Anybody out there?

I don’t know if any of my fellow book club members ever read this, or if anyone has continued reading Three Cups of Tea, but I thought I’d post something anyway. I started reading the book at the beginning of the year, then I got overwhelmed with other books I was reading, so I pushed it aside. But I picked it up again, and I’m loving it. I’m trying to pace myself, because I want to put some thought into all of the things I’ve found interesting so far.

A couple of random thoughts from the beginning of the book:
- Chapter 1 – In reading the descriptions of mountain climbing, all the dangers involved in climbing K2, I wonder what motivates people to risk their lives to climb it. And how does one even train? It’s not like you can climb it (or anything remotely similar to it) for practice.
- Chapter 2, pg. 23 – I love that he got lost because he was marveling at the beauty around him. Getting lost might not be such a great thing, but it led him to a great place. And despite his weakness and pain, he was still enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I don’t think I could have done that.
- Chapter 2, pg. 24-25 – All of the hospitality shown to Greg when he entered Korphe was fascinating. Haji Ali greeted him, had him wash up, took him home, served tea, and fed him jerky before any questions are asked, and then comes the great question, “What the hell?”

Mostly what has been striking me about this book is Greg Mortenson’s passion. He came back to the U.S. and everything he did from there revolved around raising money so he could get back and build his school. I recently saw Donald Miller speak on his book tour, and, among the many great things he said, one point he made was that it’s okay to want things. We just need to want better things. Donald Miller wants to provide mentors for fatherless boys. Greg Mortenson wants to provide schools for Pakistani kids. As I read and am inspired by Mortenson’s passion, I am also struck by the fact that I don’t know what I want. Not that I have to have some grand idea about building schools halfway around the world. But right now, the only thing I seem to want is a full-time job – and that really isn’t a “better thing,” in my opinion. I want to want something that would be a driving force. (And I don’t mean something to idolize and put in front of God – I mean a God-given and God-inspired passion.) I don’t know what that will look like. But I’m open for possibilities.