Connections with Rich and Bobbi

On our last podcast, Hans Shapp told of his life growing up behind the wall in East Germany during the 60's & 70's under communist rule, and then of suddenly being deported to the West! It was like a child having free run in a candy shop - neon lights glowing in the night skies, music blaring from the discotheques, drugs and alcohol. Did these bring Hans happiness, peace, and true freedom?

During the night of August 13, 1961, the East German government closed off the border from the West. Hans Shapp grew up in East Germany during this time and tells his story of suddenly being cut off from the West and living behind the wall. But did he find real truth and freedom when he reached the other side?

Pastor Orlicky shares on our podcast how he was an ironworker in construction, and at first, had no desire to be a pastor or to marry a pastor’s daughter. Tune in and hear how God changed his heart on both accounts – and how God only has a Plan A!

God took him from the field of biotechnology as a doctor in chemistry to the ministry, and has stretched his journey to the Philippines and to Nepal, changing him forever! He’s Dr. Paul Nelson, associate pastor at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Silicon Valley, in Morgan Hill, CA.

Our guest on this podcast is Pastor Arthur Mellon. He serves at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church of Hayward, CA. Pastor Mellon talks about the interesting paths the Lord took him on before calling him to become a pastor and start this church. But most importantly, he looks at how he discovered he wasn’t saved – and the importance of examining who you’re learning from!

On our last few podcasts Linda Eve has been our guest, sharing her story, from her 5-year captivity in a labor camp by the Communist regime in the late 1970's, to freedom in America! Now, on our concluding visit, Linda talks about why, after escaping death, she is willing to give up her life to go back!

In our last podcast, Linda Eve shared her heart-wrenching story of how, in Cambodia, she went from almost becoming a medical doctor to being relocated to a forced labor camp by the Communists. She told how she escaped by walking nearly 100 miles on foot through jungles, and avoiding mine fields! She finally reached America. Now what?! 

In 1975, the communist Khmer Rouge regime came in to Cambodia and began to carry out a horrific genocide. Soldiers relocated most of the population to forced labor camps. Malnutrition, torture, and mass executions led to the deaths of an estimated 25% of the total population - 1 ½ to 3 million people. One person who endured these unthinkable hardships was Linda Eve! 

To many, life in the inner-city can be extremely rough. The homeless population has risen dramatically, with crime and substance abuse plaguing their community. Our guest today came out of this lifestyle and shares how the Lord gave him a new lease on life! He’s Matthew Costa.

Our guest comes from Mali, West Africa. Mali is 90% Muslim, with Christians making up just 2% of the population, and is listed as 29th on Open Doors World Watch List of the top 50 countries where Christians are most persecuted for their faith.