The Way of Tea and Justice: Drink Tea - Softcover

"With her characteristic warmth, wisdom, and insight, Becca Stevens opens up the strange and fascinating world of tea, masterfully stitching together stories about mindfulness, justice, healing, and community. Few writers exhibit such a remarkable ability to bring faith to life in the very world we can see, touch, taste, smell and feel. Every word of this delightful, instructive book tastes like sacrament." -- Rachel Held Evans, author of A Year of Biblical Womanhood "[Women served by Thistle Farms] would be dead by now if it weren't for a remarkable initiative by the Revd. Becca Stevens... to help women escape trafficking and prostitution." -- Nicholas Kristof, New York Times

Becca Stevens sweeps the reader into the fascinating world of tea, the comforting drink that millions of us reach for daily. Yet there are disturbing truths to be faced about our morning cuppa. Tracing the tea routes leads to evidence of exploitation, oppression and human trafficking, fuelled by local conflict and drug wars. The Way of Tea and Justice tells the remarkable story of how a local cafe, found by Becca and run by women recovering from abuse, prostitution and addiction led to a movement that is helping to bring freedom, fair wages and hope to some of the world's most impoverished workers. As she recounts the victories and unexpected challenges of building the cafe, Becca also explores tea's rich and complex history, discovering ancient and beautiful tea rituals. She offers delicious recipes for blends to make at home and reflects on the spirituality of preparing and drinking tea, and its healing, refreshing effects. In this journey of triumph for impoverished tea labourers, hope for cafe workers, and insight into the history of tea, Becca sets out to defy the odds and prove that love is the most powerful force for transformation on earth.