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Dear
Friends
Spring has arrived in Romania, the clocks have gone forward an hour and
warm days are encouraging the signs of new life to spring from the trees.
Even the famous storks arrived back in Romania this past week occupying
their large nests from previous years high up the telegraph poles. It is a
truly wonderful time of year in Romania.
As spring arrives, so does the real start of Mission Trip season. This week,
the Mission Centre is full once again. 42 people from America and the UK
converged on Cihei seeking to serve God and experience what is so special
about this place.
It continues to be very busy for the management team in Romania,
particularly with the huge responsibilities and pressures of completing the
Community Complex in Tileagd. Tremendous progress has been achieved this
past month and more can be seen in our
Picture Gallery of the Complex
Progress.
This past month we have seen exterior landscaping begin, Painting in the
Gymnasium, Tiling in the Medical Block and building the Stage in the Church.
So much remains to be done and with Opening Day less than 9 weeks away, we
need your continued prayers and support to see it through. Still needed is
£98,682 / $197,364 for the major aspects of construction to be completed. We
also have a growing number of items that can be sponsored for the New
Complex.
Take a look and if you can help, 'Thank You'.
Earlier in March we enjoyed 3 separate
‘Day Conferences’
for Smiles
supporters in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. Special Guests from
Romania were all working with the new Complex in Tileagd and included
Guiry & Meda, Dr Ema and Pastor Ovidiu. All were greatly appreciated for
their dedication and commitment to the work in Romania. See the special
report from the Conferences and Photo’s.
More supplies are being brought out to us, even as we write. 3.30am Sunday
March 30th the latest van left England full to the brim with
urgently needed supplies for Smiles projects. Drivers;
Clive Astin &
Clive Brooks, will
arrive by Tuesday April 1st – stay one
night – and start the journey back across Europe!
Thanks to all those who collect, sponsor and arrange these urgently needed
supplies and a very special thanks to those who arrange the transport and
drive them out.
It is wonderful to still be receiving, just about every day, enquiries for
Mission Trips – Medical Electives – Educational Challenges and Intern
Placements. Over 500 people are now booked for the Smiles Mission Centre in
2008 and we’d love you to join them!
For more information,
check the web-site, call the office or e-mail
us on your particular interest.
Every project of Smiles is crucially important and we are delighted that
Mission Trips gives you the opportunity of experiencing those projects up
close and personally.
An experience that can really change your life.
Activities on a Mission Trip
can also change the life of others. This is truly the case through our
Outreach programmes of Smiles Club and Holiday Bible Clubs (VBS). These
are organised through-out the summer and are currently being planned for 12
weeks. More than 1,000 children are expected to be reached with the Good
News of the Gospel. But we need your help.
We need supplies, funds and equipment.
Please take time to read about the
Outreach work of HBC/VBS
and look
at the Wish List to see if you can help with some items needed or with a
special donation towards our work this summer of reaching children for
Christ. Sarah Urwin, our UK Missionary in charge of Mission Trip
Outreach, looks forward to working with those on the Trips and trust all
those who can’t be with us, will be praying and supporting from home.
As a special ‘Introduction’ to our HBC/VBS work, Sarah has made a
new video
of past years photo’s. It is a wonderful, moving video that reminds us of
what our purpose is all about.
That trusting in Jesus Christ, and His
amazing sacrifice, we will be renewed!
Enjoy the Video and
please support.
At this busy time for Smiles, especially in preparing for the Grand Opening
Celebrations in June, we do ask for your continued prayers for all the staff
who will be feeling the pressure of meeting all the deadlines and fulfilling
their responsibilities to the Glory of God and His work through The Smiles
Foundation.
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