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The Tileagd Children's Choir
Tour of America - February 2007
Special Report |
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 The
mere thought of taking the Tileagd Children’s Choir to America would
scare most people, but our Chief Executive doesn’t hesitate to enter
the ‘Arena of Impossibilities’.
The Smiles story is a continuous testimony of God’s miraculous
provision and blessing. Our Chief Executive, Kevin Hoy, believed God’s
miraculous provision could continue across the Atlantic as we embarked
on this first ever American Tour of our Gypsy Choir from the Tileagd
Community School.
A big challenge – 15 people for a month on the road – approximately
7,000 miles away from home.
A different culture, a different
language, a level of touring never experienced before. The task had
many challenges to overcome. Just the basic expenses of the tour were
over $23,000 before they sang a note! But we had great belief that
this was the ‘Will of God’ and He would provide.
Initial plans for organising the Tour started more than a year ago
with a church from Loganville GA offering to take a lead-role in
organising and promoting the tour. When they pulled out last summer,
it seriously questioned whether the tour could still happen with real
limited time to organise it.
Thankfully, when Smiles believes something is of
God – we don’t shy away from a challenge. However nervous or
inadequate we may feel, we know God is able to achieve far more than
we can even ask for or imagine. (Ephesians 3 v.20). So in
October, after the major UK Tour had started, Kevin and Dawn began the
process of organising the US Tour. Although each has spent most of
their lives doing so for Christian Artists – this was a Gypsy Choir
from Romania – and involved a whole set of different challenges to
deal with.
Thanks to wonderful support from major Smiles supporters in the
States, we quickly had our Tour Schedule formatted around the
South-Eastern States of America. Time past quickly and
February 1st 2007 soon arrived.
The children were rehearsed…..
The Schedule was finalised …..
Visa’s had been secured …..
Flights purchased and logistics were in place.
Mid-night on January 31st our
bus arrived at Cihei to take us to Budapest. The following 28 days
were to be an amazing experience of Opportunity, Possibilities,
God’s Presence and Spiritual guidance. |
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The 15 strong team was
made up as follows: 10 Children - |
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Roxanna Demian
(9)
Florica G Rostas
(9)
Florica B Rostas
(9)
Marinalla Rostas
(11)
Cornel Rostas
(11) |
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Geta Moldavan
(13)
Aneta Demian
(14)
Simona Demain
(15)
Malin Rostas
(15)
Carol Demian
(16) |
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Plus - |
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Guiry Rostas
Leader of the Tileagd Gypsy Community
Vera Zlatov Choir Director
Octavia Cimpoca Assistant Choir Director
Maria Cimpoca Director of Operations in Romania and PA
to Mr Hoy
Kevin D. Hoy Founder and Chief Executive to
the Smiles Foundation |
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 The
first day of travel was going to be a real test for the strength
and character of the Team.
We arrived for check-in at Budapest airport by 5am and started the
long flight – first to Milan, Italy and then onto Atlanta GA. Due to
delays, we missed our connecting flight to Jacksonville FL so ended up
arriving around 9.30pm which was 4.30am Romanian time for the team –
nearly 29 hours after leaving Cihei. Exhausted, the team headed for
their hosts and thankfully had a day to recover before the Tour really
began.
February 3rd
– somewhat
refreshed, we loaded the Bus and began our first major road journey to
Charlotte NC. It is always great on tour to be heading to folk you
know well. Christ Lutheran Church in Charlotte was certainly a
friendly host for us to start the Tour, with not only our Trustee,
Scott Suskovic being senior pastor but many close friends from the
Church who have been to Romania many times and supported many
projects.
 February
4th - 3 major services in
the morning and a Sunday School presentation introduced the Choir to
just how busy touring America can be.
February 5th –
in the morning the
Choir had opportunity to visit the Children’s Discovery Place Museum
in Charlotte before heading to Cary NC. |
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February 6th
– the Choir performed for the entire School at St Michael’s the
Archangel RC School and was very well received. Then we loaded up to
travel to North-East Tennessee. On the journey we encountered our
first mountains and snow of the Tour as we crossed the NC/Virginia
border.
February 7th
– Another ‘home’ Church – Colonial Heights Christian where the Smiles
office has been based under the eye of Smiles Trustee, Larry Wilson.
Lunchtime the Choir visited and performed at the local High School and
then presented the concert Wednesday evening at Church.
Next morning, February 8th –
after breakfast at Perkins – we drove to Atlanta GA. That evening the
Choir performed at the Biserica Penticostala Romana
(Romanian Pentecostal Church). |
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February 9th
– the Choir performed at the Biserica Baptista Romana
 (Romanian
Baptist Church)
During the day we took the opportunity to visit one of our most
generous sponsors who loves the work of Smiles and has greatly
supported the development of the Tileagd Complex. It was the first
opportunity for our sponsor to meet the children he had done so much
to help and they expressed their appreciation very sincerely in words,
song and dance! We left after about an hour with another very special
gift of $50,000 (£26,000) towards the next stage of the Complex this
year, The Gymnasium, Medical block and Church.
