我那慈愛又勤勞的雙親來自中南美洲，他們是各自家族中為了更好的機會而移民到美國的先鋒，身為他們的女兒，我很感激他們早年有這樣的勇氣。他們年輕時在紐約市相遇、結婚、有了我姐姐與我，然後繼續經營他們各自的事業。

我生為紐約人，從小就接受我西班牙裔的傳統文化薰陶，也欣賞來自各種不同背景的人。有一次，我在一個多元文化教會的晚間聚會中，分享了自己的生命見證。他們聚會的地方先前是百老匯的劇院。當我向這個多元文化的群體述說上帝的愛時，似乎窺見未來天國的景象，看到萬國萬民組成的基督徒肢體相聚在一起。

在啟示錄，使徒約翰為我們描繪了天國的美好景象：「我觀看，見有許多的人，沒有人能數過來，是從各國、各族、各民、各方來的，站在寶座和羔羊面前」（7章9節）。那時，拯救我們的上帝將接受應得的「頌讚、榮耀⋯⋯」，「直到永永遠遠」（12節）。

如今，我們只能窺見天國的景象。但是有一天，我們這些相信耶穌的人將會與上帝，以及來自不同國家、文化、語言的人，連結在一起。既然上帝愛萬國萬民，我們也要愛在基督裡的普世大家庭。

As the daughter of two loving and hard-working parents from Central and South America, I’m grateful they had the courage to be the first in their families to immigrate to the United States for better opportunities. They met as young adults in New York City, married, had my sister and me, and went on to run their respective businesses.

As a native New Yorker, I’ve grown up embracing my Hispanic heritage and have been fascinated with people of diverse backgrounds. For instance, I once shared my story of faith at an evening service at a multicultural church that meets in a former Broadway theater. Speaking to a multicultural group about God’s love is only a glimpse of what heaven will be like when we see people from different nations come together as the body of Christ.

In Revelation, the apostle John gives us this amazing picture of heaven: “Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). God our Savior will receive the “praise and glory” and so much more He’s worthy of “for ever and ever” (v. 12).

Now we have just a glimpse of what heaven will be like. But one day, we who believe in Jesus will be united with Him and with people from different countries, cultures, and languages. Since God loves the nations, let’s also love our global family in Christ.