David Bussau sat with three of his teenage friends in the dining hall of Sedgley Boys’ Home, an orphanage in New Zealand.
“How’d you guys like to work for me?” he asked.
David had lived in the orphanage himself until recently. Now he was out on his own, living at a boardinghouse. But David had prepared for this eventuality, saving money from odd jobs while living at Sedgley.
Currently he was running his own hot dog stand, and now he was ready to expand. With the help of his friends, David became proprietor of three hot dog stands, then two other food stands, followed by a bakery, and a pancake company. David improved each business and sold them for a substantial profit.
In 1965 at age 25, David married Carol Crowder, a girl from his church. Not long after they moved to Sydney, Australia.
Sydney, Australia 1960s
David found work as a construction foreman, and quickly learned the business. Before long he was part-owner of the company.
Over the next ten years, the Bussaus became parents to two daughters. His boss retired and David purchased his shares of the company. Soon he owned three construction companies, and reached the status of millionaire—before his thirty-fifth birthday.
David knew money wouldn’t satisfy. He wanted to live on enough and use his God-given wealth and talent as an entrepreneur to serve others. But how?
In 1974 a cyclone devastated Darwin, Australia. David and twenty volunteers traveled two thousand miles to help with reconstruction.
Of course, several weeks of work made little difference. So David made arrangements for his businesses in Sydney to carry on without him and moved his family to Darwin. In addition to supervising construction crews, David raised funds throughout Australia for the flattened city.
By 1976 Darwin was nearly rebuilt, and the Bussaus’ pastor in Sydney presented them a new opportunity in Bali, to rebuild a church destroyed by earthquake. Their answer: yes.
“This was my first real exercise in faith,” David said later. “Even when I’m out of my depth I like to take on a challenge. I jumped into it trusting and believing that God would redeem if I screwed up.” [1]
In the remote village of Blimbingsari, the Bussaus lived in a thatch-roofed home with no electricity, running water, or phone. But the community of one thousand Christians were willing to work hard to have a church again.
Water was the top priority, in order to make concrete for a sturdy structure. But bringing water to the village meant bypassing two Hindu villages. David and his crew built a dam and laid pipe, providing water to them first.
That project yielded another blessing. Now the villagers could irrigate their rice fields and harvest twice a year, not just once.
While working toward church construction, David learned of the systemic debt plaguing the rice farmers. Landowners required sixty percent of the crop as rent; the remaining proceeds didn’t cover most families’ expenses.
They often mortgaged their children to manage mounting debts, but it was rarely enough.
David created a solution: micro-financing. He began with his interpreter, Ketut, whose wife knew how to use a sewing machine.
David lent them fifty dollars to purchase an old one. They sold the crafted items in surrounding villages, and as the business grew Ketut paid back the loan.
Even better, they made enough to buy a second machine and hire another worker. Before long Ketut and his family were ready to diversify. They opened an import/export business as well as a taxi service, employing more community members.
And so began the villagers’ escape from chronic debt into sustainable, successful businesses.
When the church was complete, village leaders asked the Bussaus to stay and help build a hotel. People could then be trained to work in the growing tourist industry.
David and Carol agreed. (Their two daughters loved living in Bali, making the decision even easier.)
To further develop his ability to provide micro-loans, David founded a non-profit organization called “Maha Bhoga Marga”— “The Way of Prosperity.” Over the decades he’s founded seventeen international ministries.
David also joined forces with a colleague to form Opportunity International (O.I.). As of 2021, it has served over 18 million clients in thirty countries. [2]
An O. I. savings and loans ready to open in Ghana, 2011
“O. I. creates a job in the developing world every thirty seconds, and they estimate that every permanent job created directly lifts six people out of poverty.” [3]
David explains their success: “Our original intent wasn’t to set up an international organization, it just grew. That’s the way God works. [When you] do what He puts in front of you, the more doors He opens up. The result is that God is glorified through it.” [4]
Now in his eighties, David still travels internationally, furthering the work God gave him to do: bringing people out of poverty one micro-loan at a time and glorifying God through it.
[1] https://www.issuu.com/opportunity/docs/oia_agency_issue08
[2] https://opportunity.org/content/News/Publications/Annual%20Report/annual-report-2021/annual-report-2021.pdf
[3] https://www.hopechannel.com/read/david-bussau-creates-opportunity
[4] https://www.issuu.com/opportunity/docs/oia_agency_issue08
Other sources:
https://www.discoverwalks.com/blog/australia/top-10-sensational-facts-about-david-bussau/
https://opportunity.org/news/blog/2021/december/back-to-the-beginning-david-bussau
Photo credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.commonswikimedia.org; http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.commonswikimedia.org (2).; http://www.piqsels.com.
Discover more from From the Inside Out
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
From the Inside Out 
Amazing, and so true. God supplies the increase. Sounds easy but what a lifetime commitment to just do what God puts in front of us.
Yes, David Bussau has certainly lived out the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6!
Such a remarkable and inspiring story, Nancy! When we accept God’s calling, whatever that might be, we can move mountains in His name. Three cheers for David and his family!
Blessings!
I too found David’s story remarkable and inspiring, Martha. Praise God for his power that can turn a hot dog stand into a multi-million dollar ministry!!