Next stop was again to well-known friends and supporters at First
Baptist, Leesburg GA. Senior pastor and his wife and so many members
have supported the work for many years. This year, a significant team
– led by the senior pastor – is in Romania on a Smiles Mission Trip.
February 11th AM – 2
services at First Baptist, Leesburg GA
Sunday 11th PM – Concert at Gillionville Baptist,
Albany GA.
A truly wonderful week-end of Worship and Fellowship with some dear
friends. |
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 February
12th was our first day off for the team and all enjoyed
a beautiful day in hot sunshine visiting St Simon’s Island GA.
Back to Concerts, February 13th
was a presentation at Magnolia Manor, an assisted living facility in
Richmond Hill GA. The seniors loved their time with the kids and were
very  supportive.
An
interesting visit for the leadership also as we plan to build an
Assisted Living facility and Nursing Home in Romania over the next
12-18 months.
February 14th
– a great concert at Richmond Hill United Methodist Church before
starting a long journey to Baton Rouge LA over two days.
Halfway through the tour we arrived in Baton Rouge LA amongst more
wonderful friends who have been to Romania in years past.
February 17th
– the Team got to visit Baton Rouge Zoo which was a great experience
for them all. Saturday evening we had a Dinner Party at the home of
our great supporters, John and Donna Schwabs. After some great food
and fellowship, the Choir performed and over $5,000 was raised for
Smiles work in Tileagd. |
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February 18th
– Another very busy Sunday!
9 AM – Performance at First Presbyterian Church
10.30 AM – Performance at Jefferson Baptist Church
6 PM – Concert at Chapel on the Campus
Monday morning we began the 750 mile journey back to Florida. A long
hard drive, but by 4pm Tuesday, the Team arrived in Lake Wales, FL.
February 21st – A concert at
First United Methodist Church, co-sponsored by Highland Ridge
Fellowship of Lake Wales.
February 22nd
– A journey down to the Atlantic coast for a concert at Stuart
United
Methodist Church but earlier in the afternoon we got 2 hours on the
beach and the kids enjoyed a swim in the ocean. We travelled back to
Lake Wales after the concert as Friday was to be a Special Day for
all. |
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February 23rd
– 7.30am
Departed for DISNEY WORLD
Yes – an amazing opportunity made possible by friends of First UMC and
Highland Ridge Fellowship of Lake Wales – the Smiles team was joined
by various friends and 27 of us were entering Disney at 9am. Words can
not describe the experiences and expressions of the day.
Conclusions – Magic Kingdom
at Disney World is a very special place.
God’s
People are very Special people and we
thank them for their generosity. |
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February 25th
– 9AM & 10.30AM – Share in services at Christ’s Church – Mandarin
Campus
6 PM – Concert at Christ’s Church attended by various Romanian
communities within Jacksonville to strengthen fellowship between them.
A truly Special event to be apart of.
February 26th
– a concert at a Lenten lunch at Lakewoo d
United
Methodist Church in
Jacksonville was the final performance of the Tour. Allowing time to
go shopping in the afternoon!!
Tuesday February
27th we faced the huge task of packing bags and
wrapping up all the details before heading to the airport for a flight
to New York and on to Budapest. |
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We arrived back in Romania
late afternoon Wednesday 28th.
The Tour had achieved tremendous support. Donations totalled $129,000
(£66,500) directly on the Tour and considerable support has been
pledged for projects in the future on a monthly basis. This was
the end of a memorable month for which we give God all the Praise and
Glory for what was achieved. |
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We also thank the following for their
tremendous support in helping to make the Tour both possible and
successful:-
In America
Jim & Donna Watts, Scott & Gretchen Suskovic, Larry &
Glenda Wilson,
Bobby & Lannell Harrell, John & Donna Schwab, Terry Sebring and Dan
McSwain.
In Romania
Georgi Opreanu in her new role as Deputy Director. Great job covering
Maria’s absence.
In United Kingdom
Dawn Wilson & June Cole for maintaining the office and
administrative control.
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Any one interested
in future Tours with the
Tileagd Community Choir visiting your area in
America or United Kingdom
please contact:Kevin D. Hoy 
E-mail :
kevin@thesmilesfoundation.org
Telephone: USA: 423-239-9525 UK: 0113-276-5060
To purchase a copy of
the Choir CD
‘My Life is in His Hands’
telephone the above office numbers. |
