Summit Ministries

I woke up this morning at "the crack of ridiculous" with the strongest desire to do nothing other than...roll over and go back to sleep. The "rrrrrr..." of the fan sounded as if it were encouraging me to get up. "Come on Christi! Wake up... It's another day to learn, another day to grow!" I rolled out of my top bunk (Thank goodness, not literally!) and looked out of my fourth story window. The mountains returned my gaze, and for a moment all I could do was stare in wonder and amazement. "God is so great, God is so great..." I felt the words roll off my tongue and enter the crisp Colorado air. For some reason being near these mountains I feel so close to God, it's a feeling words can't explain, it's a feeling I never ever want to lose.
The day started out with the "Manly Man Hike" and "Ladies at the Pool" devotion and breakfast. I, being a lady, obviously went to the "Ladies at the Pool" gathering. It was a great way to start the day gathering with fellow gals, and listening to a great devotion. I wonder how the "Manly Man hike" went. I guess I will just have to find and ask a Manly man..."
The speakers today were: Doc Noebel, Dr. J.P. Moreland, Dr. Michael Bauman and Dr. Michael Buratovich. Some of the topics covered were: post modernism issues, the meaning of words, the controversy over assisted physician suicide and some ideas involving why God allows painful things to happen. Everything was very well presented, the speakers were amazing as usual and very entertaining. Every day here at the Summit I learn something new, my faith is challenged and my way of thinking is expanded. I've always been a follower of Christ, but I think with everything that I have learned I am finally on my way to being a leader for Christ.
Later in the afternoon a few of us students along with Dr. Noebel and a few other leaders went and picketed in front of a Planned Parenthood building. At first I was skeptical about the whole Idea. I mean, what would people think about a bunch of teenagers marching around with Pro-Life signs? As soon as we started our little march with signs in hand, I knew this wouldn't be a one time thing for me. Yes, of course we had a few "birds" flipped our way, but the sheer joy we experienced when people would honk and wave, or stop to tell us how awesome what we were doing was, erased all the criticism...and gave us enough courage to keep on walking.
Later tonight we have a Servant Auction for Sudan I am not sure what all is going to take place, but I do know that it is going to be a hoot! A few leaders have offered up some selected services to raise money for Sudan, I'm planning on pooling my money with a few friends and hopefully getting myself a servant and maybe I can get him/her to clean up my room every morning for room check! Lets see how they like it. HA!
I can't believe Summit is nearly over, I know when I get back home people are going to ask me "So, what did you learn, Christi?" "How was your trip?" etc... The thought of having to tell them all about what I have learned scares me, not for the reason that I don't know how to explain and articulate what I have learned, but for the reason that I now know "WHY" I believe. You see, over the past few years I have often doubted and wondered, "Could Christianity really be the only way?" "Is Jesus really God?" "How do I know!" I've never wanted to share my doubts or unbelief with everyone because I was the girl who went to church every week, did the whole youth group scene, and went on a mission trip every year. I wasn't supposed to doubt! Honestly coming on this trip was the best thing that ever happened to me. I've met people here that share the same struggles as me, and for once in my life I have found that I'm not alone in wanting to know why I believe what I believe. I have about 180 brothers and sisters in Christ who are here because they want to have more faith than they had before and they want to know why too. So, here I am... I have the knowledge, I have the information to defend my faith in just about every situation and I am scared? To be honest, yes. I have no excuse now to not talk to the man or woman next to me on plane rides, I have no excuse to not talk to my coworkers about the way to the Lord. I now realize that I may be the only one who will ever have the chance to talk to them. If I don't talk to them, it's no better than If I walked past a pool, saw them drowning and did nothing about it. Yes, I am afraid to share what I have learned... but my fear will not hold me back, I will rise above it. Why, because I want to make a difference, I want to share the hope that I now understand better. I want to plant seeds, and give people a chance. Just like the people here at Summit did for me.
In conclusion I guess I would like to say thank you to Summit for their ministry. Without it, who knows, I might have ended up as just another statistic. I would like to thank the amazing girls in my room and small group, you have been constant, honest and most of all loving and real towards me. Just thanks to everyone here, but most of all, thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for not giving up on me and giving me a second chance and I hope you give me many more second chances to share and defend my faith with people who need it just as badly as I do.
Now, I am off to make a few more memories...