And now to The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.

To tell about Corrie, you have to know about her family. Her family followed the teachings of the Dutch Reformed Church. This family, everyone in it, LIVED their faith. They were always conscious of their lives as service. The father was a watchmaker, but his family life was so entwined with God, over the years I kept thinking of him as a minister.

I can’t imagine there can be a more truly loving family in all the world.

When Holland became occupied during World War II, there was not one thread of hesitation from any member of the Ten Boom family. They would gladly give their lives to save all the Jews and members of the resistance they could without fail. This included Corrie’s married brothers and sisters and their families as well.

This was a simple decision for them. Not for one moment did they give a thought to: “This isn’t safe. We are risking our lives.� Their safety was never a consideration, for their whole lives were addressed to God, and what God wanted. Fear simply was not a part of their lives. Following God’s will was.

You have to know at this time, Corrie and her sister Betsie were two spinster ladies in their fifties. They lived at home with their father who at this time was in his 80’s. They became strong members of the underground. They fashioned a secret compartment in their house, and welcomed everyone in need. When there was an unexpected knock on their door, then their guests ran to hide in the secret place.

All the people the Ten Booms took into their home lived with them as part of their family. The guests ate at the table. They and their children were loved and respected. During this time, the Ten Booms observed Friday night services as if they were Jewish and served Kosher food. What could the Ten Booms have been but angels on Earth?

When they were arrested, the father would not lie. The Dutch police officer told the father that he could be condemned to death for saving Jews. This 84-year old man said: “I would be honored to give my life for God’s chosen people.â€? God bless such a man.

Corrie and her sister Betsie were together in the concentration camp. You have to understand that as good and devoted as Corrie was, Betsie’s faith was greater. It is Betsie who stars in the two parts of the book I remember the most and really want to tell you about.

The barracks where the two sisters were assigned was infested with fleas. As grim as all the barracks were, this one was the worst. Betsie totally believed there was good in everything. She knew.

In defeat, Corrie said to her sister: “What good can possibly come from fleas?�

Betsie said, “There is good that will come. You will see.�

And Corrie did. It was like this:

The two sisters had smuggled in some pages from the Bible. This was not allowed. It was an offense punishable by death. The fleas were a blessing because, due to the presence of the fleas, none of the guards would come into their barracks. The guards would come to the door, but go no further, so night after night, Corrie and Betsie secretly read aloud from the Bible and gave hope to all the beleaguered women. Because of the fleas, Corrie and Betsie got away with reading from the Bible and were never caught.

The second most beautiful thing was again from Corrie’s sister. Of course, I’m quoting from memory. Betsie said, “I am worried about what will happen to them after the war.�

Naturally Corrie thought her sister meant all the prisoners in the camp.

Betsie said: “No, I mean the guards. We must help them. They will be refugees, too.�

Betsie, knowing she would not live long, asked Corrie to help the Nazi’s after the war.

Corrie did as her sister had asked and provided help to those who had been unkind. Corrie did not just forgive. She lived forgiveness.

What examples of courage and love these two women were. And how lucky we are that Corrie lived and wrote books, and we can read them.

In the pictures below, you see the house where the Ten Booms lived before their arrest, and now as it is as a museum, I believe, and you will see a few pictures of Corrie. Now we know what an angel looks like.