"The McDonald Story" / Bringing Gospel Radio to the Congo

HE IS RISEN....JUST AS HE SAID

View our video giving an overview of God at work in the Democratic Republic of Congo opening the country to the very first non-governmental radio station in 1992.

Without training, funding or even a license the McDonald's, moved by faith with a vision from the Lord to use FM and Shortwave to encourage the people of D. R. Congo through (25) twenty-five years of war and personal struggles to remain steadfast and hopeful.

Let the Lord inspire you to reach out to a hurting world this Easter Season.

The McDonald Story

The "Jesus Story" Translated into KIZIMBA by Radio Kahuzi Team

(Richard was recovering from the cold / flu but happy to visit with Pastor Malandela who had traveled 204 miles to share his completed "Jesus Story" project.)

Richard shares, "We had a good meeting with Pastor Malandela from Kindu who is on our BESI / DRC Board. He and his team working with SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) have completed the recording of the text they have translated into their own "Heart Language" of KIZIMBA, or ZIMBA spoken by the Wazimba Tribe. There are over 200 languages / dialects spoken in DRC. Check out http://www.muturzikin.com/cartesafrique/12.htm  Zimba is number 216 at the bottom of the listing. There are approximately 120,000 speaking this language.

KIZIMBA (or Zimba) is one of the Unreached Language Groups. We will add KIZIMBA Bible readings as a new program to our daily broadcasts on Radio Kahuzi.

Soon, we hope to edit the film and load the "Jesus Story" onto Bible Players and MegaVoice Players for use with our fellow-Christians in DRC. We, currently, use the "Jesus Story" in Swahili on our daily broadcasts.

One of Kathy and my first responsibilities in 1976, when I was learning Swahili, was to oversee the Swahili Bible Translation Team for the United Bible Society's translation work.

Pastor Mutangi, a former member of our African Board and Radio Bible Teacher was one of four pastors who completed the translation work of the WHOLE Bible in Swahili. He is home with the Lord, but has left a legacy for the Gospel's sake.

Home With the Lord...

RICHARD REMEMBERS...DENNY PROUGH, HOME WITH THE LORD, JANUARY 28, 2018

Kathy and I are so Thankful to have been working together with Dennis Prough as the Lord guided our steps in the same direction for so many years, and as the Holy Spirit knit our skills and lives together to parallel what He was doing in the World of Gospel Outreach.

Praise the Lord, Denny was always there when he could help BESI / Radio Kahuzi blossom in ministry, to the Praise of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Several of us of the same age as Denny started out with fantastic fellowship at the Altoona Bible Church. We also attended Penn State University together, and were both seeking to serve the Lord with a life-mate who shared the same precious faith and desire to see the world come to know the Lord Jesus Christ in a personal way.  

I began recording our Pastor's messages with a Bible-sized reel-to-reel recorder my father gave me for college. I went on to Grace College and Denny left for, the U.S. Army, and Moody Bible Institute, but the reunions and Bible teaching at ABC drew a hand-full of us together over the years to Keep On Keeping ON with the recorded Word through various ministries. For Denny, it was at the Altoona Bible Church: TV, Radio and Audio Tape Ministries, where Denny became the strong arm that kept things growing and out-reaching. We will all rejoice to see in Eternity how all this fit together to produce BESI and Radio Kahuzi!  

Kathy and I, and our Team here in D. R. Congo, send our thanks and love to Linda Prough and Family, with sincere condolences, as Denny has been called to his higher service with the great saints and the Lord Himself, who welcomes Denny with Great Applause! Praise the Lord for Denny's life, service, and fellowship for the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Denny monitoring the Altoona Bible Church's radio
program, "Joy In The Morning" and on TV, "The Life of Triumph"

You will be missed as a member and voice of wisdom on our U.S. BESI / Radio Kahuzi Board of Directors beginning in the early 1990s. Until we meet again, "A job well done!"

