God blesses those who work for peace,
    for they will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Ever since our son Andrew first discovered maps (he was favoring atlases over Dr. Seuss before even preschool) he has had a global worldview. He intuitively grasped big ideas like continents and oceans, and has been fascinated with planes and boats and trains since his first flight to the UK when he was just 14 months old.

Beginning with his first overseas placement in Tuscany, Andrew has lived abroad his entire work life. And when he met Alicia the question, “Where does a nice Presbyterian boy from Florida meet a nice Presbyterian girl from Michigan?” was answered: “At a wedding in Northern Italy, of course.”

Eventually Andrew traded Government service for education. Both he and Alicia (who was teaching in Kiev when they met) have worked with schools in Tashkent, Dresden, and now Bahrain.

Global Citizens!

Which all goes to set up this wonderful photograph Andrew took earlier today. He teaches 5th grade, and his students just finished putting together this poster on his classroom wall.

Twenty-three students, sixteen nationalities. It’s kind of a Noah’s Ark of children.

This morning our news feed was full with stories about political corruption, poverty, sedition, human trafficking, international crisis, domestic uncertainty, climate tipping points, and the practice of evil on a scale that is truly shocking.

But meanwhile, in a classroom on a hot, sandy island in the Persian Gulf, our son Andrew is preparing children from sixteen nations to live as global citizens and to make a positive difference in the years to come…

Correction, not just the years to come; Andrew and Alicia are making a difference now.

Peace, and more peace, in every way – DEREK

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27