This is such an amazing and uplifting story, Nancy! I love how David grew his businesses, and God’s work, little by little—one step at a time.
David Bussau certainly embodies the truth of Proverbs 3:5-6, doesn’t he!
Such a remarkable story. Thank you for sharing this Nancy.
You’re welcome, Manu. David Bussau is one more proof that God IS able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)!
David’s achievements are absolutely incredible. His faith in God-incredible. His generosity to mankind-incredible. His name “David” turned out to be prophetic. Thanks for sharing, Nancy!
Love your summary of David’s story, Nancy. You made me curious about the meaning of the name David. It means “beloved.” David Bussau is no doubt beloved by the scores of people he’s helped! (It goes without saying he’s beloved by his Heavenly Father too.)
What an inspiring story… how incredible this man, raised as an orphan, would give back so much! What a sacrifice and such a blessing to so many!! I loved this blog Nancy!! ❤️
Isn’t David Bussau’s life-experience a wonderful story of redemption? I’m so glad you found inspiration here, Lisa! He has been indeed a blessing to many. (Like some other folks I know with the initials M. & L. W!!)
Nancy, this is an amazing story of trusting God. David Bussau put all the results in God’s Hands! Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome, Pam. David Bussau is a wonderful example to us of trusting God with the results of the work he gives us to do. I love his attitude, “God will redeem if I screw up!”
What an amazing story of grace at work with its sleeves rolled up!
Oh, that’s a wonderful expression: “Grace at work with its sleeves rolled up.” SO glad you shared that, Pastor Pete. David Bussau is a poster child for that principle! It’s a way of life we should all aspire to.
There is so much truth and grace within your words. Surrendering to God’s will is one of the most difficult yet important things we will ever do in our lives.
Amen, Kathy! David and Carol make it look easy to live in difficult places doing difficult tasks. Surely they had to deal with the what-if questions that could discourage taking any risk. Yet they surrendered all for the cause of Christ. And now they are reaping great rewards as millions escape poverty. May their courage and perseverance inspire us all!
Wow what a wonderful giving heart and mindset…I love the way love can truly grow big when we look to Jesus as our example.
No doubt David and Carol Bussau have big, compassionate hearts!
wow and what an example when we are willing to follow God!
Amen to that, Jean. Stories such as the Bussaus’ encourage me to just take the next step in front of me, and trust God with the results. We may not impact millions of people as they have, but we’ll impact those God has ordained for us (Ephesians 2:10).
Thank you for sharing this very inspiring story! With God’s help, anything is possible. Trusting Him with all things is the key.
You’re welcome, Linda. Yes–the key is trusting our all-wise, all-powerful, in-control God! It’s an exciting way to live because anything IS possible with him!
What remarkable energy and enthusiasm for worthy causes. It puts me in awe of all that can be accomplished (for the good of others) in a single lifetime.
The Bussaus’ story is remarkable, that’s for sure. Few if any who knew David as a youngster could have predicted the far reach of his influence as an adult!
Oh this right here, Nancy –>'”[When you] do what He puts in front of you, the more doors he opens up. The result is that God is glorified through it.”
Amen. It as never about us, was it. It’s always only Jesus!
Right you are, Linda!
I have a friend who is doing something very similar to this in Uganda. Thanks for sharing this wonderful example of godly service to others!
You’re welcome, Patty. How wonderful that God has your friend involved in the same kind of ministry. It’s such a wise use of resources, investing in people’s lives with the strong potential for perpetual results, including a ripple effect. And each story illustrates the loving care of our Heavenly Father
Wow, Nancy, a heart fully committed to stewarding everything the Lord has given him! Not just godly service, but heartfelt compassion for others–a real reflection of the two Great Commandments. Thanks so much for sharing this. It’s the encouragement we all need to realize everything we have is the Lord’s, and it can be our joy to share it with others.
Well said, Dayle! David Bussau never set out to establish a worldwide ministry, he just followed God’s direction for the next step–with joy and compassion just as you’ve identified. That is something we ALL can do!
What an amazing story! And what a privilege to know someone who has devoted himself to serving the Lord and serving others.
Another amazing addendum to this story: while doing some fact-checking before posting I came upon the name of the partner who founded Opportunities International with David Bussau–and his picture. Turns out it was the father of my husband’s roommate in college! We knew he volunteered his time and resources in Christian ministries, but I didn’t remember this was one of them!! The post was already a bit long, so I didn’t include this connection. You gave me the perfect segue to do so here in the comments, Michele! P.S. Thank you for becoming a follower of “From the Inside Out.” I’m honored you chose to do so!
I had thought I already WAS a follower, so I’m overdue. And isn’t it amazing how stories intersect and paths cross each other!
Inspiring.
So glad you found inspiration here, Anna!
This says it all: “He wanted to live on enough and use his God-given wealth and talent as an entrepreneur to serve others.” He gave back to the Lord, keeping only what he needed, using the rest to honor the One who blessed him. I was intrigued by your addendum comment/reply to Michele. As a fellow Taylor friend, could you please message me the name of Steve’s roommate whose father was a partner in David’s ministry? I am intrigued! Beautiful story, Nancy.
Thank you, Cheri. David Bussau certainly set us a stellar example for us of godly stewardship!