RADIO KAHUZI: Reaching Souls...Declaring His Glory

Thanksgiving in Africa

2011-12-02T12:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends of BESI / Radio Kahuzi,

Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here! Where do we start in remembering those special times, but I guess it would be good to start at the beginning.

First, we thank the Lord for dying on the cross for our sin and for giving us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. We thank the Lord for His Word and for the Holy Spirit who makes clear the mystery of His grace by rightly dividing the Word of Truth, so that we can clearly understand the Scriptures!

We thank the Lord for all the loved ones in our lives who showed us the way to walk in the Spirit from the beginning.

We Praise the Lord for our Grandparents who made it possible for Freddy and Milly Bahler in the early 1940’s to accept the call to become missionaries to the Belgian Congo.

A special thank you to Grandma Bahler, who would save some of her chicken sales money to help out the young Bahler couple as they attended Mr. Baker's evening Bible classes, were married, and attended Moody Bible Institute before going to the Congo.

Years later, they helped in a big way to keep the family and ministry going on themission field. Praise to our Heavenly Father!

So many of our loved ones who helped Rich and me start off our lives as missionaries have gone on to be with the Lord, but their help keeps living on and on in the lives of so many.
We praise our Lord for our fathers and mothers, uncles and aunts, cousins, brothers and sisters, church family, pastors and friends, and some folks that we didn’t even know, who helped and continue to help with the ministry that the Lord laid on the hearts of His children, to carry out His plans.

(Fred & Millie - 1945 / Faith & Ward McDonald - 1958 to right)

Because of the Radio Kahuzi ministry, we are encouraged over and over again through the testimony of folks that tell us how the Word has impacted their lives since the beginning in 1992.

Just last week a young couple were walking by, and the young man started looking and pointing into our yard; and since I didn’t know him, I asked if I could help them. He said he was showing his girl friend where Radio Kahuzi was, and was surprised that it was still here, and the antennas were still here.

He was really pleased, as he was a little kid during the war years here. He told us he remembered listening to Radio Kahuzi all the time, and he seemed so pleased that we were still on the air.

Presidential Visitor's Press Card for Radio Kahuzi

It is hard to believe we’re looking forward to another Presidential election (Nov, Dec, & Jan) and that it’s been five years since the first one! We’re praying for the Lord’s will in the coming days, for wisdom and compassion to all who are elected in the government.

As Christmas is just around the corner we have started to decorate the house. It is my favorite time of the year. The sermons and music from Radio Kahuzi won’t let anyone forget what a special holiday it is!

With love and gratitude to each one for the gifts and prayers to keep Radio Kahuzi on the air!

With Thanksgiving…Keep Looking Up!
In His Love and Service to reach the next generation,
Richard & Kathy McDonald
Our BESI / Radio Kahuzi Board of Directors
And Harold and Barbara Smith

Radio Kahuzi Staff

I GIVE you thanks, O God, for those who mean so much to me—Those to whom I can go at any time.

Those with whom I can talk and keep nothing back, knowing that they will not laugh at my dreams or my failures.

Those, in whose presence it is easier to be good--Those who by their warning have held me back from mistakes I might have made.

Above all, I thank you for Jesus Christ, Lord of my heart and Savior of my soul, in whose Name I offer with thanksgiving. --William Barclay (adapted)

CHRISTMAS PROJECT:

Vehicle Fund: $ 5991 Amount Needed: $11,009

2010 In Review - Catching up!

2011-09-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

We have a little catching up to do! On February 9th our blogger, Barbara Smith, was admitted to the hospital and later on February 28th had to have three stints implanted to correct a blockage of 99.9% in the main artery!

So here we are six months later and playing catch up. There is always so much happening on the field it is hard to keep up with it all. If you are reading this you must be one of those special people with a large appetite for world news that you don't get from the cable. Read on.

To our Wonderful BESI / Radio Kahuzi Partners,

Kathy and I want to express our great appreciation for your faithfulness in 2010!

On December 16, 1972, 38 years ago, Kathy and I began our new life together as young missionaries. For me, I had to learn a whole new language and a new way of thinking in a new culture. After so many years it is hard to remember any other life but in Africa.

It is also hard to believe that 18 years ago, Christmas Eve of 1992, we were airing our very first broadcast on Radio Kahuzi.

During this past year of 2010 our Lord has comforted us, and shown us His Great Love and Sustaining Grace through our partnership with you. We are so thankful to be part of a ministry that preaches the Word of an abundant life in Christ to fellow-believers in the Body of Christ, and reaching out to those still in darkness here in the heart of Africa.

Pray with us as we continue to trust the Lord Jesus

Christ for the future expansion of this work, and seek His Wisdom and Guidance for the way forward.

2009 – 2010 was a time of hindrance with continuing military and political instability and lack of security throughout the region. We struggled with questions regarding technical details in placing new repeater sites with solar panels and battery storage to power FM Translators in distant territories some 500 miles from Bukavu.

Meanwhile, the Lord has encouraged us with many FM radio stations volunteering to rebroadcast our different programs in the four provinces where they are! This has been a real shot in the arm for us, as many of these stations are in the center of present day military confrontations. This gave us the means of giving radios to the combatants and getting the Gospel to them in FM as well as short-wave.

This cooperation allowed us to increase our radius of outreach across the heart of Africa, with listeners now calling in by cell phone from Bukavu and as far as Kinshasa over 1,000 miles from Bukavu.

However, our dream to reach and penetrate the valleys between the mountains with a clearer signal on FM is still ahead of us. This will still require the installation of the 10 FM Cornerstone repeaters on specific mountaintops as there remain thousands down in the deep valleys who do not own shortwave radios, but may have FM radios. WE MUST REACH THEM!

So looking back over 2010, here are the highlights:

· Kathy and I traveled home February 9 through March 18 to attend the National Religious Broadcaster’s Convention.
Radio Kahuzi was awarded the 2010 NRB Media Award for International Impact, and presented on March 1. We are humbled and honored and received it on behalf of you and your family who have helped to make this ministry possible.

Kathy and I also received a beautiful bronzed microphone as the recipients of HCJB Global’s “Timothy” Award. We spoke at HCJB’s International Luncheon and were interviewed by past president, Ron Cline and current president, Wayne Pederson.

· We met with Allan McGuirl, (recipient of the NRB Lifetime Achievement Award) retired President of Galcom International, and new President, Tim Whitehead, at the NRB convention to learn about their new FM Cornerstone equipment and renewed our dream to plant one on each of ten (10) mountains in D R Congo.

· We learned about Facebook and blogs, which are a tremendous treat for us. You can find our links at www.radiokahuzi.com.

· We met with folks from MegaVoice at the NRB Convention and learned about their digital Audio Bible. Later in the year, Charles Cibene, CEO, MegaVoice contacted us from Tiberus, Israel to begin a new partnership with a donation of (800) of the FM Ambassador units, which combines a Galcom radio with a MegaVoice Audio Bible Player.

· Amazing new technology: Also, included in the shipment is a gift called a Scribe: Create your audio production anywhere in the world and load it onto waiting NGP or FM Ambassadors. Bible translation projects, New Testaments, complete Bibles, Bible stories, discipleship training, church planting, evangelism and other subjects are secure on the MegaVoice NGP Ambassador.

· (Photo: Dr Dobson approaching Richard to shake hands and say thank you.)

We met with Focus on the Family personnel and made plans to continue receiving their international materials even though Dr. Dobson was stepping down.

· Though our radio staff had been reduced to three, the work of Radio Kahuzi has continued to blossom in 2010 and bring better tools and technology to get the job done. Our team in Bukavu received new programs and equipment to make the transition completely into digital recording, editing, and broadcasting. Please remember to pray for the teachers and training needed.

· Lord willing, we will soon receive another 1,000 GALCOM solar fix-tuned short wave receivers to fortify the outreach further and further into the jungles and mountains. Over 15,500 have already been distributed.

· New Programming: Dr. Charles Stanley’s “In Touch” ministries.

· Seven new languages / dialects doubling our outreach to include: English, French, African French, Swahili, Kinyarwandan, Llingala, Mashi, Kikongo, Kibembe, Kilega, Kiluba, Luganda, Masaai. As well as Mandarin and Russian on the MegaVoice Audio Bible distributed to UN Soldiers. Photo to right: Chinese doctor receives Galcom shortwave.

· Met with the new Governor at his mansion and had the honor of offering prayer and presenting seven Galcom radios, and a Swahili Scofield Bible.

· Richard attended and broadcast portions of a conference regarding violence against women. The First Lady, Mrs. Kabili, was the keynote speaker.

· David Aldous, Media Productions, London, England approached us at NRB and offered his voice over services, free of charge, after meeting Richard and Kathy and hearing some of their story. The voice over with music is complete and we are preparing to add video. Lord willing, we will have it completed in time to celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of BESI on March 11, 2011 and provide a copy of “The McDonald Story” to our partners.

· The New Year brought an offer from Aurora Ministries to provide “Audio Bibles for the Blind” including the shipping. They also gave permission to broadcast portions of their “International Children’s Bible” Narrated by David Carlson with TWR and a dear friend of the Smith’s. Photo: David and Flo Carlson.

· Such a small world…Nancy Woolnaugh, former missionary with HCJB and professor of Harold and Barbara Smith at Toccoa Falls College assisted David in the recording production. We are definitely “fitly joined together” in the Body of Christ.

The Lord’s blessings are new every morning. May we continue to be FAITHFUL, as our LORD is always FAITHFUL and keeps us going!

Keep Looking Up!
Rich & Kathy McDonald

Harold & Barbara Smith

Current Projects:

Property / Housing / Studio: $250,000 / Designated to date: $3,875

FM Cornerstone Project / Phase I – 3 units: $10,000 / Designated to date: $4,250

McDonald’s need a car – current car over 20 years old: $17 - $20,000

Radio Kahuzi Listed as "Member Voice" with NRB!

2011-03-16T20:55:00.001-07:00

NRB (National Religious Broadcasters) has just listed Radio Kahuzi as a "Member Voice" on their list of "Christian Communicators Impacting the World." We are very excited about this honor!!
Click HERE for a link to Radio Kahuzi's listing on the NRB website.

Happy New Year from Radio Kahuzi!

2011-01-18T14:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you for joining with us in partnership through your prayers and your financial giving during 2010. It has made all the difference in D R Congo and around the world.

Richard and Kathy are working on “A Year in review” report, which we will be sharing with you later. In the meantime, we will tell you about one event that took us all by surprise, which Richard shares as follows:

“The Governor asked the Directors of all the radio stations and TVs to come to his mansion for dinner at 7 PM on December 27 to discuss his first 100 days in service. Before he came into the hall, I was sitting at the far end of a long banquet table. (There was a huge buffet along the side.) The Governor entered and called for his Director in charge to rearrange the seating. He asked me to take the first seat next to him. Then he asked me to say Grace before they began eating! Normally, each one would have already begun to eat. Praying at all is quite a change for these kinds of meetings. The Governor even included in his final remarks that "we even began in prayer before eating!" So we had a very enjoyable first encounter discussing his first 100 days of service. The Governor had a long presentation in which he referred to ”Radio Kahuzi” or “Richard” quite a few times, which gives me some hope he may try to help us make the changes we need in government regulation, as that was the gist of his plan, to meet in another 100 days to see how much change he and each one of us are able to achieve as we work forward.

After the banquet, I presented him with a black box containing his Christmas and New Year cards, along with a gift of seven Galcom radios, and a Swahili Scofield Bible. He asked me to show him how the radios work and was pleased he could connect his ear-plug cord into the radio, since he always has one in his left ear for his telephone, etc. He said he may buy a fifth telephone to monitor the call-ins from journalists and directors...All his telephones were ringing during our time with him.”

As you can see, God continues to use Richard and Kathy in a very strategic time and place to further the outreach of the Gospel. We know each one of us are to be a “peculiar” people –sanctified and set apart. I am sure Richard and Kathy feel peculiar in another way…for Richard he must wonder…how in the world did I get here from growing up in a little town of Grampian, PA! It is all so mysterious how God places his people where they are to accomplish His purpose in the vast world with billions of souls wandering about. You are where you are and no less important than Richard and Kathy.

We sincerely appreciate your participation in their ministry and God’s great plan for the ages. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a PECULIAR PEOPLE, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14.

“In the hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;” Titus 1:2 3.

Yes, we need you to continue to partner with us in this New Year, 2011, which begins Radio Kahuzi’s 19th year on the air! There are thousands who have yet to hear the Blessed Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us all remain faithful together in 2011. Maybe this will be the year of “His Appearing” in the heavens for us, and all who have come to faith in Christ. Pray that many precious souls will hear God’s wonderful plan of Salvation over the airwaves of Radio Kahuzi in this new year…even the Governor.

Keep Looking Up!

P.S. By God’s Grace, Believer’s Express Service, Inc. celebrates its 25th
year of ministry, March 11, 2011!

Happy 38th Wedding Anniversary!

2010-12-16T09:19:00.001-08:00

United in marriage Dec. 16, 1972

Growing up so far apart and in such different environments it could only be by Divine appointment that Rich and Kathy ever met!

All dressed up for the Prom
(spent one year in Florida)

While Richard was growing up in Central Pennsylvania, Kathy was growing up across the ocean in the middle of Africa in, Kayembe and Wamaza in Belgian Congo then called Zaire and now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kathy at home in Kayembe

But God....had a special ministry for these two and caused their lives to intersect in Grand Rapids, Michigan. And, of course, there is so much more to their story. Hopefully, one day it will all be written down.

For now, we all want to say a big Happy Anniversary! We wish we could be there with you to sit down with a good cup of coffee and reminisce, but there is so much to do, both there and here. So, we will wait until we all join hands and raise them together, crying out with the angels, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain before the foundations of the world.

With all our love and prayers,
Barb, Smitty and the BESI Board

Expanding Our Programming to 14 Dialects / Languages

2010-10-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

A carton of CDs of Dr. Charles Stanley's "In Touch" messages in seven languages (Swahili, African French, Kikongo, Kinyarwandan, Luganda, Masaai, and Mandarin) arrived at our door yesterday. This brings our total dialects / languages to fourteen.

We began broadcasting the program in African French at 11:00 a.m. alternating days with Kikongo. We will begin broadcasting Swahili in the afternoon at 3:30 p.m., alternating with Kinyarwanda each day of the week.

We need to study how and when to introduce Luganda (possibly at 7:30 p.m.), which is spoken in the North on the border with Uganda; and Masaai of Kenya and Mandarin (used by the Chinese working in DRC), which are not languages of the DRC. We will present CDs and tracts in Mandarin to the UN Medical team here, which are Chinese.

We do thank "In Touch" and REJOICE that we did not have to pay the $200 customs requested in Kinshasa, and that the programs will now be effectively used in our outreach to most of the Eastern D R Congo in FM and SW broadcasts.

Thank you for all your love and prayers for us!! Praise the Lord we can still give out the Word through Radio Kahuzi, churches, and personal testimonies!

