American Congressman's Intervention

 Dear Friends of BESI / Radio Kahuzi,

January, the "in-between month," can sometimes be a time of sadness for what's coming in the new year. sadness because Christmas is over, and Hope for the months ahead.

Kathy and I would like to share with you from our Reflections and Praise to the Lord for His Super-Abounding Grace to us over these past 28 years of broadcasting and 35 years since establishing BESI.

We praise the Lord for your wonderful fellowship in ministry, as we celebrate the end of another year of service with our Radio Clubs and journalists, as we continue in lockdown mode in Bukavu.

You have helped us with our Kahuzi Radio Clubs near the Panzi Hospital to celebrate the ten widows who maintain the gardens and the feeding program for malnourished children and adults and the Kazaroho Health Center.

Thank you for your prayers and Coming Along-Side in this the most difficult year thus far in our experience. We Praise the Lord that tomorrow we will also be able to finally pay our 2020 Redevance tax to the Ministry of Communications and Media, to finally complete that critical obligation for the past year.

Thank you sincerely, as our hearts swell in joy and relief for your Love of our Lord and His Service.

This picture, taken last week, is a wonderful reminder to us of the Lord's Working in Mysterious Ways to accomplish His ministry of radio through two debutants in remote Africa.

Some thirty years ago, a Peace Corps Director told us that a Congressman was secretly passing through the Orchid Hotel about this time in 1990. We "button-holed" Congressman Solarz of NY, with the U.S. Ambassador below this antelope concerning our pursuit of a broadcasting permit from Mr. Mobutu, the then President of Zaire.

The American Ambassador was very non-plussed, but the Congressman's response was more than positive. Someday in Heaven, we will know the rest of that story! But the Director of the American Cultural Center later shared that Congressman Solarz continued to send him faxes to press for a response from the President of Zaire on our behalf.

In July 1991, the Ambassador and the Director said goodbye to President Mobutu and Zaire, and on the evening news we saw them present him with an American Fishing Eagle statue. Later, we received our Presidential Recognition by Decree signed in April 1991 and our broadcasting permit signed July 4, 1991.

We praise the Lord for an impossible dream come true, and that we live every day-because the Lord continues to come-along-side, for whatever His reasons are!

Richard and Kathy with Mike Axman in 2007 attending 

NRB Convention in Orlando, FL. Mike installed our 

1,000 watt shortwave transmitter in 2000. All praise to our Lord!

We continue to be amazed at His Supernatural Grace to us two novices with such "impossible dreams."

May the Lord continue to fill your years with Joy and Vision and renew your strength in 2021!

"For we are laborers together with God:...For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 

I Corinthians 3: 9 - 11 

Keep Looking UP!

We are looking for His Soon Appearing in the Heavenlies!! 

Richard and Kathy McDonald

Up All Night Building a Chicken Coop

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi,

We all Praise the Lord Anyhow

We're just getting through another week of "ups and downs," and we Praise the Lord, Anyhow--as Ernie Green (our friend from the good 'ol days on the mission field) used to say!

New Security Fence

We're thankful for all the friends that are helping to get the holes dug and the fencing put up Next Door to the studio, at the new location, where the shortwave antenna is being put up.

Doggie in the Hole

The Monday we were to start installing the gravel and the antenna metal poles, Dona (the man who digs the holes) came that morning and said that someone had forgotten to tell us the day before, that a big doggie had fallen into the antenna hole! Sooo, that morning the guys went back to see how they could get the poor doggie out of the hole without hurting themselves as the hole is really deep. Thankfully, a mechanic friend came and went down into the hole, tied a rope around the doggie's neck and one around his front leg, and he lifted, and the guys up above pulled and pulled, and finally got the dog out! Thankfully, no one got hurt! and the doggie was very happy!

Unhappy Neighbor

We went ahead and bought ten big poles and nails to start building the security fence in the front of the antenna; and right away the neighbor lady got ornery and said we couldn't do that because she wants access through to the main road above, through our property! We checked with the higher ups and they said she had no right to block us, so we're going ahead with building the wall of fence, as one calls it.

