Canadian Seth Scott had a crazy idea: Let’s drive from Europe to the southern end of Africa in a three-wheeled car. 

He pitched the plan to his English buddy, Ollie Jenks.

And Mr. Jenks? He says, “It was so ridiculous I couldn’t say no.”

Mr. Jenks and Mr. Scott set off in October 2025. They had one can of fuel and a few supplies. They would travel 14,000 miles. They’d cross 22 countries. If they made it, they’d set a record for longest trip by three-wheeled vehicle.

They drove a Reliant Robin. That’s a British car with two wheels in back and one in the front. In the United Kingdom, people with a motorcycle license are allowed to drive the Reliant Robins. The vehicles are designed for short trips through cities . . . not giant trips across continents. And not through jungles, mountains, and deserts. 

The intrepid drivers named their little car Sheila. Sheila has no power steering and no air conditioning. “It doesn’t do well up hills or down them,” says Mr. Jenks. “It is the most unsuitable car for probably any journey.” 

Mr. Jenks and Mr. Scott made friends with Sheila’s designer. Mr. Jenks says, “He’s scared to take it any more than 20 miles.”

Sheila met their low expectations. In the first two weeks, she needed new wheel springs. In Ghana, her gearbox broke. In Cameroon, her engine blew up.

The kindness of strangers saved the day. Someone shipped a new gearbox to Ghana. Reliant Robin enthusiasts back home sent a new engine to Cameroon. After one breakdown, strangers helped load Sheila onto a cattle truck. Mechanics across Africa screwed, hammered, and welded Sheila together to keep her rolling.

After more than 120 days, they rolled into Cape Town, South Africa, with an overheating engine. Hooray for Sheila!

Why? God can do great things through what the world sees as foolish. Sometimes He uses our neighbors to help!