30 Hour Famine

In this preview of the book Radical, David Platt invites you to encounter what Jesus actually said about being his disciple, and then obey what you have heard. He challenges you to consider with an open heart how we have manipulated a God-centered gospel to fit our human-centered preferences. With passionate storytelling and convicting biblical analysis, Platt calls into question a host of comfortable notions that are common among Christ’s followers today. Then he proposes a radical response: live the gospel in ways that are true, filled with promise, and ultimately world changing.

I can honestly say Radical is one of the best books I have ever read…the whole book is literally underlined. It is raw, real, captivating and most importantly, convicting. Radical challenged me to take an honest look at what the bible says about my faith and my affluent, American lifestyle. In our culture, reading Radical was a breath of fresh – and encouraging – air. Learn more about Radical here!

With an estimated 30 million people trapped in the modern day slavery known as human trafficking, it begs the question-how do victims end up there? What circumstances lead an individual into a life of slavery, and how is hunger related? Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day -a moment for us to learn more about one of the most horrific crimes happening everyday in our own backyard and around the world.

On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, killing more than 200,000 people and devastating an already struggling economy. An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless and today–just two days before the two year anniversary of the quake– we celebrate the many accomplishments, while looking ahead at what’s left to be done.

While on the 2011 Study Tour to Burundi, our team experienced a wide range of emotions. There were moments of incredible joy, like playing under a colorful parachute with children; and moments where our hearts would break when a mother would beg us for food for her children. One night though, we witnessed an immense brokenness and suffering as we listened to the story of Domitrien and Innocent. Domitrien, who described the life he shared with his son, Innocent, as “a prison”. We shared their story in August’s blog and today we are humbled and thrilled to share with you an update on their lives.

Meet Carter. He’s a scuba diving, alligator-hunting, hunger-fighting activist!

This down to earth, adventurous Floridian rocked the Famine’s world when he raised an incredible $30,000 in 2011 for the 30HF! That’s the most any student has ever raised in the history of the 30HF. We’ll pause here while you stare at your screen in awe…

New Years always brings the reassuring promise of a fresh start, a new beginning and a do-over. With the New Year right around the corner, the 30 Hour Famine team got to thinking about 2012, the changes we’d like to make and our New Years resolutions. This year we decided to spice it up a bit and share our, err, creative, resolutions with you!

Photo courtesy of Apple

Top ten most wanted Christmas gifts of 2011:

1. iPad 2

2. Play Station 3

3. Xbox 360 Connect

4. Modern Warfare 3

5. 42 inch LED screen in 3D

6. Amazon Kindle

7. iPod touch

8. Garmen portable GPS

9. Canon 12.1 megapixel

10. Apple laptop

Ten days, that’s all it took for my life to be completely transformed. Ten days in the most beautiful countryside, with the most welcoming people, seeing and doing the most unbelievable things. I can’t believe it’s already been over four months since we’ve returned from the Study Tour in Burundi. But even though the rest of the students and I are back home now, our journey is not over. Now we have been blessed with the privilege of sharing the incredible stories we’ve taken from Burundi.