May we continue to be FAITHFUL! And, our LORD is FAITHFUL and keeps us going. It is HIS FAITHFULNESS that keeps us!

Keep Looking Up! In His Love,
Richard & Kathy McDonald

Another Thousand Radios!

2010-10-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Galcom continues to be a wonderful partner in ministry and recently offered us another 1,000 radios without charge, except for the shipping.

400 SW worth $8,000;
600 FMs worth $12,000, total value $20,000.

Can you imagine! This will bring our total to 16,500 with a total value of $330,000 through the generosity of Galcom International!

A New Way to Listen to Radio Kahuzi
One of my friends told me that her grandson just loves to listen to Radio Kahuzi. She came by one day to ask me if I could give her another radio as her grandson needed two radios.

I had already given him one of the Galcom FMs and now he wanted a little red short wave radio. I asked her why he needed two radios.

She told me that when he rides his bike he has the little radio hooked onto his handlebars, but now he needed two, so that he could have stereo quality while he rides his bike!

Just another way to listen to Radio Kahuzi! He has grown into a fine young man and still loves to listen to Radio Kahuzi.

Aunt Kathy's Grace Notes

2010-10-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

People are so hungry to hear the Word of God. it's as though a whole generation of people have been skipped over in time, since the wars in Congo.

Bible Schools and some means of Christian teaching fell off during the wars as the population was scattered about. Now, there's so much need for folks to hear the Word, to uplift their thoughts and Spirits, and to think on "things above," instead of just the terrible things that go on, over and over again!

A house is being built next door to us; and as they started the construction, of
course, I gave a couple Galcom radios to the "serious" men, the ones in charge. And then, as some of the bricklayers and cement mixers showed that they were serious about hearing the Word, we gave them a radio!

Now, during the day, the sermons and Christian music can be heard around the neighborhood as the men work on the houses being constructed!

The Word of God is being given out from the rooftops!

2010-10-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

Reaching Hutu Rebels with Help

from Swedish UN Commander

Greetings from Bukavu!

Kathy and I are so thankful to be able to keep on keeping on, here in the D R Congo. Thank YOU to each one for continuing to help make this ministry possible.

We ask you to join us in prayer for an urgent need to purchase a building and property for the future stability of Radio Kahuzi.

Our Board of Directors agreed in our last board meeting to come before the Lord to ask Him for a sum "above and beyond all that we could ever ask or think.": $250,000. That sum could be raised with 250 partners sharing $1,000.

The board feels that it is imperative that we seek another property where we can grow into the future. Pray with us, please.

Otherwise, life here in Bukavu and the radio ministry continues to hum along "normally," for Africa.

However, outside of our gates life continues to be much harder for some villages in the mountains and the bush that are still having attacks by armed bandits and the Hutu rebels from Rwanda. When they need supplies, they go into the Congolese villages and loot and burn houses, and harm the women.

A few days ago I went by the MONUSCO HQ, just up the street from our broadcast studio. An old friend from Finland who had trained the Congolese police ten years ago had returned after five years absence. he now heads up a group of Peace Keepers north of Bukavu. He introduced me to the Swedish Commander of a five-man Peace Keeper team in the mountains of Kilembwe. He asked me to follow up with him on installing our FM repeaters at Kilembwe and other sites. he is frustrated with the fact that their efforts to communicate with the Hutu leave them still unreached with the message to help them find, choose and receive their peaceful return to their homeland.

A few weeks ago, he had just found a group of young Hutu military who would have been four years old when they came across the border in 1994; and when asked why they were not opting for their return, they said they were uninformed of any options or program that would allow, let alone, guarantee their safe return to Rwanda. They have now been repatriated peacefully!

So, he sees our SW and FM broadcasts would be a wonderful help, since the Hutu and other warring groups do listen to Radio Kahuzi. Praise the LORD! Pray for our follow through with both messages of reconciliation!

Pray that this pillaging and violence to women and children will somehow end and that they will receive Reconciliation, will go back to Rwanda where they can start over living "normally" once again. Now, they live in the mountain jungle and forests--not much hope for them except with the Lord's intervention into their lives--and possibly by the LORD's Wisdom and Grace, through Radio Kahuzi.

Many have gone back to Rwanda and have gotten their lives back together again. These are the same folks that left Rwanda in 1994 during the genocide. They fled over here to Congo Refugee camps where they were ministered to through Radio Kahuzi until the War of 1996, when they were chased into the jungle by the invading forces from Rwanda--so it's been a while!

Thank you for all your love and prayers for us!! These aren't easy days in the Congo, but seems like the whole world is going down fast. Praise the Lord we can still give out the Word through Radio Kahuzi!

A Day of Mourning

2010-07-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Radio Kahuzi Staff and the BESI Board of Directors join the Congolese people in a Day of Mourning for the victims of the tanker explosion.

Richard reported, "Yes, we saw the burned truck and body bags on French TV news; and the helicopters have been flying over our station this afternoon, helping some victims get to hospitals here. There will be need to medically evacuate many to better hospitals specializing on burns.

"It is a real tragedy for many families and that whole area--as people would have been there from many villages for the out-door market.

"Remember the families who lost loved ones and those who will have years of medical follow-up for those who recover!

"May the Lord Minister in Grace and Mercy to those touched; May He come soon!

"Love, Richard & Kathy

"P.S Sange is close to where I had my retinas torn in 1983."

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T18:42:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, America and BESI / Radio Kahuzi!

Nineteen years ago on July 4, 1991 the permit for our radio ministry was signed into law after many long hours, days and months of work on the technical papers required for the very first non-government radio station in Zaire, (previously known as the Belgian Congo) now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The permit was signed by both the Minister of State for Information and Press and the Minister of State for Agriculture. Their letters agreed to the technical papers proposing several of each: FM, medium wave, and shortwave broadcasting transmitters for Christian programming, as well as for agricultural and other rural-development broadcasting, including health, hygiene, and nutrition. They classified it as a Program of Priority Public Investments, allowing customs exemptions for importations of equipment.

Congratulations, Rich and Kathy for your vision and perseverance in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

God Bless America and God bless Central Africa.

DR Congo Tanker fire kills 200 Near Bukavu

2010-07-03T09:15:00.000-07:00

http://news.malaysia.msn.com/top-stories/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4195945

Home again with lots of challenges and opportunities

2010-05-02T17:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,

We're safe and sound back home in Bukavu. It was raining cats and dogs when we got to the border, but Renee, a friend, was there to pick us up, which was so wonderful!

There's a place in Rwanda in the forest, when we get near Bukavu, where we can get out on the cell phone, so we stopped there to let Renee know that we were near to arriving at the border.

We arrived home almost at dark, and guess what, no lights! I always hate that when it's so dark in the house, and one never knows, after a long absence, what's crawled in under the doors! The kitchen is always depressing, but thankfully we had some bottled water and a can of cheese and spam, so we were OK.

Always quite an adjustment after living the "hi-life" of the States! But, it's always good to be home, and to be welcomed by everyone, including the kitties and doggies and Kasuku, our African gray parrot, who really speaks!

A couple days ago, I was heading out to the backyard and just before walking my path, I noticed the mama kitty sitting in the sunshine, looking so contented and peaceful. All of a sudden, she jumped up, fur all puffed out, and just behind her, a black snake rose up and sat there, swaying back and forth with the mama cat on guard right in front if it.

I ran and called Lambert to come and kill it, but by the time he got there, the thing was slithering off into the little woods.

Another Cobra hanging out in the backyard!

So, it's out there somewhere! Yucky. This is the land of "being on guard." We appreciate your prayers!

(Editor's note: This is the seventh encounter for Kathy in the past couple years. Please pray for safety--even in their home--as one was curled up behind the kitchen door. They cannot be outrun and it is almost instant death. There is no antivenin available in Bukavu.)

A Visit from the Mai Mai!
Please pray for the Lord's leading as we follow up on an offer from General Dunia's assistant for us to "drop in for a visit" at his new home in Bukavu, next door to the Governor's mansion!

We praise the Lord for the assistant's contact, as he came for more Galcom SW radios and "Mopila" journals to take to the Fizi territory for the troops about 175 miles to the south. He responded to my questions as to how Radio Kahuzi was instrumental in helping them make the transition from Mai Mai "Enemy #1" to integrated leaders in the government army.
Photo: Mai Mai troops receive red short wave radio for General Dunia from Gregoire, our journalist when he visited the Fizi territory in April 2005.

He shared that they did not know what to think when they received the little red radio from us with General Dunia's name written on the back. They thought it could be a bomb, and put it through careful testing and secure investigation before giving it the OK, all clear signal and turned it on!

The radio became a fantastic favorite to all concerned when they began hearing the Gospel with a clear signal in their language, and General Dunia received it as his very own. No wonder his assistant was so happy to later take several loads of radios back with him after bringing us General Dunia's "Thank You" letter.

The Fizi territory is one of the areas we would like to install one of ten Cornerstone FM transmitters / repeaters for better coverage.

FM travels by line-of-sight with mountains interfering with the signal traveling down the other side of the mountain. To reach down in the valley between mountains we must install a transmitter/repeater.

Short wave travels up an down the mountains with no impediment, but more people own FMs than shortwave radios.

For each unit we must purchase a solar panel, a 45-watt booster, antenna, coax, mic and truck battery, plus cover shipping from Canada for a total of approximately $3,333 each. By faith we have ordered three units to begin installation in three new areas.

We already installed #1 at Walungu, 15 miles from Bukavu, which is functioning well.
As God provides, we will expand to include key mountain points: #2 at Wamaza in Maniema Province (250 miles); #3 at Shabunda (150); #4 at Fizi (175), or Kabambare (350). Others: Kalima (215); Kampene (325); Kipaka (275); Kamituga (100); Mwenga (60); and Baraka (160).
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Matt. 14:23

While visiting the Fizi Territory, Gregoire distributed radios to the mama's in the fields. All are eager to hear the Gospel in their own "heart" language.

A Note from BESI / Radio Kahuzi President

Help us celebrate Richard's birthday, May 2, with a special gift of encouragement!

Won't you please, prayerfully, consider a gift, large or small, toward our goal of $10,000 to purchase three FM Cornerstone units.

Consider Becoming a monthly partner to help us keep Rich and Kathy on the field and to expand our ability to reach those who have ears to hear with His message of Grace and forgiveness.

Please earmark your special gift: "Cornerstone Project,"
and / or "McDonald's Monthly Support." Both are so greatly needed!

"How shall they believe on Him of whom they have not heard..." You can help make a way for them to hear Jesus' words, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Thank you for sharing our vision!
Keep Looking Up!
Harold Smith
BESI / Radio Kahuzi

NRB 2010 International Media Impact Award

2010-03-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

Richard and Kathy McDonald - Harold and Barbara Smith

The National Religious Broadcasters awarded the McDonalds and Radio Kahuzi, Bukavu, D. R. Congo on March 1, 2010 with their prestigious award and recognition for media impact in Africa and beyond.

Richard and Kathy left the States the year after their marriage in 1972 to serve along side Kathy’s parents, Fred and Millie Bahler, missionaries to Burundi (where Kathy was born) and the Belgium Congo where she grew up in a mud house with dirt floors and grass roof.

They arrived in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) and served with Kathy’s parents in linguistics, administration and child evangelism. In 1979 they felt led of the Lord to become “tent-maker” missionaries by working for an American agri-business company.

In 1983 Richard was blinded by an accident that tore both his retinas and changed the course of their future ministry to missionary radio

After eye surgery in Washington D.C. Richard was told he should be very careful of the roads in Africa. His eyes would not stand any stress or pressure for the first year waiting for healing. Undaunted, Richard and Kathy returned to Bukavu as independent missionaries with little money and no organization in the States for a home office.

With the help of his sister, Barbara, a secretary at Toccoa Falls College, the Smiths incorporated Believer’s Express Service, establishing a home office, a board of directors, and a small donor base of friends and family in 1986 while attending TFC.

Our Partnership with HCJB Global

Kathy and Richard in training at HCJB Engineering Center in 1992

Richard felt one retina was detaching again in 1988 and Kathy’s father was very ill. Lying in a hospital bed, Richard began to envision the possibility of reaching millions of souls through radio. The only problem was he would need the permission of President Mobutu to accomplish his dream. In those years the government radios had a monopoly and the law prohibited foreigners from broadcasting or even using a HAM radio to send messages outside the country.

They came to the States quickly, and were finally successful in getting an insurance settlement from the accident and eye surgery of $75,000 which underwrote their work in Africa.

Fred remained in ICU for six months with malaria, spinal meningitis, and lymphoma. Fred died eight years later at the age of 73, in 1996 during the First War of the Congo Revolution. (Sadly, Richard and Kathy were literally pinned down on the floor, once for three days, later, for eleven days.)

Richard labored night and day for three years preparing and presenting his request to the local, provincial, and national government for the first non-governmental radio license. There was much opposition by the dominant religious group, once the word was out regarding his application for a license.

But God overruled and in March of 1991, President Mobutu signed a Presidential ordinance, declaring BESI to be a Congolese organization so that Richard & Kathy and Fred Bahler could begin their work, and the Ministers of Agriculture and of Information and Press signed the documents on the 4^th of July 1991, to allow BESI to begin the first Christian development broadcasting network through out the Congo.

After the 1991 food riots and a major national evacuation of foreigners settled down, Richard was now suffering with double vision and difficulty until 2007 when another surgery gave him 20/20! A real answer to prayer!

In 1988 while waiting for the license, BESI made a proposal to HCJB World Radio—if Richard could get the license would HCJB provide them with the equipment. This was the beginning of a new outreach for HCJB. Through much prayer, phone calls and just not taking NO for an answer, HCJB agreed and invited Rich and Kathy to come to Elkhart, IN, in 1992, to their engineering center to train on the “FM transmitter in a suitcase.” HCJB Global now has over 300 radio plants around the world with Radio Kahuzi as the prototype.

Excited to see their dream come true the McDonalds returned to Bukavu and flipped the switch on Christmas Eve 1992 with Focus on the Family, “Adventures in Odyssey” and beautiful Christmas music.

The next 16 years were filled with war, bodily danger and no rest. They never left the station, even for medial checkups, dental work, or many bouts of malaria for 17 years.

Rich and Kathy visit Dr. ZoZo at the famous Hotel Rwanda where many dear friends lost their lives during the genocide in 1994

1994 the genocide in Rwanda spilled over into Bukavu with 30 refugee camps under our antennas and two million souls to reach with the Gospel. The World Food Program asked Radio Kahuzi to be the unique messenger of their daily rations to the refugees in French, Swahili, and Kinyarwandan languages.

1995 Richard worked with a group from World Vision and a German group, “Daguna” to show the “Jesus” film in the refugee camps. Their truck was attacked by Hutu rebels and the pastor who gave the invitation to receive Christ was nearly beaten to death until a Russian Daguna team member threw himself between the attackers and the pastor, saying, "If you kill him, you will have to kill me, too." The rebels backed off.

