Farm, it will be much appreciated. Contact me soon if you can help!

Have a great month. Thank you for your commitment.
Blessings

Barbara
Barbara Morrison
Development Ambassador & Volunteer Coordinator
The Smiles Foundation

Email barbaramorrison@thesmilesfoundation.org
Telephone: 0788 087 5845

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