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10th March, 2010 - Posted by Dave Redelfs -

NICK VUJICIC TO SPEAK AT THE
FOURTH ANNUAL PORTLAND GOOD FRIDAY BREAKFAST

A handsome young man who surfs, swims, fishes, golfs and plays soccer for fun. Sounds busy but not all that unusual, right? Well, not until you consider that Nick Vujicic does those things with no arms or legs and also maintains a speaking schedule that takes him all over the world.

Born without limbs, Vujicic has spent his life teaching himself to do things logic says he shouldn’t be able to do, but yet he does them. The energetic Australian began speaking to audiences when he was just 19, telling his story and challenging others to find joy in trials just as he has. Today, at 27, he’s spoken before millions of people in more than 19 countries.

Vujicic will be bringing his message of “Life without Limits“ as the featured speaker for the fourth annual Portland Good Friday Breakfast at the Oregon Convention Center on April 2. “As humans, we continually put limits on ourselves for no reason at all!” Vujicic says on his website. “What’s worse is putting limits on God, who is well able to do all things!”

A Christian who intertwines faith throughout his presentation, his message to never give up in the face of trials seems to cut across cultures and has taken him to some unexpected venues. Videos on his website show him surrounded by inmates deep in a maximum security prison in Columbia, speaking to crowds on the streets in Bombay, India, and quickly winning over a young audience at a school in Asia. In February, he was in the Arab country of Kuwait speaking before a local Chamber of Commerce there.

Vujicic’s inspiring attitude wasn’t always so positive though. Earlier in life he went through a period of deep mourning, even wanting to end his life at one point. Eventually though, he says he came to realize that the story of his struggles and successes could be used to help others embrace possibilities rather than limits.

Portland Good Friday Breakfast, where Vujicic will speak, is also unusual in its ability to cut across faith lines and draws hundreds from around the Portland/Vancouver area. Founded by Open Arms International, a humanitarian relief organization focused on Kenya, the event has been held at the Oregon Convention Center each spring since 2007. Says Open Arms’ founder, David Gallagher, “It’s a way of giving back to the local community that supports our work overseas throughout the rest of the year. The speakers we invite are people who are able to share a positive message in a way that is inspiring whether you’re a believer or not.”

The April 2 breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. Individual tickets are $35 and tables of ten are $350. More information is available at www.portlandgoodfridaybreakfast.org or by calling 503-296-9989. This website also features a short video about Nick and the event.  Additional information about him and his organization is available at, www.lifewithoutlimbs.org.  The Oregon Convention Center is handicapped accessible with MAX light rail stops nearby. Paid parking is also available on-site in the underground garage.

To order tickets or host a table, please click here.