Up All Night Building a Chicken Coop

Please pray for our relationship, as this same lady overnight, built a chicken coop out of boards, right on the same place, so she is not too sympathetic to Radio Kahuzi. But, thankfully, the owners are siding with us on the right side, so hopefully we'll see if that's all over with!

Workman Finds Rusty Nail

Yesterday, as Dona, was finishing up, driving in each of the first ten long fence poles from above, he jumped down and stepped on a board with an old rusty nail that was hidden in the grass, so he got his tetanus shot right away and said he would come back to work today, but that didn't happen--as we knew that wouldn't be the case!

Thankfully, there's another man who will help us with the fence until Dona's foot gets better. We have 47 poles in all to put up the fence!

Lots to be thankful for, even getting up in the morning is a blessing--in these days especially!

Armed Robbers Skipped His House

One of our friends wasn't visited by the armed robbers last night, but his neighbors on the right and left were! He said the robbers went into one of the homes and stole everything the family owned; and since the lady sells cement in the big market in Kadutu, somehow they knew she would have money, and figured they would make a haul at her home.

Our friend said the gun fire was so loud, but as soon as one of the commanders got there and started firing his gun the robbers fled. That's not always the case! They caught two of them! Sooo, our friend, Basedeke and his family were saved, once again!

Life is so fragile out here--as it seems all over the world! Thank you for praying for us and for your gifts that help keep us and the radio ministry going!

We are looking for His Soon Appearing in the Heavenlies!!

Richard and Kathy McDonald

Watchman's Son Shot!

 Greetings from Bukavu! 

This last week has been one of those weeks where one wonders what else could happen! 

We had a literal burnout! The wire from our line selector box turned RED with 380 Volts and smoked up the studio!

Samuel and Feza quickly turned off the connection, but several meters of cable had to be replaced with three new interrupter fuses in the fuse box.

Richard Lugano faithfully completed everything and we were back on the air at 14:00 (or 2 PM) Tuesday, 22 September 2020; however, SNEL electric service fell off an hour later for the afternoon.

We all Praise the Lord Anyhow, as Ernie Green, former missionary now with the Lord, used to say. We Thank You Lord, for your protection and intervention, as several more homes burned down in the city from electrical surges!

Needless to say, Kathy and I Look for the Appearing of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ, Who will change us to His Likeness as He translates us to His Newest Normal!

Watchman's Son Shot!

Our night watchman came to work and told us his son, Zeph, had been shot and that robbers went to his son's house to loot all the goods he had for his transport and trading business between Bukavu to Fizi. This is his only source of income to keep their family fed.

Soon, the word came from Fizi Territory that the doctors there couldn't handle the bullet in his back and the burns from three bullets that grazed his stomach! So, the only solution was to get him here to the General Hospital in Bukavu!

Before that happened, word came that somebody had a car and drove Zeph to a hospital in Fizi, but they couldn't help him. Then, word came that the next day another driver agreed to take him to another hospital where they thought he might get help. But, alas, that wasn't to be either! They tried another place, and always the same answer, no help, too complicated! So, after another few days, and some more rides, they finally made it here to Bukavu after a week on the road! All the while, the bullet was still lodged in his back!  

The doctors want the wound to heal up more before they sew him up, (this is two weeks later) and the burns are healing nicely, so that's good news! The doctors are just amazed that this young mansurvived all the trauma!  

We know that the Lord still has some work for this young man to do, as his father, who is a pastor, says that he's a wonderful evangelist and that he loves the Lord and everyone around him knows of his great testimony for the Lord! Zeph says that he will be praising the Lord for the rest of his life, wherever he goes, and sharing of God's amazing care for him!

AMEN

Kathy Chasing the "Bird Killer"

Dear Friends of Radio Kahuzi, 

Isn't this world so strange, nothing like we knew before the Corona-Virus. Actually, we've been experiencing a lot of this new world for many years, it's just now that things have changed so drastically. Yes, there's the life without water in the pipes and the electricity being off for many hours, but now the things that really count-like church services! Yes, our churches are still in lock-down! Who would have ever imagined. The bars and markets are open, but not the churches!

