The Canteen: Abandon Self-Sufficiency and Fully Rely on God

The Canteen explores the dangers of self-sufficiency and the profound lessons learned from stepping out into the unknown through the lens of one man’s African mission.

At the pivotal age of nineteen, Kyle Gabhart embarked on a journey that expanded his horizons, challenged his faith, and allowed him to experience a world he had only read about. Traveling from Fort Worth, Texas, to Johannesburg, South Africa, he was confronted by a world that was as foreign and fierce as it was brilliant and beautiful. For nearly a month, he explored Johannesburg, Pretoria, the surrounding wilderness, and the bush in Zimbabwe.

For the next two decades, his experiences continued to make an indelible impact on his life, opening his eyes to the realities of hunger and violence experienced in other parts of the globe. Before this journey, Kyle had little understanding of developing countries, and never before had he been a minority or spent much time in a place where English was not the dominant tongue. Those twenty-five days in May 1999 immersed Kyle in a foreign land with a radically different culture and transformed the way he sees the world.

The Canteen invites believers on a journey of faith and discovery that challenges them to analyze the source of their confidence. Are they relying upon their own skills and assets or the Lord’s? Are they clutching onto something temporal as their provision or releasing everything to open their arms for whatever God has in store for them?

About The Author

Kyle Gabhart is a Christian author, public speaker, entrepreneur, voice actor, and financial advisor with a knack for explaining complex topics in common-sense ways. His faith is the foundation of both his personal life and professional calling, shaping how he leads, serves, and builds lasting relationships. As Managing Partner of Bluegrass Legacy Group, Kyle and his team help families, small businesses, and non-profits define and live a legacy rooted in purpose and values.

Blessed with a loving wife, six supportive kiddos, and two amazing grandsons, Kyle enjoys a full and joyful home life. Beyond work and family, he is a board game designer, coffee enthusiast, and soccer player, but he prides himself most of all on being a constant embarrassment to his children.