Because some residents speak English, the station carries an hour of English Christian music as well as a program from Focus on the Family in that language.

“I have listened to Christian radio since I was a child,” the pastor said. “I used to listen to HCJB from Ecuador as well as to Faro del Caribe from Costa Rica, The Evangelical Voice from Honduras and Trans World Radio from Bonaire,” he explained.

Knowing the impact that Christian broadcasts had on his life, the pastor knew the effect that Christian radio could have on his community. “Using the radio is profound. People are in church for two hours a week, but they have radio with them all day,” he explained.

But, broadcasting in such a remote town, in tropical heat and humidity, is not easy. Funds are short, equipment is unavailable, support and training are in short supply.

To help improve his broadcasts, Sarmiento turned to HCJB World Radio to seek advice and help. With his 1,000 watt transmitter churning out only 87 watts, he invited HCJB engineers and a team of volunteers from Great Plains Christian Radio in Meade, Kansas to come and lend a hand.

Arriving from Quito, engineer Steve Sutherland began work, followed by a team headed by Bill Lurwick, Production Director and announcer at Great Plain’s stations KJIL and KHYM in Meade. “We have been helping them to replace their FM Exciter and now the power is running at 980 watts. We repaired the antenna, and installed new lightening protectors and a new ground system,” Lurwick said.

The team also started work to expand the studios, adding a room for counseling listeners and recording programs. In addition, Lurwick presented several workshops for the station’s announcers.

“We help form partnerships between Christian radio stations in the United States and those overseas,” explained HCJB missionary Dan Koenig who accompanied the work group to Puerto Cabezas. “Some of those partnerships are simple, involving support and the supplying of equipment. Others involve sending a mission team to help with construction or training or technical improvements.”