Side by Side

When Mortenson who co-authored the book, " Three Cups of Tea," and Boscola in charge of

outreach, for, "Everett Meals Program," decide to work on their specific projects, they bring with

them a host of respect and compassion for their fellow man. Greg Mortenson and Ron Boscola both found their callings in different areas of serving humanity. Thy have unparalled passion to see their visions realized to the end.

Mortenson found his calling to build a school for the children of rural Korphe, Pakistan.

His passion for the vision of a school in Korphe tugged at him to find a way to get the school

funded. Mortenson had so many setbacks along the way of contributions, yet the passion to build

a school in Korphe burned in him, and that vision refused to let him rest. Mortenson's wife

Tara summarized it nicely in the book Three Cups of Tea, she says, " He was so passionate about

Pakistan, and that passioned spilled over into everything else he did" (145). Similarly Ron

Boscola's passion to help feed the lost and outcast trolling the streets of Everett brought him in

contact with a local church. His passion to reach out to others less fortunate to make

sure that they have a hot meal in their belly more than once a week has made Boscola a man on

a mission.

Mortenson respects the Pakistan customs, the people and their religion. Wherever he went in
Pakistan, he did as the locals did, and the people quickly came to respect him; furthermore he

grew to understand their customs of tea drinking and what one, two and three cups of tea

meant. The people of Korphe treated him like one of them, they gave him the best to eat and

sweet tea to drink, he was honored by this gesture, knowing that they gave him their best of

what little they had. Likewise Boscola has nothing, but respect for the people who come through

the doors to have a meal. I see him hugging and laughing with them. He always has a nice word

to say to them and his smile is welcoming and touches the corners of his eyes. He doesn't shy

away from a lonely soul because of a stench odor coming from their filthy clothing, or a tangled

web of hair that hasn't seen a wash in a few days. Boscola with his humble smile, welcomes them

with open arms. The three Saturdays that I've been to the program I see respect for this man

from all the volunteers, and recipients. For example, I've heard Boscola tell the crowd "thank

you for honoring us with your presence this evening." How much respect is that? The people
want to be near him, and he eats dinner with them too.

Mortenson and Boscola are doing what they know needs to be done, but more so they find
comfort in knowing someone didn't go without a meal today, or that another child is being

educated in Pakistan, and maybe, just maybe that child won't grow up to adore war and become

a terroist. Mortenson's journeys have opened my eyes to the good and caring people that are a

part of the land. With helping the Everett Meals Porgram I find so much satisfaction. I look
forward helping every Saturday and my co-workers and employer have been nothing, but

supportive.Thank you Mortenson and Boscola for leading by example with your passion to make

it happen and the respect you have for your fellow man.

I'm with the Everett Community Meals. This organization is here within the city limits just off of Broadway and California. "They are here to serve any member of the community that may need a meal." (Everett Meals Program, Brochure.) Upon reaching my destination, I noticed that this program was in a back lot. The back driveway gave some sense of privacy for those coming to the program. My first impressions, well it looked rundown from what I could see of the outside. The parking lot which was just a small driveway, would gladly shine with new pavement. I could see about ten vehicles parked in the little driveway, and people were walking in and around or hanging near the entrance. We (husband came to help) were able to make our way inside, and stopped and looked around as we found ourselves standing in the little dining room that held maybe 5 small round tables, with 3-5 occupied chairs scattered around. People were all around and I immediately turned to a man leaning against the doorpost and ask if he knew Ron. He pointed to the right and said, "he's in the last room." That took us right through a small modest kitchen, and into another room where we found Ron, in prayer with another gentleman, that looked homeless. We stood just outside of the room, as we didn't want to interrupt something so personal. The prayer was over quickly and I went to introduce ourselves to Ron. I must say he is the most personable man I've met in a very long time. He stood straight and tall with graying hair pulled back into a ponytail, with weathered beaten skin that showed his many deep smile and frown lines, and in his hand he clutched the Holy Bible to his chest. I asked, "what can we do to help?" he replied, "go into the kitchen, introduce yourselves and the ladies will set you both up."

Prior to opening the kitchen, a short sermon followed by prayer was said. While helping to serve the meals, I was able to talk and meet with some of the people coming through the line. Most just said "thank you" and continued on down the line, than there were a few that asked questions and wanted info on surrounding areas or directions to get to another place. The majority of people there were compromised of Caucasian males, and there were more males then females. I'm not there to judge anyone, but I did see "tracks" on both arms of a young male, most likely not yet twenty one, and he kept his "spoon of choice" tucked in plain sight with a bandanna scarf wrapped around his forehead. I also noticed a couple of people had mental health issues, and some just looked like they were down on luck. Looks of defeat. Maybe hopelessness, plastered on some of the wearied faces trying to figure out where their next meal would come from.


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