by April Terry
The bottoms of Greg Mortenson’s trousers were frayed and the huge, black shoes, most likely meant for comfort, seemed out of place with the crisp, blue-collared shirt and the dark blue jacket. This was not the speech of a charismatic man who could move large numbers of people to do great works of charity. More so, I sensed a deeply and intensely shy man who struggled with getting in front of people, but who was so single-mindedly focused on his efforts, he would endure.

I saw Greg speak at Pepperdine University on Friday. Greg is the author of “Three Cups of Tea,” a book that tells his story of a failed attempt to climb K-2 that turned into a lifelong effort to build schools in rural areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan. What is a large, white man doing in those areas? As his book says, he is changing the world-one school at a time.

One of the main reasons that Greg has been successful is due to his integrity. He kept his word. When Greg told the chief in the village of Korphe many years ago that he would return and build a school there, he kept his word. It didn’t matter how many years it took him to do it to the people he promised, but he kept that promise. If we become people of our word and we do the things that we say we will do, our integrity becomes like a beacon to those around us. It distinguishes us and makes us shine out in the world.

He is focused on his own purpose. Greg remains single-mindedly focused to the task that he wants to accomplish and he is committed to it. I’ve noticed in my life that God rarely calls the most charismatic to do his work. God calls on those who will get it done. Often, it is those who are willing rather than those who are most able. Throughout the bible we have examples of regular people who were called to do great things. David, a young boy, kills a giant; Abraham, a man of humble means, leaves his family home enters a covenant with God and creates many new nations; Moses, an exiled prince, frees thousands from the great empire of Egypt. We are surrounded by stories of those who are willing, but don’t feel equipped. You shouldn’t worry about that, God will equip you.

Greg made relationships a priority. He didn’t come in like the white American knight on a white horse saving the day. He made relationships that lasted and he empowered the people in their own country to help themselves. His insistence that the local tribal groups donate the land and the labor meant that they would take ownership of their own schools and therefore, protect them. To accomplish this, it took making relationships that were well beyond acquaintances to make that kind of impact.

Greg Mortenson explains it this way: “With the first cup of tea, you are a stranger; with the second, a friend; with the third cup of tea, you become family–and family will do anything for one another.” Are you ready to add a new family member to your circle? Are you ready to step into the role of the willing to accomplish something amazing? Don’t wait until you have enough money, time, or energy because it will never be the right time.