"The global village has arrived." So says the introduction to this book at the Inter Varsity Press on-line website.

"Recent census figures show that our communities are more culturally and ethnically diverse than ever before. Many of us find it challenging to build relationships with people from backgrounds unlike our own.

"How do we befriend an international student or a new coworker from a different country? What do we do when we share our church building with a congregation from another cultural group? Why are our words and actions often misinterpreted?

"Crosscultural specialist Patty Lane answers these questions. She shows us how to develop hands-on relational skills that help build crosscultural friendships, providing practical resources for navigating multicultural environments with sensitivity and savvy.

"Filled with vivid stories of real-life situations, this guide explains frequently misunderstood aspects of culture, debunks stereotypes and suggests ways to resolve crosscultural conflicts. Above all, Lane demonstrates God's heart for building bridges across cultures and shows how Christians can reach out to people of every nation, culture and ethnicity.

"Whether you are actively ministering to people of different cultural backgrounds, traveling to other countries or just want to make friends across cultural lines, this engaging handbook is a perfect introduction to the journey."

For reading some exerpts from the book and information on how to purchase a copy of this book see: http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2346