Coming from a society of MTV, reality TV and UTube some generations may not experience or accept greatness without a show or glamor behind it. Mandi and I had the honor of taking a four hour train trip back to the Netherlands from Belgium to visit a town called Haarlem. It is actually a city beside Amsterdam and yes we had just left there. However, Corri ten Boom museum/home was there and of the few (or many to some) authors I have read she is my inspiration, for those who do not know "The Hiding Place" is her first book. One of my favorite quotes from her is "there is no hole to deep that God is not deeper still." Mandi and I were blessed to have an old Dutch woman do the hour and a half tour because of her knowledge and personal connection to the ten Boom home. So you have a little background her father had a great love for God as well as His people the Jews. He taught his family this love and when the Germans began to take the Jews Corri and her older sister Betsie recommended to their father to hide Jews or help them escape. The ten Boom home was tuned in by a traitor and the household were sent to prison. Corri's father of 91 died in 10 days and her sister of almost 60 died in the camp and her brother (a preacher & writer for the underground paper) was released and died from an illness he got in prison. However, the four Jews and two resistance workers all escaped the capture from hiding in their hiding place. Corri was released in error (a God thing) a week before the order went out for all women over the age of 50 be exterminated. She was between 54 or 56, my bad memory, grrr. Once released Corri started working or in her words being a "tramp" for God. Her sister Bestie had a dream that there would be a ministry for Jews, Germans and the world to teach about the Love of Jesus and His salvation. Corri did just that first by sharing her testimony of love and forgiveness then opening a home for miss placed Jews to recover in Netherlands, continuing by recreating a concentration camp in Germany into a temporary home for misplaced Germans (many had lost home, husbands, body parts but especially lost hope). She continued sharing to prisoners, children, churches, stadiums and even home groups well into her 80's. Corri ten Boom is not a well known name but she was a great woman and lover of God. I was honored to see her home the narrow stair cases and hallways, the small rooms for those who hid, the pictures of some of their honored guests, their living room and especially their hiding place. If anyone wants to read (or even see) an amazing true story "The Hiding Place" is my recommendation.
Finally, on speaking to the tour guide I learned her father was one of the men who got the six hiding in the ten Boom home. She was so proud her father was part of the resistance. She also said that no one in Holland knew or believed that the Germans were killing Jews or more would have hidden them. Also, a lot of the Germans did not know or believe either and they were horrified of what had been done. Mandi and I agreed the Germans we spoke to still were ashamed of their past.
That is why we are given the opportunity to repent and have God throw our sins into the deepest ocean and "post a NO FISHING sign" (Corri ten Boom).
Lots of love from Prague,
Ana
PS for those who had read my Facebook page this is why I loved the ten Boom home more than Ann Frank. Corri went on to give back even to those who persecuted her but the Frank house still carried the terrible pain. My heart goes out to Otto Frank and all those who cannot forgive, be healed and made whole again. May Jesus light your path to salvation and wholeness.
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