Christmas in Congo....lighting the darkness

Kathy Remembers 

It's almost Christmas, once again! When we all love  to remember... and I remember Mama and Papa,  Millie and Fred Bahler and those precious times of  family and friends, and the good food and all the  church celebrations: Celebrating the Coming of our  Lord Jesus Christ as a Baby--to be the Savior of  mankind!

As a missionary kid, being raised in the Belgian  Congo (Zaire), Democratic Republic of the Congo, the precious memories  flood back--of life with the lions, monkeys, elephants, water buffalo, and  antelope, especially at Christmas time! 

Rich presenting a goat as "Bride Price"  to elders

45 Years Together...

Our most Memorable Christmas Season was December 16, 1972, when we were married by Pastor and Missionary Wayne Schoonover in Pastor Vern Schutz's Berean Church in Grand Rapids, Mi., and coming to the Congo together. My plan was to return from college as a single missionary, but the Lord had another plan.

Richard and I THANK the LORD for ALL of YOU who became members of our extended  family at that time."Working Together with Christ."

 Later, you shared in our Rejoicing when we arrived in Bukavu for Christmas  Dinner with our parents, the Bahlers, on December 25,1975 to begin our  ministry with them!

We praise our Savior! We had no idea  then the unique open door He would give  us to share His Story through Radio  Kahuzi carrying on my parent's  legacy....Thank you mom and dad for  setting the foundation for an amazing  ministry of reaching precious souls for  Christ.

Rich and Kathy Celebrate their 45th Wedding Anniversary Dec 16!

Wish we could be there to  help you celebrate your 45th Wedding Anniversary tomorrow! We'll be there in spirit. Do you remember presenting a goat to Kathy's church elders? You must have had some culture shock, Rich. Hope you can take time to go to the Orchid to celebrate!

Pygmie Groups Listens to Radio Kahuzi

A NOTE FROM KATHY

Praise the Lord! Because, All the Victories are in Christ Alone! 

So many times we wonder why things don't move ahead as fast as we would like, but in the end the Lord tells us to "Be still, and know that I am God!" And in His timing, He shows us what His Will is--in our lives and the life of Radio Kahuzi!

Just the other day, when we were feeling kind-a frustrated because of how slow things were happening, we received a story from one of our journalists of how the Pygmies really appreciate what Radio Kahuzi has done for them! 

One of our friends went out to visit them in their village, and was asking some of the men about their traditions of not going to the hospital, when their wives give birth, and when they get sick; and their answers were quite amazing. They use their own plants from the forest, to treat their maladies, and they really work! They eat mostly forest plants so they don't have any extra fat on their bodies. They are very lean and strong! They use their traditional bows and arrows, so no one messes with them!

Pygmie listeners  visited our studio.

When our friend started asking them all these questions, they started getting nervous, but then he showed them his Radio Kahuzi identity card, and they got "all smiles" and said they loved the radio programs -- as that was the only radio they listened to! So, everything was OK! Praise the Lord for Radio Kahuzi and the Word of God!

Thank you each one, for all your prayers and support all these years! It's always amazing to us even now, to hear of what impact the radio ministry has on folks and what the Word of God does to change lives; it's such a miracle - supernatural Work of the Holy Spirit, every day during these past twenty-five years of broadcasting the Gospel! (December 24, 2017)

A Happy Warrior Home in Glory!

Harold Smith & Jim Lawhon enjoying a happy time at NRB 2010

To Dad's friends and fellow servants in the Lord.  

This is daughter Linda informing you that  God's servant Jim is 

now in heaven celebrating with his heavenly Father.  

He went peacefully last night with family by his side.  He gave a 

brave amd valiant effort the last few weeks as he worked to 

regain his strength following surgery and complications to 

follow.  

God saw him through several victories along the way.  

Praise God. 

A friend of mine commented that he is probably checking 

to see if God's communication towers are working.  

Communication and keeping a promise he made to God 

were his life.  

He loved all of you. Thank you for being part of his life 

and serving the Lord. Praise be to our Lord!

