The United States of America is a very unique and amazing country. The major cities consist of many ethnicities, ideas and cultures. Living in Hawaii, the term "melting pot" is used to describe this mix of cultures. Hawaii has an amazing mix of people from all walks of life. Culture is defined as this: the taste in art and manners that are favored by a social group.

Most of my life I spent in the same area. I had some white friends, some black friends, some Hispanic friends, and some Asian friends. The thing was that I defined people only as that. It is so easy to get caught up in the "me" society that we live, and I would watch myself fall into that trap. As a Christian, called by Christ to preach the good news to the nations, this mentality was not going to get me very far.

One thing I have always been told when visiting a place foriegn to my comfort, is to be open to the culture. Watch what people say, how they engage in conversation, how they eat, what they wear, and so on. If you want to disrespect a group of people, all you have to do is continue in your familiar way. That is not to say a particular culture is better than another, but that they are all different.

As I said earlier, Hawaii is considered a major "melting pot" and has people from all over; from Asia, Micronesia, Polynesia, the main land, and many others. Adapting to what other people do around the world is one of the best things someone can do. I know that for me, it has changed my life, but it can also make a difference in what God can use you for.

One prime example of adapting to a culture to reach a specific audience, comes from the Apostle Paul. 1 Corinthians 9:22-23 says, "To the weak, I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings." This does not mean compromise. What this means is share the gospel so that people can understand.

I have been learning about the Hawaiian culture and it has been awesome. Some values people hold here are these: family, respect, food, love, to name a few. No matter where we are in this world, the gospel can be shared. I know for me, God has really opened my eyes to see how small I am and how diverse His people are.