Reunion of the Foreign Missionaries from 1975 - Camberg, Germany

The atmosphere was electric. Breaks were were all between 18 and 24 years old, had forgotten and the meeting finished later than only heard the Principle a few months previ- planned. It was as if time had stood still, when ously and had never seen True Father…. 19 of the original 80 German foreign mission- aries told their stories. „Just how amazing was that - when we, young and full of enthusiasm went out into the world 42 years ago to tell people about the Messiah?“ Memories and emotions bubbled forth and a youthful freshness beamed out from not-so- young faces while everybody listened spell- bound – stunned, crying and laughing. „In this company, we could finally receive full under- The idea to hold the first „Alumni-Meeting“of standing for what we had experienced“, the German foreign missionaries had been commented Wilhelm Lichner, who had expe- born at the Whitsun Festival. Wolfgang Scha- rienced the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in waller and Thea Lepercq, supported by Rita 1978. Seewald and Hilde Piepenburg invited all reachable 1975 missionaries and their part- It was here in the newly adapted Seminar ners, and 38 members, amongst them also House Neumühle that the great adventure Christel Werner, the wife of the national began in the spring of 1975. At that time they leader at that time, responded to the invita- tion. They came from all over Germany, from Austria, Switzerland, France and four even came especially from the USA. After Wolfgang opened the meeting with a prayer and welcomed everyone, Christian Hausmann as representative of the German Family Federation, expressed deep recogni- tion and gratitude. „Sending out the mission- aries was an event of historical significance

for Germany, an exemplary act of faith for then secretary of Paul Werner added great such young members“, he said, deeply interest to the meeting. Her responsibilities moved. He encouraged them to write down included practical preparations for the mis- their memories because „it is not the gold sionaries: gathering information about the reserve that is our treasure but what matters countries, obtaining visas, plane tickets and is what we have done for our relationship money, buying suitcases and clothes, as well with God and for the providence“. as making sure that immunizations were done. „When then, at the end of April, eve- Dieter Schmidt had sent a video message ryone - so courageous and loyal, faithful to from Cyprus where he was participating in a God and young - had been sent off in buses CARP workshop. He stressed that it was be- for their countries, I felt as if I had sent my cause of the foundation of sacrifice and in- own children away…!“, she said wistfully. vestment of the first missionaries that many members have joined today in these coun- This sentiment tries and large Blessings have taken place. was also shared by Christel Wer- ner, the ‘mother of the country’ at that time. In Feb- ruary 1975 the Werners were with the German IOWC-team in Pasadena, California, support- ing True Father’s speaking tour in the USA. One week after the Blessing of the 1800 cou- A three-tier cake, donated by the German ples in Korea, they received a surprise call Family Federation, was a visible sign of grati- from Japan where True Father was holding a tude to the world pioneers. At that point, world mission conference and wanted to send special thoughts were given to those five mis- out missionaries to 120 countries before 1 sionaries who have already passed into the May. „A Japanese, an American and a German spiritual world: Fritz Piepenburg, Ulf should be sent out to each country“, said Ingwersen, Werner Elias, Elisabeth Riedl and Christel, „because True Father was convinced Herrmann Deidenbach. Many felt their pres- that the whole world could be united on the ence, and also that of Paul Werner, who had the heavy task of send- ing the young mem- bers out into the world. Rita Seewald suggest- ed producing a special book about the contri- bution made by Ger- many in sending out the missionaries. Her many memories as the 2

The assigning of the countries was a very ex- citing and most spiritual matter. Several rem- inisced that they had received an invitation to this meeting, but had not come with any in- tention of being a missionary themselves. But inspired by the strong atmosphere of faith and the examples of others, they suddenly found themselves raising their hands at the mention of a certain country, and the portfo- lio of that country was given to them! Several foundation of unity between representatives brothers exchanged countries with sisters of these providential countries.“ who had been given Arabian lands, but in the end, each one was given a country that Paul would have much preferred to have sent somehow fitted him/her. out older, more experienced members, but they were needed for the campaigns in Amer- „Paul was ica and Korea. „Germany had already sent known for his 333 members to other countries, and was practical tips almost empty“, said Christel, „and for Father, and warnings, other European countries, even Austria, were e.g. not to walk out of the question.“ This was a big shock for in areas where the Werners! How could they take responsi- one could be bility to send out attacked, or for such young mem- a woman never bers who had to be alone with a man“, stressed Thea hardly any expe- Lepercq, who was assigned to Egypt. On arri- rience in the val, each person had to send a telegram or church or even in telex and thereafter a weekly report. How life? „We were thankful were Paul and Christel that everyone fully aware of the reported right after arrival and how they possible dangers“, prayed for their safety and protection… she said „but Paul acted in the firm belief that The letters from the missionaries from 1975 - True Father could mobilize the spiritual world 1978 are on a CD, obtainable from Hans- and that the young members would receive Jürgen Hutzfeld. God’s protection.“ While the missionaries from America and Ja- pan were older blessed members who had received inspiration from True Father person- ally in 40 day workshops, the Germans had a 40 day workshop in Camberg with Paul and Christel. Each one of the 80 German mission- aries arrived before May 1st 1975 in their as- signed countries and had to wait several weeks before the other two missionary col- leagues joined them.

The missionaries ment, spiritually mature and internally glow- experienced very ing through the extreme situations and expe- differing situations. riences. In some countries „God was so real and True Parents so close“. the three mission- Friederike Buczyk, pioneer in Sri Lanka sum- aries were able to marized it for all. At the end, for her remains unite, but in others only gratitude: „Even when I was often travel- ‘the third world ling alone through Asia, I felt protected and war broke out“, was how Ulrich Völkel de- always carried by the prayers and love of True scribed the internal conflicts in the Philip- Parents. I was given so many blessings and pines. In some places the church grew rapidly, received much more than I gave.“ whereas in others the work had to be carried out underground. The climate, the foreign culture and mentality took quite some getting used to and there were language barriers to be overcome. Some became very ill and expe- rienced extreme deprivation, others experi- enced persecution, political unrest, war, evacuation or natural disasters. Shadowing by the secret police, interrogations, imprison- ment and deportation had to be dealt with in some cases, but luckily no one came to harm. Marianne Irwin, missionary for Nicaragua, An overwhelming ended with words of encouragement to all: point of agreement „Record your experiences for posterity!“ She this weekend was herself has just completed her autobiography, the strong love to which contains many deep experiences with the respective God. For her it is clear: „They are not our own country and its experiences and deeds, but those of Heavenly people, a willing- Parents and True Parents, because we went ness to pay in- out into the world as their representatives - demnity and to therefore they are so important!“ fulfill God’s will for Photos: Benjamin Rauschert the country. And Translation: Catriona Valenta even when the length of stay in The second part of the report will be a compilation the foreign mission of the individual missionaries’ testimonies. field varied greatly, all were deeply affected by their experience. It could be felt that these mem- bers are a very special group of people. They still radiate the bold spirit of a pioneer and this special faith in God and True Parents! No matter where they now are living with their families, they are still involved in the move- 4