Next Sunday — the Lord willing — I shall fly to a West African country and spend a few days holding a training workshop. Besides that, I shall have a couple of days with some adult men who live in villages. Sand farmers in poor villages, dwelling his grass huts. These folk seem poorer nowasdays than when I moved away from there in 1980. These men have become followers of Jesus.

To what advantage to them?

• Jobs, schooling and money? Nope.
• Favours from the government? None.
• Keep the fanatics away? Hardly.
• Social respect? Doesn't work.

In fact, many of these men have lost:

• Their inheritance.
• Their wife.
• Their livelihood.
• Every chance of a job and schooling.

So why do they believe in Jesus, when it costs so much? They say:

• Jesus' Spirit came to me. I saw him in a dream.
• Jesus made me well, and I trust him to raise be to life some day.
• Jesus is stronger that the spirits that used to trouble me.
• The other religions just talk, but Jesus answers my prayers.

If I can share some insight to encourage those men, then fine! Even if not, I shall return — the Lord willing — reminded of how little I pay for my gift of eternal life.