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Having experienced international travel in our youth—Liz on a mission trip to Jamaica at age 12 and Ben as an exchange student in Russia at 15—we knew we wanted cultural exploration to be part of their family DNA. Despite the logistical challenges of traveling with half a dozen kids (including marathon 20-hour road trips), we discovered that the benefits far outweighed the occasional car sickness episodes and roadside diaper blowouts.

The science behind our intuition is fascinating. Research confirms that travel experiences create more powerful memories than material possessions—something we verified when none of our children could remember Christmas gifts but could vividly recall details from family trips. Travel activates the brain's novelty-seeking reward system while increasing cognitive flexibility and empathy. We also discuss how experiencing different cultures aligns perfectly with biblical principles, from Abraham's journey to a new land to Jesus declaring the temple "a house of prayer for all nations."

In this Episode we cover:
• Science supports that travel memories are stored differently in our brains than gifts or material items
• Experiencing different cultures increases cognitive flexibility and makes people more agreeable
• Biblical precedents for travel include Abraham's journey and Paul's missionary trips
• Traveling connects us with God's multicultural vision of "every tribe, tongue, people and language"
• Children exposed to different faith expressions often develop stronger personal faith
• Experiencing other cultures doesn't always depend on travel. Find multicultural experiences around your city
• Practical tips include packing "busy bags" for kids, bringing healthy food options, and using audiobooks
• Budget strategies involve traveling with other families, planning during off-seasons, and meal planning
• Using credit card points can significantly reduce travel expenses without creating debt (if done correctly)
• Teaching children flexibility and maintaining a "happy heart" when plans change builds resilience
• Most Christians today (70%) live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America rather than the West

Your Listening to our 1 blessed mess, with ben and liz

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