For years I thought a “cold war” was one that was fought in the winter.  I was born in 1961 and in addition to being a “baby-boomer,” I am a child of the cold war era.  A more accurate term might be “contempt war” because the bitterness and resentment that developed between nations was divisive beyond words.  Fewer bullets were exchanged after Viet Nam but the propaganda war continued.  I actually remember having hatred for those “communists.”  I didn’t even know what communism was and I sure didn’t know one.  My contempt wasn’t my parent’s fault and I will not blame the church!  It was our American culture of the day.  In school and on TV, it was very clear that America was good and right and true and Communists, wherever they were, were evil and wrong and false.  This bifurcation of humanity based on government ideologies is no different than racism or any other form of prejudice.  Travelling to a communist country while studying Acts 10 was like a “field trip” for me.  I learned a lot more from them than they did from me.  I met some people who have lived under Communism/Socialism their whole lives.  They didn’t hate me!  They were as gracious as any people I have ever met.  They were hospitable, generous and kind.  They put up with my lack of Spanish, they proudly showed us their beautiful country and most importantly talked freely of their love for God.  What drew us together was greater than what divides us.  I became very aware that there is something far worse than poverty and Communism—that is, life without God.  It was wonderfully evident that in Christ there can be real unity in spite of political and economic diversity.  I experienced a little of what Peter and Cornelius experienced as they looked beyond their nationalities and backgrounds and celebrated their mutual baptism in the Holy Spirit.