Dear Friends and Supporters,
Just a few days ago I read a verse in my quiet time that expresses the desire of my heart. Psalm 79:13 "So we your people and the sheep of your pasture will give thanks for ever: we will show forth your praise to all generations."
This is a special letter to all of you in order that we can praise the Lord together for all that has happened in Germany, Europe and Africa over the past 45 years. In December 1964, the Word of Life quartet along with their families moved to Germany to begin what would be a movement that would move Germany to Kenya East Africa and all across Europe in the next 45 years.
During the first 4 years in Germany we rented camp grounds in Germany, Holland, Norway and Austria, all the time looking for a property that would be an attraction to the young people of Germany. In 1969, we finally found the two castles on Lake Starnberg, just south of Munich and very close to the Bavarian Alps. What a beautiful place the Lord gave us.
In the spring of 1969, we were able to lease the yellow castle from the German government and just celebrated our 40th anniversary at this castle in July of this year. In 1971, we leased the second castle, the Seeburg, just 500 yards from the yellow castle.
I just received a letter from our German director, Andy Wenzel, telling us that over the last 40 years, 150,000 guests have been at one of our camps and conferences, just in Germany. Thousands have received Christ into their hearts, and there is no way of counting the young people who have personally counseled over the years. Almost every Evangelical mission organization in Germany now has people working for them, who dedicated their lives to serve Christ, right there at these castles in Germany. All the praise belongs to God for all that he has done.
Maybe you are asking, "Why are you going back over all these years?" The reason being that we were told some time ago that these castles will be sold and the price is approximately $20 million. There is no way that we could possibly pay this price and the only way that we can continue using these facilities is that God would again move the heart of the King (government).
Just yesterday, September 8th, the finance minister of Bavaria came to our town together with numerous reporters, local politicians as well as influential Christian leaders. Andy Wenzel handed him 12,000 letters from people all over German asking the finance minister to reconsider his decision regarding the castles. It looks like God is beginning to change the minds of those in charge of these properties. Could I ask that all of you who receive this letter be in prayer that we will be able to continue using these castles? Please make known in all of your churches as well as your prayer groups that God would again intervene and that His will be done regarding the future use of these wonderful properties.
Alex Konya just sent a letter telling all that God has done in Hungary and Serbia this past summer. They had 1100 campers with 178 who publically professed to trust Christ and 111 teens who dedicated their lives to Christ. Praise the Lord! 40% of these campers were from broken homes, which makes the follow up process very difficult, but not impossible.
Sergi Tyshchenko sent a note from Bulgaria telling about their last camp with 22 young people attending. 11 accepted Christ into their hearts. Praise the Lord!
Mihai and Ana Laura Bucur reported that they had 135 people at their first ever camp in Lithuania with 35 decisions for salvation and 50 dedicating their lives to serve the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Juan Silas from Romania called me from Turkey where they were holding camps this summer and gave a report, telling of the Muslim young people, that they have received Christ and need our prayers. They will experience persecution as this is made known to their parents. Juan also said that the camps in Romania were going very well, with many decisions to Christ. 7000 attended the Born Again to a Living Hope concerts with 700 receiving Christ. Out of 570 participants in their soccer and volleyball tournaments this year, 14 made a decision for Christ. Praise the Lord!
Jorge Radziwiluk held camps not only in Ukraine this summer but also in Kazakhstan, Russia and Latvia with hundreds of youth receiving Christ into their lives.
I received a note from Chris Mwalwa in Kenya, telling of the camps this past year and also in August in Kabete and Mombasa as well as Mwea in Eastern Kenya and the slums of Nairobi. 4400 campers attended and there were 300 new decisions for Christ. Please pray for the follow up that is going on right now. Praise the Lord!
We will give thanks forever and praise God for the privilege of seeing all these people coming to Christ during this past summer! As you may have noticed, I have especially highlighted the countries that are doing camps in new countries for Word of Life Europe. Please be in prayer as leaders are being trained to officially establish the ministered in these countries. I will give you a full report from all of our European countries in our next European Update.
In the midst of all these blessings we have experienced attacks from Satan in each of these countries and also some very difficult family trials and pressures. We would appreciate your prayers for us as a family as well as all our staff in Europe and Africa.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support for this great work!
Our Love and Prayers,
Bob & Betts Parschauer
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