Variety

This last little while I have been to several different events. firs there was the Conference "the theology of disability". , 

I spoke at March Baptist-Cambridgeshire earlier this month.   the meeting involved a lunch and then 30 minute presentation. it was a ladies group.  they all seemed to enjoy what I said and there were several names on the sign up sheet for keeping in touch with TTR which was encouraging..  

I thought that I had no more speaking bookings till after christmas. However my brother Ben was unable to make a meeting which he was booked to speak at and asked me to step in. this was to a group of about 20 ladies at Over Baptist, and was a very short service with my presentation in the middle. again the reception was good, and the church wanted to keep in touch with TTR. 

then I attended the Grace Baptist Women's conference last weekend and met up with some of the ladies from March, and also some people I had spoken to at Long Meadow and some who had attended my seminar I gave at the conference 2 years ago. its nice to have those  ongoing links with people! 

I was just starting to relax, but I now have a booking to speak at an inclusive church day this coming Saturday. I again have 30 minutes. i'd appreciate your prayers. 

please let me know if you have a group you would like me to speak to by contacting me on philippa@throughtheroof.org

thank you for your prayers and support. i couldn't do this without you. and I certainly couldn't do anything without God! "to God be the Glory" 

God's goodness

Well, as you can see, my last blog post was dated over a month ago. What a month it’s been! here goes:

On 27th September I spoke at Cheam, to a fellowship of about 6 people.There was some initial confusion, as they thought my mum was the speaker, and couldn’t quite get their head round the fact that it was me, and that I would be speaking on my own. After the meeting however, i received a lot of good feed back, everyone came and spoke to me and said they had enjoyed what I had said and found it helpful. They also joined in with me singing “some day the silver cord will break” which was a very special moment.

On sunday 2nd october I set off with my dad at midnight, ok, it was really 6:40 am, but it felt more like midnight! to travel to Bristol. I was booked to speak to Kensington Baptist church that morning. in the morning service i was given a 20 minute slot, and there were 300 people present. I spoke and sang, and then the pastor, Andy Paterson, gave the short sermon. he, very fittingly, preached on the through the roof story in Luke 5. he did it very simply, saying that we have a responsibility to bring people to Jesus and show them his love. After the service there was a church lunch then we went back to Abi’s house. Abi and I went to the Budapest conference together in May and it was she who had instigated the invitation to this church. It was lovely to see her again and spend time with her and her family.

Later we went back to church where i was booked to speak to about 45-50 children aged from 5 to 11. They listened well, were very interested, and had lots of questions! These were mostly very practical questions such as “how do you know the difference between jam and marmite”, but these were important to them, and I feel its important to answer children’s questions as they then become comfortable with you, and accept your disability as part of you, instead of seeing it as something strange and being worried about how to approach you. Unanswered questions lead to a lot of uncertainty.

After this group, our last call was to a youth group being held at one of the members houses. There were about 10 people aged from 13-18. Again they listened and had a few questions, some about my mission trip to Guatemala, some about what i did for TTR and other practical questions about how i cooked. One boy even whispered that he felt ashamed because he could only cook things if they could go in the microwave.

all in all, it was a blessed day. i had again a lot of positive feedback, but the most wonderful part was when the Pastor asked Abi if she would organise a group who were keen to include people with disabilities within church, as he knew this was close to her heart. that is what we all long to see, churches taking responsibility and initiative to start including themselves.

On the Tuesday after the Bristol Sunday, Tim and  I were interviewed on the Urban Saints Leaders TV about Through The Roof. This will go out to their 700 groups across the country.

After that, i have been catching up with emails etc. I have had a lot of technical hitches, a lot of frustrations but after a system restore for my new computer i hope these issues will be a thing of the past!

I praise God for his help and his guidance. He daily gives me the strength to carry on, the words to say, and the places to go and people to speak to. without him, my work would be in vain, and my life would have no meaning. i am grateful for his daily blessings and blessed to say that someday, “i shall see him face to face, and tell the story saved by grace!”

please contact me on philippa@throughtheroof.org if you have a group you would like me to speak to.

technical hitches

written on september 20th:

I have had such a blessed time recently. I have spoken at two different meetings. The first was a Fellowship of Youth meeting and was to about 20 young people and 6/7 adults. It was a good time of fun and they listened very well. 

