We are so happy to report that we have two more students in Bible college in Uganda. Vedoste and Sam (blue shirt) were both in our church for several years and were good Christians. Vedoste has been going soul winning with us for years and is a quiet but steadfast young man in what he does. Sam just finished secondary school, and at a Teen Retreat, he surrendered to do God’s will. Over time, he then felt called to serve God.
Class just started for them; but we have one second-year student who should be there, but he is “stuck” in Rwanda. It turns out that Uganda and Rwanda are having some squabbles. So, Rwanda is not allowing its citizens to go to Uganda at this time. And the border is also closed for semitrucks to enter Rwanda from Uganda. Please pray that this squabble gets resolved quickly and does not turn into anything more serious!
There are also some problems between Rwanda and Burundi. A few months ago, Burundi actually called Rwanda “an enemy of the state.” So, because we had 15 years in Rwanda, the government in Burundi is understandably a bit cautious of us. But we reassured them we are simply Americans with no political ties to Rwanda—especially seeing as our church and radio were closed.
Back in December, we submitted an application to have a radio in Burundi, so please pray that we get approved soon. We have been visiting many government offices there, and we are happy that Burundi gave us some temporary visas so that we can enter and work while our paperwork gets sorted out.
I have also continued working to get our church in Rwanda opened again. I appealed to the Prime Minister’s office about our situation. Pray that they can help us. But while I was there, I did find out that many other churches have also appealed. So, we are not the only church illegally closed. But this is interesting: with 7,000+ churches closed and churches appealing, there has never been even one story in any local news condemning this action!
Thank you all so much for your prayers and support.
In His service,
Gregg, Angela, Caleb, Hannah, Timothy, Virginia, Micah, and Zachery Schoof
