Over a year ago I read the book Three Cups of Tea. I was moved then by this true story but last week I had the opportunity to hear the author, Greg Mortenson tell his story in person. This riveting account captured my attention again partly because it is proof that one person does make a difference and partly because it is very connected to the passages this morning.

In the early 1990’s, Greg lost his sister to death, from epilepsy, and wanted to do something to memorialize her. A serious hiker, he decided to honor her life by climbing K2 in Nepal, second only to Mt. Everest, in height and challenge. It was his dream to conquer this peak as a way to provide some closure to his loss. But it was not to be. After strenuous hiking and close to the top, he was forced to turn back. He had become separated and disoriented, and the hike became life threatening.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a man appeared on the trail, who summoned Greg to follow him back to his village who ultimately saved his life. It was there that the village nursed him back to health, deep within Taliban country along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is a story very different from the picture we have of Taliban warfare. I would like to show you a short clip from the DVD, narrated by Greg’s school age daughter that will give you an idea of the village, the surroundings and how his story began.

This is a dramatic story of survival, but the more powerful story is how this experience changed his life. It has been said that the tough times of our lives can either make us bitter or better. Greg Mortenson chose to have them make him better. On the way home, his decision began to take shape. He thought simply that he would raise some money and go back and build a school. However, it was not that simple. From nearly everyone he solicited, politicians, organizations, agencies, all said no to supporting him. No one believed it was a viable project. Despite being discouraged he held onto his dream.

Greg eventually traveled in 2004 to Wisconsin to visit his mother’s classroom where he told the story to her class. One of the students, moved by his story, offered his piggy bank to start a school for other children and Greg’s hope and dream was launched. Launching a project and completing one are very different things. It was slow and frustrating; fundraising, public speaking and making cold calls for starters. So committed was he to this project that at one point he lived in his car so he could contribute his rent money for this school.

Eventually he had enough money to start a school, but had yet to learn the difficulties of getting permission, workers assembled, and supplies delivered within a foreign country. The full story of his devotion to educating children especially girls, amidst enormous hurdles, is found in his New York bestseller, Three Cups Of Tea, that has now sold over 1 million copies. The title came from the belief in this culture about tea drinking, that he found to be true. It is believed that the first cup of tea shared with a stranger is one of getting acquainted. Having a second cup of tea with this person means they are friends. And if a third cup of tea is shared, you are considered family. It is all about relationship, essential for survival in a culture of hardship.

From the beginning, Greg was committed to building schools for girls for two reasons. First, in this culture, girls are not educated. They are used to care for small animals and their younger siblings. It is the boys who are educated first, if at all, and this is usually in the larger towns. Greg knew the truth that in this culture, when you educate a boy you educate an individual, but when you educate a girl you educate a village. Men provide a living and women educate their children. Second, Greg discovered that the Taliban forces chose villages of little or no education in which to set up teaching the young in ways of violence and hatred. Greg believed that it was education that could bring peace to these areas. It is what he calls "One man’s mission to promote peace."

So, at great personal risk, Greg Mortenson set out without any particular skills, but with a heart of compassion and a committed spirit. He told of how a bridge had to be built across a river before materials for the school could be transported to the site. He told us of how dedicated the villagers were to a school being built; so committed, that they carried the materials for the bridge on foot, for 18 miles, in order to build the bridge across the river, before construction on the school could begin.

He shows us pictures of children who had only sticks and sand to use as pencils and paper for their homework! He beams as he points out the young girl in the picture of the first school, who has now become the first female doctor in the region. He tells us of how his story has initiated the Pennies for Peace Program, where children all over this country bring pennies to help children, like them, to have schools. He shows us pictures of areas where he has built schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, where he meets with the children to teach and to learn. He does not ask us for money, but instead offers his deep gratitude to all who have contributed to The Central Asia Institute. He has now completed 64 schools for girls and boys, since the mid 90’s in this remote and dangerous area. This Institute is now directed by a former Evergreen, Colorado Montessori School teacher, hence the connection with Evergreen. If you are interested, you can obtain more information on their website www.ikat.org.

Not only was Greg Mortenson’s life changed, but the lives of 25,000 children now being educated that has changed the villagers as well. Especially moving is the life change of those like Shakut Ali, a former Taliban soldier, who became a teacher in one of the girls schools, exchanging violence for education.

This project has become so successful in promoting peace that the US military is taking a look. Army Lt. Col. Kolenda, stationed in Afghanistan was quoted as saying "The conflict here will not be won with bombs but with ideas that excite the imagination towards peace…the thirst for education here is palpable." The military has twice offered $2 million dollars for schools but Mortenson has rejected both offers. He explains that he represents education, not a connection with the US Government. In this region, any hint of an association with our government could doom any future projects. So he relies on grassroots contributions.