Linda (Lawhon) Ross

Dear Linda, Dennis and the Lawhon Family,

It is sad for us, but joyful for Jim to be home with the Lord! 

Our love, prayers and gratitude to all the Lawhon Family 

for sharing your amazing father with us.

His love for Radio Kahuzi goes back to Kathy's father, 

Fred Bahler's last years in the States when we first learned 

about Jim's contacts with Fred. I believe he even went to 

visit Fred in Milwaukee and began his love affair with 

Rich and Kathy and Radio Kahuzi.

He was a constant encouragement to us in the home 

office with his regular phone calls: "just checking up 

on progress." His calls were always followed with a "gift" 

to move us ahead, which were so very timely. 

He was, also, right in the forefront of pushing for help 

from the engineering side of things. In those early days 

when we felt so alone and no one would listen to our 

pleas for cooperation...it was Jim who interceded for us 

and made the cogs and wheels turn in our direction. 

Without Jim's love, prayers, investment and intervention, 

most likely, we would not have gotten far. 

Thank you, Jim and for allowing the Holy Spirit to work 

through you. You made the Mountains Move and we will 

be thinking of you as we celebrate 25 Years of broadcasting 

the Gospel in Congo on December 24, 2017! 

Jim was with us at NRB 2010 to see Rich and Kathy 

awarded the "International Impact Award." How proud 

he was to see this happen.

We Will ...Keep Looking Up! 

Harold and Barbara Smith & BESI / Radio Kahuzi Board of Directors

                 Ron & Barbara Cline, Kathy & Richard McDonald 

                            Barbara & Harold Smith NRB 2010

                           (Jim was there enjoying the victory!)

TAKING THE KNEE...REMINDS US OF A FUTURE EVENT

Remember, when you "take the knee" it is simply practice for a future event in your life:

"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14: 11

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phillippians 2: 10, 11.

Is Missionary Life Dangerous?

Wed., July 26...Another Happy Birthday in Congo, Kathy!

What an amazing life for one little girl!

LIFE IN KAYEMBE

Kathy's early years in the Belgian Congo

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to ride on a lions back, to hang on to that fur and fly across the fields with the wind flying in ones face! That would be really so much fun! Can't say that I ever got close to that experience, but...

As elephant go, we had plenty in the land where I spent some of my childhood days, Kayembe was the place, in the Democratic Republic of Congo--just the Belgian Congo when I was growing up. (Also known as Zaire)

My father, Fred Bahler, not stopped by polio at age two, was our pilot. Fred flew his Cessna across the jungles and mountains wearing a brace and using crutches throughout his lifetime. We still need more brave men and women like my dad and mom to help us extend the outreach!

There were many evenings when Daddy would take us for a ride out on the plains just so we could watch the elephants peacefully standing off in the near distance, waving those huge ears back and forth, listening and watching us as we watched them with awe and amazement! I always wondered what it would be like to get near them!

Then, one day, some of the men from the village came running up to our house, with the dreaded news that one of the older elephants had gone crazy, and was in their village attacking their houses and anyone that came in his path. The men wanted my Dad to bring his elephant gun, and shoot that elephant before he wrecked the whole village. But, how does one go about shooting a crazed elephant.

I'll never forget that day, as my daddy climbed into the pickup truck along with the village men, and headed out to stop the elephant stampede. As they arrived at the village, the elephant saw them and started charging, so as the elephant got closer and closer, my Dad said he just had to take aim and shoot and fortunately brought the bull elephant down and stopped the stampede. One had to be calm and steady with that shot, and the Lord gave Daddy that gift!

	Fred Bahler at age 29 fresh on the field.

That day I got to see an elephant first hand, even climbed up on top of the huge mountain in my bare feet and to feel those needles on my feet, not fun, but that's what their fur is like. Ouch!! Won't ever forget that!

So, instead of riding on a lion's back with all that fuzzy fur, I got to stand on an elephant and feel an elephant's bristly needle fur. Someday, in heaven maybe we'll see and touch all the creatures that God has made for us to enjoy, only without all the "ouches" that come with them here on earth, won't that be something.

