We Never Saw It Coming

This is a gripping true story of faith, courage, and survival behind the Iron Curtain. From 1980 to 1995, Christine and her husband, Floyd, and their two young sons embarked on a daring journey as missionaries in a divided Europe. Stationed in Austria, they planted three Bible churches and trained leaders in a country still recovering from the Cold War's shadow—but their most dangerous work took place across the border, deep in the heart of Communist Eastern Europe. Their travels into East Germany, Hungary, Romania, and beyond were risky. Using the cover as tourists, they never knew if the secret police had tagged them as illegal missionaries and they would be arrested. They taught in underground churches where being caught could mean arrest—or worse. More than once, they questioned whether they would make it back out. Every border crossing was a gamble. Every trip brought the possibility of discovery. And yet, they kept going—because the people waiting in the shadows were hungry for truth, desperate for hope. As the Berlin Wall fell and the world changed overnight, the Schneiders found themselves navigating a new mission field filled with new opportunities and uncertainties. Why You Should Read This Book: ?If you've ever wondered what it's like to serve on the front lines of faith—where danger, doubt, and divine appointments collide—We Never Saw It Coming will take you there. It's not just a story of mission work; it's a raw and inspiring look into how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary times. This book will answer: • What's it like to raise children while risking your life for the Gospel? • How do you follow God when the future is unknown? • What does real ministry look like in places where Christianity is illegal? • And what happens when the world changes faster than your plans? With powerful storytelling and heartfelt honesty, Christine Schneider invites readers into the most meaningful years of their lives. She reminds us that God often does His most outstanding work in the unexpected.