1995 – 1998 World Vision and the other groups evacuated from the Congo at the beginning of the war, because it became too dangerous to work. Richard and Kathy remained at the station. Radio Kahuzi broadcast the sound track from the “Jesus” film out to the refugee camps.

Overview of City of Bukavu with Rwanda in the background

1996 during the first invasion Rich and Kathy lay on the floor of the radio station as mortars and shelling hit all four sides of the station. It was a surprise attack from Rwanda, beginning the long war that continues today with the rape and mutilation of the women and young girls.

This invasion from Rwanda and seven other nations found Rich and Kathy displaced and hidden in a new residence for a week along with the King of the Bashi tribe of two million souls. Most of the staff of Radio Kahuzi had to flee into the mountains and jungle, marching over 100 miles to safety with only the clothes on their backs.

1998 Kathy was alone with one staff member while Richard assisted a local family when 17 rebels surrounded the station. Others burst into the station putting a gun to Kathy’s head and demanded they get off the air.

Kathy was confronted with rape and certain and death. However, God gave her the strength to show them no fear by standing toe to toe with the rebel in her face. He asked, “Aren’t you afraid to die?” Kathy looked him in the eyes and replied in perfect Swahili, “Oh, no, Jesus watches over me, Jesus protects me. If I live, I live with Jesus; and if I die, I die with Jesus.” Shortly, thereafter, they packed up their weapons, and left.

Mike Axman and Ed Penkowski install the shortwave transmitter

2001 HCJB installed the 1,000 watt, tropical band short-wave making it possible to reach most of Central Africa and beyond with a potential audience of over 10 million in seven languages / dialects: English, French, Swahili, Lingala, Kicongo, Kinyarwanda and Mashi.

2005 Lt Richard MBUYU testified in an interview, that in 2000, while he was laying siege to the city of Bukavu, he listened to Radio Kahuzi on the Galcom radios his seven hundred troops had pillaged from several Radio Clubs. What he heard was Richard and later Gregior, reasoning with him not to destroy the city, intermittent with readings from Psalms and Proverbs.

Lt. MBUYU was convicted by what he was hearing and received Jesus Christ as his Savior at Camp TV, overlooking the city of Bukavu. He then laid down his guns, machetes, fetishes and magic water, which they believed made them invisible to bullets, saying, "Your words were too powerful for me."

Pastor Gregoire (standing on the right) visits Mai Mai rebels after their return home

Christmas day 2000, He ordered his Mai - Mai troops to return home to Fizi where they built a church, listening to Bible teaching on Radio Kahuzi and giving out recorded copies of the programs to the population. The congregation has grown, and the church is still functioning today. He and his troops have integrated into the National army and he is now a Commander.

Richard at controls during countries first free election

2007 Radio Kahuzi helped the government monitor the elections and to broadcast the results of the first free and democratic election in the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo with our shortwave transmitter to the whole country.

Richard greeting the newly elected Governor and his wife at official reception

OTHER PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH

Rev. Allan McGruil and Richard discussing FM equipment at NRB

BESI in partnership with Galcom International are providing the local people with solar-powered radios, pre-tuned to Radio Kahuzi 91.1 FM or 102.1 FM or 6.210 Mhz short-wave. Since 1992 we have distributed over 15,500 radios with more on the way.

Radio Club for the many disabled by polio

Richard has organized over 300 Kahuzi Radio Clubs in the local area with an estimated membership varying from 10 to 1,000 per club, with a total of well over 10,000. This does not represent our total listening audience, but only those who have direct contact with the staff of Radio Kahuzi.

Each club elects a president, who is responsible to organize the village or radio club to do self-help projects and coordinate listening to maximize the effectiveness of Radio Kahuzi.

These young men visit Radio Kahuzi from a Pygmy tribe. There are over 600,000 in the Manemia Jungle basin.

They also come to the station or rendezvous with staff on a regular basis, bringing correspondence, reports, and small notebooks filled with testimonies of the newest believers, greetings to family and friends, and their favorite song requests. Their correspondence is very popular and becomes a vital testimony as they are read twice a day on Radio Kahuzi.

The presidents also come to get seed to plant gardens, and tools: watering cans and hoes, etc. One radio club organized a health center and feeding program (nutrition center) for approximately 800 widows and orphans that are cared for with the help of seven other radio clubs nearby. They help them plant gardens, etc.

2009 cellular phone communication has been established with text messaging. Recently, Hutu refugees in the jungle with the FDLR sent a message to thank the young lady who reads a chapter from the Bible each day in Kinyarwandan for them. What they are hearing is a Mega Voice reader!

Teachers and students visit Radio Kahuzi from a local university

Rwandan listeners send text messages in from Cyangugu and the University of Butari further East in Rwanda. They also enjoy hearing the Word of God in their own “heart language.”

Text message also come from distant Kahuzi Radio Clubs. They also use their cell phones to call into VOA in Washington, DC, to participate in live programs like “Washington Forum”, “America and You”, “Dialogue on Religion”, etc.

As you can see technology has even penetrated the heart of Africa!

We believe that Richard and Kathy McDonald have made a significant ministry impact on the Democratic Republic of Congo. They have uniquely impacted their region and beyond, through establishing the very first non-government, Christian broadcasting network utilizing FM, and Shortwave, along with distribution of 15,500 Galcom solar-powered, handheld, pre-tuned radios, text messaging, cell phone and live streaming via satellite programming that is vital and pertinent to the lives and culture of Central Africa and beyond.

Since Radio Kahuzi does not sell commercial airtime, or ask for donations from its listening audience, or charge for any fees to our great programmers, our faith-based radio ministry is very unique. We depend upon those in the States with a burden to help us reach the lost and needy in Africa.

Mrs. Adrian Rogers & Richard McDonald at NRB

(She was so thrilled that we still carry "Love Worth Finding" as many programmers have cut out international broadcasting. We were happy to tell her that we have never charged their ministry for programs.)

Programmers: Adrian Rogers, “Love Worth Finding”; Children’s Bible Hour, Uncle Charlie’s “Keys for Kids”; Pacific Garden Mission, “Unshackled”, Radio Bible Class, “Our Daily Bread”; Dr. Kenn Gangle, “Morning Light”; Focus on the Family in French and English; Creation Institute, “Science, Scripture, and Salvation”; Voice of America, (Selected programs relevant to the region), and many others.

A Message from BESI - Radio Kahuzi President

Their pioneering of independent Christian radio in this war-torn region of the world has saved countless lives through participation in broadcasting life-saving information on malaria, cholera, AIDS, and measles in cooperation with the Red Cross and the World Health Organization.

Their life-long passion to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to improve the daily lives of the Congolese people and all those within the hearing of Radio Kahuzi deserves to be honored after so many years of sacrifice and faithful service.

We mentioned in our last blog that we were anticipating the costs of bringing the McDonalds home to attend NRB and receive their well-deserved award. The costs of international travel continue to climb. We still have a short-fall of $1,470.83.

If God has blessed you and your church family in such a way that you might prayerfully consider partnering with u on a monthly basis, or with a one-time gift, it would be so much appreciated and well invested!

May God bless you and your church family as you reach out to a lost and suffering world in need of the sound of the Gospel.

Keep Looking Up!

Harold Smith, President

BESI / Radio Kahuzi

2010-01-24T13:15:00.000-08:00

A WORLD IN GRIEF

Our hearts go out to the survivors of the recent earthquake in Haiti. Our memories are still fresh with the terror of Sunday, February 3, 2008 and a 6.0 quake. We can empathize in a small way. What can compare with the magnitude of the loss of life.

We understand the fear in the hearts of the survivors in Haiti as we both experienced the same fear of being inside our home and radio studio as the after-shocks continued for weeks. We slept by the door on chairs or Kathy's preferred sleeping quarters--the car.

We, and our African staff, join you and others around the world in prayer for those still trapped and those with life threatening injuries and little help, along with the families of the victims and those un-accounted for. It is all beyond our comprehension. We all ask the question-why so much suffering? Only eternity will reveal to us the sovereignty of God through the devastation.

Radio Kahuzi
Shortwave in need of repair

We were granted permission to go back on the air on Thanksgiving Day but without our direct link to satellite, which provides daily news reports and special programming in Swahili and French live from America.

Details are still being worked out, but we know God is in control.

In the meantime, we experienced an equipment failure on the shortwave on January 15th. The FM is working fine.

Our wonderful friends at HCJB Global Technologies are coming to the rescue once again with a repair kit via DHL. Pray for a quick and safe delivery.

Such is life in Africa! "But we count it all joy for the prize that is set before us" as did our Lord Jesus Christ.

Providing for Widows and Orphans

On the 19th Victor came with Mama Odette to thank us for the rice and oil, etc., that she and seven other widows received for Christmas from Radio Kahuzi.

The photo is of our journalist, Pastor Gregoire, Pastor Victor and Odette. We also gave a Swahili Bible and baby blanket to each of the eight widows. Odette holds a precious shortwave radio to share with her radio club members.

These women maintain a large communal garden, growing food for the feeding program of the Kazaroho Health Center at Panzi.
The feeding program takes place at Bugabo, where they select the very malnourished from seven radio club communities to send to the famous Dr. Mukwege, a recent Peace Prize recipient at Panzi Hospital. There the children are treated, and released after their health is restored.

In recent years the wife of the Coordinator of Food for the Hungry has helped provide for the daily feeding of the children of these vulnerable families. She has returned to the States and indicated she may no longer be able to help. So we are in prayer for the Lord's wisdom and direction in the months ahead.

This, and some of the other clubs also assist victims of violence, which continues to be a terrible problem, with the different armed groups roaming the territories without constraint!

Here is a dear believer in Christ, smiling through the emotional scars and physical disability.

Yesterday I read an open letter from a well-know author who is trying to document and cope with the sexual violence here. Links to her writings appear in the side bar.

Pray for our testimony to these expats as well as the victims to whom we are trying to minister! We seek the LORD's solutions for the New Year and His Grace! Thank you for holding us up before the Lord in prayer.

Keep on Keeping On!
Richard & Kathy McDonald & our Radio Kahuzi Team

A Note from BESI / Radio Kahuzi President
There are so many voices crying for donations and we praise Him that there is much generosity being poured out for Haiti and beyond.

We hesitate to add our voice to the mounting cry. However, there is a need of approximately $7,900 to cover Rich and Kathy's flight home and housing in Feb/Mar. So far, we have received $2,280, leaving a balance of $5,620.

We mentioned in our last e-mail that they have won the NRB International Award for Media Impact with a presentation ceremony on March 1. You may read about this and other awards on the NRB website by clicking here. You can also read the winning nomination story on our website by clicking here.

May God bless you and your church family as you reach out to a lost and suffering world.

Keep Looking Up!

BESI / Radio Kahuzi

Dr. & Mrs. Frank Wright, President of NRB

with the Smiths in February 2002 in Nashville, TN

Happy Anniversary Rich and Kathy

2009-12-16T05:53:00.000-08:00

Dear Rich and Kathy,

Happy 37th Wedding Anniversary from all your family and friends in the U.S.A. and around the world!

You have provided us with a beautiful example of true love and devotion to each other and a living lesson on how to share the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.

There are not many marriages that could have survived all the stress and strain of years in a battlefield, but with the strength of the LORD you have SURVIVED and in some cases THRIVED.

"I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side." Psalm 3: 5-6.

O MOST LOVING FATHER, you who will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of yourself, and to cast all our care on you, who care for us, preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

William Bright

Prayer reaches out in love to a dying world and says, "I care."
Dick Eastman

You are a joy to behold.

With much love and prayer,
Barb and Smitty
& the BESI / Radio Kahuzi Team

BESI / Radio Kahuzi Awarded 2010 NRB Media Award for International Impact

2009-10-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Richard and Kathy McDonald preparing to return to Bukavu with the first FM "transmitter in a suitcase" in 1991.

The National Religious Broadcasters have awarded BESI / Radio Kahuzi and Richard and Kathy McDonald the 2010 NRB Media Award for International Impact for the cause of Christ through electronic media!

Presentation of the award will take place at NRB's 67th Annual Convention in Nashville, TN on Monday, March 1, 2010.

We are very proud of their accomplishment for furthering the Gospel!! Thanks for your hard work, Rich and Kathy! The rewards are eternal!

Rich and Kathy speaking to the staff of HCJB Global at their

headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO in 2007

Pastor Mutangi Enoci Paul home with the Lord

2009-09-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

This morning, September 9, the Lord Graciously called our Pastor Mutangi Enoci Paul to his Reward, after more than 50 years of faithful pastoral service; he was 79 years old.

There was no way to preserve the body, so we had a Triumphant funeral service this afternoon.

This has to be a big mile stone for Radio Kahuzi, as Pastor Mutangi faithfully and humbly served our Lord with wonderful Bible teaching and spiritual guidance to his family, to his church, Radio Kahuzi, and to the population. We are all recovering from a long day; he is greatly appreciated and sincerely missed by all.

DR Congo Journalist Stabbed to Death

2009-09-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Bukavu!

Kathy and I are very thankful for your prayer and your generous gifts to keep Radio Kahuzi going.

Pray for protection for our journalists and their families: Feza, Gregoir and Danny.

We are sure the appointments of the Lord are ordained. He is doing His Sovereign Work consistently every day. We are thankful He has been Faithful to keep Radio Kahuzi on the air, and to even strengthen us, to augment our outreach by adding weekday broadcasts from 6:30 to 10:10 PM that reach out even farther into Central Africa, despite the continued dangers after dark in the DRC as the following news report shows.

DR Congo journalist stabbed to death in (Bukavu)
Bruno Koko Chirambiza, a journalist working with private radio station, Star, was stabbed to death on Saturday 22 August in the town of Bukavu, eastern DR Congo, Radio France Internationale reported on 24 August.

According to the owner of the radio station, Pierre Pay Pay, quoted by RFI, it was a premeditated assassination since nothing was taken from the journalist.

Tshivis Tshivuadi, the secretary-general of DR Congo press freedom body, Journalist in Danger (JED), called on provincial authorities to "immediately investigate the exact circumstances of the murder and find those behind it so they can be brought to justice," UN-sponsored Radio Okapi website.

(ED Note: Sadly, he was buried immediately, without an autopsy or forensics.)

Bruno Koko Chirambiza is the third journalist murdered in the town of Bukavu in two years. (Source: Radio France Internationale, Paris.)

Today at 1:30 PM we had a text message from Dr. Christine BUSHIRI praising the Lord for our programs, and greeting his family in distant villages in another province. The doctor said he was listening to Radio Kahuzi in Kinshasa on the West coast of the DR Congo, (well over 1,000 miles) with a 4 over 5, good signal.

We praise the Lord for His help and protection over our equipment as just now I went to the studio to see why our signal decreased in quality; the sound was fuzzy. The output power had dropped off to zero! So, with a prayer for wisdom, I shut off the shortwave transmitter, decreased the output power, and started up again.

