The Ultimate Payment

At the end of August, we were able to start our building for our future feeding center with Manna International. Our church is so excited about the potential opportunities and blessings the center will bring. However, we never thought God would work so fast.

Our general contractor is a Burkinabe, but he hired five bricklayers from Togo to come up and build the building. During the time of construction, they were to “camp out” on our church grounds. I must admit, I was initially hesitant about the situation. However, it is normal in this culture, and it ended up working out ok. They even attended our church services during those five weeks.

On Wednesday, October 1st, after the evening service, they informed me that their part of the project was almost complete and they would be leaving in a couple of days. I thanked them for the good job they had done as well as their participation in our services while they were with us. We were going to miss them as they had become our friends. At the end of the conversation I mentioned that they had heard me preach several times and we had a few discussions about the Bible, but I would love to talk with them specifically about salvation if they would allow me to do so. To my surprise I received a call Thursday evening asking if I had time to come to the church and talk.

For an hour and a half we discussed their background and beliefs and how it compares to the truth of God’s Word. After explaining salvation, Mathieu (one of the bricklayers) told me he wanted to be saved. I wanted to make sure that he understood the implications of his decision. He was leaving his ancient animistic practices to follow Christ. He said he understood and he wanted to accept Christ. I was thrilled! I asked if there was anyone else who wanted to be saved. Immediately, the four other bricklayers raised their hands. PRAISE THE LORD!

These gentlemen came to Burkina to earn a little money. Little did they know that they would leave with something far more valuable than money - the ultimate payment - the gift of eternal life.