Sept. 17, 2010

Source: Radio Kahuzi (written by Ralph Kurtenbach)

"A lot of times," says Kathy McDonald, "the ministry out here is just being faithful to look for opportunities in everyday life to give out the Word, little by little, one-on-one to folks."

McDonald and her husband, Richard, have managed Radio Kahuzi, one of HCJB Global's partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo (D.R.C.), since 1992.

"Out here" is not only geographically distant from her readers; the country is a world apart from those in the McDonalds' prayer support team. She writes from what, at times, has been a war zone.

For example, a mid-2004 missive stated that "with our normal Christian programming, we are trying to reassure the distant populations that peace and calm are returning to Bukavu, home of Radio Kahuzi."

McDonald mentioned electrical blackouts and "varying stages of insecurity" accompanying that civil unrest. With careful neutrality and non-political programming, the McDonalds' ministry has reached loyalist soldiers and anti-government fighters alike.

More recently, details of their fruitful ministry surfaced again as the nation mourned the non-combat death of a D.R.C. general, Madoa Madoa Lukole.

General Lukole had a part in a Christmas 2000 takeover of Bukavu, leading soldiers of Commander Richard Mbuyu. But in that takeover, Mbuyu's life was redirected toward Christ after hearing Radio Kahuzi's broadcasts on solar-powered, fixed-tuned radios that the soldiers had pillaged from the McDonalds' radio-listening clubs around the city.

"Richard accepted Christ as his Savior on Christmas Day, 2000, while holding a third of Bukavu hostage!" McDonald said, adding that a number of Mai Mai solders also were converted.

After several days of pillaging, Lukole ordered Mbuyu and the converted Mai Mai rebel soldiers back to Kilembwe, Fizi. Their spiritual growth occurred via the shortwave radio broadcasts of Radio Kahuzi. A transmitter had been built, shipped and installed for Radio Kahuzi by the HCJB Global Technology Center.

"We are thankful that these men received the gospel, believed it, were saved and integrated into the National Army and became effective, productive citizens," wrote McDonald.

The gospel's influence began to spread among soldiers. "They would record cassette copies of our messages and send them to the other Mai Mai troops," McDonald said. In 2004, a pastor named Gregoir reported to the McDonalds what he found in Fizi territory: Mbuyu and the converted Mai Mai soldiers had established a church, and so he preached to them there. The McDonalds receive an encouraging report of these Christians every few years.

"Now we learned of their superior officer (the late General Lukole) who received these messages and was a faithful listener to Radio Kahuzi at Ubwari, at the shore of Lake Tanganyika," McDonald said.

"Radio broadcasting is a relentless but profitable investment of time and effort for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ," Kathy added. "He accomplishes more than we could plan or fathom."

Another account reveals the McDonalds' faithful proclamation of Christ in everyday life. For several years, they'd told their neighbor, a Muslim, of his need for Jesus. Recently, they stood with mouths agape as he loudly announced at their front gate that he had accepted the Lord.

"You can't imagine our amazement as we, at first, just stared at him and thought how miracles still happen!" Kathy said.