Summit Ministries

My name is Kristin Weber. I am part of the Summit Colorado staff for the second half of the summer. I work sessions 5, 6 and 7. Anyhow, the students for session five arrived yesterday. It's always exciting to see a new batch of fresh faces waiting to cram their minds with worldview goodness. Each session is unique. While most sessions are quiet and timid the first couple days, these students act like they've been here for years! They are a loud, bubbly, and fun group.

It always amazes me how a random group of 180 boys and girls from all over the country, and sometimes world, can get along and grow together. God will do amazing things through these young men and women.

After a few speakers in the morning, the students went on their first excursion to Garden of the Gods and then on to the Flying W Ranch for some great Western music and tasty food.

Right now, however, the students are sleeping, probably dreaming big philosophical dreams. It's nearly two in the morning and my day (night, actually) is just beginning. My job this session is Nightwatch, and I do exactly that: I watch the night. It's the same job I had when I staffed at Summit in '04 and '05. I make sure the girl students go to bed at 11pm sharp (I have a really intimidating baton flashlight that makes me look like I mean business) and then stay awake all night in case they wake up and need something.

So far tonight I've had several girls come to me because they can't fall asleep. It was a hot day and the rooms are really warm. The hotel has no air conditioning and it takes a little while for the night breeze to kick in. I let them cool off in the breezeway (I'm just that compassionate), then I get them a fan if they don't have one, or open the windows. Although tonight is particularly loud in downtown Manitou, so you have to listen to hippie music if you want a cool breeze.

Most nights are uneventful. Tonight, though, I am being stalked by a bug. This bug looks like a roach and a spider mated. Every time I look down I see it crawling on my shirt. I flick it off, but then I look down and there it is again crawling on me, taunting me with its little buggy tentacles! My mission tonight is to introduce that bug to the bottom of my shoe.

I also got to see a bear tonight. Two of the Nightwatch guys cornered one while on a round and I got to walk down and see it. I wanted to give it a hug, but was able to control myself (self-control is a fruit of the spirit, and I'm proud to say my spirit grew a little piece of fruit tonight). These are just of few of the exciting things that can happen when you work at Summit.

Well, that's it for now. Students will be updating the blog with what they're learning and their experiences in the upcoming days. I'm looking forward to getting to know them and doing what I can to help them enjoy and grow during their two weeks here at Summit Colorado!