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| Radio Africa Making International Waves | |||||||||||||
"May God Bless Your Radio. I thank you so much for what Radio Africa International is doing to bring peace to my country, Congo Kinshasa." So writes Valentin Kapita'Mba Mabaya, who described himself as "a faithful listener" of the shortwave radio ministry of the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). "You will never know," he continued, "how many times we thank you for this voice that you are giving for our Congolese cause." Mabaya was writing from a refugee camp where he and thousands of other people who have been displaced by wars in the region gather daily to listen to the French broadcast containing news, information, and the word of God. Since the inception of this ministry to the continent, letters of praise and encouragement have poured into GBGM from Africa and around the world. Some people, like Evans Noel Abdallah, who listens in Juba, Sudan, say they have RAI as part of their day-to-day routine: "I am a daily listener of your radio program for Africa. It has been a real inspiration to me and my family. We discuss and meditate upon it daily." The two-hour radio program is broadcast twice daily, once in French and again in English. The French broadcast airs at 4-6 A.M. GMT at 11.645 kHz and 13.810 kHz. The English broadcast is 5-7 P.M. GMT at 13.820 kHz and 15.265 kHz. The prime focus is AIDS, in an attempt to educate people about a disease that has cut a deadly swath through the continent. The information is presented in a magazine format that also includes news and features on the work of the church, peace and justice, women's issues, and health. A succession of bishops, clergy, African and American experts, scholars, musicians, and young adults have appeared on the program, prompting an outpouring of letters asking that the broadcast be expanded. In letters to the Board of Global Ministries, listeners have described Radio Africa International as,"a real inspiration;"..."a wonderful medium to learn about what's happening in Africa"... "entertaining and uplifting;"...and "a delicate balance of Christian message...AIDS education, and social issues." Despite the "amens" from people of faith in Africa--and in other unexpected places where the Gospel is being heard on Radio Africa International--the fledgling ministry continues to struggle. RAI began broadcasting on January 1, 2001 with a skeletal staff, an austere budget, and an ambitious mission. Judging by the response from listeners, the mission is being fulfilled. David Blethen, a listener in Lisbon, Maine wrote, "I have heard countless religion based broadcasts from every corner of the globe. None, in my opinion, matched the quality of the program I heard today. Your delicate balance of Christian message, western and indigenous music, AIDS education, and social issues are a breath of fresh air to the entire shortwave broadcasting industry." And from listener Jan Rusmusson in Dalby, Sweden: "I am certain that your transmission is important to the people in Africa, but I would say that it is equally important to us living in northern Europe or in other places outside of Africa." The radio ministry clearly fills a communications void on a continent where millions of people live in remote villages or refugee camps, isolated from the outside world and with radio their only source for outside information. The board hopes to be able to expand the broadcasts to reach even more people with RAI's gospel message of love, healing, and redemption. Those wishing to contribute to the radio ministry can do so with checks made payable to "Advance GCFA" and designated for Radio Africa International, Advance No. 014203-5. Checks can be placed in collection plates at United Methodist Churches or mailed to Advance GCFA, P.O. Box 9068, GPO, New York, NY 10087-9068. The e-mail address for more information about the ministry is radio@gbgm-umc.org.
Date posted: Jun 03, 2002 |
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