I asked a friend and Austin-business man why he got involved with Empower One?
“In the past, I have given to other organizations and churches to find out that a fairly low percentage of the funds actually made it to the field while people in Africa were trying to just stay alive during conflict, civil war, famine, and personal hardships. They had little to no resources – just meeting under a tree and having a real impact for the Kingdom. I was humbled and motivated to do something. This is what led me to get involved with Empower’s work. I believe God brought together numerous people in my network for this project to help further the Great Commission. After seeing the needs and the challenges believers in Africa face, I felt that action was dictated.”
This is from an Austin businessman who financially backed Empower One’s recent Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV) project. He has asked to remain anonymous, so we will call him D.C. The Basic Utility Vehicles are essentially a small three-wheeled vehicle with a truck bed. These are common in developing countries for their versatility. Typically they are made in China and are built for paved roads, but Africa does not have paved roads. The BUVs that DriveBUV is training Empower One to build are designed for African roads. They are minimalistic in design and built from recycled truck parts that allow for a much higher payload.
The BUV project began to materialize in 2022 at D.C.’s ranch outside of Austin during one of David Kaya’s US visits. Kaya visited D.C. at his ranch and spent time racing on the ranch roads in a Polaris Ranger and shooting a myriad of guns that would get him arrested in South Sudan under the assumption that he was planning a rebellion against the government. It was just good,Texas fun.
One of D.C’s long time friends, Chris Cox, was also there. Chris grew up in Gorman, TX. During his childhood, Chris’s family built cars for dirt track racing. They weren’t wealthy, so they had to build the cars with what they had. “We didn’t have money for extras, so we built what we needed. If we couldn’t fabricate it, we didn’t have it.”
Chris’s life prepared him to thrive in the challenging working conditions like South Sudan. He added formal education to his hands-on-experience from the dirt track. Here is an excerpt from an article written by Ivy Tech Community College where he is an instructor. [Read the full Ivy Tech article here.]
He earned two associate degrees in diesel equipment technology from Texas State Technical College and became a lead diagnostic technician for Volvo and Mack Trucks in Waco, Texas. Eventually, he returned to school when his family moved to Indianapolis for his wife’s job, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology—starting at Ivy Tech and finishing at Purdue University—while raising his young son.
During the meeting with David Kaya at the Austin ranch, Chris explained to David Kaya the vision that he had for Empower One to partner with DriveBUV. It didn’t take much persuasion. Kaya loved the idea saying that it was an answer to a prayer. For years Kaya had been praying for an opportunity like this. The BUVs could be used to haul water, take bulk items to the market, transport building material, take children to school, serve as ambulances and hearses. Their versatility of the BUV is limitless. This project would allow our African brothers and sisters to learn to weld, fabricate, and problem-solve. These small vehicles will give pastors a chance to serve the community and provide income for their families and ministries. Chris said, “Once you learn something like how brakes work or how to weld, no one can take that away from you. That knowledge stays in your toolbox for life.”
In a place where opportunities are scarce and hardships abound, we hope and pray that Empower One’s small BUV factory in Kajo Keji will unlock the door to many more opportunities. As D.C. said, “The BUV project not only gives mobility to trained leaders, it provides humanitarian and economic opportunity with vocational skills and employment. I believe God is working through Empower One and that it is one of the most sound financial investments with solid spiritual ROI.”
After Chris returned from Kajo Keji, he posted this recap on the DriveBUV Facebook page:
”We worked for 12 days, learning all the different aspects of the process of building the BUVs. How diesel engines work, how hydraulic brake systems create pressure and can stop vehicles, calculating ratios of different gear sets, how to cut, shape and weld steel, how to set and work toward personal goals and also lots of UNO cards, jokes, stories, guitar chords, and a wedding to attend.
I am very thankful for and proud of the students. They showed up to something daunting and new and gave it their best effort. We were able to build 5 of the 8 vehicle frames and they will continue to finish the builds out.”
God is using two guys who met in diesel school who aren’t pastors or employed by a church or Christian organization to make a real impact in one of the hardest places in Africa. The lives of our African brothers and sisters are better because of their willingness to step out and trust that God is doing something bigger than themselves. How could God use you? Jump in with us and use the skills that God has given you.