Thankfully, the Lord protected the system, and the transmitter kicked in and powered up, OK. We increased the output broadcast power to 1,000 watts, and the signal was crystal clear and clean again, not fuzzy! Praise the Lord!

The electricity has surged several times today, and has been off several days this week. We were forced to use our generator several days when President Kabila was here and when Secretary of State, Clinton, was here to launch a new initiative. Much has begun.

We broadcast the opening ceremonies for a workshop with the Provincial government to show the new leaders how to write legislation, check the books of the Governor, look out for the women and children, etc.

Keep Looking Up!
Love in Christ,
Richard and Kathy McDonald

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHY!

2009-07-25T08:05:00.000-07:00

You have been a role model of love and dedication to our Heavenly Father. It has been exciting to see God's hand upon your life as you continue to play such an important role in the success of Radio Kahuzi.

You are a rare and exceptional lady. You have much love to give and you have shared it with all those who have had the privilege of knowing you.

~~~~~~

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

...She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

...Strength and honor are her clothing: and she shall rejoice in time to come.

...She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

...She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

...Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."

Proverbs 31: 10 - 31.

With Much Love and Admiration from the BESI Board, Family and Friends

~~~~~~~~~~~

Some 35,000 flee renewed clashes in DRCongo: UNHCR

Fri Jul 24, 7:23 am ET

GENEVA (AFP) - At least 35,000 people have been forced to flee recent fighting between government forces and Rwanda Hutu rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the UN refugee agency said Friday.

"These people have reportedly fled in the wake of the latest government military campaign code-named Kimia II, which began on 12 July in the Uvira territory of South Kivu," said Ron Redmond, spokesman for the UNHCH.

The government launched the campaign in a bid to force the Domcratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and their local militia allies to disarm.

Some of the displaced are hiding in forests and villages, others have sought shelter in schools, churches and other public buildings.

Redmond also highlighted the violence faced by the displaced.

"There are widespread reports of IDPs of atrocities including accusations of murder, rape, and torture, on the part of FDLR rebels," he said.

"Fleeing populations also report arbitrary arrests, kidnappings, extortion and forced taxation by FDLR and various armed groups backing the Rwandan Hutu rebels."

The latest displacement brings the total number of civilians displaced in South Kivu since January to 536,000, added Redmond.

In the whole of eastern DR Congo, the number of displaced has reached over 1.8 million, said the UNHCR.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Meeting With The Honorable Ngoma

The Honorable NGOMA represents Fizi Territory in our Provincial General Assembley.

He and I met at the Mt. Kahuzi Hotel / Resturaunt because he wanted to encourage our project of installing 2 to 4 FM relays in Fizi Province.

The Dir. of a local FM at Kamituga came through the fighting at Mwenga to escape the problems of Kimya II last week. He and I visited several offices to get answers about the Kimya II program. He gets his daily news for broadcasting in his area in the jungle directly from Radio Kahuzi's many news broadcasts.

Technology Penetrates the Jungle

2009-07-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

We received a text message from one of the Hutu refugees in the jungle with the FDLR, asking us to thank the young lady who reads a chapter from the Bible each day in Kinyarwandan for them. We thanked them for their message of gratitude but did not have the heart to tell them it was a Mega Voice reader not a live voice! We Praise the Lord for the opportunity to share God's Word each day!

Pastor Gregoir, reminded Kathy and me that we also have many Rwandan listeners who write in from Cyangugu and the University further East in Rwanda, who also enjoy hearing the Word in their own “heart language.”

Several Kahuzi Radio Clubs wrote in to thank us. They also call VOA in Washington, DC, to participate in live programs like “Washington Forum”, “America and You”, “Dialogue on Religion,” etc.

With our new satellite decoder we are able to stream live programming directly into our transmitter from VOA instead of spending hours each evening recording for the next day's broadcast. There are pros and cons in all programming but we are able to select those which are relevant to our African listening audience and in their languages, mostly French, Swahili.

As you can see technology has even penetrated the heart of Africa in many new ways!

Reaching Deep Into the Jungle

2009-07-09T17:39:00.000-07:00

Luke 14:23 "And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."

We had an interview today with one of the men who works with the Amani (Peace) Program. They work directly with Rwandans, giving them a Bible in Kinyarwandan and sometimes a Mega Voice Bible player in Swahili, and helping them to see their way clear to return to Rwanda.

Some of these workers have even established churches with the Rwandans in the jungle. He estimated that 70 % of them listen to Radio Kahuzi. We are the only radio station bringing them the local RTNC news and world (VOA) news along with a clear presentation of God's love and redemption. He also said that many times Radio Kahuzi is the only radio penetrating the jungle to where these groups are living.

Most groups have received our Galcom solar-charging, short wave radios, which are fix-tuned to 6210 KHz.
Several groups help us distribute the radios deep into the jungle. One group is called Life and Peace. They also confirmed that the signal is strong and clear, 5 over 5, according to most reports.
Your partnership in this vital outreach is so necessary and so greatly appreciated! Please, prayerfully, consider what part you might have in keeping us moving ahead to reach those so desperately in need of hearing the Good News!

Happy Anniversary BESI / Radio Kahuzi!

2009-07-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

Primo and Feza sent a Text Message this evening saying,

"Bon Anniversaire to RADIO KAHUZI, COURAGE AND ENDURANCE because you are covering (the Word watering) all of the East of the Congo and the neighboring countries!
Bonne Fete!"

(Feza is one of our first journalists. She was trained by the McDonalds and has remained faithful to her calling since 1993 when she began her radio career as a single young lady. She is now a wife and working mother of four beautiful children.)

The historic licensing of Believer's Express Service, Inc. (Radio Kahuzi) represents the first non-government license ever granted in the country. It was signed into Zairian law on July 4, 1991 by former President Mobutu 18 years ago! All praise and honor go to our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

TRANSLATION OF TEXT:

I have the advantage of informing you that the dossier that you have initiated for the implantation and development of a Rural Radio Station at BUKAVU has received favorable avia from the technical services of the Minister of State for Agriculture, Rural Popularization and Community Development as well as that of mine.

It is evident, in effect, that this project readily integrates itself in the policy of the Program of Priority Public Investments (P.I.P.) destined to develop all the regions of Zaire through the actions of vulgarization (popularization or extension) and introductory training in the rural world.

Also, I concede to you, in the limits of your mission, the right of exploitation required with the considerations of the right with regard to the O.Z.R.T. concerning the programs broadcast.

The President-Delegate General of the Office Zairois of Radio Broadcasting and Television (O.Z.R.T.), who reads a copy of this, will take care to delegate, for your Association, the Chief of the Rural Radio Section of his enterprise for expeditions to the terrain in order to keep us informed regularly of your activities.

Please accept, Monsieur, the assurance of my distinguished sentiments.

The Minister of State of
Information and Press,
BANZA MUKALAY NSUNGU
Knight of National Order of the Leopard.

Bibles for D R Congo

2009-07-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

We want to thank all those who participated in helping us to purchase a box of Swahili Scofield Bibles. Our German friend brought them from Lubumbashi while we were in the States in April. $460 was given toward the purchase price of $15 per Bible. We are thankful our friend saved this box, as her pastors were pressuring her for even these...
They will be a blessing along with the ten Mega Voice Swahili Talking Bibles we received from our friend, Gila, last year. Pray for the Spiritual impact the Bibles can bring to the radio broadcasts, as they will be able to follow along with the Gospel messages and read it in their own “heart language.”

As the Lord leads, please continue to partner with us to keep funds available for opportunities in the future to purchase more Bibles as they become available. They are a rare find in this war-torn area of the world.

Over 300 Radio Clubs Assist One Another
Recently, Samuel came by the studio and introduced us to a deaf child who has joined their Radio Club for the disabled and will receive help in learning brail. Samuel teaches brail, macramé, and other skills to those who are also blind.

In the picture one can find different work they are sharing: shoe repair, masonry work, sewing, etc.
We appreciate your prayer for them and the seven radio clubs at Kazaroho near the Panzi Hospital. Their President / Coordinator, Victor, had another addition to his family. His wife had a difficult delivery while we were gone requiring major surgery, including a hysterectomy. We are helping Victor and his family with their medical debts along with their regular program of ministry with the seven Radio Clubs.

A visitor to Radio Kahuzi,this beautiful young lady receives encouragement from the broadcasts and is still glorifying God in the midst of her tribulation.

The surgical ward in which Dr. Mukweke performed the surgery is famous these days. He has received several international awards for his surgical work with the raped and mutilated women from South Kivu.

God's Confirmation of Years of Service
Richard attends "Reunion of the Governors"
D.R. Congo, Rwanda, & Burundi meet in Bukavu

Another confirmation of input in past years into the national and Central African development programs came with a pleasant greeting from a Kinshasa Delegate to the “Reunion of the Governors” by the name of Humuri.

Hamuri, now one of the Congolese responsible for media relations among several countries of the CEPGL was my assistant from 1981-83.

Together, we taught English to a dozen engineers before they went to the States for their Masters Degree programs at various universities. This was part of the National Program to develop legumes -- high protein food.

While we created a local association of African and American teachers to teach English at five levels in Bukavu, Humuri organized the Congress of NGOs of which he became the first National President.

During the war from 1986-2004, Humuri became the head of HAM (High Authority for the Media) which regulates Congo's radio / TV and newspapers. It is exciting to see how the Lord allows us to have input into Humuri’s life and work since those early days together.

There were no international journalists other than Monuc. I was possibly the only one admitted without a badge. This was a meeting with the European finance, ECHO, represented by the Belgian head of MONUC-Bukavu.

Governor of South Kivu

Executive Secretary Permanent CEPGL

When I met the Governor of South Kivu, who introduced me to the Exec Sec Permanent CEPGL, he quickly called me aside to ask Radio Kahuzi to partner with them in broadcasting for the future of the CEPGL.

Danny interviewing Depute Deogratias for later broadcast

Earlier in the week I saw Depute Deogratias, who thanked me for keeping on with the radio. He listens every morning to our news program, "Africa Central" live from Washington, DC, with the latest news of the three countries: Rwanda, Burundi, and DR Congo, plus Sudan and others. He said, “Hearing the program always brings you to my mind” and now after all these years, he was able to say it personally.

You see, he was Governor of South Kivu 1989-90, when we were completing the last contacts to get the radio permit.

Richard in middle, shaking hands with former, President Mobutu
asking for help with radio permit in 1989

At that time we met President Mobutu, who was here in Bukavu to visit the new hydro, Ruzizzi II installed by GEPGL. The main outing of the Governors this week, was to visit that installation, which provides electricity for each of their countries.
Danny interviewed Depute Deogratias and he was appreciative that I had prepared 30 Galcom SW radios fix-tuned to our frequency for each of the visitors.

At the end of the two-day reunion, I saw him again in the office getting his radio, and he introduced me to the Director who was distributing the radios to each delegate. He confirmed that most of the radios would be presented at the special dinner during the evening voyage from Bukavu to Goma on the ship "Rifiki" (which means Friendship).

While at the meetings we interviewed several officials. That evening I went on the air from 6:30 to 10 PM to be sure they had good programming when they turned on their new radios. Some of the programs we aired dealt with aspects of what they were negotiating and signing.

Later, we learned that the Burundi, Rwandan and Congolese Governors were really happy and interested to receive the radios. Although they all needed interpreters to understand each other during these meetings, thankfully, they need no interpreter to understand the Good News of Salvation in their own “heart languages” over Radio Kahuzi—only the Holy Spirit. Pray for their spiritual eyes to be opened.

A Profitable Trip Home

Radio Kahuzi received a gift of a much-needed new, pre-programmed lap top computer this month for our daily broadcasts. Our trip home was profitable in so many ways, allowing us to receive valuable “in-service training” in broadcasting techniques!

Galcom Offers More Radios!

Receiving a second blessing...
a SW radio and a Swahili Scofield Bible

We received an e-mail from Galcom headquarters in Canada this week asking if we could use another 1,000 radios if we pay the shipping to Africa.

Since 1994, Galcom has graciously provided 14,000 radios. This shipment brings the total to 15,000. The production costs of $20 each amounts to over $300,000. They have also picked up the shipping many times over the years. We feel we must trust the Lord to help us raise the shipping for the next 1,000 radios at $2150.

As the Lord leads in your prayer time, please join us in asking our Heavenly Father to place these radios into the hands of those closest to death’s door that they may have an opportunity to hear a clear presentation of the plan of salvation in their own “heart language.” Bibles are so scarce, but God has given us a way to reach them through Radio Kahuzi’s voice ringing throughout the mountains and the valleys falling upon ears eager to hear.

Your partnership is precious to us and to the Lord. Thank you for all you do to help.

A Note From the President
Rejoice with us as we celebrated our 50th Wedding Anniversary on June 21st.

On May 13, 2009, we arrived at our new home and mission office in Bradenton, Florida.

This move will cut our housing expenses in half and provide us and BESI / Radio Kahuzi a little more financial security as we all see the days ahead may be rough for America and the world. Our BESI board also agree it is a good move.

During the last twenty-three years of volunteer service to BESI / Radio Kahuzi we have worked hard to maintain our own personal expenses and not become a liability to the ministry. We will continue to work as long as the Lord gives us strength. We are waiting for a response from the Florida Barber Board, which we trust will allow us to continuing working here. Working in a community also gives us many opportunities to share our faith. We understand why the Apostle Paul chose to continue his tent making.

Although we have moved, the daily operation of BESI / Radio Kahuzi continues on schedule and does not slow down.

Until He Appears in the Heavens for us…Keep Looking Up!
Harold and Barbara
Harold Smith, President

New 'Terror And Upheaval'

2009-05-03T15:46:00.000-07:00

Congo-Kinshasa: Top UN Humanitarian Official Condemns New 'Terror And Upheaval'
1 May 2009

The top United Nations humanitarian official today condemned a resurgence of violence against civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), amid a serious of offensives against a Rwandan militia group.

"People who have repeatedly been victims of violence in this region are yet again experiencing terror and upheaval," John Holmes, Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, said.

Attacks and threats against civilians, in South Kivu province committed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), comes in response to a planned new phase of Congolese army operations against the militia, he said. Those committing violations of humanitarian law will have to answer for their crimes.

An estimated 100,000 people in South Kivu have been displaced by fear of armed groups since the beginning of the year, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

"In the event of intensified fighting between Government forces and armed groups in the weeks ahead, all armed actors in South Kivu must have as a top priority protection of civilians and their livelihoods," he stressed, adding that they must also guarantee safe access for humanitarian workers.

The FDLR and other Rwandan militias have also been a key factor in the resurgence of violence in North Kivu province, where another 100,000 civilians have been uprooted by fighting in the past two months, in addition to the many hundreds of thousands previously displaced.

The ethnic Hutu rebels, who recently carried out a wave of retaliatory attacks against civilians after being targeted by a joint Congolese and Rwandan military offensive, have been operating in eastern DRC since the 1994 genocide of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda.

In FDLR-dominated areas of South Kivu, in recent weeks, more than a dozen villages have been pillaged and hundreds of houses set on fire, while in others, FDLR groups are forcing the population to provide them with food, OCHA said.

