Aztec Radio Program
In March, 2021, our dreams were realized when two cell phone apps for Aztec Radio were developed: one for Android phones and the other IOS phones. Now LIVE Aztec Radio stream could be heard around the world on cellphones!
Here are the links:
IOS version URL: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radio-jerusalen/id1557132035
ANDROID version URL: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.xijtemototeco.android
In June of 2020, we began dreaming of a phone application that would stream the Aztec Radio internet stream. By building an app, someone would not have to open a browser and enter the ip address everytime they wanted to listen to the feed. Also other phone programs, like texting and social apps would still work while the music audio was playing in the background.
In December, 2019, we began investigating what was required to have a radio stream that was broadcast live on the Internet. Late into the night I was reading blogs and found an informative post, from 2010 (yes, 2010) from a programmer in the state of Vermont. He explained the required equipment and software to have an internet radio stream and posted his phone from 2010 offering his technical assistance. MIRACULOUSLY, his phone and website had not changed in the 10-years that had passed, and he volunteered to help us. He built the radio streaming computer from parts and reused a computer case keeping costs as low as possible. And by God's grace in February of 2020 we began streaming Aztec Radio LIVE on the internet.
In November, 2019 Aztec Evangelical Radio went live from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. -- 7 days a week! It was such an answer to prayer! The signal could be heard by listeners within a 150 km radius of the antenna.
In 2017, Aztec Ministry increased our support for a radio program in Nahuatl to a weekly basis. There are 53 programs each year; one for each Sunday. Can you imagine the research and private Bible study that goes on behind the scenes to write and orally record 53 programs each 20 minutes in length regarding a specific topic? Peter, the primary language helper that worked with Dick and Pat Beller on the Central Huasteca dialect Bible, puts together and broadcasts the program every week and then travels to visit listeners that call him to share how they enjoy the program and their prayer requests. Each weekly program has a new message, scripture reading, children's Bible story reading, hymns, and encouragement for the listeners. It airs every Sunday at 3:00pm and then is uploaded to the www.xijtemototeco.com website so that anyone can listen to the replay. Support this ministry by sending a designated gift. It costs about $50 to produce this program every week. You could also set an alarm to pray for this program and its listeners each Sunday at 3:00pm when it airs.
October 2017: In June, Peter and the radio program team expressed a need for outdoor speakers. They were gathering in groups of 80-160 people outside and it was hard to hear the pastor’s message or corporate prayers around the perimeter. We found a set of outdoor speakers that can receive audio and wirelessly share the stream of sound. Again the Lord provided the funds and we purchased refurbished speakers from the manufacturer for just $150 each. We were able to get them to Peter in October as part of a shipment with supplies for other parts of our ministry.
February 2017:
I (Tami) started thinking: “Peter needs some resources to facilitate his weekly research and message preparation.” Peter does speak/read Spanish in addition to Nahuatl, and after some searching online I located Strong’s Concordance and NAVE’s Topical Bible Indices in Spanish. Strong’s Concordance was an affordable price and I quickly ordered it. To my dismay, NAVE’s: Índice Temático De La Biblia was published in small numbers and now out of print. I searched high and low but found only one used copy and the seller wanted $800 dollars! I prayed about it and contacted the seller with an email message sharing our story. I explained that the reference book would be used to produce a weekly topic specific Aztec language radio program, shared our desire to change people’s lives through God’s Word, and offered what I felt was prudent with ministry funds; I offered $75 dollars. Miraculously the seller accepted my offer of $75 without a counteroffer! But God’s creative provision was still unfolding. That week, I contacted Peter and explained the reference books that I had ordered for him. Do you know what? Peter had seen the NAVE’s index in English many years prior while working with my mother, he had always wanted a copy of his own and had asked the Lord for one in Spanish several years ago. He had even hunted for one through Christian book suppliers in Mexico, but he could not find one. It is so humbling to think that God hears the prayers of his children and that he moves others around the world to act toward the fulfillment of those prayers. Peter’s faith was strengthened and he was emboldened to serve the Lord without ceasing.