African Church Family at newly built church

Our alarm clock goes off at 6:00 am and so starts the day with so many different varieties of birdies singing to tell us to wake up. When people start going to work, the birds get quieter and quieter. They know better than to make themselves known, as the guy who goes around the neighborhood with his sling shot doing quite a bit of target practice (on the birds)! The "bird killer" knows that I don't like that, so he waits at the top of the road and when he sees me, he takes off!

Kathy chasing the "Bird Killer"

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATHY!

Here you are singing your own song of life long before you ever dreamed of a Richard, or reaching thousands of souls through missionary radio. You continue to be 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

May the Lord fill your heart with JOY at all that He has done!
 


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

THE CALL TO AFRICA

To order from the publisher:

https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781631295492 

The story of Joyce Owens, missionary and dear friend to Richard and Kathy McDonald is now available on Amazon.com or directly from the publisher. 

This book is a labor of love by Joyce's sister, Glenda Owens, also a dear friend to the McDonalds. Glenda's desire is that the book would be used of the Lord to financially bless the ministry of BESI / Radio Kahuzi in the Democratic Republic of Congo where Joyce labored for the Lord and enjoyed fellowship with the McDonalds on many precious visits to their home in Bukavu. 

By ordering the book from the publisher a greater portion of the profits will go to (BESI) Believer's Express Service. Inc. 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

RADIO LICENSE SIGNED 29 YEARS AGO

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

As we revisit the events of July 4,1991 during this current lock-down, Kathy and I are very thankful to have lived several zenith events where we have experienced the Holy Spirit's intervention. Despite our frequent incapacity and simplicity as we live through this Age of Grace, we realize we are nearing the End Times and the conclusion of the Holy Spirit's work here on this earth. We are very grateful to be a part of that work during this tumultuous time.

Choosing a Name for our Station
In our legal application to the government, we named our Christian Programming, "Cherith Radio" memorializing our difficult experience during that time, which seemed to parallel the Prophet Elijah's tutoring by the Holy Spirit at Cherith Brook near the Jordan River. We named our development programming, “BEST Radio” or “Bukavu Extension Service - Technical Radio”.

Later, Fred Bahler, Kathy's father, nick-named it Radio Kahuzi after Mount Kahuzi Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega, the highest peak and home of the silver-backed gorilla located near Bukavu.

Our Cherith Brook Experience
Kathy and I, along with Fred Bahler, had begun our "Tent Making Ministry" (self-support), with the Lord's direction, which took us through the Cherith Brook experience with very little food or funds, bringing into our lives a professional couple, Wim and Lita, of Coca-Cola Company, with facilities in Bukavu.

Missionary, and friend, Doctor Barlow asked us to follow-up on his ministry to this special couple. They were of two different world religions, and considered us as "Holy People." However, the Lord used them to minister to us physically with food and fellowship as we shared the Gospel and Christ's presence and testimony. They also listened and were ministered to by our radio broadcasts, which had just begun.

Encouraged by the "Widow of Zarephath"We chose our logo for BESI, representing the "Widow of Zarephath" and her dying son written about in I Kings 17: 1 - 12. She is carrying a bundle of sticks and the embers on her head with which to start a fire and prepare their final meal. Having only a handful of flour and a little oil she shared and ministered to Elijah the Tishbite during his time of discouragement and famine. The story teaches us to keep our eyes, our heart, and our mind on Jesus Christ, so that the Holy Spirit can walk and work effectively beside us, and that the Lord will supply what we NEED to serve Him.

President Mobutu Grants First Radio License

Though we had requested and developed the "dossier des lettres" for a broadcast license over five years working through each layer of the administration, local and national, Kathy and I had no reason to hope and no real idea what the Holy Spirit was preparing for the DRC, (formerly, Zaire) until the 4th of July, 1991, when we saw the American Ambassador, Robert Oakley, and the Cultural Affairs Officer on National Television, saying Good-bye, and presenting a golden Fishing Eagle to President Mobutu, as he prepared to leave the country.

