This book is an honest account from the heart of a man given over to God's service. Simon is not a doctor. He went to Burundi in 1998 as an inexperienced missionary and has since worked humbly with the local church. He has learned many lessons on cost, commitment and discipleship as he ministers in this small high tension African country. He has known the suffering and violent death of Christian colleagues as well as personal death threats.

Simon draws widely from the Bible to show the level of service God demands of us. He is honest about his own spiritual highs and lows, and about the realities of African life. There is a great mix of anecdotes about saints, both great and small - Tozer, Walt Disney's widow, Michael Green, C S Lewis and Desmond Tutu, to name but a few.

This book has changed my life. I read it when, after ten years in Malawi, I was spiritually weary and needed encouragement and challenge. I immediately went and bought ten copies to give away.