On Tuesday night I was booked to speak at a churches together meeting in Hitchin. This was a very nice meeting. Everybody responded well and they were all so welcoming. I pray God will use that meeting to make Through the Roof more known, and that maybe some more bookings will come from it. 

The rest of the time since I last wrote has been spent on emailing people. Slight technical hitch though as most of my emails are sending as blank messages! Very frustrating! I have also been finding it difficult to log in, and have to get to know a new computer as well. Its all fun and games! It's such a blessing to know that when we talk to God we will never get the message "error" or "can't display page", and he will never have to say "sorry can you send me that prayer again please?"  Even a silent prayer is heard! 

I had a meeting with Alan the project manager of Integr8 last week. We discussed the project and the trip to Guatemala, and reflected on the last six months. It's incredibly hard to believe that it is really six months since this job began! I feel privileged that God has made it possible for me to do this work, and want to continue to do all things to his glory. 

This morning I had an early start. I was on Biggles FM-my local radio station, talking about Guatemala, TTR, and giving the thought for the day. 

Next week I am speaking in Epsom. I have also been encouraged to be given a cheque from a series of meetings that one church (who heard me talk at a ladies Rally in March-Cambridgeshire) have collected together and kindly donated to Through the Roof. This is a real blessing and I'm pleased that they have done this. 

So all in all, I am a little tired, but still thankful. I know that God has his hand on this work, and that "strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord". 

If you wish to know more or have a group that you would like me to speak at please contact me on Philippa@throughtheroof.org      

Back Home

First of all I want to say what an amazing trip we had in Guatemala this year. God was truly with us! You can read a summary of this trip at

www.to-guatemala.blogspot.com

Since I returned from Guatemala, the Insight program which I was interviewed for back in May was released. To hear it go to

http://www.torchtrust.org/smartweb/Downloads/downloads#audio

And click on 14^th august.

I have had no official engagements to speak for TTR since my return, however, last week I went to Root Hill for GBM Pioneer camp and was asked to speak a little about the charity and was interviewed on what to do if a disabled person arrives on your church doorstep one Sunday morning, how to make them feel included and help them access the service. The talk seemed to be well received, and it really broke the ice, people started to talk to me a lot more! Often people are unsure how to approach someone with a disability.

I was recognised by some students and parents from Cornerstone school in Epsom, where I have given an assembly and where the interview presentations took place. I really felt encouraged by that.

If you would like a similar talk at your church/school/group, please contact me on Philippa@throughtheroof.org

To hear sample of my testimony please visit

www.soundcloud.com/philwood88263  

Long Meadow

Last Thursday I spoke at Long Meadow Church Stevenage. The meeting was called ‘senior moments’ and the group were warm and friendly. They received my talk well and were keen to ask questions.

I am now preparing for the mission trip to Guatemala with Integr8 which flies out in 8 days!

I have no more speaking engagements until September, but I am always seeking more. If you know of a group which would like to learn more of the work of Through the Roof, please contact me at Philippa@throughtheroof.org

Talking Through The Roof

Well! Since I last posted here, a lot has happened! I have been to Torch house to be interviewed for the “Insight” program that Torch broadcasts on Premier Radio every Sunday at 4 pm. I was interviewed by Marilyn Baker, and was asked questions on the conference in Budapest, my trip to Guatemala, and my work with Through the Roof. I was able to explain some of what TTR does, and talk about my new role. I was also asked to sing. I pray this will be a great opportunity for God’s glory. The broadcast will not be released till late July.

Following that, I spoke at the Bournemouth Torch Trust group, on Saturday 4^th June. I told them about the work of TTR. This meeting went well although I had a horrible cold and a very husky voice! The Lord sent me to a group that knew the words of my song that goes with my testimony, “and I shall see him face to face, and tell the story saved by grace”, and the whole group joined in with me! This took the pressure off me, and I was able to have enough voice to finish the rest of the talk. It was a blessing to be there.

On 23^rd June I spoke at the “Lunch and Listen” meeting at my church. It was a blessing to be with them, and nice to have some people from outside the church who hadn’t heard what I said before!

On 25^th June I was at Bletchley to speak at a “Special Needs” day. We had a service beforehand which it was a privilege to attend. All I said seemed to go down well and I feel very encouraged by both the “Lunch and Listen” ladies and and the members of the church in Bletchley Community Centre.

On Sunday 26^th June we had the Guatemala team day. It was again such a joy and blessing to be there, I feel that God has really Gelled us together as a team and want to pack my suit case and be off to Guatemala right now!

