Inside Story

Refusing to Fly on the Sabbath

Kasereka Maghulu Kavatsi was a Seventh-day Adventist businessman. He lived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kasereka’s businesses included farming, fishing, clothing, and a shipping airline company called Kavatsi Airlines.

Kavatsi Airlines rented a Boeing 707 jet from a business partner in Kenya. The business agreement had many partners. The Kenyan partner rented the plane from a Dubai company. The Dubai company rented the plane from the owner who lived in Britain. Kavatsi Airlines agreed to share with these partners the money it made from using the plane.

The business did well until bad weather came on a Friday. Kavatsi Airlines didn’t fly the plane that day. So, the Kenyan partner insisted that the plane leave on Saturday. But Kasereka refused. He said, “There’s no way I can fly on Sabbath.”

The Kenyan partner called the partner in Dubai and said, “We gave Kavatsi our jet. But he doesn’t want to fly on Saturday. Try to convince him. This is a business matter.”

The Dubai company called Kasereka. But Kasereka refused to fly the plane on Saturday. So, the Dubai company called the owner of the plane in Britain. The owner was a white man who knew the Swahili language that Kasereka spoke. The owner called Kasereka and spoke to him in Swahili. The owner asked, “Why aren’t you flying today?”

Kasereka said, “I’m a Seventh-day Adventist.”

Then the owner called other people who rented their airplanes to Kavatsi Airlines. The people said Kasereka was a good man. They said, “The Sabbath is part of Kasereka’s faith.”

Then the owner told his partners in Dubai and Kenya to respect Kasereka’s religious beliefs: “Leave him alone.”

Kasereka rented the plane for four months. During that time, Kasereka flew the jet every day of the week except on Sabbath. Then Kasereka gave the plane back to his partners.

A year later, the British owner called Kasereka. The British owner said, “I’d like to meet you, face-to-face. I want to come to your house and see where you live.”

The owner flew to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stayed in Kasereka’s guesthouse. The owner said, “I came here for a reason. I wanted to know if you were the same person of faith you were a year ago when you refused to fly on Saturdays.”

Then the British man said, “I made more money in the four months we worked together than at any other time in my life. Because of your faith, I’m giving you a small plane for free.” The man gave Kasereka an 18-seat private jet.

Kasereka was filled with surprise at the gift. With no pride in his heart, he answered, “I am just serving the Lord.”

Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at https://AdventistMission.org .