Rev. Sun Myung Moon visited Europe in 1965 during his first World Tour. He was accompanied by Mrs Won Pok Choi and President Hyo Won Eu. He visited 16 nations over 40 days, including Lisbon, Portugal and the Vatican. During the tour, 19 new holy ground sites were established. During his first world tour, Reverend Moon visits France for the first time ever. The blessing of the Holy Ground near the Eiffel Tower in Paris happened on August 10 1965.
True Father sent missionaries to various countries after completing the Blessing of Holy Grounds worldwide and Sandi Pinkerton was sent from the USA to London in 1965 to pioneer the United Kingdom, with Dr Young Oon Kim becoming responsible for the European Movement. June Darby from Swaziland was witnessed to while on holiday in Italy in August, 1966 at the time when Doris Walder (Orme) and Martin Porter were teaching the Divine Principle in Rome.
In July 1965, Reiner Vincenz had the great privilege and joy of meeting our Master, who had been visiting Germany during His first world trip. They received much love and advice and especially the remarks bringing the Divine Principle to neighboring countries stayed deep in his mind. Without really having a reason, Reiner had developed a deep love for France during the last years and now his desire to bring God's message to France grows very quickly. The German family prepared him to take the responsibility for a nation, translated the Divine Principle book into French and he was very happy when he got the permission to start in new mission-field!