Richard shaking hands with President Mobutu

and asking for permission to begin first free radio.

Mama Mobutu smiling and shaking hands with 

African citizens paying their respects. 

Our Permit, signed that day, July 4th ended the state monopoly on television and radio! We believe that the Lord led President Mobutu to end the Party State and change the Constitution, opening the Nation to multi-party elections and to establish Freedom of the Press, with BESI's permission as a private national broadcaster in Shortwave and FM.

However, after a few years, a Minister petitioned to close all Private Radios, Radio Kahuzi in Bukavu and in Kinshasa! This led to a Supreme Court intervention, where the Chief Justice wrote that they could NOT close Radio Kahuzi, because he had earlier given as proof that they were a Democracy: the existence of OZRT (RTNC Radio Television National of the Congo) and BEST Radio (Kahuzi)! "If they closed Kahuzi, he would have to resign as Chief Justice, because they would no longer be a Democracy!”

Over the 29 years since granting our license, more than a thousand radios and TV stations have begun and flourished in the DRC. The Lord has created wonderful stories of conversion and reconciliation of warring groups through our broadcasts and listener responses. Many times, militant, and warring factions took the time to listen to the News and Christian programming of Radio Kahuzi which made a difference in their lives.

Mai Mai Commandos Believe on Christ

One such story is of the conversion of two Mai Mai commandos. (Lt. Richard MBUYU on rt)

On Christmas Day in 2000, after a third of Bukavu had fallen into their control they listened to the Word of God in their own heart language over Radio Kahuzi and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ! They returned home to the Fizi Territory some five hundred kilometers to the South. There they constructed a church to the Praise of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing 

by the Word of God." 

Romans 10: 17.

Thank You for "ComingAlongSide."
Serving in His Grace,
Richard and Kathy McDonald

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICH

Psalm 30: 5

The nails that were hammered through the Savior’s hands, were driven through the Father’s heart. 

The spear that rent the Savior’s side, left its mark in the Father’s bosom. 

The Father suffered both with and in the Son.

Pastor Henry F. Kulp

June 27, 1965

Up from the grave He arose, 

With a mighty triumph or His foes,

He arose the victor from the dark domain,

And He lives forever with His Saints to reign,

He arose, He arose, 

Hallelujah! Christ AROSE!  

Corona Virus Arrives in Bukavu

Rich, Kathy, Danny, Samuel, Pastor Gregoire and Feza

Who would have thought just a few weeks ago that this virus would make such troubles for everyone! Now, even churches, and missionaries and radio stations are being affected by this as we all are very dependent upon on our donor partners, and when they suffer, so do we! That’s why we are so very thankful for your gifts which gives us an extra boost of encouragement that is needed to keep Radio Kahuzi on the air, and your prayers for us and the journalists, and all the hurting folks around us that never expected this big problem in the world.

Yesterday, Rich was able to buy some extra rice and cans of sardines, for, if worse, comes to worse, we at least have that to keep us going. We have extra cans of fruit and peanut butter and bread (at least the bakeries are still open) and some veggies in cans and some dry soups, (the borders are closed between here and Rwanda, and now, today Goma is off limits for anyone trying to travel from here to there, and Goma folks and boats from coming here; but a lot of food normally comes from Goma, but it's not clear how much food will be allowed to be transported!

Today, one of our workers, and all around helper, said there were hardly any people walking the streets this morning and not many cars, People are so afraid.

Sure praying that the Chloroquine treatment works, as we all know it as a Malaria treatment and that would be so wonderful if that works and becomes available here and there. The same Doctor that headed up the E-Bola program here in our area, is now working with President Trump on the Corona virus which is great news for us!  We are able to follow on Fox News via Youtube, and so we are kept informed with what's going on in the world, which is such a blessing for us to have that!

We pray everyday for you, Radio Kahuzi Partners, and knowing that you are praying for us too is really a blessing for us! These sure aren't easy times, are they! 

Thank You for “ComingAlongSide."

Serving in His Grace,

Richard and Kathy McDonald

Keep Looking Up...

...for His Soon Appearing in the Heavenlies!