Missionaries touched by Bavarian tragedy

The MBMSI missionary team in the Bavarian city of Bad Reichenhall is grateful for God’s protection and asking for prayer as they minister to many families affected by the collapse of the local community centre’s roof Jan. 2.

David and Alexandra Rempel, with Marie Zofia and Sarahya

One of MBMSI’s year-long TREK teams is serving in a church planting assignment in Bad Reichenhall, alongside missionaries David and Alexandra Rempel. Each Monday evening the team visits the local community centre for exercise.

On Jan. 2, the Rempels had planned to take their girls swimming as well. However, they changed their plans and the TREK team was delayed. When they finally arrived, they were told the roof of the skating rink had collapsed.

News reports indicate that 15 people were killed and over 30 injured. Bad Reichenhall is a small city of less than 20,000 people on the Germany–Austria border. The tragedy has been a great shock for the city.

The Rempels accompanied a single mother to identify the body of her 15-year-old daughter who had died, and then conducted the girl’s funeral. They have been spending time with various people affected by the deaths, and participated in a candlelight vigil.

David Rempel wrote, “We thank God for his protection and have been praying for wisdom how to react as a church. We had already planned to have a concert on Jan. 10 with a group from Bethel College in Kansas. It is fascinating that God prepared the choir to come. The community needs a place to grieve. We pray that many would experience God in the midst of this.”

—Shelly Spencer, MBMSI