Marvin Knoot's Report from Nicaragua: Third in the Series
August 19, Esteli, Nicaragua – Tuesday morning Rafael (Greg & Vickie’s native partner) and Greg bang on my hotel room door as I am making the bed. After eggs, tortillas, coffee and devotions—with Rafael learning English and me learning Spanish—we’re off to the Central Park bus stop for a ride to the Christian radio station. Leno is the founder. (His full name is Magdaleno, and Greg jokingly addresses him as Jay Leno.) No advertising, strictly supported by donations of equipment and money.
Magdaleno is preparing a recorded program of Christian music and messages for the overnight broadcasting hours
The dream Leno had that led him to start the station is described at www.radiocristoveine.com (radio Christ is Coming). Area pastors told him his station would not survive on donations alone. That was four years ago. Today RadioCristo has an 8% market share in the Esteli listening area and is the area’s #1 Christian station. It’s important to understand that radio is more prevalent here than in the United States. Retired school buses serve as city buses and the predominant form of transportation in the city. The dozen or so I’ve ridden all have radio blaring from speakers front and back. So, Christian radio is a powerful vehicle for communicating the Gospel.
S.W.I.M., as well as Greg & Vickie on their own, have provided support; further, Greg and Rafael are combing the Yellow Pages and advertisements for the best place to buy a much-needed mixing console for the station. In report #5 the rest of this story will be revealed. For now, suffice it to say there is a happy ending.
“Jay” Leno, Greg Stout and Rafael stand in the worship center attached to Leno’s radio station in Esteli, Nicaragua.