Reading Greg Mortenson's book, Three Cups of Tea, about how he turned his energy from mountain climbing to building schools for girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan was inspiring. Hearing him speak at the Florida Forum last month was even more so. Since 1993, Greg's small non-profit, the Central Asia Institute, has provided education for over 50,000 students in the region and though their primary mission is to educate girls, the result has been so much bigger than that.

Ever the unassuming mid-westerner, Greg is modest about what he has accomplished always giving credit to the relationships he has built with community members. He is also modest about the expertise he has developed regarding the social and governing structures of the most remote and rugged part of the region. He was almost joking when he spoke of advising Generals Petreaus and McCrystal on building peace through relationships rather than traditional warfare only after their wives encouraged them to read his book.

But this advice is good for anyone meeting people from a different culture whether trying to do business or perform a humanitarian service and it is an activity IVCJax members and volunteers practice regularly when they invite visitors into their homes for a meal, participate in a potluck, or go out for late night coffee or Jazz session.  And if sharing a meal or even just three cups of tea can make a difference for thousands in the rural regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan it can make a difference anywhere.

Andrea Hartley, Assistant Director