Faith in Action, Built by Hand: A Manitoba Mission Bringing Practical Hope to African Farms

In a workshop in Manitoba, a simple idea is being shaped into something that could make a lasting difference far from home. Appropriate Technologies is working on a small riding tractor designed to help farmers in Africa work their land more effectively using equipment that is affordable, durable, and easy to maintain. It is a return to simpler, proven designs inspired by tractors from the 1940s, built without unnecessary complexity so they can be repaired and replicated using local skills and materials.

The project is not about shipping finished machines overseas. The goal is to build a prototype in Manitoba, then create scale drawings and step by step instructions so existing metal fabrication shops in Africa can manufacture the tractors themselves. There is already a ministry partner in Juba, South Sudan ready to begin once the design is finalized, with interest also coming from Nigeria and Uganda. The vision is that local manufacturing will create jobs while giving farmers access to tools that help them open more land and grow more food for their families and communities.

At the center of the effort is Brian Dyck, whose background as a production farmer shaped the direction of the work long before the tractor project began. Over the years, he found himself thinking more and more about the contrast between his own ability to grow beyond what his family could consume and the reality faced by many others around the world.

“I have been a production farmer, making my living with it by growing much more than what my family could possibly consume. Over the years, there has been a growing awareness that there are farmers in this world who are not able to produce enough food to meet even the basic needs of their families.”

That growing awareness eventually led to a turning point. When an opportunity came to manage a farm project in South Sudan, it became something he felt called to pursue.

“Ruth and I have always had a sense of responsibility towards the Lord and missions so when I got an opportunity to manage a farm project in South Sudan, I decided that I would go rather than missing an opportunity that the Lord had clearly called me to.”

It was during that time that the idea for a simple, locally maintainable tractor began to take shape. Seeing the physical demands placed on farmers and the lack of accessible equipment made the need clear.

“As a result of that experience the idea of a small tractor simple enough to build and maintain in Africa was born.”

The work has moved forward slowly and steadily since then, guided by faith but grounded in practical action. Brian sees the project as one way to meet basic needs in a tangible way while reflecting the kindness he believes people are called to show.

“As we slowly but surely move this vision along we are finding more and more that it is a way that we can demonstrate the kindness of God that will, hopefully, lead people to God.”

Ruth Dyck shares that same sense of calling, one that has been part of her life from an early age. For her, the tractor project feels like a natural continuation of a path that has been forming over time.

“As a child it was instilled in me that I had a calling on my life as a believer in Jesus. And was encouraged to join His mission in loving people and bringing the Gospel no matter where I was.”

She describes the work today as the result of years of life experience and faith coming together at the right moment. The opportunity to be involved in Africa feels significant, even though the full outcome is still unknown.

“We are all called as believers to be a part of God’s mission. For us, that means a tractor production project. We don’t know exactly what the end result of it will be but we’re looking forward to partnering with God in His mission.”

A major part of turning the vision into something real came in 2020, when Cameron Kleinsasser came alongside Brian and Ruth and brought the technical skill and hands on expertise needed to help move the project forward. His involvement helped bridge the gap between concept and construction, giving the work the mechanical strength and practical direction it needed to become a working design.

For Cameron, the project is rooted in something both practical and personal. His approach reflects the same balance of purpose and skill that defines the entire effort.

“It’s about helping the people and following a higher calling to do good in the world. This initiative in Africa is changing real lives.”

His contribution has been pivotal, not only in shaping the prototype but in helping ensure that what is being built can actually be replicated in real world conditions. The focus remains on creating something strong and simple, something that can be built locally and maintained without specialized equipment.

That shared commitment continues to guide the work as it moves forward. The hope is that as tractors begin to be built and used, farmers will be able to work more land, produce more food, and create a path toward stability for their families. It is not about grand promises or quick results. It is about steady progress and practical help.

What is taking shape in that Manitoba shop is more than a machine. It is the result of experience, faith, and skill coming together with a single purpose. At its heart, it is about helping people in a way that respects their independence, strengthens their communities, and gives them the tools to build something lasting with their own hands.