I have had a love for the world and all its interesting countries and cultures from a very young age.  It probably had something to do with the fact that I grew up in a church that was very active in missions and there were missionaries who came through often to share about the countries they served in.  I also have memories of this booklet our denominations sent out that had all their missionaries pictures in and the list of where they served.  We would pray for them nightly as kids during our bedtime prayers.   I would look at their names, and where they were and wonder what it was like in the place that they lived. 

As a teenager I was teased by my friends because my favorite Christmas present one year was the globe I had asked and hoped for.  I still have that globe and it remains special to me,  because it represented the endless possibilities of interesting people, language, and culture that I hoped one day to see and explore.  The world was my oyster, a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Years later I count myself so blessed because I have been able to travel to many countries across Europe, South America and Asia and even lived in Europe for a season.  One of greatest gifts that I have recieved is that it has opened my eyes, enlarged my heart to the people of this world.  We are all so very different, but all made in the image of our Creator, and that is a beautiful thing.