Some college students spend their summers as camp counselors.  However, few travel as far as Israel to work with youth.

After having gone to Israel two times previously, Kristopher Rolls, sophomore, felt led to live in the Israeli culture for just over two months.  Initially, he was attracted to Israel because of passion for history and historical context.  On those first two trips, he became increasingly aware and interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

While he was there, he worked with an organization called Paidia.  According to their Web site, Paidia exists “to engage individuals, especially youths, in recreational education, empowering them to transform themselves, their communities and their environments.”

Coincidentally, Rolls’ father serves as the president on the board of directors.  Paidia, like Rolls, understands that the youths of today are the leaders of tomorrow.  And with 43 percent of the population being under 18, and 70 percent being under the age of 21, they are a large group to reach.  The boredom the teens face often leads them to violence.  So from his own research and conversations with his father, he knew that he should spend his summer investing in the lives of Palestinian children.

 “Paidia is a Greek word that Plato would use to talk about children and how they learn,” Rolls said.  “It’s best for children to learn through experience and activity.”

Paidia said that they “mobilize groups of children and young adults to help the relief development effort within their own community.”  It allows the young people to “cultivate leadership and business skills for the future development of their community.”

While Rolls was there, he worked with Palestinian children on climbing tours, and various high and low rope courses.

“We ran a summer camp with initiatives that taught [Palestinian children] problem solving skills, leadership skills, and peace-making skills,” Rolls said.  “The camp provided a fundamental outlet for the kids.”

But the kids aren’t the only ones who learned and grew this summer.  Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Rolls was dedicated to investing in the lives of the children.  After that, he was focused on his personal relationship with Christ.

“A thing I really took away from [my experience in Israel] was just my need for God,” Rolls said.

Most days, after working at the camp, Rolls would pack up his things, hike into the desert, and spend hours alone with God, praying and reading the Bible.

One the way to Israel, Rolls read The Rule of Benedict, a book about living a monastic life.  From that, he made a commitment to live as closely to a monastic lifestyle as possible.

 “I’ve been going through a stint of emptying myself,” Rolls said, “because I realize the more I fill myself with God and his law, the happier I am as a person.”

Carrying this over now that he is back in the States, he has taken on a sort of “Nazarite vow.”   As a form of long-term fasting, he is eating strictly kosher.

Kyle Juresich, sophomore and close friend with Rolls, said he has noticed a difference in Rolls since he has returned.

“Kris is the kind of guy who, without meaning to, will inspire the crap out of you,” Juresich said.  “even if he starts the sentence with the word ‘dude’.”

Beyond growing in his spiritual walk, he was refreshed by the culture.  Rolls explained that Israeli is “untainted with Western culture.”

“Israeli hospitality is awesome,” Rolls said.

He explained that they have no concept or concern for time.

“I couldn’t go to the market without scheduling like two to three hours because people would want me to talk to them, or come into their home and have a drink,” Rolls said.

The root of Arab culture believes in the Bedouin law, which requires people will take in strangers into their homes for up to three days, protecting them unquestioningly, to the point of death.

Because of the deep impact that his time in Israel had on his life, it was hard for him to leave.

“If I didn’t have to finish school, I’d still be there,” Rolls said.