Since then

I'm not sure what editions of The Hiding Place have this and which ones don't. I happen to have the 35th Anniversary Edition that has a part in the back titled, "Since Then." It gives us an update on what happened to all the members or those connected with the Ten Boom Family. Things that Corrie found out months or years later. The projects Corrie worked on that were Betsie's dreams were very successful and still operating today in a new building. The Beje is now a museum and I would love to be able to visit it one day. You can look up information about it online. Corrie traveled all over the world telling people the story of Jesus love for them. She even made it back to Ravensbruck one day where she learned that her own release had been part of a clerical error; one week later all women her age were taken to the gas chamber.







The co-author tells us of the friendship they made with Corrie and a few other little tidbits of the impact she had on their lives. This edition also has some great pictures and time lines and family trees of the Ten Booms. If the story of The Hiding Place touched you as much as it did me you may want to check out the Movie that was produced by Billy Graham. I watched it again over the past weekend and it was good. The real Corrie even surprises you at the end with a few brief words. Make sure you have time for it though because it is about a 2 and a half hour long movie. I liked the book better but it's always nice to watch the movie too. And on that note, There will be a showing of The Hiding Place in our church sanctuary August, 24, 2009 at 6:30 pm. For more information contact the church office at 251-943-8367. Or you can get it from netflix, where you rent your movies or possibly your local library.

I think God used this book to help me have a better outlook on life and the things I complain about. This story of the faith of Casper, Betsie and Corrie is so inspiring, it is like getting a shot of faith into your veins. I love that Corrie showed us not just the times she was faithful but when her faith wavered too .She shows us that she is no better or no different that anyone else and that she had struggles too in her walk with Christ. At our meeting back in July when we discussed the book, everyone loved it. Yes, it is a sad story but at the same time it's such an inspiring happy story. I think the fleas story is something I will never forget nor the words that Betsie said, "There is no where so deep that He is not deeper still." Share this story with others and I hope God used it to touch your life so that you will pick it up again and remember. I would love to hear from you and what touched you about this story. Give us some feedback if you have the time. As always, Happy Reading! May we all remember the motto of the Ten Boom family, Jesus is Victor.

Corrie Ten Boom did go home on her 91st birthday on April 15, 1983. (Picture Source)

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His love is deeper still...

We are finishing up the overdue blogging on The Hiding Place. We come to chapter 14 where we find out the reason to be thankful for the fleas. Betsie is very sick and is assigned to knitting where she stays in their barracks all day. Corrie comes in one day from working and Betsie has news. She tells her how they needed a guard to come in to the barracks to clear up some confusion, but the guard refused to come in to check on them because of the fleas. They had so much freedom to discuss the bible all because of fleas. God certainly does work in mysterious ways. Betsie not only reminded Corrie but all those who read this story, "Give thanks in all circumstances, for everything...even fleas."

Corrie continues to tell us the ins and outs of the camp life as harsh winter sets in. Corrie describes to us a time she goes through when she does selfish things in secret and she becomes unahppy with worship time. One day she reads from Paul and realizes the way she has been acting and renews her faith all over again. Corrie continues to help Betsie teach and reach out to the women who need to know God's love. But Betsie is getting much more sick and ends up in the hospital twice more. Betsie tells Corrie the mission they are to have. A house with gardens to help those affected by the war and a camp like the one they are in but painted green with flower boxes to teach others to love again. She reminds Corrie that they have to tell people all about what happened and about God's love. Betsie tells her, ".... We must tell them that there is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still. They will listen to us Corrie, because we have been here." Corrie listens and wonders when all this will happen. Betise assures her that they will be out of prison by the new year and that they will do it all together. The only thing is that Betsie left the camp a different way than Corrie. This last time in the hospital, Betsie went home to her Father's house. Corrie was upset of course but happy because she knew she had the hope of Heaven and would see Betsie again one day.

In our final chapter, two days after the death of Betsie, Corrie gets some good news. She is to be discharged as soon as her Edema in her legs stops swelling. Getting this news so soon after Betsie's death gets her wondering of all the "what ifs?" What if Betsie hadn't died so soon? What if she could have been able to be discharged too? But as Corrie runs through all this she is also reminded from deep in her soul, "There are no "ifs" in God's Kingdom. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place." And Corrie quickly prays, "Lord Jesus, keep me in your will. Don't let me go mad by poking around outside it." How often do we let the "what ifs?" of the world take over? Do you let it cloud your mind and vision to the point it's all you can think about? As you have finished up reading I pray that we can all remember to not go poking around outside God's will. Corrie tells us of her release and her trip back to the Beje. She describes to us for a while how even though she kept busy she felt like something was missing. She finally realized the missing part of her was Betsie. She decided it was time to start doing like what Betsie had said and tell others about their story in Ravensbruck.