That was another day to Praise our Lord for bringing us through safely!!

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me." Psalms 56: 3, 4.

BIRTH OF FIRST RADIO STATION IN D. R. CONGO

On July 4, 1991 our license was signed into law by 

President Mobutu! 

As we revisit July 4,1991 each year, 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 end of the Holy Spirit's working alongside believers in the Body of Christ. 

In our legal application to the government, we named our station "Cherith Radio" memorializing our difficult experience, which seemed to parallel the Prophet Elijah's tutoring by the Holy Spirit at Cherith Brook near the Jordan River. Later, Fred Bahler, Kathy's father named it Radio Kahuzi after Mount Kahuzi--Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega, the highest peak and home of the silverback gorilla near Bukavu. 

Kathy and I, along with Fred, had begun our "Tent Making Ministry" (self support) with the Lord's direction which took us through the Cherith Brook experience bringing into our lives a professional couple, Wim and Lita, of Coka Cola Company, with facilities in Bukavu. We were personally invited to minister to them. 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. 
 

We chose our logo for BESI, representing the "Widow of Zarephath" and her son written about in I Kings 17: 1- 12. She is represented in our logo carrying a bundle of sticks and the embers of fire on her head with which to prepare their last meal. Having only enough flour for one cake and a little oil she shared and ministered to Elijah the Tishbite during his time of discouragement and famine. The story teaches us is to keep our eyes, our heart, and, our mind on Jesus Christ, so that the Holy Spirit can walk and work effectively beside us!

Though we had requested and developed the dossier for a broadcast license over five years of working through each layer of the government's administration, Kathy and I had no earthly 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 and the Cultural Affairs Officer on National Television, presenting a golden American Eagle to President Mobutu as they said good-bye and left the country. 

Our Permit, signed that day, ended the state monopoly on television and radio! We believe the Lord led President Mobutu to end the Party State and change the Constitution, opening the Nation to the first multi-party elections and to Freedom of the Press, with BESI's permission as a private national broadcaster in Shortwave and FM. Over the twenty-six years since we received the first license, more than a thousand radios and TV stations have flourished in the DRC, and 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 programming of Radio Kahuzi. 

 Mai-Mai Commanders who came 
to faith in Christ while resting in the 
hills above Bukavu preparing to 
overrun the City and Radio Kahuzi.

One such testimony is of the conversion of two commandos on Christmas Day in 2000, after a third of Bukavu had fallen into their control. After hearing the Word of God (in their own heart language) over Radio Kahuzi they repented, laid down their weapons of war, and returned home to Fizi Territory five hundred miles 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. 

Through these years of war and conflict, it has always been a moment-by-moment test between the flesh and the spirit-–to be absorbed by the problems weighing heavily all around–carnal, or, by walking in, or by, the Spirit. Keep Looking Up to the Lord, living above it, so to speak, as the Holy Spirit continues doing what He will always do, if we let Him and have confidence in Him--and not to be distracted in ourselves, or our circumstances.  

This labor of love is possible only because of you, our Partners and Prayer Warriors and BESI Representatives of Radio Kahuzi helping to keep our feeble hands raised in prayer for Him to accomplish His directive will in our lives and ministry.

We always appreciate and need your prayer, as today, again, the reports are that several military groups have control of different cities, or territories in opposition to one, or another armed group, or political power.  

The huge Banros Canadian Gold Mines closed two days ago, and will be evacuated to Bukavu tomorrow, as the national army has fled before the feared Mai-Mai at Saramabila, near Kayembe, in the Plains of Maniema Province where Kathy grew up. To read more...

A special friend of our ministry would surely be dead if he and his family had not fled and been evacuated a few days ago! The Lord cares and encourages us to always place our confidence in Him–despite the poor circumstances around us!   

Keep Walking by the Spirit! And, Keep Looking Up!

In His Love and Care,
Richard and Kathy McDonald