Our Aztec Radio Program website went live on February 13th! I (Tami) worked with a local programmer who helped me learn coding in PHP. He helped set up the initial structure and then I modified it from there with data and embedded links and files. Every week, after Peter has prepared the message for Sunday and delivered it to the radio station for broadcasting, he sends me the mp3 file in an email. Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Central time the program is broadcast through the Huasteca region of Mexico. We then create a weekly podcast which allows listeners to download the file and listen to it anytime even when they have no internet. It also allows listeners to locate previously broadcast messages. There are also many hymns posted, click “Huicat.” If you notice at the very bottom of all pages we have an embedded page that displays when people click on the question: Do you know where you are going when you die? or Tijmati canque tiyas quema timiquis? Click there and you will see a clear presentation of the plan of salvation found in Jesus Christ. We have it laid out in a progression of understanding similar to Romans Road. In 2017, Praise the Lord, 372 people clicked on this question and viewed the Salvation message. We do not know how many individuals responded and prayed the prayer of repentance and asked the Lord Jesus to forgive them of their sins, but we know that God knows each one who has come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through the radio program and the website resources. You will also see that under Película / Video we have links to the three JESUS films in our Nahuatl dialects. We show 2330 visits to the website in 10 months of 2017. We are thrilled to serve the Lord everyday, working with the Kingdom of Heaven in mind!
Peter was using antiquated equipment to record the weekly radio program. His foam headphones were disintegrating and his microphone, a small mouth mic attached to his headset, picked up the cackling chickens and other village traffic (see photo). Throughout the winter of 2016, we consulted with JAARS staff members who were experienced with radio broadcast preparation. So much has changed in the last 5 years with technological advances, we just weren’t sure what equipment was needed and how simple or complex it ultimately would be to produce a quality radio broadcast. We were thrilled to hear that we did not need to invest much money in order to dramatically improve the audio quality, the layering capabilities and the editing functions. We selected an interface that would take microphone jacks and purchased a used rugged commercial laptop from eBay. One of the Beller grandsons, Richard, rebuilt the laptop’s interior with new components and for $260 we had an awesome rebuilt laptop for 15% of what a new one would have cost! We purchased a duffle bag (designed for audio/visual equipment), microphones, cords, stands, and sound-proof foam. Now the problem was how to get this equipment across the border into Mexico. There are restrictions on any equipment manufactured in China from being OLD EQUIPMENT shipped into Mexico, so we had to find a person willing to physically cross the Texas border and enter Mexico with the duffle as part of their personal belongings. A courageous missionary named, Keith, stepped up with enthusiasm and traveled to Texas. He then took a bus into Mexico and delivered the equipment to Peter! Glory be to God!
January 2017:
You may remember from our 2016 year-end booklet the story of God’s provision of a truck for Peter, our associate that prepares the weekly radio program. The truck arrived in December of 2016 and was dedicated into the Lord’s service in a public ceremony on January 14, 2017. On the next two slides are pictures from the “Celebration of Gratitude” This radio program vehicle, although understated by the world’s standards, was welcomed with great thanksgiving by Peter and this young congregation. In Aztec culture it is important to acknowledge gifts and to publicly declare that you recognize your responsibility before God to use his gifts with wisdom and proper accountability. This formal service prevents seeds of pride from taking root among church leaders or jealousy from stirring in the hearts of those around them.
During this time of prayer, they asked the Lord with fervent hearts to surround them with angels of protection as they travel narrow roads that wind around the Huasteca mountains. They declared their desire that each excursion might bring glory to God and people to the Savior! It was a time that strengthened their faith in God’s provision for them. Individuals young and old will remember that God moved believers in the United States to give so that they could better serve their community and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Access to this vehicle this past year has impacted their daily life, alleviated sufferings of both Christians and non-Christians, increased distribution of the Bibles and Children’s Bibles, allowed more home Bible studies to form and enabled Peter and the Aztec radio team to promptly visit with listeners who call in with questions or requests for prayer. Many times this year a caller was counseled within just days of their initial call — even those who live in other remote village locations! It has been AMAZING!