Corrie tells us how one of the times she was speaking, a wealthy woman approached her and ended up offering her estate for Corrie to use for Betsie's dream. As Corrie went to see the estate she realized it was exactly as Betsie had described. It was amazing how much God had reveled to Betsie back at the camp and Corrie was in awe. Many used the house, those who had been in camps or in hiding. Corrie wanted those that had betrayed their countrymen, NSBers, to be able to benefit from the home too, but it would take more time. She opened her home to the NSBers who had betrayed their county. Eventually planting did help teach others how to love again and those at the house began to listen to Corrie about the people at the Beje who needed love too.

At one time Corrie is speaking and learns the lesson she is preaching herself. She meets a former SS guard that she recognizes from the camp. Instantly she fills with hatred but says a prayer for help, "Jesus Christ had died for this man. Was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, forgive me and help me to forgive him. I cannot forgive him, please give your forgiveness." She was able to shake the hand of the SS guard and a realization came over her. Here is what she says,

"And so I discovered that it is not our forgiveness any more than our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives, along with the command, the love itself."

This spoke volumes to me. How often do we get hung up on forgiving others? Or caught up in disliking those we can't stand? I've heard it said many times before in many ways, "I could never forgive them for what they did." or "OH I can't stand her, how I would like to tell her a thing or two." Can you think of a phrase similar to these that you have said or heard yourself? I know the Bible tells us what Corrie is saying but the story she tells us and the way she phrases it is eye opening. It's like a "duh" moment. And duh moments are not necessarily a bad thing. When we reach a realization it means that change is taking place and more often than not, for the better.

Corrie finishes up her story to us as she tells about how she was approached to help with another one of Betsie's dreams. She is taken to an old camp that was found to be used for her work. Instantly she tells them that they will need window boxes and yellow-green paint, the color of new things coming in the spring, just like how Betsie had described.



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The camps

As we continue into chapter 12 of Corries story, she leaves the prison and heads to a concentration camp at Vught. She is thankful to be with her sister again and they are happy to not be heading into Germany. Corrie gives us more stories of the faith and grace that Betsie carries with her always. When they are entering the camp they are given a demonstration by a young girl about punishment in the bunkers and they are having to wait for a long time to be processed into the camp. The following conversation between Betsie and Corrie follows:


"Betsie!" I wailed, "how long will it take?"



"Perhaps a long, long time. Perhaps many years. But what better way could there be to spend our lives?"



I turned to stare at her. "Whatever are you talking about?"



"These young women. That girl back at the bunkers. Corrie, if people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love! We must find the way , you and I, no matter how long it takes..."


These examples of Betsie's grace and faith are given throughout the book. Corrie is always astonished and amazed by her sister. She even said once herself, "And I wondered, not for the first time, what sort of a person she was, this sister of mine... what kind of road she followed while I trudged beside her on the all-too-solid-earth." Betsie is a great source of strength and guidance for Corrie in directing her many times back to prayer for not only those hurting but those who are hurting others.

Photo of Barracks at Ravensbruck (Picture Source)

The fighting seems to be getting closer to the camp and the prisoners still alive after recent executions are taken to a new camp. They take a long and terrible train ride into Germany and arrive at the concentration camp, Ravensbruck. During the train ride Betsie mentions to Corrie what she is thankful for amidst all that is bad, that their father is in Heaven.

The women are not happy about coming to Ravensbruck. Corrie tells us it was known as a woman extermination camp even back in Harlaam. Corrie describes to us the horrific conditions they were forced to live in and the things they had to do. And even through all this they were still thankful for what God had given them. God had allowed Corrie to bring in the bible and vitamins without being searched when everyone else around her was. A miracle indeed! When they are assigned to their barracks which are terrible conditions, they find out that there are fleas everywhere. The conversation that followed that Corrie shares with us is one of the parts of the book I still remember most and carry with me. It is rather long to type so I urge you to read the book yourself to find out about what Betsie says to Corrie about the fleas in chapter 13. But I will tell you that Betsie reminds Corrie of a part of the bible they had just read that morning, "Give thanks in all circumstances! That's what we can do. We can start right now to thank God for every single thing about this new barracks!" Even Corrie can't believe Betsie to really give thanks for fleas at this time but she comes around later.



