Chapter 12: Are Not Criminal Church Leaders the Matter of the Church?
The CoC behavior reminds us of Catholic leadership protecting reputations by covering for the priests. Where is the accountability in the Churches of Christ? The conservative ones push incorrect teaching, claiming they are the only Christians. They are the only true Church, like the Catholic Church. But behind the scenes of wrong teaching can be despicable actors. False doctrine is Satan’s playground. Most 1970s Makinessa Church of Christ Deaf pupils know of other rapes. They gave me the names of teachers who also raped pupils. Most of the guilty ones and victims are dead now or missing. Over 45 years have passed since the first rape with child-snatching. The rape crimes began shortly after Carl and I left Ethiopia at the end of 1975. Perpetrators of crimes against Deaf students should be held accountable. However, there has been no accountability, and the sponsoring Church of Christ does not want to hold anyone responsible. No American has been in Ethiopia to watch over Deaf students for the past 45-plus years. Carl and I could not return to our deaf work, and no one else took our place.
It continues to be unwise for American sponsors of the Church of Christ Ethiopian mission not to supervise the Deaf schools in Ethiopia. Unfortunately, today, Ethiopian Deaf pupils are still subjected to sexual abuse. The Churches of Christ are sponsoring 5 Ethiopian Deaf schools. It is irresponsible not to have an honest person watching over the interests of Deaf students. Because of deafness, they are without voice or justice in Ethiopia. Elders, preachers, and missionaries in the American Churches of Christ have been making excuses, ignoring such evils done to Deaf students in Ethiopia. I should be no one’s target for exposing these terrible wrongs. Instead, rapes and child snatching must be admitted as the truth. How can God bless the Churches of Christ with such a terrible background without repentance for deliberate ignorance or turning a blind eye?
Mark 4:22 Whatever is hidden is revealed, and whatever is concealed is brought out into the open. Nothing hidden which will not be shown, nor has been kept secret, but that it should come to light. James 4:17. So, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him is sin. Galatians 6: 7 Do not deceive; God’s not mocked; whatever a man sows, he will reap.