Rape has also been on the increase in recent weeks - in areas under the control both of the FDLR and of the Congolese army (FARDC). "Women and girls are at the mercy of groups with horrendous records of sexual violence," OCHA said in a news release.

"Those committing violations of humanitarian law will have to answer for their crimes," Mr. Holmes said, urging the Congolese Government to stop and punish abuses committed by its soldiers, and ensure the protection of civilians during these operations.

Meanwhile, Alan Doss, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's Special Representative for DRC, has welcomed last week's conviction and sentencing of 20 Congolese army officers by a military tribunal.

The tribunal found that the 20 soldiers committed offences ranging from rape and armed robbery to crimes against humanity, according to the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUC), which is led by Mr. Doss.

Human rights experts from the mission monitored the trials, which took place in the north-eastern town of Walikale, to ensure they met international standards, and provided logistical and financial support, MONUC said.

2009-05-02T13:33:00.000-07:00

Happy 65th Birthday Wishes!

Richard, we trust your are enjoying a relatively peaceful day as you and Kathy celebrate this milestone in your life.

It is hard to believe that all but the first 28 years have been spent in Bukavu under much stress and away from friends and family. We miss you and wish we could share that birthday cake and a cup of coffee with you and Kathy. I guess that will have to wait until the day we are united as one family again in His presence.

May He bless you in some special way today and keep you both safe and secure in Him.

Love and prayers,
Barbara and Smitty
Family and Friends

Operation Kimya II has begun

All morning the helicopters have been buzzing in and out of Bukavu, with lots of activity at the MONUC HQ up the street from us. Operation Kimya II has begun, to liberate the territories of North Kivu from the "negative Rwandan fugitives" control / presence.

The hope is that the majority of those under their control will happily return to Rwanda after they are separated from the hard core.

Pray for Peace to be restored to the territories of R D Congo that have been plagued by the pillaging mostly due to the presence of those Rwandan combatants.

In our South Kivu a similar operation is in preparation as those government forces are in place, awaiting orders and UN forces to unite with them. Meanwhile, large numbers are choosing to lay down their arms on a day to day basis.

April 2009

2009-04-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

"And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,

Greetings in His Matchless Name!

His Amazing, Saving Grace is Free to All!
The task of reaching the millions who have not yet heard of His Amazing, Saving Grace cannot be done by one person, or one group alone. The Lord needs each one of us to function in "the unity of His body" to accomplish His task.
This elderly gentleman came by Radio Kahuzi to receive his free Go-Ye radio. From his village in the mountains he now has access to the outside world and to the Gospel in his own "heart language."

Partnering with Galcom International
We were pleasantly surprised to receive an offer we couldn’t refuse from our partners in ministry, Galcom International. Gary Nelson, Director of their USA offices in Tampa, FL requested Rich and Kathy return to the States to speak at their annual donor banquet with their assistance for the travel/hotel expenses.

Rich and Kathy were reluctant to leave the station so soon after their trip last year in July for eye surgery; however, our BESI Board of Directors felt that after eighteen long years without any physical check ups it was a good opportunity do it now.

We also feel obligated to assist Galcom in any way possible since, beginning in 1994, they have provided us with over 14,000 Go-Ye radios with a price tag of over $280,000, which they have raised from their donors.

Each year they have a banquet and invite all those interested in their ministry to join them in Tampa, FL for a banquet and to hear first-hand reports of how their contributions are helping others in missionary radio to reach the lost. They wanted to invite Richard and Kathy to speak to the friends of their ministry so that they can continue funding and manufacturing the little radios. The manufacturing part of the ministry takes place in Canada.

The banquet took place on Tuesday, March 17th at the Doubletree Hotel in Tampa, FL with over 200 in attendance. They were, of course, excited to hear the stories of God’s faithfulness through many dangers and trials as the McDonalds continue to distribute the Galcom FM and Shortwave radios throughout the region.
Rich and Kathy met with their Board of Directors and the couples that founded the Galcom USA offices along with the couple that founded the MegaVoice Bible.

We were excited to learn that plans are being made to join the two units so that the listener can listen to the fixed-tuned radio or listen to the Bible in his or her own “heart language” with one unit.

This is amazing! Please join us in prayer for this project to be completed soon so that these units can be placed into waiting hands and hearts.

According to Gary Nelson, this years' Galcom banquet attendees gave very generously and it was decided that the "love offering" will be designated to fund more radios pre-tuned to Radio Kahuzi's frequencies.

This was a complete surprise to Rich and Kathy and the BESI / Board of Directors. The step of faith to allow the McDonalds to make the trip this year has proved to be a blessing from the Lord in so many ways.

A Time to Weep...
Life is full of surprises and this trip home had a big one!

Rich and Kathy received word through Wayne and Phyllis Schoonover that Grace Smalley passed away. Grace grew up with Kathy's parents in Milwaukee and stood by Kathy's father, Fred, during the difficult years after they brought Fred home from Africa so very ill, and later, his home going in December 1995.

Fred made Rich and Kathy promise in 1991 that they would go back and remain at their post no matter what happened to him, which they were obedient to do.
Rich and Kathy were unable to return for Fred's funeral. They were in direct line of fire in a surprise attack in 1995 across Lake Kivu from Rwanda pictured in the distance. The former, Zairian army set their guns up on the hill in the foreground responding to incoming mortars from Rwanda. They escaped in the dark of night on the fourth night of shelling. The house was hit on all four sides by mortars; however, the transmitter was not damaged and their lives were spared after three harrowing nights on the floor!

They remained "at their post" without a break until 2007 (12 years of war) when they returned to the States to seek help for Richard's infected tooth and blood poison.

So, their decision to change their plans this week to attend Grace's funeral has a double purpose--an opportunity to grieve and rejoice for both Fred and Grace's home going and to visit with some of Kathy's remaining family.

A Note From the McDonalds
Greetings from Milwaukee, WI!

We are here for Grace Smalley's funeral. She was like a second MOM for Kathy and me, as she really looked out for Fred Bahler, while Kathy and I went back to the field to start the Radio Kahuzi ministry. She is so special!

We plan to be here till Tuesday, March 31. Pastor Takkinen and Linda have graciously invited us to overnight with them. Pastor Takkinen will be officating Grace's funeral service at Grace Bible Church in West Allis, WI.

Lord willing, on April 1, we will fly Milwaukee / Atlanta / Newport News, VA to speak to a group of folks arranged by Doris Baynes, one of our very first supporters in 1986. Doris is not in her 80s and still very active and excited to help in any way possible. She met a Mr. Johnson who builds solar panels and recently installed electricity for a church in Brazil. He has become very interested in our FM relay project to see if his solar panels could be a source of electricity for our project.

We will be at the Altoona Bible Church in Altoona, PA for their Mission Conference April 4 - 8 and on April 9 we leave Pittsburgh / Atlanta and on to Brussels / Kigali and Bukavu!

Keep Looking Up! And Keep on Keeping On!

In His Love,
Richard and Kathy

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT
It is so amazing to realize how our dear, heavenly Father uses each of us in our place to further the ministry of the "Body of Christ" around the world.

Thank you for helping us with this great task. You are important to our Heavenly Father’s plan and together we can accomplish so much.

Above is a photo of Richard distributing Go-Ye shortwave radios to soldiers from India and Russia at UN headquarters during the war.

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Isaiah 55:11.

Until He Appears in the Heavens for us…
…Keep Looking Up!
Harold Smith, President

2009-02-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

Bukavu Residents Breath A Sigh of Relief- But For How Long?
‘Butcher of Bukavu’
Laurent Nkunda held for war crimes after allies lose patience
Times Online Fri, 23 Jan 2009 1:48 PM PST
Laurent Nkunda, the feared Congolese warlord, was under arrest in Rwanda and awaiting extradition on war crimes charges yesterday after fleeing a joint offensive by the two nations against his rebel headquarters in the heart of the Congolese jungle.

We received an invitation to a special ceremony on January 19, 2009. The Minister of Defense came to Bukavu to install UMIR, the Rapid Intervention Medical Unit.

Richard presented to the Governor and his wife at their residence

An interesting side note: Almost twenty years ago, the Minister of Defense (no photo) personally carried one of our initial requests to Kinshasa to receive recognition by the African government for Believer's Express Service, Inc. (BESI). Presidential recognition was given on April 26, 1990. The permission to broadcast was given on July 4, 1991. The Lord has been very gracious!

While at the meeting I met General Dunia who requested more Galcom radios to take to the military in question there in Fizi territory.

Officer Ambushed
Radio Kahuzi Journalist and Family Pinned Down

That same evening one of the officers in the photo with Richard was going to his home near Gregoir's house, after the celebration.

The officer was ambushed by a group of soldiers as he reached his door about 1 AM. He grabbed hold of the assassin by his belt and shot him; however, he was also shot in the chest and died.

Meanwhile, Gregoir, his wife, Madelena and children spent the night on the floor listening to all the shooting. Later, when he thought it was safe, Gregoir was the first to arrive at the scene of the ambush. Four hours after the shooting the military and police arrived to check on the situation.

The officer was still holding the dead assassin by his belt. Since the other attackers did not disfigure their cohort before leaving, they were able to identify him and the group responsible. Hopefully, they will put them all out of business. Maybe they are responsible for some of the other similar episodes in Bukavu, especially on that street.

We appreciate your prayer for protection over Gregoir and our BESI / Radio Kahuzi team

Congolese Officials Taken Hostage
Congo-Kinshasa: South Kivu - Alan Doss Visits Bukavu
AllAfrica.com Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:09 AM PST
Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in the DRC, paid a work visit to South Kivu provincial capital Bukavu on Tuesday 27 January 2009, to evaluate the security situation in South Kivu province, in connection with two principal matters: the hostage taking of two Congolese officials by a militia group, and the need to protect civilians in the context of the Rwanda / DRC combined clean up effort of the armed groups in North & South Kivu Provinces.”...

While the meeting mentioned above preceded, I returned to the studio and asked Gregoir to make a special personal plea to the hostage takers, to free the two high authorities -- as we are rather sure they are listening to our broadcasts, and, hopefully, would be sympathetic to Gregoir’s persuasion.

Danny, our other journalist stayed and recorded the meeting / discussions and a press conference before and after the meeting for rebroadcast to all concerned.

Danny with wife, Magadju and son, Elvi

Please pray for the hostages' safe return, and a return to stability in the province and, of course, the more important messages of Peace with God and the Peace of God that Radio Kahuzi continues to broadcast each day!

Kathy's Note
"Richard and I appreciate your prayers so very much. These times aren't easy, but we have the Joy of the Lord through it all. We are so thankful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ who came to this ugly world to save us all from our sin. And, He must be coming soon! Glorious Day!

"In the meantime, we keep on keeping on and keep faithful in Christ's Strength, not our own!

"With much love and thanksgiving for all your prayers and help to us and the radio ministry!!"

President's Note
Your gifts allow Rich and Kathy to reach out a helping hand in many ways as folks come by the station each day with a multitude of illnesses and tragic needs of every kind. The gentleman on his knees is kneeling by necessity--you see, he uses the flip-flops on his hands as he has no feet--he walks on all fours. We cannot heal his physical deformity, but we can pray for him and provide Wonderful Words of Life through Radio Kahuzi. (Photo above: Rich and Kathy with one of our many Radio Clubs for the Disabled.)

May God bless you and your family through these "perilous times" so that you can be a blessing to the world through every means possible.

"...I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some."
I Cor. 9:22.

Keep Looking Up!
Richard and Kathy McDonald
Harold and Barbara Smith
and our BESI / Radio Kahuzi Team

Christmas 2008

2008-12-29T16:25:00.000-08:00

“Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee
shall be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35 b

“His life is the Highest and the Holiest entering in at the Lowliest door.
Our Lord’s birth was an advent.” Oswald Chambers

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,

Christmas! It is a day to remember His Gift to us. It is a day to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. There is no other news worth broadcasting. It is the only Good News that is worth investing our time, energy and resources to proclaim and we thank you for choosing to partner with us to make it possible.

On November 26th with all the frustrations of the day, we were given an opportunity to share the Good News with two ladies who traveled a long distance from the mountains. They were seeking help with the ongoing problem of violence against women and children in their territory.

We introduced them to one of our journalists who told them about several agencies in Bukavu working toward the same goal of helping these women shunned by husbands and family because they have been violated.

They also asked for radios and Gospels of John, which bring the “Balm in Gilead,” healing for the troubled mind and broken spirit with an eternal blessing, the Prince of Peace.

We had a good day Nov. 12th as we had just received the very appreciated (beautiful red) 1,000 Galcom, short wave, solar charging radios, and I stopped by the Monuc headquarters to look for my missing umbrella. Their Security Officer was happy to see me, and asked for more radios. He had tested his out in many places in his travels to visit their troops.

Last year the Security Officer, personally, introduced me to the head of the Chinese medical forces at their hospital, where I presented a nice red radio and tracts in Mandarin, English, Swahili, and French.

The Chinese Doctor / Commander then requested more radios so his medical staff could listen and learn English via Radio Kahuzi programming. Mission accomplished!

Today the Security officer said there would be more Chinese needing radios, and when I got home I found the rest of the story in my Yahoo mail box, as detailed in China’s Peoples’ Daily Online article dated November 13, 2008…

“A contingent of Chinese peacekeepers arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Wednesday for an eight-month UN peacekeeping mission. The 218-strong group, comprised of both engineers and medical staff, constitutes the ninth peacekeeping team from China to be sent to the African country. The soldiers, to be stationed in Bukavu, a city in eastern DRC, underwent intensive training before their departure. The engineering troops will be engaged in constructing water and power facilities, building roads and maintaining airports.” Source: Xinhua

We recently found a link to a web site offering the New Testament in Mandarin on cassette recording! We also found MegaVoice.com with the NT in digital format. Pray for His direction and provision, as we may be able to develop a Bible reading outreach parallel to the radio in several other foreign languages by cassette/digital – if we are not allowed to broadcast them from Bukavu. But, with your prayer, we might get permission to even broadcast sections of the Scriptures to our Chinese visitors to the DRC.

Journalist Shot Dead in DRC: November 22, 2008
This headline confirms to us why I was broadcasting that night, and each Monday & Friday nights instead of our journalists – so they don’t have to go home after dark!

I talked to Didace Namujimbo in his Radio Okapi office at MONUC headquarters that week; that is about one block from Radio Kahuzi. He left work about the time I went off the air at 10 PM. He was assassinated as he approached his home, leaving his wife and two children. On 13 June 2007 the same fate befell Serge Mahwshe, also an Okapi broadcast editor.

The week before, our administrative aide (who also takes care of our local taxes) left his pharmacy at 10 PM to return home 1 ½ blocks off the main street. As he neared his home, he heard a gun bolt engage, and a neighbor lady yelled his name. He dashed into her gate to safety. He was accompanied by his watchman, who was unfortunately, killed. A young man coming down the next street heard the shot and began to run, but was also killed by another gunman on the corner. We are thankful we can continue our evening broadcasts without leaving our home.