Corrie continues to describe for us the conditions and goings on at Ravensbruck. The terrible work and conditions and how the townspeople turned their eyes when they would go by. I wonder what that would be like to see this happening but be unable to do anything? Corrie tells us about the worship service they would hold at the end of the day in the barracks where different denominations would come together and worship. How joyous to learn that this was going on in those camps! Corrie tells us the miracle of the vitamin bottle that never stops producing which Betsie describes as a "Gift from a Father who loves you." Corrie finishes chapter 13 telling us more about the conditions and how Betsie becomes sick. We receive more encouragement from the wisdom and faith of Betsie. And again I urge you to read it to get all the details if you haven't yet. We will continue in Chapter 14 next. If you want to see more pictures or read up on Ravensbruck or Vught you can google it and find lots of sources. Thanks for reading!





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Prison ups and downs

Sorry I have been absent from blogging but life has taken over and I just haven't had the time. You would think it would be easy to spit out a quick little blip about a book, but really it's not. When I am writing about these books it is a long process with lots of thought and prayer. I try to be sure that God is guiding what I write and I give Him Glory and connect with you. Also today is my 100th post. Now those of you not familiar with the blogging community, A post is every time I write about something on the blog. Kinda like a journal, this is my 100th entry. Most bloggers celebrate with a giveaway of some sort, so if you were expecting that, Sorry folks! We're just gonna keep on keeping on here with writing and reading. No celebration or excitement really just glad that we have actually made it this far. So I suppose since I should be writing about our August Book selection by now that we finish up The Hiding Place pretty soon. I plan to finish up this week and lets get started!

When we last left off on the blogging, the raid had just occurred. Our Ten Booms and others are sent to Scheveningen Federal Prison. I have to once again comment on the wisdom and courage that God blessed Mr. Ten Boom with which we get to read about today. In chapter 10 they Soldiers are getting information from the prisoners and sending them through the line. Casper's turn comes up and the solider has pitty on the "old fellow." He tells Casper that he will take his word that he won't make any more trouble and let him go. To which Casper replies, "If I go home today, tomorrow I will open my door again to any man in need who knocks." Of course the solider did not like this and told him to get back in line. I love that Casper stood up and said that. How many people do you think would have just taken the opportunity to just get out of there?

While Corrie is in prison she tells us ups and downs about her stay there. She tells us about when she went to the doctors office and a kind nurse slipped her some much needed items. The most important of all being the Gospels. I thank God for the nurse and people like her that would take the risks to help others. As Corrie is in prison she describes to us what she would do to keep herself occupied and how she would try to find happy things like the ants. At one time the guards were all out for Hitler's birthday so the prisoners were able to find out about family members. Corrie finds out about most except her Father at this time. She later finds out the news that he has passed because of a letter she received from Nollie. This is a difficult time for Corrie and she reaches out to a passing guard for help. But realizes the only help she ever needed was there with her all the time, Jesus.

In Chapter 11 Corrie tells us about a kind lieutenant she meets during her hearings. He ends up asking her all kinds of questions about the Bible, her faith and family. He is desperate to find a light in all the darkness that surrounds him in the war. He questions how Corrie can still have faith even with everything that has happened to her. She thinks back to the time when her Father used the heavy suitcase to remind herself that sometimes things are just to heavy for us to carry and we must give them over to our Father. The arrangement is made for the Ten Booms to come together to hear Casper's Will. The lieutenant allows them a few moments to reunite and chat before their time is up. It is such a joyous time for them all to get to see each other even just for a few moments. They spend a moment in prayer and pray for the lieutenant. I pray that he and his family did come to Jesus in the end.

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Drills & Raid at the Beje

Chapter 7 in the Beje, Corrie tells us how the system of "God's underground" works and how they are involved. She introduces us with little stories of how they come about each of their "permanent" guests and those that come and go. I enjoyed reading about all the different personalities that came and went. I loved how no matter what people said, the Ten Booms never cowered or grew silent but fought back and stood up for what they believed. Corrie tells us how they would practice their drills to be sure everyone could hide properly in the secret room.

Looking at the wall to where the Secret room was in Corrie's room - (Picture Source)

In chapter 8 we read how different people are caught and released or some caught for good. They continue to practice the drills especially with Corrie as they learn more and more people around them know about their secret. Corrie starts to find out she has some sources in high places and if they know about what's going on in the Beje than how easy would it be for others too. Corrie reminds us that the hardest part of all this back and forth with secrets and jobs in the underground was the never knowing. More often than not they didn't know what happened to people. And they didn't who knew about their secrets or what the future held for them and those they were helping. Most importantly Corrie reminds us though of what they did know. Ultimately God was with them and would take care of them. Corrie tells us how she slowly adds to a prison bag for her to take with her in the event the gestapo does come to get her, which sadly isn't far off from this point.

