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Here’s another peek into Jenna Lucado Bishop’s adventure in Guatemala.  Don’t forget to check out her blog here. 

Say hello to the Crists. They are a family of nine, representing three pockets of the world, changing three pockets of Guatmela, while living in two pockets of the Western Hemisphere. More pockets than a pair of carpenter’s pants! And carpenters they are, building better lives for hundreds of orphans, the elderly, the disabled, children stuck in gang-run territories and so many more. They have returned so many times to serve the children and widows of Guatemala, that they began a non-profit called Tree4Hope. You can check out their web site at www.tree4hope.org.

Nine months out of the year they live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, while the other three months are spent in Guatemala. Brett and I happened to be overlapping one of their 3-month stints last summer. We were on a mission trip with some students from Oak Hills Church, and on our last day went to an orphanage called Hogar Miguel. That’s where we met the Crists.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that on our last day, in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by beautiful brown-skinned orphans, a blond-haired, blue-eyed, middle-school girl from Pennsylvania tapped me on the shoulder and asked, “Excuse me, are you Jenna?” I stared at her cute freckled nose, taken aback. “Yes,” I said. She then continued with a pleased smile, “I love the Revolve Tour!” The girl was Jessica Crist, and her family had just arrived at the orphanage for the first time that summer, an hour before our group. Divine timing? From there we began a friendship with this adventurous family, and we are forever grateful. So grateful, that I thought it appropriate to make our Top 5 List of our favorite adventures because of the Crist Family.

To read the rest of Jenna’s post, click here!

See Jenna Lucado Bishop LIVE at The Revolve Tour: Dream On 2012.  Register here!

Hi, my name is Emma.

I’m a teenager and I live on the east coast.  This summer, my life was completely transformed. Looking back on my life at this time last year, I was a completely different person. I had never heard of Revolve, and I had certainly never heard of Burundi.  I now realize that God was laying out an amazing plan for my life, without me even knowing it.

It all started back at my home church when we began fundraising for World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine. The 30 Hour Famine is a unique experience which allows you to learn about and experience hunger while making a difference.  It was the perfect opportunity for me to put my passion for fighting hunger and poverty into action.  That spring, I went to Revolve in Reading, PA.  At Revolve, my friends and I were able to hear from World Vision speakers, watch informative videos, and have personal conversations with World Vision workers.  In just one weekend, all this sparked my curiosity and passion even more.  At Revolve, the speakers also mentioned the Study Tour.  They described the Study Tour as an incredible opportunity for students who participate in the Famine to travel to an impoverished country and see firsthand how the funds are transforming lives.

{Emma (second from the left) at Revolve Tour in Reading, PA}

At the time, it sounded like an amazing opportunity, but never one that I would be able to experience. I doubted that anything that special could happen to me, and as a result, didn’t give it much thought. However, as the weeks passed, I found myself reading about the study tour, watching YouTube videos from previous years, and even talking to my youth pastor about it.  For some reason, I couldn’t get it off my mind.

I was certain I wanted to apply after I participated in the 30 Hour Famine at my church.  I wanted to take that experience to the next level and see firsthand how the funds are affecting hunger-stricken communities.  I prayed about my decision, and eventually decided to go for it.  So I sent in my application, which included a video, form, and references.  I didn’t expect anything to come of it, but knew nothing would happen if I didn’t give it a chance.

As it turns out, I was one of 9 students selected from across the country to go on the Study Tour to Burundi, Africa.  A dream which I had never even imagined would come true, and was now unfolding before my eyes.

Now, a few months since the Study Tour, I think about the trip every day.  Being able to meet the children, visit sites in the community, and experience a glimpse of what life is like for the people of Burundi was an unforgettable experience.  And even though it’s been several months since Burundi, my journey continues.  It has been a privilege and an honor to be able to share stories of the people of Burundi.  Trust that just as God has done amazing things with my own life, He also has an amazing plan for yours!  I can’t wait to share more details about my experience in Burundi throughout several upcoming blogposts.

Much love,
Emma

We LOVE being able to share Emma’s story with all of you!  We’ll be posting more photos and blog posts from Emma throughout the next few weeks.  Check back for more posts written by this incredible Revole girl.

Thanks again, Emma!!  You have inspired us all.
Wanna know one of the coolest parts about all of this?  Just like Emma, YOU can also get involved!

For more information on 30 Hour Famine, click here!
If you’d like to find out more about The Study Tour, click here!
Want more information on The Revolve Tour?  Click here!