About Us

This all came about when he was asked to develop a program and teach missionaries how to do things for themselves in remote places where there would be not services or support. The world where they were headed had mostly needs…not solutions. Maintenance and repair service were not to be – so to get things done one most often would have to do it themselves. The courses were long and arduous…6 weeks – 10 hours a day – 6 days a week. These were really good people---they just were not knowledgeable or experienced at carpentry, plumbing, roofing, water purification, digging a well, cutting firewood with ax and saw, fixing auto/tool malfunctions, doing masonry, siding, basic electrical whenever such was available, cast iron cooking,…actually a pretty long list. It was a very comprehensive effort. 

Our principal designer and instructor is Huber Kermit Johnson – often called Bud or ‘HardRock:’ Farm boy, Engineer, Rocket guy, Private business man, Married, Father, Grandfather, Patriot, a proud defender of the Christian faith, Alabama District Commander of Royal Rangers (a Boy Scout like program), now retired with a lifetime of experience at making and fixing ‘things.’ He has begun this new effort to teach crafts, skills and know-how.

This all came about when he was asked to develop a program and teach missionaries how to do things for themselves in remote places where there would be not services or support. The world where they were headed had mostly needs…not solutions. Maintenance and repair service were not to be – so to get things done one most often would have to do it themselves. The courses were long and arduous…6 weeks – 10 hours a day – 6 days a week. These were really good people---they just were not knowledgeable or experienced at carpentry, plumbing, roofing, water purification, digging a well, cutting firewood with ax and saw, fixing auto/tool malfunctions, doing masonry, siding, basic electrical whenever such was available, cast iron cooking,….actually a pretty long list. It was a very comprehensive effort. 

Subsequently, folk have asked for components from that series of classes. Out of that came instructional events on many of the subjects taught in that leadership academy. This has now been somewhat formalized into classes for BASIC LIFE SKILLS. Obviously greatly reduced in intensity and depth we now offer a class subject taught in a sequence of 90 minute events. We are also reducing the class size to 10. Classes are also broken into groups based upon student experiences and age… a youngster and a more mature person will approach matters differently. Of course we can address exceptions and special cases.

The first class in a series takes a broad brush and quick assessment. Subsequent classes in that series get deeper and deeper.

The need for such an offering has been expressed from quite a number of people who have not had the opportunity to learn and develop skills and proficiencies. The word and recommendations of the classes done for the missionary groups has become more widely known. The subject and content of what is being offered seems to be mostly in video and in books. We are offering these in a hands-on environment. Without doubt one can find videos and discussion, and demonstrations that likely cover most all of what we are offering. In a hands-on environment the skills and methods just seem to get more accomplished.

We care about our country, our culture, and our citizens. We want people to flourish and do well. We want our lives to be rich and filled with satisfaction about who and what we are. This is something we can do and feel good about what we are able to help people do. We have been blessed with training, skills and experiences…we want to give back to our fellow Americans what we have been able to accomplish and enjoy. Earlier in the country one just had to figure things out and perform at tasks not taught. We love the great American Spirit.