This week I have not got any speaking engagements, but my next one is on 7^th July. This is to “Senior Moments” group in Stevenage. I am looking forward to it!

This quiet week gives me time to catch up on the social networking side of things. I have now joined Twitter and anyone who wishes to follow me my twitter name is philippattr.

If you would like to know more about Through the Roof, please visit www.throughtheroof.org or www.youth.throughtheroof.org  my email address should you want to invite me to speak at your church/group is Philippa@throughtheroof.org

 

Since I last wrote

Since I last wrote, I have been to the Hope for Europe conference in Budapest. The conference was packed full of speakers and information, but it was a very useful experience, particularly the 2 days that the European Disabilities Network were all together and shared stories of faith, and information about what is happening in different countries round the world. We ran an inclusive worship session for other networks to come to, so we could show them some practical ways in which people with different disabilities can be included in worship without making dramatic changes to the church or the way we do things. Hopefully people will take those experiences back to their own churches.

All the talks were very interesting and encouraging, especially when people shared their own testimonies and told us about their own ministries. It was encouraging to be able to pray for one another too.

Since returning from the conference, I have spoken at a ladies rally in March, and this morning I was invited to give the “thought of the day” on Biggles FM and talk about the work Through The Roof does.

I praise God for these new opportunities, and pray he will use them all for his glory and to his purpose.  

Cornerstone!

I spoke at the assembly in Cornerstone school Epson today. I felt it went well, and the children listened really attentively. I am hoping that the feedback will be good, and praying that God will use the words I said for his glory. I spoke about TTR and its 4 programs, about growing up as a blind person and of my testimony as a Christian. I showed them the difference in size between a print and braille bible, and sang to them. I also showed them a book from when I was young which has tactile pictures in. I then talked about ways in which they could help TTR and get involved.

If you would like a similar talk at your church/group/school, please email Philippa@throughtheroof.org

"promoting disability" what does that mean?

I have recently been asked, “I am curious about the title ‘promoting disability’” so I thought I’d explain it here, or attempt to!

well, it means that we are Promoting Disability as in we are promoting the fact that people with disabilities can and do live normal lives, and that it is not the dreadful negative affliction that some people think, and also that it is not to be afraid of. sure it can be hard hard work sometimes, and things can be really difficult for both disabled and carers, but it doesn't mean disabled people can't have quality of life and that they don't have as much right to everything as people without disabilities. sometimes they need to do things differently but they can still do them. sometimes it takes change or just a little bit of adaptation, but mostly its about people's attitudes. some people have disabilities that can't be seen!

i always say when giving my testomony that it is much more important that you are right with God and are spiritually well, than if you do or do not have a disability either physical or mental.

I hope that if you had any questions about the title “promoting disability” that that has answered them. If not, or you would like to comment on it or on the blog, know more about Through The Roof, or just ask me anything else, don’t hesitate to email me! Philippa@throughtheroof.org  

progress update

This is just a quick update, just to let you know I’m still working! J There has not been any more dates booked for me to speak anywhere since I last wrote, but preparations continue to be made for the European disability conference in Budapest. We have all been receiving some daily devotionals to lead up to the conference, and they are all on hope. They are very thought provoking! I have been asked by Torch Trust to go to their studios and record and short interview about the conference when I return, and to record audio clips while I am out there for their Insight program on Premier radio! Exciting stuff.

Also, plans are being made for the next integr8 trip to Guatemala in July this year. I will be going along with a team. I will be writing a blog about my fundraising for that, and prepairing for the trip, since it is a separate work for The Lord. If you would like to read this blog, it can be found at:

www.to-guatemala.blogspot.com

please do contact me if you would like to know more about having a talk in your church/school/group, or if you have any questions! Philippa@throughtheroof.org

Dates, Dates, and more dates! :-)

I am praising the Lord this week for 3 more bookings to speak for Through The Roof. 1 is June 4^th at a Torch Trust Fellowship Group, the next is on 7^th July for Long Medow Church Stevenage for a Senior Moments group. The third booking is to speak at a churches together group in Hitchen on September 20^th.

Jeremiah 29 ¹¹ “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I pray that this is what the Lord plans for Through The Roof.

If you would like a similar talk at your church, please email Philippa@throughtheroof.org       

Work in progress

The team day I attended on Saturday was very enjoyable. We started off with worship and prayer, and then talked about all aspects of the charity, from success stories to memorable moments, to a new strapline and how we could see the work progressing in the future. I gave my first talk as the youth ambassador, which seemed to go down ok.

