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Afghan members in 1978
Afghan elders
Landscape of Afghanistan
In June of 1979, I went to Afghanistan and a little bit later witnessed the Russian military coup. Exactly on Christmas day, the same year, the Soviet Army used powerful artillery and took the country by militarily force. I could have left Afghanistan before, but stayed and prayed to our Heavenly Father, that perhaps my staying could change the outcome. It was the first time I heard bombs, machinegun fire, saw circling modern Russian MIGs and attack helicopters flying all the time over Kabul City. Armed Russian soldiers were constantly patrolling the whole City of Kabul.
To be honest, I was scared that I might get killed by Soviet Soldiers or by Afghan Mujahadeen fighters, because in their eyes I looked like a Soviet person. A few Western tourists got killed by mistake, because of their white complexion and Mujahadeen just aimed at them, believing they were Russians. During that time, I met staff of the US Embassy in Kabul, inviting me to play American soccer. Afterwards they told me, that I did quite well, because I had played soccer in Germany before. This was a very nice experience - playing American soccer. All Westerners who remained in Kabul became good friends, because of the growing tensions.