Saint Augustine once said: "The world is a book, and those that do not travel, read only a page."

This summer, I had the opportunity to travel to Africa, more specifically, Uganda and Ethiopia. I was gone for about a month and just got back a couple of days ago. To say that I have jet lag would be a serious understatement. I was actually born in Ethiopia, but I left when I was 4 years old. Through some twists and turns, I ended up in Colorado where my family and I live now. Before this summer, I hadn't gone back to Ethiopia in 15 years, so naturally I didn't remember much. When the opportunity arose for me to go back to my home, back to where it all started, I jumped at the chance. With my passport in hand and not a clue about what was to lay ahead, I went.

The Nile River - Ethiopia

I have to admit that I was most excited to visit Ethiopia. For the first time in 15 years, I saw several of my cousins, uncles and even my grandma. I experienced God's incredible creation firsthand through the unique wildlife and the gorgeous greenery that is Ethiopia. I was amazed by the rich culture that overwhelmed me at every turn. The clothes, the jewelry, the food, the language, the art, the music, the literature, the traditions and the mannerisms of the warm people all have so much history and significance attached to them. It brings tears to my eyes when I think about how privileged I am to have come from such a beautiful place, culture and people group. After this trip, I have developed such an undeniable respect for Ethiopia and I have never been more proud to call it home.

Lake Victoria - Uganda

Looking back on my time in Africa, I am beginning to understand how much I have grown in just one short month. This trip made me look at life in a way that I have never seen it before. It showed me the beauty of creation on so many different levels. I learned to not only appreciate the magnificence of nature in and of itself, but the significance of history and culture as well. Africa made me realize how intricately awe-inspiring every single person is and caused me to gain a newfound respect for each person's individual walk of life–both their struggles and their joys, their victories and their failures, their hopes and their fears. God opened my eyes and my heart to His creation and His children and it changed me for the better. I saw the world and people in God's eyes and it was indescribably, unimaginably breathtaking.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

All of this is to say that traveling isn't just about visiting cool places in order to sightsee and take cute pictures. Traveling is essential to growing as a person. Experiencing different cultures and different people teaches you things that you couldn't possibly learn in a classroom or in an office.

Traveling teaches to appreciate the beauty of life through rich experiences. Traveling melts your heart to love and respect people of different cultures, races, religions and beliefs. Traveling opens your arms to embrace and to cherish nature and creation in a way that you never would have before. Traveling encourages you to be thankful and, at the same time, humble. Traveling inspires you to dream and to hope and to have purpose. I firmly believe that God created this world so that we could enjoy it, treasure it and learn from it, so what are you waiting for? Just go.

Debra Libanos - Ethiopia