RADIO KAHUZI: Reaching Souls...Declaring His Glory

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.