Kasereka Maghulu Kavatsi, a Seventh-day Adventist entrepreneur in the Democratic Republic of Congo, built a successful business empire that included farming, fishing, retail, and aviation. When a leased cargo jet sat grounded because he refused to fly on Sabbath, his decision puzzled and frustrated international business partners. Yet his commitment to faith ultimately earned their respect—and brought an extraordinary reward.
Seventh-day Adventist entrepreneur Kasereka Maghulu Kavatsi built a business empire in the Democratic Republic of Congo that included farming, fishing, clothing, and a cargo airline called Kavatsi Airlines.
At one point, Kavatsi Airlines leased a Boeing 707 jet from a partner in Kenya. It was a complicated agreement that saw the Kenyan partner lease the plane from a Dubai company, and the Dubai company lease the plane from the owner in Britain. Under the lease terms, Kavatsi Airlines was to share its profits with the entities in Kenya, Dubai, and Britain.
Cargo shipments went smoothly until bad weather canceled a flight on a Friday. The Kenyan partner insisted that the flight take off on Saturday, but Kasereka refused. “There is no way that I can fly on Sabbath,” he said.
The partner called Dubai. “We gave this man our jet, and he doesn’t want to fly on Saturday,” he said. “Try to convince him. This is business matter.”
The Dubai company appealed to Kasereka, but he wouldn’t waver. So, the Dubai company contacted the British owner, a white man who knew Swahili. He called Kasereka and asked, “Why aren’t you flying today?
“I’m a Seventh-day Adventist,” Kasereka said.
“Is that a church?”
“Yes, it’s a church.”
Then the owner contacted other people who had leased aircraft to Kavatsi Airlines and asked about Kasereka. They described him as a good man. “This is a matter of faith,” they said. “The Sabbath is related to his faith.”
The owner instructed his partners in Dubai and Kenya to back off.
“It’s a matter of faith, so leave him alone,” he said.
During the four-month lease, Kasereka flew the jet every day of the week except on Sabbath. Then he returned the aircraft.
A year later, the British owner called Kasereka. “I’d like to meet you face to face,” he said. “I want to come to your house and see where you live.”
The man flew to the Democratic Republic of Congo and stayed in Kasereka’s guesthouse. “I came here with a purpose,” he said. “I wanted to know if I would find a man still holding onto the faith that made him refuse to fly on Saturdays.”
Then he dropped a bombshell.
“I have never made such a big profit as I did during those four months that we worked together,” he said. “Because of your faith, I’m giving you a small aircraft for free.” He presented Kasereka with an 18-seat private jet.
Kasereka was humbled and amazed.
“I am just serving the Lord,” he replied.
Gina Wahlen
is the editor of Adventist Mission’s Sabbath School mission quarterlies and Inside Stories