Today is a day full of emails to churches with a view to speaking at their services or youth clubs etc. I hope the Lord will bless this, and use it for his glory. 

work really starts.

I am looking forward to the through the roof team day “Pressing on towards the goal” which is happening on Saturday in Epsom, and I am delighted to say that I have my first 4 bookings to speak as the Youth Ambassador.

 I thank God for these new opportunities to serve him in this way. 1 booking is for a school assembly and the other 3 are for church related events. If you would like a similar talk at your church/school etc, please do get in contact with me either on Facebook or on Philippa@throughtheroof.org

If you would like to hear a brief version of my testimony, please visit

www.soundcloud.com/philwood88263/short-testomony

This was recorded in Guatemala at an English speaking church last year.

Starting my new work

On Thursday I started my new job as youth ambassador for the Christian charity Through the Roof. Through The Roof is a charity that seeks to enable every disabled person achieve their God-given potential. It also wants to change people’s attitudes and provide practical tips on inclusion of the disabled in every situation.

My job is to go and talk to youth clubs, Sunday schools, schools, churches, guides, brownies, scouts, WI etc. etc. etc., raising awareness of the work of Through The Roof, and giving my own personal experience of living with a disability, sharing some of the things that have helped me, and some of the attitudes that have hindered me. I will also share my testimony as a Christian where appropriate. I will answer any questions that anyone has.

I was born without eyes. This is a condition called Bilateral Alnophthalmia. It was a great shock to my family. My parents have 6 other children who have no disabilities at all. Despite this shock, and their questions as to why God had allowed this to happen, they wanted me to live a normal life. So I was sent to mainstream school from playgroup right through to A-levels.

I went to Trinity College of music on Saturdays for 3 years, and I love to sing. I especially love to sing to praise my saviour. I became a Christian at a very young age, and was baptised when I was 12.

Through The roof, being a Christian charity, base their beliefs on the God’s word. Here are some of the bible passages that we use to demonstrate that God loves everyone if they have a disability or not, and that he does nothing by mistake.

We are all created in God’s image, Genesis 1:27

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

(This scripture does not say “but God did not create disabled people, he created everybody and everything exactly as he meant them to be”)

God doesn’t make mistakes, Exodus 4:11

“So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD?”

(This is saying that nothing has come about by accident. God plans everything, and can use everyone no matter how they feel that he can’t because of this or that reason.)

.)

The Lord looks at the heart, 1 Samuel 16:7

“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

(It is more important that we are right with God in our hearts than what we look like or how we learn.)

We were fearfully and wonderfully made by God, Psalm 139:14

“I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works,          and that my soul knows very well.”

(We were all made by God, wonderfully. It is amazing to look at the human body and think what it can do. Everything we are good at, or not good at, all our gifts and strengths are from God.)

Neither this man or his parents sinned, John 9:3

“Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”

(This verse states that disability is not caused by sin. It is not a punishment for sin. Sometimes God allows things to happen so that his glory may shine through it. I have been asked why I don’t ask for healing, and comments have been made that I obviously do not have enough faith because God hasn’t healed me yet. I know! That God could give me eyes just like that. And that he could give me all the visual knowledge to go with them. I know he could do it, but I do not believe that he wants to. I believe that he wants to use my blindness to glorify his name. I believe that he has called me to go and tell people about my disability, so that I can explain how God has helped me to cope with it, and show that I can live a normal life, as the normal person I am.)  

We are all part of the Body of Christ and those that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 1 Corinthians 12

“No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”

(God uses people and things that look weak or unnecessary to show people his glory, and to show them how we are all equal even though we have different gifts, strengths, or weaknesses.)

All equal in Christ, Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

(We could almost say this scripture is saying that there is “neither disabled or non-disabled” because it only matters that your heart is right with God, not what you look or sound like.)

Go into the streets and bring in the poor, the crippled and the lame, Luke 14:20

“So that servant came and reported these things to his master.

Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and

The maimed and the lame and the blind.’”

(This is an illustration of God calling us all to be saved and to be with him in heaven. The invitation is open to all, including the disabled people.)

Through The Roof has lots of resources to help people learn how to be more inclusive, not just in their buildings, but by their attitudes. Please visit

www.throughtheroof.org

Or

www.youth.throughtheroof.org

For more information and to get involved.