Please pray for God’s protection over our Radio Kahuzi journalists, Feza, Gregoir, and Danny along with all the journalists and the population in South and North Kivu Province, as some describe Eastern D R Congo as the worst situation in the world these days.

We continue to train young people as communicators of the Gospel. (Photo: Many young people like Eddy Bahati, living in DaresSalaam, Tanzania help us deliver radios. Danny, our newest journalist in training, interviews Eddy about his recent trip.)

As we celebrate our 36th Wedding Anniversary on Dec 17th, Kathy and I are thankful to be here along with our faithful staff where the Lord is working and allowing us to keep on keeping on.

With Grace and Blessing to each one for a Thankful Season!

Keep Looking Up!
Richard and Kathy McDonald
And our BESI / Radio Kahuzi Team

From the President

Our prayer for you and your loved ones as we labor together is that you will be a BLESSING TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE WORLD!

Until He Appears in the Heavens for us…
…Keep Looking Up!
Harold Smith

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2008

“Remembering without ceasing, your work of faith and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.” I Thess. 1:3

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,

As we meditated on these words this afternoon in our missionary Bible Fellowship after hearing the evening headlines: “Thousands Flee Heavy Congo Fighting” about 100 miles north of us, we praised the Lord together that He is forever FAITHFUL!

The Lord has given us so many “special tools” for His ministry so that we can communicate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that were never available in other ages.

One such tool was the gift of 5,000 wonderful Galcom solar, recharging shortwave radios packed and shipped to Bukavu in 1994--over 14 years ago. It was hard to understand back then why they were sitting in storage in Lubumbashi so far away. But God’s timing is always perfect.

Kathy giving out the last of the 5,000 radios received from Galcomm.

Praise the Lord, we’re giving out the last of the little blue Go-Ye radios! All of the original 5,000 have been given out! It’s been a step-by-step journey as each little radio was cleaned, new batteries recharged and put inside; checking for the signal to be sure each radio worked well, and then making sure each solar panel worked to recharge the batteries for the years ahead. Then, one by one; ten by tens, they are given out at the gate, and hand-carried into the jungle to small villages, and to be distributed throughout the country. It’s been quite the blessing!

This week we were blessed to receive “Thank You” messages from villages near Goma where the confrontations are taking place; from Kinshasa, the Capitol City 1650 kilometers to the west; Lubumbashi 1050 km to the south and Kisangani 500 km to the north to only mention a few!

Military and civilians are responding to the messages and programs designed to encourage peace in the land, and especially to bring the Prince of Peace into their hearts. “…That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" Eph. 3:17

Gregoire, our journalist, interviewing Lt. Col. Apolosa regarding his joy at receiving the radios for his troops.

For us, Thanksgiving 2008 is a time to remember all God has brought us through! It has been more than we could ever have dreamed in our wildest imaginations! It started off in February with a major earthquake, that most of us will never forget. All the after-shocks were really nerve rattling. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” We did trust in Him and He brought us through safely with no losses among our radio staff or equipment. Thank you Father!

Another major event of 2008, for which we continue to lift up grateful hearts was Richard’s eye surgeries! Just knowing that the retinas were OK from the 1983 accident, and having the rapid forming cataracts removed was a HUGE RELIEF! The fact that Richard now has 20/20 vision is an unbelievable gift. Thank you Father! And, thank you to all of you for making the trip possible.

In between the two eye surgeries we flew to Elkhart to meet with Mike Axman and other engineering planners. We are always treated as family and were invited to speak to their staff and to share how their partnership with BESI / Radio Kahuzi continues to impacted Africa.

Rich and Kathy speak at HCJB during their visit home this past summer.

We also were refreshed and blessed as we attended the GGF Family Bible Conference in Boston July 4-6. We had opportunity to visit and share at seven churches in VA, PA, NJ, NY, and OH renewing old friendships and making many new ones. Thank you Father!

Since returning home to Bukavu there have been many up and downs, but we are ever mindful of God’s love and protection through the turbulence and we press on.

Sadly, on Monday, Oct 20, 2008, we suffered a double loss of our FM 250 and FM 200T, with a hard and sudden hit to 3,000 volt electric lines a block away either by sabotage or an act of God.

In the morning Danny experienced the first. Replacing fuses did not hold for more than a second or two. So it was hard to determine anything. The strong odor of smoke assured us something was burned inside. The Short Wave was seemingly untouched. Thank you Father! And we even got an SMS listener's report with good reception at about 11:30 AM from the far distant Lubumbashi after going back on the air with only Short Wave.

In the afternoon I installed the FM 200T and took readings and looked for physical signs inside the FM 250. All I could see was the burned piece that was loose inside the transmitter.

When I went on for my four hour broadcast that evening, I had no indication anything had happened, but suddenly saw four red leds, except the one in the middle for Input. Before I could cut the power, the smoke had begun from the bottom of the transmitter!

Mike Axman was contacted and repair parts were hand-carried by our missionary friend, Tom, who just happened to be making a trip this week. Thank you Father! Pray for Richard to be able to make the repairs.

Last, but not least, Galcom shipped a gift of another 1,000 Short Wave radios just as we have exhausted our supply. Thank you Father! However, they are sitting in Kigali, Rwanda with our importer, as it is not safe to transport through Goma where the fighting continues. God is in control…Thank you Father!

Keep Looking Up!
Rich and Kathy McDonald
radiokahuzi@yahoo.com
Harold Smith, President

E-Mail: radiokahuzi@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 760.598.1190

FM Repaired!!

2008-11-03T20:52:00.000-08:00

Richard called at 4 am Bukavu time (about 9 pm our time) to let us know he was successful in using the parts hand-carried from HCJB's engineer, Mike Axman, by our dear friend, Tom. Rich worked about 3 hours, turned it on and voila! He is on this evening with his own four-hour shift of programming. We are praying that he will also have good success in repairing the second burned out FM, which was his backup.

All efforts are being made to reach those in the combat zones to the north with a message from the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ. We are praying for the Peace of God and Peace with God to rule in the hearts of all men.

Please join us in fervent prayer for all concerned.

Burnout of FM Transmitter and Backup

2008-10-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Bukavu!

Kathy & I thank you for your prayer and help with the difficult problems facing us these past few months.

Your continued prayer is much appreciated for the reason we describe in our technical report to HCJB Global Technical Center—the burnout of our FM transmitter and our backup FM.

Also, we are praying and speaking via Radio Kahuzi to the leaders in the front line to seek peace, in hope that they will also find Real Peace in Christ Jesus.

This week we sent three sacs of SW radios to military groups in transition in several directions from Bukau.   Last night and today our broadcasts bring them the official "last chance" messages, inviting all military fighters to receive the several alternatives, and choose one before it is too late for them!

Our Lord knows if we are subject to sabutage via the electrical lines; it has happened before during these wars. But we trust it was only the consequence of SNEL allowing all the trafic to roll over the downed cables in front of MONUC just a block from here--all day Sunday. On Monday they threw the four cables up over the metal arc-light pole so trafic could pass under the lines. Three of the lines carry 3000 Volts each!    Any short circuit to the fourth cable would bring serious problems to the transformer between there and here!

We have decided we need to use an inverter and storage system in our studio like we were preparing for our relay FM sites. We have a commitment from HCJB to develop a storage system to use instead of four large batteries. I think they suggest using banks of capacitors or something similar. Though it is a little more expensive than the batteries, it will last ten or twenty years instead of three or four with batteries.

This would function with at least a 48 V charger / Inverter to run and protect our transmitters and studio, as we were planning for the other sites. Possibly in your work there are systems that could be sugested in our smaller scale.   If your contacts have any ideas, we would be intrested.

We will cut and send before we are cut off by SNEL! Kathy says there is a Big Storm coming, too!

As always, Keep Looking UP! And Keep On Keeping ON!!

In His Love, Richrd & Kathy

Technical Report to HCJB Engineer

Hi Mike & Faith and all,  Greetings from Bukavu!  We appreciate your prayer for the work and concerning the ongoing war-situation in North & South Kivu Provinces, as we continue our good outreach there and into other provinces in short wave.  Monday, 20 Oct 08, we suffered a double loss of our FM 250 and FM 200T, with a hard and sudden hit to the diodes (and possibly the 35 A 400 V Bridge Rectifier) through the neutral SNEL electric input.    

 In the morning Danny experienced the first. Replacing fuses did not hold for more than a second or two. So it was hard to determine anything.    Though the strong smoke odor assured something was burned inside. The Short Wave was seemingly untouched, and we even got an SMS listener's report with good reception report at about 11:30 AM from the far distant Lubumbashi after going back on with only Short Wave.  In the afternoon I installed the FM 200T and took readings and looked for physical signs inside the FM 250. All I could see was the burned piece in the photo, that was loose inside the transmitter.      When I went on for my four hour broadcast that evening, I had no indication anything had happened, but suddenly saw four red leds, except the one in the middle for Input. Before I could cut the power, the smoke had begun from the bottom of the transmitter!      After the smoke cleared, I completed a similar physical survey inside the FM 200T, and compared the two to try to find clues. The second photo shows where the first loose component belongs and one or more burned pieces.     

Later I completed the last hour and half broadcasts in Short Wave; and we continue broadcasts hoping to restore the FM broadcast transmitters. We continue to prepare for repairs here, but will need you to send repair parts kit (GFMSPARES for the FM200T) and advise us as to best proceedures. Meanwhile, Bercky will come in from Walungu to help me locally.  

After many tries to send this, I hope it goes before we have another coupure.   Thank you again for helping us to stay above the depression level as the systems here are rather low, with rumors of war.   Lord willing, we will receive this week a satellite decoder for our digital relay from VOA via Kinshasa and 1,000 Solar Rechargeable Short Wave Radios from GALCOM. So there is also some encouragement. 

 Keep Looking UP! And Keep On Keeping ON!! 
 In His service,   
Richard & Kathy McDonald BESI / Radi Kahuzi , Bukavu

2008-10-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Radio Kahuzi Heard in Finland by Shortwave Listener

2008-10-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

From time to time we receive reports from shortwave listeners around the world. It is amazing to think that the Gospel is not only be transmitted throughout Africa, but as far away as Northern Europe, Australia and beyond. You can check out our website under SHORTWAVE to see the list of individuals who have reported from around the globe having heard Radio Kahuzi on shortwave!

We just recently received this report from an individual in Finland...here is his report!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008
Dear Sirs,

Thank you very much for your programme. It was most interesting to listen to Radio Kahuzi here in Finland!

I am 40 years old, married, a father of two lovely & lively kids and working with a marketing research company as a managing director. My favourite hobbies are sports and listening to foreign radio stations (DX-listening).

I work with leading media companies in Northern Europe, including online media, print, tv and radio. Thus I find it extremely interesting to tune into foreign radio stations. Actually radio is both professionally and personally my most favourite media, the one I spend most of my time with. Radio simply reaches you everywhere, is very useful and is so much fun to listen to.

I spent my fall holiday in Lemmenjoki, Lapland, Northern Finland with a friend by hiking and listening to foreign radio stations. We rented a cottage where we had 8 antennas (each 1000 meter long)! Because of the long antennas and good atmospheric conditions I was able to receive your station. The receiver I used was a communications receiver NRD 535.

I received your station as follows:
Date of reception: Monday, the 29th September 2008
Time: 19.30 - 20.04 hours UTC
Frequency: 6210 kHz
Reception quality: Moderate reception quality, even though I guess Finland lies a bit out of your normal coverage area ;)

Programme details:
19.30 Programming in French. Talk by a male and a female announcer.
19.59 The talk programme ended, followed by closing announcements and information.
20.03 Closing music
20.04 The end of the transmission

On the enclosed CD/audiofile I have recorded your programme at 19.59 and 20.00 UTC. It was fantastic to hear your signal so far away. I hope the recording is of interest!

Here in Espoo we have a local radio listeners club, Espoon DX-Kuuntelijat. We are some 20 active members, meeting once a month and having listening trips around Finland. With other DX-clubs in Finland we publish 'Radio World' -magazine. If you will visit Finland and Espoo one day, please visit our club, too. You are most welcome!

I would appreciate very much if you verified that I heard your station. It would be very nice to receive a verification letter, card or e-mail from you, simply saying that I really heard your station. That would be a very important 'treasure' in my collection!

Thank you very much for your programme. I hope to hear your station in the future, too.

With best wishes,

Jim Solatie

August 2008 Update from the Field

2008-08-26T21:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,
Greetings from Bukavu!

Picture this, Rich and I arriving at our front gate, after our month in the States. We see Josephu flying towards us in his stumbling manner, unsteady because of polio in one leg, with the biggest smile on his face -- from ear to ear, actually; and he’s yelling out, “They’re back, they’re back!” It’s so good to see our friends again!

Josephu running to greet us when we returned home!

This past year has been the most awesome year of our lives! 2007-2008 will always stand out as experiences of a lifetime! After 15 years in the Congo without a break, and suddenly, three trips to the States (two in 2007 & one in 2008) is no small matter!

We thank each and everyone who helped make this all possible. From the East to the West, we were able to attend the Grace Family Bible Conference, and see our friends, some from thirty plus years ago, and visit family that we hadn’t seen for 15 years! We were able to visit so many churches and say, ‘Thank you’ to all the friends that coordinated all the travels!

We send a special thank you to all the pastors that drove us from their church on to the next church, sometimes meeting halfway in order to arrive for the Sunday or Wednesday services! We’ll be writing to each one, a special thank you letter!

For the rest of our lives, we Praise the Lord for Rich’s eye surgeries, that Dr. Thomas performed so successfully. Dr. Nancy Thomas was rejoicing that everything went so well, and so were we!! Praise the Lord for perfect corrected vision!!!

When all is said and done, we just want to THANK YOU, each one that had a part in making this all happen. We couldn’t have done it without you! You all are soooo special to us!!

Thank you each one, for all the trips you made to get us from one place to another, for taking us into your lovely homes and making us feel so welcome, like family, for all the wonderful times of fellowship, for all the wonderful food, and taking us out to those restaurants with the mountains of food!! What fun! And, we thank you for it all!!!!!!

“…That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith" Eph. 3:17 BESI / Radio Kahuzi, P.O. Box 115, San Marcos, CA 92079

We covet your prayers, as usual, as you know this isn’t a normal, easy life out here. As soon as we got back, lots of things hit us, but the Lord has been our stay, and lots of things have been worked out. One of the problems was that the electric company had a brown out and our E-mail system was knocked out, so that took all this time – weeks for it to get fixed, yesterday. That’s why we didn’t write sooner. We’re so thankful to have it back!

Dry season is here, and that means less water in the lake and that means less electricity, which means the transmitters are running on the light plant much more. So it goes...for now.

Love to all,
Rich and Kathy radiokahuzi@yahoo.com

Feza, Gregoir and Danny kept Radio Kahuzi on the air while the McDonalds were in the States.