In chapter 9 Corrie is sick and the raid they have been dreading comes. Luckily all 6 people make it into the hiding place unnoticed and undetected by the gestapo. Corrie leaves her prison bag behind because it is in front of where the door leads to the secret room and she doesn't want to draw attention to it. They take the family down for questioning as they search the house. They find the stash behind the cabinets, the phone and catch someone who comes to the door. But we give thanks to God that they didn't find the hiding place in all their searching.

A picture taken from inside the hiding place showing how small it was and what those six people had to be in for so long. (Picture Source)

As I read through Corrie's retelling of what happens during the raid I find it ironic that one of the men searching says, "If there's a secret room here, the devil himself built it." I'm sure the Ten Booms were sending silent thanks up to Heaven as well as quietly laughing to themselves, that no really my friend....God built the room. I hate reading about them being beaten for information. I can't imagine what I would do in a situation like that. Can you for a second imagine the strength and resolve of these women? And Betsie? How after she comes back from being beat she says, "I feel so sorry for him." speaking of the solider who just abused her. I pray I have the faith and heart like these women one day. At the police station they still have their prayers and her father recites verses from memory. How fitting it was that at this time God gave him the words to remember to speak, "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word... Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe..." I can't imagine what this experience must have been like for those who did not know that Jesus is our ultimate hiding place much more so than the secret room. I'm sure the ten booms touched many lives everywhere they went. As the ninth chapter closes out and the Ten Booms, friends and family are taken away on a bus. Corrie remembers her vision of riding away out of Harlaam and is saddened about the truth from the dream unfolding before her.

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Invasion of Holland and changes at the Beje

In chapter 4 we begin to see the life of those in the Beje change as the war comes closer to Holland. Corrie tells us of the passing of her mother and other family and how Corrie started to take a more active role in the Watch Shop. Her Father has to fire someone in the shop because the worker didn’t like the Jewish people and it’s a first for the Watch Shop.



In chapter 5 the invasion begins in Holland and Holland ends up surrendering. Corrie shares with us a kind of dream/vision she has about her and others on a wagon being pulled by black horses leaving her town. She ends up seeing this dream more than once and we learn later that this dream was a form of foreshadowing for things to come. Corrie describes for us how the occupation of Holland begins to occur and more persecution of the Jewish take place. During this time, The Ten Boom’s realize they are closer to the action than they would have thought. One night after Corrie receives the dream, a piece of shrapnel almost gets Corrie in her bed but she was up with Betsie getting coffee. Betsie tells Corrie not to talk about what if she had been in the bed when the shrapnel hit. Betsie is wise and says, "There are no 'ifs' in God's world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of His will is our only safety-Oh Corrie, let us pray that we may always know it!" God is guiding Betsie telling Corrie this to prepare them for what is to come and they don't even know it yet. This brings us to the beginning of where we see the Ten Boom’s helping those in need who need a safe place. Corrie describes to us the hateful acts against the Jewish People that begin to take place in their town. It is amazing to read through all the testimonies of faith that she mentions. Take a minute just to think of all those she might not have even mentioned in the book. What a number!



In Chapter 6 Corrie gets deeper into the underground of hiding Jews. She is taken to a secret meeting where she meets many more sources and the decision is made for the Beje to have a secret room. Corrie is beginning to notice things about herself that she never thought would be possible. She lies to the Germans about a radio, figures out how to get counterfeit ration cards and keeps her cool around those who might tell on her. It is amazing how we can do things we never thought possible when we are relying on God alone. Has your strength in Christ ever prompted you to do things you would never have thought possible?


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Pre-War Beje life chapter 3

(Ten Boom living Room - Picture Source)

In chapter 3 I enjoy reading about Karel and of Corrie's love for him. I don't like the way things work out with Karel and Corrie, but before I skip ahead lets look at Tante Jan wisdom from the middle of the chapter. We read the story of Tante Jan's illness and Corrie's duties with it. The time comes when the family knows that Tante Jan is dying and they gather together to speak to her about it. They all offer words of comfort but she still has some fight in her. I love what her response is to them at the idea of her hands being empty when she goes to see Christ,

"Empty! Empty! How can we bring anything to God? What does He care for our little tricks and trinkets?" And then her prayer, "Dear Jesus, I thank You that we must come with empty hands. I thank You that You have done all-all-on the cross, and that all we need in life or death is to be sure of this."

