Three Cups of Tea

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

(Book Club book #2) Three Cups of Tea is the true story of mountaineer Greg Mortenson and his impact in Pakistan (and later Afghanistan) by going into remote villages and building schools to educate boys and girls. There is so much more to this story … It is an amazing and inspiring story. I admire the courage of Mortenson and the men and women who work alongside him to accomplish these feats. You will see that Mortenson and others with him know what it means to be selflessness, to sacrifice. Beyond that it is also a story of honor, courage, hope, joy, sorrow, love and commitment.

The story begins in 1993 when Mortenson fails on his attempt to climb K2 and stumbles into an impoverished Pakistan village. The people there care for him and embrace him. While he is there he sees a need and he makes a promise… to come back and build a school for these people. However, this is not an easy feat as he is not a man with the means to do this. He does not let that stop him from trying and succeeding in his effort. Upon his return however he sees the greater need of the area far and wide … and so continues the story of the years after that first school was built, through the 9/11 era and after… Hardship, trials, perseverance and success are all part of the journey. This is a story of bringing about change through love and service, overcoming ignorance and hates to minister to those in need.

This was not a story about purposely having an eternal impact but definitely one on having a positive, earthly impact for potentially generations to come ... However, one hopes that what is being done will open a door or plant a seed that will blossom into something of lasting eternal value... Only God knows that but I am sure He has His Soverign hand in this. I applaud Mortenson and the others for what they are doing and for being an example of what commitment, sacrifice, humbleness, love and a servant heart look like. In that regard it was an example of following what Jesus has taught, commanded and by his life shown us to do. As followers of Christ this story should spurn us on to live and love as Christ did and to be as dedicated, selfless, courageous and loving for the eternal good of those we meet. This life is fleeting and will all pass away the only thing that remains is what is of eternal value... May this story of hope spurn you on to living beyond yourself.

If you are interested in purchasing this book or helping this cause go to their website (click here) and check it out.  If you purchase the book from their site 7% of the profits from the book sale will go to the cause.