P.S. There are two new projects we are working on:

1. A rare offer of the complete French Bible! Rich called and ask if he could go ahead and purchase one Bible for each of our 300+ radio clubs. He is working out the logistics to get them across Lake Tanganyika, up from Uvira to Bukavu. He is working with a missionary contact in Tanzania who helped get other Bibles up and with the importer who helps bring in our radios.

The Bibles cost $1.50 each. If we only got 300 - one for each radio club - that would be $450; plus importation costs of $600—Total $1,250. Rich is very hopeful as there have not been any complete French Bibles available for years.

2. Another 1,000 Galcom shortwave radios are ready to ship from Canada, but we need to pay Galcom $1709.73 for the shipping to Kigali, Rwanda and another $600 from Kigali to Bukavu—Total $2,309.73.“…How shall they hear without a preacher…”

There are well over 10,000 precious souls in our 300+ radio clubs and over a million souls in Bukavu and surrounding area with no copy of the Word of God while we here in America have many Bibles in our homes that go unread. Let’s do our part as we see the day approaching and the “Appearing” of our Great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Keep Looking Up!

Harold Smith, President
E-Mail: radiokahuzi@sbcglobal.net
Website: besi.org and/or radiokahuzi.com
Blog: radiokahuzi.blogspot.com
Phone: 760.598.1190

(If you would like a copy of our DVD showing an overview of our ministry, just drop us a note.)

Rwandan Combatants Surrender to Government Forces

2008-08-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

This is the beginning of good news! Wanted to share it with our readers!

Love,
Richard and Kathy

http://allafrica.com/stories/200808041551.html>

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 9:23 AM PDT
67 Rwandan combatants of a dissenting faction of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), surrendered their weapons, on 31 July 2008 in Kasiki, approximately 200 kms north of Goma, capital of North Kivu province in eastern DRC. They surrendered in the presence of a Congolese government delegation led by the DRC Minister of Foreign Affairs. (Please click on link above for the rest of the story.)

Report on Richard and Kathy's Visit to States

2008-08-02T13:18:00.001-07:00

Above: From left to right: Harold, Kathy and Richard; Barbara and former employee of HCJB Global - Margaret Cook. Margaret arranged her trip to visit her family here in California to coincide with Rich and Kathy's trip in order to meet them personally.

Dear friends of Radio Kahuzi,

Greetings in His Precious Name!

Richard had both eyes operated on two weeks ago and now has 20/20 vision with glasses! What a wonderful answer to our prayers! He suffered with double vision for many years, and last year developed cataracts. So, you can imagine how elated we all are that he will return to Bukavu like a new man!

God is so faithful...He has and will continue to complete what He has begun. As we know, "All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to HIS purpose."

The Apostle Paul prayed three times that God remove his "thorn in the flesh", but God chose to leave it there. We are so thankful that after 25 years of blurred and double vision, our merciful Heavenly Father has intervened in Richard's situation so that he can continue to serve unhindered.

We were fortunate to have Rich and Kathy with us for a few days here in California at the BESI home office (July 24-29) before they headed home to Bukavu. We had a blessed time together as a family and were able to celebrate Kathy's birthday and our son-in-law, Jared's birthday together. Here is a picture of Rich and Kathy enjoying a much-loved hot fudge sundae together on the pier in Oceanside during their visit:

As they return to Bukavu, they will be greeted warmly by our dedicated radio staff who have been "standing in the gap" broadcasting the Gospel of His Grace to our faithful listening audience!

With Love and Thanksgiving in our hearts for you,

Keep Looking UP!

Harold & Barbara Smith

EMAIL FROM RICHARD ON HIS WAY HOME TO BUKAVU:
Greetings from Kigali!

Kathy and I arrived in Kigali, Rwanda okay, but lost one suitcase - probably still on the plane as it went on to Entebe, Uganda with Brussels Airlines. We trust it will arrive Saturday evening.

We made a stop at the US Embassy to visit the Cultural Center - sorry, they erased my pictures for security reasons. It is a NEW and modern facility, so we are using the internet via the American Library/Cultural Center here.

It was so great to see each one and ALL this last trip home!! We were ready for the layover here in Kigali, as our plane got in after dark Thursday and we had the last bag to come down the chute about an hour or so later! Then a friend said our name was on the bulletin board for lost bags! The kind of new experiences one does not search to have!

In Elkhart, Indiana we had really good meetings with the technical staff of HCJB Global, who are going to prepare two more FM transmitters antennas for our relay network for several provinces.

The eyes are holding up fine, and Kathy is babying me with the eye drops twice a day for another 10 days.

We hope to make contact with the Cultural Attache - Directrice of the Cultural Center before going on to Bukavu. Maybe we will visit other offices downtown, where they broadcast the daily programs as we do.

Well, we'd better cut and send until another day.

Keep looking UP!

All our love,

Yours in Christ,

Richard and Kathy

Update on Richard's SECOND Eye Surgery

2008-07-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

We just received news that the second eye surgery has gone really well and the follow up checkup revealed that he now has 20/20 vision in one of his eyes - which is a welcomed blessing, as you can all imagine! Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! Please pray for continued healing and that the remainder of their trip will go smoothly!

Again, we will keep you updated!

Update on Richard's Eye Surgery

2008-07-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

Richard just called to ask for prayer. He had the first eye surgery on his cataracts this morning and was ill after surgery with upset stomach.

He apparently caught a cold while touring Boston in a trolley on the 4th of July, and is suffering today with congestion and a severe headache. As long as he does not have pain in the eye for the next few days that will be a good sign that all is well and there is no infection.

He undergoes the second eye surgery on Friday the 11th.

Please pray with us for these special needs. We will keep you updated!

Richard & Kathy - on their way home for a visit!

2008-06-27T13:20:00.000-07:00

The following is an email we received from Kathy right before their departure from D.R. Congo to the U.S. yesterday:

"Just enough time to send this picture you might enjoy: Richard giving English materials to a group of students coming at the last minute from the ISP, the Teachers' College. Good thing he gave them four tapes and CDs with about 100 different messages, Radio Bible Class, A. Rodgers, Dr Dobson, and Dr Gangle. an English NT, GALCOM radios, and tracts in various languages, to share with any at the University who had need. As it ended, there were about twenty students who straggled by asking for materials for their English assignment. They were quickly satisfied that the resources were already on campus for their research into good pronunciation. Their professor really likes Radio Kahuzi."

And a note from Richard:

Here we are, the night before we leave Bukavu for the States !

Never know if we’re coming or going, with all there is to do to get the radio station and journalists and household, workers (three men who will guard while we’re gone) and animals all taken care of – and for the month of July -- before we leave. I don’t think we’ll go to bed tonight as usual with these long trips!

We just want to thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, for your wonderful gifts which have made it possible for us to get it all squared away, so we could make the trip! We were truly trusting the Lord – against hope with many details -- to help us; and He has helped us through you!! We know it’s all in our Lord’s Planning for each of our lives! How awesome are His Works!

You are in our prayers, too, and we ask for yours as we make this trip, a very important trip, and we Praise our Lord for your faithfulness to us and the work through the years!

Love and with Thanksgiving in our hearts,

Rich and Kathy

A New Milestone

2008-05-31T18:43:00.000-07:00

Bercky, our Radio Kahuzi journalist during the wars (1996 to 2007 ) rejoices to receive and prepares to deliver the "FM transmitter in a suitcase" to Walungu, where he now directs his own FM station for the Mwami and will maintain and operate our relay station high in the mountains overlooking Bukavu and Lake Kivu. Re-establishing this Translator Site is the beginning of our goal to form an FM relay network throughout the region.

Bercky and the Mwami operated this same translator for us for about a year -- until the war in 1996, when that village and the FM translator were pillaged by the invading military. Today Bercky is installing a longer coax cable to place the antenna even higer for better outreach. He is also changing our relay from FM-to-FM to SW-to-FM to avoid interferance from other FM stations in Rwanda crowding our FM frequency.

Because there is electricity only part of the time, we are preparing a 4-battery bank with charger to run the system on 48 volts DC. Lord willing, in other sites in the different provinces, we will use solar panels to recharge the batteries.

Radio Kahuzi Journalist Traveling with Senators and Ministers

2008-04-08T17:53:00.000-07:00

(Gregoire - left - preparing for journey with Senators and Ministers)

Gregoire, our journalist, will go with Senators and Ministers today and distribute 52 Shortwave to cover all the localities of the Fizi Territory and blankets for the vulnerable ones / retournees from Refugee camps. Gregoire will be recording the meetings for our archives and for broadcast to the population upon his return. One aspect of these meetings is to announce and plan the installation of our network, as well as to obtain commitments from representatives of each of the tribes / language groups to work with us to establish listener groups / radio clubs to record and send feedback to our broadcasts, to maintain and guard our equipment and to develop a site that is secure for each of our transmitters.

These government officials are willing to work with us to install 4 or 5 Relay Sites in that part of South Kivu. We will have pictures and video of this meeting and of all the leaders from Fizi Territory at Fizi Center, 11 -12 April.

Our plan is to purchase the first of five 250 Watt FM translators, which will pick up and reach further into the valleys of the Fizi Territory.

Please pray for the LORD's Wisdom and Direction.
Keep Looking UP! And Keep On Keeping ON!!

Love, Richard & Kathy

Another Request for Radios from Militia Forces!

2008-02-27T18:28:00.001-08:00

Hi again !

What fast follow-up ! Praise the Lord for Samuel Katambwe, Coordinateur of the Kahuzi Radio Clubs developing at Kigalube and Kiluma.

He is back with the Pastor President of the radio club and another letter, this time from the Interhamwe Commander over Thomas. And another Activity Report from the club. They are opening radio clubs in several more villages with one requested by the Hutu refugees.

The Comandant Oscar at Kigulube thanks us for having the courage to greet them each time and to have sent radios to them. They have need of our programming and information and are committed to make it a must to follow our transmissions. He encouraged me to send another five Galcom short wave radios and he will give them to civilians and military under his supervision.

It is very positive to see that the civilians have the ok to form a listeners' club. With that there is the responsibility to have at least one community activity to help others near them that are in need. Now we will be more sure they are listening to a chapter a day from the Bible in their Kinya-Rwandan language. We are going through Romans again this week.

Lord willing, we will send radios, blankets, tracts, Gospels of John, a soccer ball, a ram of paper, some bics, etc. to help them organize the community radio clubs..

It's late. Shaking continues this morning, so Kathy is sleeping in the car...
I'm headed for the couch til morning.

Keep Looking UP !

In His Love, Richard & Kathy

Earthquake Update from Rich and Kathy

2008-02-25T15:16:00.001-08:00

These last two weeks have been really stressful to say the least. Two Sundays ago, as we were getting ready to go to church; suddenly, the house started rocking back and forth with such force, I thought it was going to come down. The whole thing took 30 seconds, but it was so forceful, that the “experts say” that if that had gone on for any more time, Bukavu would have come falling down. I have never felt so helpless and scared in my life. It was just out of this world. Since Feb. 3, when it hit, we’ve had another big one and then, the after shock waves keep coming and coming. We’ve been kept busy, trying to get back to normal life, but always mindful, that anytime the tremors come and we have to run out the door. It’s really no fun and really sooo stressful. Yesterday and now today, the 20th, I haven’t really felt any, except once yesterday, I felt the house budge a little.

Quite a few new cracks in the walls, one that really expanded. Many houses that weren’t built properly came down, and even some of the old timer houses have big cracks and separations in the walls. After that first quake, when we went out into the street to see how the neighbors were doing, all shaken, we were surprised to see walls around the neighbors yards had fallen down, something we have never seen around here. Usually the earth quakes are just little so this all has been just devastating for so many folks.

This all reminds us of how when the rapture takes place. In a twinkle of an eye, just like this earthquake, without warning, it comes. Sure reminds us of how frail we are and how powerful God is and God’s forces are!!!

Anyway, today is much better, not so nerve wracking, still sleeping by the front door at night, just in case it comes again. A few nights, when the quakes were so bad, I slept in the car, that way when they came, the car just rocked back and forth, not the whole house. Got more sleep that way.

Thank you for your prayers, we truly have needed them these past two weeks, as always, but more so in this situation. They say the rocks in the rift shifted, and just have to get back in line again. This area is part of the great rift valley.

Better close and get some lunch ready. We’re o.k. and thanking our Lord that much more didn’t happen.

Love and praying for you each day.

Rich and Kathy

Commander of Militant Forces Requests Galcom Radios

2008-02-18T18:02:00.000-08:00

Sammy delivers radios to Interahamwe

2008-02-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

Galcom Radios Delivered to Militia Forces Upon Their Request!

2008-02-17T17:42:00.001-08:00

Greetings from Bukavu, and Sammy, a brave young man in the heart of the jungle !

This is the third time Samuel Katambwe Imbundo Dadien has come to get Galcom radios to take back to his village of Kiluma, one kilometer from Kigalube, a stronghold of the Interhamwe armed forces. He has developed groups of listeners among the Interhamwe and in his community where he is the President or Coordinateur of the Kahuzi Radio Club.

Please pray for this strategic ministry, as we try to reach the hearts and minds of this warring army of refugees from 1994 Rwanda, because some of them are accused of violating thousands of the women and girls in that area and even Walungu near Bukavu. Since July 2008, our objective has been to reach these warring factions and also those of Lauren Nkunda in North Kivu -- by adding Kinyarwandan broadcasts and sending Galcom short wave receivers by various carriers to the leaders, themselves, asking to supply more for their troops if they are willing. This outreach has been a happy success, and very popular there and in the Fizi territory among the former Mai Mai.

Today Sammy brought a letter from an Interhamwe Commander, Thomas NKURUNZIZA, who listens to Radio Kahuzi and wants very much to receive the Galcom rechargable radios so he can listen regularly to our full variety of programming and information.

We hope you will be as delighted and interested as we are in this affirmation in the right direction ! They are listening to hear how they will be able to leave the Congo Jungle Basin ! Recently we broadcast an interesting VOA interview, where they indicated one group of Interhamwe are now beginning each day with prayer and gospel singing, before they disperse for their days work in the jungle.

We hope and pray that solutions will be found and that hearts will be changed -- for the sake of our women and children, too long victims of refused alternatives !

Keep Looking UP ! And Keep On Keeping ON !!

Sincerely, Richard & Kathy McDonald

Another Earthquake Strikes Bukavu on February 14, 2008

2008-02-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

Richard and Kathy are doing fine and dealing with the aftershocks as they come. They are suffering from lack of sleep and the emotional stress of it all, but other than that, they are physically fine. Keep praying for their safety and the safety of the staff and radio station.

Click here for an article on the most recent earthquake.

