TO DONATE TO TOMS CAMPAIGN, click https://my.give.net/notwasted, to access the fundraising page powered by Stewardship and supported by Holmebrook Valley Church. READ ABOUT TOM BELOW, AND LISTEN TO HIM TALK about his desire to be a voice for disabled people, his exciting plans for the future and how you can be a part of them! Hi, Im Tom Hardwick, and Im a 23 year old living in Chesterfield. I have a disability called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle-wasting disease which means that Im wheelchair-bound, and that I require a lot of help for even the smallest of physical tasks. But I believe that with God, there are no limits to what I can do, and though the muscles in my body waste away, in Gods eyes my life is not wasted. This inspired the title of my autobiography and the title for this mission, Not Wasted. Im hoping to travel all the way to California, USA this summer to take part in an internship with Joni and Friends, an organisation which is ‘dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people who are affected by disability around the world.’ Whilst over in the States I will have the opportunity to work alongside families affected by disability to be a support and encouragement to them. I hope and pray the practical and educational experience will increase my confidence and understanding, so that I can be a voice for disabled people back home. The only problem is, I have until May to raise in excess of £10,000 to cover the cost of the internship, as well as travel and medical expenses. I hope that churches across Derbyshire and beyond will join me in fundraising for the trip, but more importantly, that they will join me on this journey of trusting in Gods provision and continuing to live out His exciting plans for my life. Each church can support me by committing to raise just a £100 in whatever way they choose to, whether that be a coffee morning, cake stall or just a collection during their service. In the coming months Ill be making my way around Derbyshire to share my story, my dreams and my heart for disabled people with you, and my commitment to you would be to return again after my trip to share with you what God has been doing. To find out more about me, look out for my book, Not Wasted, which will be available soon. Ill also be posting links to my blog and some video footage of talks and testimonies that Ive done so far. Look out for information for the events that Ill be holding across Derbyshire in the coming months! Come along and meet me, I would love to hear from you. God bless, Tom tiny.cc/b57rsx
Posted on: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 22:19:35 +0000