A Vehicle in Togo

Toyota Hilux - seats 5 for $27,000

Toyota Landcruiser - seats 7-10 for $36,000

Our team in Togo has been researching and negotiating the best purchasing options for vehicles in Togo for a few years now. First off, it is no longer recommended that we buy a used vehicle. Without going into a whole lot of detail, used cars often cost more than they are worth in repairs within a very short period of time. It's best to know what has been done and who has done things to your vehicle as methods of repair differ from what might be considered well and safe.

Up until recently, it has recommend that we purchase from the manufacturer in Japan either a Toyota Land Cruiser for $31,000 and $5,000 in shipping and tariffs or a Toyota Hilux for $23,000 and $4,000 shipping and tariffs. However, the dealer in the capital city of Lome has given ABWE missionaries another option by lowering their prices to match those of the total cost of having the vehicle shipped.

Before we left the states, $12,000 was raised toward the purchase of a vehicle. The good news is that we have until December of 2014 to purchase the vehicle. ABWE only has a tax exoneration on imports coming into Togo until the construction of the Mango Hospital of Hope is completed in December. At that time, we are not sure what the tax will resume to, nor are we sure that the dealership will be willing to maintain their prices for us (their prices before the deal were astronomical).

The Land Cruiser seats 7-10 and the Hilux seats 5. At this point, a Hilux is sufficient for our family, however, it is likely that our family will grow again in the future. With that being said, we will decide in the fall, based on available funds, which vehicle we will be able to purchase.

One question that you may ask is, "if you are an aviation family, why do you need a vehicle also?" The answer is that the car will be used for grocery shopping in the capital city of Lome twice a month as well as other local and ministry uses. The airplane will be used entirely differently with it's main purpose being to bring church planting teams to as many difficult to reach areas in Togo quickly as possible, as well as to assist the hospital, literature, and other ministries with their various gospel spreading ministries. The airplane at around $1,000 per hour is far too costly to use for regular family errands.

Another question might be concerning the large size of the vehicle. It is important to have a high wheel base and 4-wheel drive. Many, no all, the roads in Togo have pot holes, some as large as a small vehicle. Small cars just don't cut it, or don't cut it efficiently, in Africa.

If you'd like to contribute to the purchase of this vehicle, please go to www.abwe.org/give and put our names our account number, 0134443, in the orange box. While going through the process, you can put "Buczak Vehicle" in the notes. Or you can send a check to ABWE-Missionary Finance, PO Box 8585, Harrisburg, PA 17105 with "0134443 Buczak Vehicle" on the memo line. You're prayers on this matter are also highly valued.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and giving. If you have more questions or concerns, please feel free to email us and we would be happy to respond as soon as possible.