too long suddenly discover a spiritual oasis in a lush corner of greenery surrounded by trees, with mountains in the distance, acting as a visual promise of protection. Jacob hoped that one day the village would be complete again, just as Job had lost his family only to be given a family of even greater proportions after his pain inflicted by Satan. Moreover, Jacob still had hope that those who had already left, such as Elizabeth, James, Laura, and so many others, would also return. Jacob prayed that they, like the prodigal son, would wake up to the worldly mire that they were now in, and return with contrite hearts to a village always ready to welcome them home. Even the villagers who had been banished would always be welcomed back. With all these new and old villagers to accommodate in the future, the village would have a communal house-building, where everyone would play their part and create new dwellings for all. There would be marriages, babies and children to be raised in the Truth. It was not just a dream for Jacob; it was a dream backed up by faith. A cautious faith.
Jacob’s eyes looked up to God, preparing himself for the conversation with the Lord that was to follow, as was customary for all the villagers several times a day during their quiet time. Jacob stood up and walked back to his cabin, one of many that were scattered throughout the village, with a table where they would meet for nutritional sustenance located in the centre of the grassy plain that was Happy Valley.