I was familiar with the story Same Kind of Different As Me, but I had to confess to his daughter, Regan, that I had not yet read the book. That afternoon, I ran to purchase a copy so I could get started. At the time, my son was swimming with FAST at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center off of I-20, and his practice gave me an hour to get started on the first few chapters. It only took getting through Chapter 3, and the tears starting flowing. A lot of them. I didn’t expect to immediately connect to the story, but I was hooked. The real-life story of an international art dealer is juxtaposed with a modern-day slave/homeless man, both living quite extraordinary lives on the opposite end of the spectrum, yet both going through the full range of the human experience with all its supremely intensified emotions.

That evening after we put the kids to bed, I dove back into the book. The next morning, I didn’t get out of bed until I finished it. My daughter told me “Mommy, please stop reading that book, it’s making you sad”. That sweet girl of mine didn’t understand that I wanted to cry. Each chapter was giving me the faith I had lost in the last few years that I didn’t even realize I was so desperate to have back. The life and death of Ron’s wife Deborah Hall especially moved me. Her courage and perseverance in realizing her dream of helping to build a homeless shelter where everyone is treated as “God’s people”, not as an afterthought, is incredibly inspiring. And that dream is being met year after year at the Union Gospel Mission of Fort Worth. Her other dream of her husband befriending a homeless man who was a wise man is absolutely without question a divine one.

The book brought me closer to God and to find ways to allow the Spirit to fill me and do good works. What has been years of “me me me” has been replaced with “what can I do?”. Ron and Denver carried Debbie’s torch, and it shines brightly, not only in Fort Worth, but in cities nationwide. Their story has inspired so many generous people to give millions of dollars to help the homeless. I consider myself incredibly lucky to help share their story.

This Friday, April 20th, Regan Hall Art, in collaboration with Madeworthy, will be hosting a book signing at the WestBend shopping center from 4 to 6 pm. Bring your well-loved copy, or purchase a new one. This book makes a great gift for someone who needs a little (or a little more) inspiration in their lives. You can follow the updates and RSVP here on our Facebook event page.

The post Book Signing with Ron Hall in WestBend first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Did you know that one of the most inspirational, and true stories to come out of Fort Worth, Same Kind of Different as Me, is now a major motion picture? If you are unfamiliar with the story, it tells of Ron Hall, an international art dealer, who fosters an unlikely friendship with Denver Moore, a homeless man whose life began in slave-like conditions. The two met at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County (UGM-TC) at the persistence of Ron’s wife and UGM-TC volunteer, Deborah.

On January 17^th UGM-TC will host a special event to celebrate the moving story behind the new movie, Same Kind of Different as Me. Ron Hall (who co-wrote the book with Denver Moore) as well as Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (who stars as Denver in the movie) will join us to discuss the uplifting story’s journey from book to screen. It will be a night dedicated to rejoicing in God’s amazing grace – and the power that His love can have on a community. And you can be a part of the celebration!

Individual tickets for the event can be purchased for $100 or you can purchase an entire table of 10 for $1,000. Sponsorships are also available. You can find tickets and sponsorship opportunities here.  All proceeds help to benefit the clients at UGM-TC.

But wait, there’s more ways to celebrate! You can download a PDF book tour that will have you viewing Fort Worth differently.

With this book tour you can adventure throughout Fort Worth with the whole family to see some of the different locations that served as the setting for this inspiring story. Locations include Red Hot & Blue, where Deborah threw Denver his first birthday party, the Fort Worth Water Gardens. where Denver and his friend used to bathe, and more!

You can also make a difference by making a purchase. Collect our designer-made prints featuring “Denver-isms” and quotes from Same Kind of Different as Me. By purchasing a single poster, or the whole set, you will be helping to provide new beginnings for clients at UGM-TC.

To download the book tour and purchase collectible prints, click here.

Lastly, don’t forget to keep an eye on your local movie listings to go see Same Kind of Different as Me when it hits theatres in 2017! You can also follow UGM-TC on social media to stay up to date with Same Kind of Different as Me, our Making a Difference Event, and all the ways UGM-TC is helping the homeless in our community.
Facebook: @UnionGospelMissionTC

Twitter: @UGMTarrantCo

Instagram: @UGMTarrantCo

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Alicia McIntyre is a recent graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she received her bachelor’s degree in Marketing. While in Oklahoma, she interned at Ackerman McQueen Advertising Agency and Monarch Marketing. She is currently working as the Marketing Communications Coordinator at the Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. She can be described as a pug-loving queso connoisseur, with a passion for New Girl and Law and Order: SVU marathons.

The post A Different Kind of Story first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.