Greg said nothing about his faith or religion as his motive for this amazing story, but as I listened to him, his commitment, his passion for bringing education to a forbidden land; his daring to step out into uncharted territory; his conviction that did not allow fear to lead him; I knew he was a disciple.

When we hear the word disciple, we usually think first of Jesus’ disciples, not someone alive today. That band of 12, who followed Jesus, were as faithful as they could be, but were only ordinary people. They were people like you and me, like Greg Mortenson, who fail, who wonder what our purpose is, who want to be faithful, but don’t always hit the mark.

Well, take heart. The definition of a disciple is one who is a learner, a student. It does not describe a select few; it is not someone above others with supernatural gifts. A disciple is someone like you and me; anyone who is learning. For example one can be a disciple of pottery, or a learner of teaching, or a disciple of welding. So being a disciple of Jesus, who all Christians have committed to be, is about following the example of Jesus. We are students of Jesus.

Being a disciple of Jesus does not mean to know the Bible front to back, to have led a sinless life, or to be above others before we can decide to heed Jesus; words to "follow me". Rather to be a disciple is to follow the words "You are to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength; and your neighbor as yourself."

There is no guess work here as to what Jesus meant. To love God in this way, is not to love anyone or anything else, more than God. It means to be faithful to God first. It means not to hedge, or make excuses. It is to be a learner of what this means and how we go about it. It is to make a commitment to follow. When we join the church we are asked several questions and in our answering "yes" to them, we are making a commitment to God. Do you remember them?

Who is your Lord and Savior?

Do you trust him?

Do you intend to be His disciple, to obey His word and show His love?

Will you seek to be a faithful member of this congregation giving of yourself in every way, and will you seek the fellowship of the church wherever you may be?

Remember too the words from God: "Place these words on your hearts. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are." I weep for children whose parents feel trapped between the world’s choices and the importance of being in Sunday School and worship. A child’s encounter with God cannot be repeated in the same way as an adult. These formative years come only once.

As I thought about the sacrifices Greg Mortenson has made, it is apparent he has made a decision to give to others first. He is married with two school age children, who he misses greatly, yet for now, half his time is spent with his family and half his time is spent in the support of other families far away.

When we hear the story of someone like Greg, especially alongside reading the words of the Great Commission of Jesus, we can give up before we even start. We too easily say, "Well that may be him, but it sure isn’t me." Yet the commands of Jesus are not just for the Greg Mortenson’s of our lives. They are addressed to all of us. The Great Commission, requires us to go out into all the world, living how we love God and our neighbor. Probably none of us will do what Greg is doing, but the question is not how will we do what he does? The question for us is how do we love God and our neighbor in our own way? His example is designed to get us thinking: something like, I may not go to Afghanistan, but there are mine fields in my own life where maybe I can take a risk for peace. Or, I might not build schools in Pakistan, but maybe I can be part of someone else’s faith education in another way.

Many take this passage literally. I must preach, teach, and convince others about Jesus. After all, look at the verbs in this passage. Go, make, baptize. These are strong action verbs, to be sure. I think taking this literally might be right for some people. But they don’t necessarily mean, Go to Pakistan; convert all Moslems to Christianity, and then baptize them. However, these words of Jesus: "Go and make disciples of all nations…", is a command directed to each of us, for we are Jesus’ disciples.

The commands of Jesus are not threats, but are rather invitations, a roadmap, so to speak, that keeps us from getting lost. Putting God first, others second and ourselves last is the formula to happiness, fulfillment, and purpose. Jesus gives us this command as someone who knows better than we, what is best for us. Yet, we find ourselves following the intellects, the Bible quoters, the wealthy, the popular, even radio personalities. But Jesus says, "Follow Me".

Go tell it on the mountain. Go be with the people in your world and share who God is in your life. However and wherever you are able to answer this Commission, to go into all the world, decide, because it is especially important for you. Don’t succumb to schedules too busy to be with God. Don’t give in to the easy excuses like I don’t know how; I feel inadequate; I don’t want to look stupid. Instead, be bold, be strong.

We are not called to follow Greg. We are called to follow Jesus by listening to how Jesus moves our hearts. Metaphorically speaking, the questions for us are: What nations will we find ourselves in this week? How will we "baptize" others this week? How will our decisions "make disciples" of others this week? We can look at Greg’s response alongside the Scripture and give up, claiming it is too hard. Or we can look at his response alongside this Scripture and identify our own worlds where we can make a difference. For it is here that Jesus calls us.

Whenever I feel like I cannot do what God is asking, I find great comfort from the words of Deuteronomy that says, "The Lord goes before you preparing the way. He will not fail you or forsake you."

So go on! Go out into all the world making disciples and being one!

AMEN