Christian Today: February 8, 2008 News Article re: Radio Kahuzi

2008-02-11T14:58:00.000-08:00

HCJB partner radio station in Congo encourages residents after earthquakes
Posted: Friday, February 8, 2008, 11:33 (GMT)

Read the full article here:

Earthquake Update: Distressed and Homeless Families in Bukavu

2008-02-04T17:26:00.000-08:00

UPDATE ON EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE: The two hydro dams have cracks that are being evaluated now with the earthquakes and aftershocks, and power goes off occasionally for a few minutes; but we are on the air as normal thus far. Mondays (today) and Fridays we are on four hours in the evening from 6 to 10 PM in FM and short wave, getting write-ins as far as Johannesburg, South Africa, and Belgium even though our signal there is only a low 2 over 5. But we are able to cover the Eastern half of DR Congo, Rwanda, etc., with a good strong signal.

We continue to share Good News with the listeners and what we know about the state of affairs, and relay the news live concerning the day to day situation. The Governor and seismographic experts help to give good counsel to the population via Radio Kahuzi. During the broadcasts we have made and received calls to find out what is happening with the volcanoes.

And during the night, when the second earthquake hit (with a 5 on the Richter), we had calls from Radio Club Coordinators sharing how distressed families were coming to them for guidance and help.

This morning the Radio Clubs met, organized, and put their funds together to construct some shelters where the homeless could find protection for the night. We gave them sheeting for the roof and baby blankets for the cold air, and radios to follow our broadcasts.

We continue to do “Enquete and Reportage” to inform the listeners where the hospitals and NGOs are receiving lists of vulnerables and preparing to help with food, sheeting, and meds. The authorities are requesting everyone to stay outside until this passes. We will continue to work with the authorities and our Radio Clubs to inform the population of any dangers and how they can get help. We will continue to distribute Galcom fix-tuned, solar, recharging radios and baby blankets and what gospel tracts we have to different groups in different directions to also get the Word out for their Spiritual needs and dangers.

We, also, are not sleeping in our beds, but trying to be on alert if another quake hits in the next few days. Kathy slept in the van last night, but came down with malaria, and is sharing the living room with me near the door, ready to escape if the house begins to fall.

We have various daily reports from other sources such as VOA (Voice of America), RTNC National radio and TV, MONUC (United Nations Mission in DR Congo), and partner radios in the province, as well as call-ins; and we will be providing our own reports as this progresses. We have also used the cell phone to counsel expats and local friends in need. We, with our Radio Clubs, will be working with various relief efforts and counseling victims, as will our journalists, on site, day by day, and in planning and security meetings.

It is early to say, but we have seen, in conversations with people of various backgrounds, a willingness to bring the Lord into this subject as they have difficulty coping with the day to day of this. Pray for our outreach as we have the opportunity to share “the Reason of the Hope that we have within us.” Certainly everyone is tuning in to hear details of their security and the quakes. We have their attention !

The Lord graciously allowed us new contact and working with the Chinese Doctors and medics of MONUC Saturday, the day before the Quake, as a visiting missionary required emergency medical treatment. We are following up with tracts we have in their language and giving them Galcom radios. He allowed us a similar opportunity during the wars, when several Chinese MONUC soldiers befriended us.

The Lord knows, this is why we are here; He is always Faithful ! Thank you -- for being faithful to hold us up before His Throne of Grace !

Keep Looking UP ! And Keep On Keeping ON !!

In His Love, Richard & Kathy McDonald

Update on Situation in Bukavu:

6.0 Earthquake in Bukavu

2008-02-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Greetings from Bukavu !

Praise the LORD !
I was next to the transmitter rack at 9:30 AM when the earth Quake suddenly hit with force as no one in town has ever seen before, I would estimate closer to 7 on the Richter scale. The thousand pound rack with the two transmitters and 1000 Watt power supply began rocking back and forth violently ! I grabbed it with all my weight and force, steady it and to get to the off power switches and shut everything down. Danny our new journalist was stunned, but followed my suit and cut power to the rest of the equipment. We held on till it quit -- and after about 55 seconds it stopped and we were out the door in a flash.

Again, Praise the Lord for the hurricane that passed through last month knocking down trees ! It persuaded us to cut the top and heavy branches full of huge avocados, hanging dangerously over the studio and house on several sides. If not we would have been bombarded today and sleeping in the branches !

Which leads to a prayer request, Kathy and the Governor and every one else says "you'd better sleep outside," because they expect it to come back with a more powerful quake soon !!! I don't plan to sleep out in the mosquitoes, but Kathy and I probably will be on the couch with one eye and the doors open all night, as we have had to run for it every twenty to thirty minutes, all day long ! I stopped counting at 20 smaller tremors, some sudden and powerful.

The morning was spent picking up lamps and broken items in every part of the house, but ours was minor compared to an NGO compound a block away, where it tore down their whole brick wall. At the markets, and across city of Bukavu, and the South Kivu Province walls fell, sometimes injuring quite a few people. At this point there are at least 50 dead and many injured with churches and mosques crashing down during their 9 o'clock services.

At least one ship load of passengers were violently thrown around in the middle of Lake Kivu. The Epicenter is said to be at Mount Kahuzi that may becoming active again ! Another report indicated the fault under Lake Kivu may be slipping again, raising more fears of lava / magma seeping up through the huge methane gas reserves at the bottom of the lake ! Bukavu is right next to both, and straddling the seismically active fault that passes from the well known active volcanoes at Goma and down through the Ruzizzi Valley toward Burundi and Tanzania as part of the Great Rift Valley.

It is unfortunate that the seismographic equipment on Mt Kahuzi is in need of repair for the moment, but hopefully more specific scientific work is ongoing. Part of the city is in extreme danger of rock and mud slides if this continues, putting many of the 200,000 to one million population at risk.

We do covet your prayers and interest for a relatively unknown tropical paradise that has seemingly suffering on the edge of the abyss for so many years of war and violence against women and children by foreigners present. This they find equally terrifying and frustrating.

Keep Looking UP ! And Keep On Keeping ON !!

Love, Richard & Kathy

PS: The photo is taking too long so I'll try to follow with several photos.

Oh Kathy is at the door with her blanket and pillow. She wants to sleep in the car!

REUTERS NEWS: "African Quake Kills At Least 38, Hundreds Injured"
http://www.reuters.com/article/homepageCrisis/idUSL03663384._CH_.2400

Letter from Richard McDonald to BESI Team

2008-01-18T08:17:00.000-08:00

To All of You and Each of You who are our Wonderful BESI Team,

Kathy and I want to express our great appreciation for your Faithfulness in 2007 and for the recent 16 years of Radio Kahuzi…and for the 35 years of our marriage and beginning of our new life together as young missionaries to the Congo, (formerly Zaire) in 1972.

This year of 2007 has been a wonderful affirmation for us of His Great Love and Sustaining Grace and a tremendous confirmation for us, as HCJB Global and the BESI Team continued to help us, working so hard to keep us in the black and on the field.

They both met with us regularly to systematically follow up, “so that nothing was lacking for us” (Titus 3:) -- especially for our working visit to the States in February and our medical tour in July.

We are so thankful to be part of a ministry that helps others preach the Word, and even reprove, rebuke, and exhort the fellow members of the Body of Christ in such an exciting, but desperate age of Salvation.

We see more and more of our beloved partners called to receive their Crown of Righteousness, because they lovingly looked forward to His Appearing! What a blessing to us who continue on with their remembrance!

Pray for us as we continue to trust the Lord Jesus Christ for the future of this work, as we seek His Grace and Wisdom and Guidance, as surely He has to be raising up the dedicated servants who will come along side, and ultimately continue on after us in this vital ministry. They will have to be able to endure hardship and do the work of an evangelist in power, love and good discipline.

We praise the Lord for doubling our radius of outreach across the heart of Africa, with listeners now calling in by cell phone from as far away as Kinshasa (1,000 miles) from Bukavu, and much further away after sunset from our short-wave listeners.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will empower the pastors and programmers to entrust His Wonderful Truths to others far and wide who can and will teach others, bringing Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel.

Though our radio staff had been reduced to three, the work of Radio Kahuzi has continued to blossom, and 2008 is bringing better and better tools to get the job done.

Lord willing, we will soon receive another thousand GALCOM solar fix-tuned short wave receivers to fortify the outreach further and further into the jungles and mountains of Central Africa and the D R Congo. Over 10,000 have been distributed.

Kim and Jared’s new BLOG is a tremendous treat for us. You can find it at www.radiokahuzi.blogspot.com.

Our team in Bukavu is beginning to receive new equipment to make the transition completely into digital recording, editing, and broadcasting. Please remember to pray for the teachers and training needed.

Remember us in prayer as we have been frustrated with technical details in placing new repeater sites with solar panels and battery storage to power FM Translators / transmitters in distant territories some 500 miles from Bukavu.

Meanwhile, the Lord has encouraged us with many FM radio stations volunteering to rebroadcast our different programs in the four provinces where they are! This has been a real shot in the arm for us, as many of these stations are in the center of present day military confrontations. This gives us the means of giving radios to the combatants and getting the gospel to them in FM as well as short-wave.

Pray for the battered and violated women and children in our provinces that fall victim by the thousands every month because of the lack of control and lack of discipline everywhere. Sadly, today the 12 year old daughter of the coordinator of the seven Kahuzi Radio Clubs and their Health Center at Kazaroho / Panzi is in the Panzi Hospital because she also became a victim two days ago. Please remember her and so many others like her.

Radio Kahuzi has had a unique ministry role in this period of years, for which we trust the Sovereign Direction of the Lord that He will complete what He has begun.

Kathy and I trust the Lord to graciously guide us in this new year as we come home for my eye surgery and hopefully the opportunity to fellowship with some of you that we have not been able to see during these last 16 years or so.

Grace, Mercy, & Peace to you and yours and to us each one in 2008.

Keep Looking UP! And Keep On Keeping ON!!

In His Love, Richard & Kathy McDonald

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT

We are beginning now to prepare for Richard’s eye surgery in June or July of this year. The medical costs are not covered by Christian Care Medi-Share, which is possibly the only organization that will cover missionaries living abroad, or with any pre-existing conditions.

Richard’s vision has been increasingly poor as the result of a car accident in 1981, which caused torn retinas -- both eyes were repaired in 1983. Last year his doctor found he has rapid forming cataracts, which are rapidly decreasing his vision.

The cost of surgery is $4,000 for both eyes. The approximate cost of airfare for Richard & Kathy is $6,000. We have started a “Medical Flight Project,” and would ask that you prayerfully consider helping as God directs your heart.

Total need: $10,000.

Thank you for your steadfast love and sharing in 2007!

“God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.”

Keep Looking Up!

Harold Smith, President

Kahuzi Radio Club Partners with Kazaroho Health Center

2008-01-10T09:11:00.001-08:00

The Panzi Hospital (presented on CNN and BBC several times this year for their work with Victims of War and Violence) agreed to a unique relationship with the Kahuzi Radio Club near it. The Hospital receives and treats the Very Malnourished after they are screened by the Radio Club Kahuzi for the seven communities near by. During a special series of dinners, the vulnerable adults and children are diagnosed and treated for their illnesses, and the malnourished and moderately malnourished are included in the feeding program conducted by the Kahuzi Radio Club near their Kazaroho Health Center.

For this feeding program, the Food & Agriculture Organization gave seed several years ago that is planted and grown during two or three seasons each year. This grass roots cooperative effort has functioned on its own for at least ten years with Spiritual impact to the families in the Zone.

Happy Anniversary Rich & Kathy!!

2007-12-18T21:30:00.000-08:00

Rich and Kathy celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on the 17th! Happy Anniversary!! We love you!!

An African Christmas!

2007-12-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends & Family,

One would hardly know that Christmas is just around the corner. Just a few stores here and
there will put up a few lights and decorations, but nothing like in the States! So, we make our own Christmas in our home. I decorate with the fir tree branches and put the red bows and candles around the branches, which really looks pretty. We’re starting to play Christmas songs in the house and on the radio and that gets everyone moving into the Christmas spirit!

Traditions are part of every society especially at Christmas, and here in Bukavu it is no different. The men have to show their wives that they still love them! And, the way they do that is to make sure that they buy a new “kikwembe” (cloth) for their wife! So, for some men, Christmas is a hard time of year!!!

Finally, Christmas Eve arrives, and the whole town gets settled in with everyone going home to get ready for the Christmas Day church services.

We light our little Christmas tree, if the electricity stays on, heat up our little meal, light the candles, and make lots of coffee to go with the cookies and that special cheese cake that we brought home from the States to have on that special evening.Finally, we read the Christmas Story and remember once again the wonderful, Unspeakable Gift, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that God sent to redeem us from our sin.

Throughout the Congo, churches and Sunday Schools will have a special program on Christmas Day. Usually, that means that one has to find a goat or cow to butcher to make sure that there’s enough meat to go around for the feast after church! The services lasts a loooong time, and this is really wonderful, as everyone wants to sing a special number and recite their memory verses. So, most Christmas Days aren’t over until late in the afternoon.

Each member of the BES radio team will be sharing the time and workload during these days to try to make it through, as each of the team has special responsibilities and duties at the radio and at their church and to their family. It’s a hard, but Blessed, time for our Christian Radio outreach.

This year is an extra special blessing for the Radio Kahuzi team, as HCJB Global upgraded our FM and Short wave transmitters in February to double their power and performance. The Lord has been blessing listeners who are calling in and sending daily SMS (text) messages of Thanksgiving and blessings, as well as, distress messages and prayer requests from all over the Congo and central Africa. Today we had many requests from Rwandans who have come across the border for Galcom radios because they appreciate our different language broadcasts including the Bible in Kinyarwandan. We praise the Lord that other radio stations and NGOs are helping us distribute the Galcom short wave receivers to the far North and South, and to individuals like Lauren Nkunda or the Interhamwe, for now their enemy! One team member going to the East coast for his father’s surgery listened to our programming in Uganda during their stay in Nairobi, Kenya. What an encouragement for us and for them! We are thankful to be able to broadcast Mondays and Fridays into the evening hours until 10 PM with tremendous feedback from new listeners from far and wide, despite the problem of being down to only two team members for the workload.

Please pray for our effort to put ten solar powered broadcast relay sites in three provinces, as the details get “rather strung out” to simplify the telling of it. But the Lord has out done us with the sixteen stations volunteering to relay / rebroadcast some of our best programming on a day-to-day basis. That was a really unexpected shot in the arm for us in Bukavu!!! Above is a picture of the representatives from each of the radio stations that are partnering with us in this effort. Praise Him, it’s the Lord’s Work, not ours. Surely He will complete what He has begun!

We THANK YOU ALL for everything you do to make Radio Kahuzi possible!
Thank you for praying and giving and for your friendship and wonderful memories that we cherish of you all – from years ago or from our two visits to the States this year. It was really special!! We pray that you all will enjoy this Blessed holiday season celebrating the birth of our Lord!

Keep Looking UP! And Keep On Keeping ON!!

With love and Thanksgiving to you,
Richard and Kathy and the whole BESI / Radio Kahuzi Family

Blog Launch

2007-11-27T14:33:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the launching of Radio Kahuzi's blog! We hope you'll check in occasionally to see what's new on the field with Rich and Kathy McDonald.

Keep Looking Up!