If you missed our last letter, let me repeat a bit of what is going on. In February, both our church and radio station were closed down by the government—within three days of each other. We had not done anything wrong for either situation. This, obviously, is an attack of the Devil against God in general.
I reported in our last letter that over 700 churches were closed; now that number is up to over 6,300 churches closed across Rwanda! Unfortunately, President Kagame also spoke out about the churches, saying that there were too many churches and that they were useless. He said on March 1, “Seven hundred churches in Kigali? Are these boreholes that give people water? I don’t think we have as many boreholes. Do we even have as many factories? But 700 churches, which you even had to close? This has been a mess!”
Given the general attitude towards churches, I have not gotten very far in getting the church open again. I have gone to so many government offices, talked to so many people, and have written so many letters that I can’t remember them all anymore.
Most of our church people have visited some other open churches, but they all say: “I can’t go there! The doctrine is awful, and the loud beat gives me a headache!” We have spent a lot of time visiting Christians and encouraging them to meet and pray in their homes. Some are fearful of being arrested, but we pray for that not to happen and for their safety.
We did get a lawyer for the radio, and our first court date is May 17. Please pray for the Lord to give the judge wisdom and a heart for the things of God. The law is really on our side, but we still need to pray. The judge will decide about reopening the radio; he will also decide about giving us access to our property. During this whole mess, the government has even blocked me from going to our own private property up on the mountain!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support. This has been really hard to watch everything we worked for during the past 15 years be closed in a moment. But God is still in control, and I know He has a plan through it all!
In His service,
Gregg, Angela, Caleb, Hannah, Timothy, Virginia, Micah, and Zachery Schoof