Doesn't it just amaze you and wish that you would be able to answer someone like that!!?? It does me anyway. And I love how she finishes it all up to end the uncomfortable conversation, "If I had a moment's privacy I might get some work accomplished." "Not that work matters Casper. Not that it matters at all. But, I'm not going to leave an untidy desk behind for someone else to clean up." I hope that I have that kind of wit and wisdom to carry on with age and to encourage my family who will be the ones trying to encourage me when I am older.


Back to the story with Karel. It saddens me that Corrie did not get to be with her true love because of circumstance and what was proper for the time. When Corrie meets Karel's fiance and her heart is crushed the conversation she has at the end of Chapter 3 with her father is so special. I'm not going to retype that whole part because you can just go back and read it at the end of Chapter 3 but I will quote what her father said to her. "God loves Karel (fill in your persons name here)-even more than you do- and if you ask him, He will give you His love for this man, a love nothing can prevent, nothing destroy. Whenever we cannot love in the old, human way, Corrie, God can give us the perfect way." Corrie says in the book that she didn't realize it at the time but this was the key to life later when she was in a dark place with nothing to love at all. Have you ever thought about asking God to help you have the kind of love He has for all people? Whether it be old lovers, friends, family members, enemies?




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Pre-War Beje life chapters 1 & 2

(Ten Boom Home & Shop-picture source)

We begin the Hiding Place at the One Hundredth Birthday Party at the Ten Boom’s home and shop. I like getting a glimpse into what life was like before the War came to this family and what life was like at the Beje. It gives you a good background and a chance to get to know these people better. In this first chapter the Ten Boom's get their first taste of the War when the old Jewish man is brought to them by Willem. It is interesting to learn the perspective of what some of the Dutch thought of what was going on in Germany at this time. I wonder if some things could have been prevented if the world had realized what was happening to the Jewish people sooner rather than brushing things off?

In chapter two Corrie talks about how upset she was as a child when she sees a baby that has died. She is overcome with sadness and scared of death for her Papa and family. The advice and wisdom of her father at this moment stays with her for life. Not that they would have ever known at the time but it was like a foreshadowing in the book of what Corrie would need strength for in the future. I think what he tells her is something we all need to slow down and remember sometimes. Allow the words to comfort you, "Our wise Father in heaven knows when we're going to need things, too. Don't run out ahead of him, Corrie (insert your name here). When the time comes that some of us will have to die, you will look into your heart and find the strength you need-just in time." What do you think of what he tells Corrie, do you find that you to often try to run out ahead of God? Do you believe that God will give us the strength we need but not until it's needed sometimes? It is easy to get impatient! I pray we remember the strength that Corrie will continue to show in the book and be reminded that God will provide what is needed.

(Betsie, Nollie, Father, Willem, Mother, Corrie -Picture Source)

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July Book Club Selection

Our July selection for the book club will be, The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom! I have talked to many people that have read this book and they really enjoyed it. I decided that it was time I read it and really enjoyed it too! Here is a bit about the book:

Corrie ten Boom was a woman admired the world over for her courage, her forgiveness, and her memorable faith. In World War II, she and her family risked their lives to help Jews escape the Nazis, and their reward was a trip to Hitler's concentration camps. But she survived and was released--as a result of a clerical error--and now shares the story of how faith triumphs over evil. For thirty-five years Corrie's dramatic life story, full of timeless virtues, has prepared readers to face their own futures with faith, relying on God's love to overcome, heal, and restore. Now releasing in a thirty-fifth anniversary edition for a new generation of readers, The Hiding Place tells the riveting story of how a middle-aged Dutch watchmaker became a heroine of the Resistance, a survivor of Hitler's death camps, and one of the most remarkable evangelists of the twentieth century. (end quote)

This book is non-fiction and about 219 pages of reading with no study guide or discussion questions. If you are interested in a Pre-order please contact Kathy. In the next couple of days she will send out information for a pre-order. And as always local libraries and bookstores have some copies available. Sometimes you can even find our monthly book at the $5.00 bookstore in the outlet mall but it's not a guarantee they will have it.

We will no longer be raffling off the book at the meetings due to costs but we will still have door prizes. Remember our June meeting is coming up on June 27th and our July meeting will be July 25th. Hope you all enjoy and can't wait to see you again! Happy Reading!

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