HAPPY 75TH BIRTHDAY, RICHARD
ALL THE WAY FROM THE LITTLE TOWN OF
GRAMPAIN, PA TO THE HEART OF AFRICA SINCE 1974.
MAY HE BLESS YOU WITH MANY MORE FRUITFUL YEARS!
"...Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead..." Matthew 28: 5 - 7.
Greetings from Bukavu and Radio Kahuzi!
This past week we had the privilege of helping one of our Radio Kahuzi friend's father who was really in a bad situation. This father has been one of our Radio Kahuzi listeners from the beginning, when we started the radio ministry, and loves the Lord so very much. He loves listening to Radio Kahuzi where he lives far out in the hills and his son who works with us grew up listening along with his dad and now with his own kids!
AMBULANCE RIDE IN CONGO
Just a few weeks ago Pastor became very ill, so his two friends took him to a hospital by motor-bike, which was pretty scary, because they had to strap him to the driver and the other friend sat behind to make sure he didn't fall off! The ride took about an hour on very rough trails.
When they finally arrived at the hospital, Pastor said he couldn't remember a thing, because he was so out of it! And, wouldn't you know, as the Lord works beyond our imagination, a European doctor who just happened to be there on one of his every-three-months visits to that hospital, just happened to know what was wrong with Pastor, and began treatments right away. Other doctors had been treating him for the wrong illness--for three or more years, and that's why he became so ill.
PAY OR STAY
As our Lord was at work, Pastor recovered, but then had a $380 bill. Where would the find that? And, besides that, the hospital has a policy that when one gets better, one has to pay up and give up the bed and go outside. The patient cannot go home until making the total payment. That means, sleeping on the cement outside in the severe cold night mountain air. And these past few weeks have been so much colder. While waiting to get help from SOMEWHERE, his church came up with $100 and one of his family members gave another $100. With your help, we were able to give $100! Praise the Lord! But, we found out that he still had to pay the final $80 before being released! PAY OR STAY!
HOW YOUR GIFTS HELP OTHERS
A few days later, the patients noticed a stranger was visiting the hospital, and as our Pastor was leading a Bible and prayer time with the other patients who weren't able to pay their bills either, this stranger started visiting each patient, asking how much they still owed! He gave each one a gift, and guess who much he gave Pastor...$50. So he had to wait several more days until we were able to find the last amount he needed, $30; plus, $20 to get home. We are so finite compared to our Lord! Our Pastor and his wife finally got home and were able to Praise the Lord together for all that the Lord has done for them.
Sadly, this past year, while they were at church, their house burned down destroying all their belongings including their clothes. He said he would never complain about the little two-room house his son built for them out of sticks and mud. He is just thankful to be alive and back home with his family.
You may wonder what happens to your donations to our ministry. Please be assured that every penny is put to good purposes. Thank you for all you do for us, and for allowing us to do for others. You are such an encouragement when our hearts are pulled in many directions wanting to help those who come to us daily seeking relief from their sufferings.
Keep Looking Up...
for His Soon Appearing in the Heavenlies,
Rich and Kathy McDonald
