We went to Dominican Republic because there’s a great need and insistence from the brethren that we should have a Radio Station there. And there is one for sale! There are 2 AM’s for sale and 1 FM for sale as well. We decided that AM is the best because one station covers to the whole country.
Some people said that FM is listened to more than to AM, but then you have to get a license for every city, and it is a long process to add more and more cities. First of all, the AM is not in great demand. Secondly, when people want to find the truth, they know where to go; when you’re looking for truth with one station you can find it! Also, the AM doesn’t affect the local market because it has a broad range.
We talked to the man whose father bought the radio station to establish a payment plan. In the history of Dominican Rep. the station was used as an opposition of the government to discuss liberty and it has a history of being “The Voice of the People†for a long time. Then, it became a religious station for many years and now is for sale. In order for them to continue the license, they need to continue to broadcast or lose the license.
Since we have so many projects, I didn’t want to get involved in another one, so I suggested that if there was a group of people who could get involved I would be willing to come and discuss it. One of the big problems in that country is that there are many divided groups; some have been disfellowshipped, some are in reform, others left for mistreatment – but when we did “Batallas de Fe†(Battles of Faith) all of them came to be under one umbrella. “Let’s forget the differences†they said, “Let’s all worship togetherâ€. So, there was a unity pulling together. Now, they have a common mission – “Forget the opposition, let’s focus on the mission!” People say, “Let’s take whatever it takes, and let’s do what we need to do!â€
People knew I was in the country. But, we didn’t announce the meeting until Friday night. A friend has an hour program every week on channel 4, which is a government channel. We decided to announce the meeting on this channel. We recorded 2 videos, talking about the upcoming economic crisis, social, family crisis, spiritual crisis, etc. The director of the channel was listening and when we finished recording he ran over and said: “This has to be put on the air multiple timesâ€.
I mentioned about the financial manager of the pope’s family. For 30 years she was the financial officer of the family in Argentina. She was working at the Federal Reserved when I met her. There she was managing and transferring billions of dollars every day between countries, from governments, rich families, etc. She is the best friend of the pope’s sister. She asked me a question: “Why does the Vatican and the Federal Reserve want to destroy the world’s economy? Why? I thought we were working to build the economy? But everything they do is to destroy the economy?†So we said to her, “If you really want to know, read the Great Controversy”. She read it in one day! She was so engrossed in what she was reading that missed her flight that day and had to make arrangements for the next flight. The second video we did, we were talking about spiritual things, my hijacking, and my story on how you can trust in God.
In the meeting we had about 500 to 700 people that came. A couple of brothers sang. We had invited them to Bolivia but they were not able to come. But they said: “We’ll come to every meeting you haveâ€. Their father is a singer for the world. He’s not an Adventist but is well-to-do and he said: “I will pay for your tickets to go to anywhere, anytime as long as it is for God! But if you start singing for the world, forget it! I’m done supporting you!†All he does is to sing for the world but, his two sons sing together and it is a wonderful heavenly music!
We also had a flute player. He played the flute when we came for Batallas de Fe. He worked at an Adventist School, and they told him that if he played at the event, he would be fired! And he said to me “I will lose my job if I play for you†“Well it’s up to you†I said, “Just remember one thing, if you let them force you now they will continue to tie the noose on you! And they will try to control your conscious. They will threaten you to do what they say. But if you feel convicted to play, the pressure is over. They will realize they can’t control you. And if God allows you to be fired, then God has another job for you! But then you’re free, they cannot force you. But if you bend, they will tighten and tighten and eventually you’ll have to break away anyway.â€
So, he played his flute and he was promptly fired and later he got another job at another school that pays much more! They came back and asked him: “Can you come back?†and he said “I already got another job, thank you!†So, he was there and played the flute the whole time! And he’s very happy and said “I love freedom! Nobody threatens me anymore!†You have to establish your fact. If you turn and run when the dogs bark, then they attack! But if you face the dogs, then they back-off! So, he faced them and played the flute. That’s the secret of FREEDOM! Go straight and don’t bend to pressure.
At the meeting, we handed out forms, asking people to write down their talents and skills so we could make a database. There was also a place for people to make pledges. We got around 400 sheets back. The cost of the station with all the equipment, antenna and license is $240,000. In one night we got nearly $40,000 in pledges.
We ask that you keep this project in your prayers. We are thinking of renting the station in the meantime and get it outside the city. We need God’s guidance in this matter. Our great desire is that many souls will be reached for God’s Kingdom.
From the Frontlines,
Uncle David
