CORRIE TEN BOOM – 1892-1983

Today, April 15 is Corrie ten Boom’s birthday, and also the day she died. She died on her ninety-first birthday in 1983. Cornelia “Corrie” ten Boom, a Dutch watchmaker who, along with her entire family, disregarding their personal safety, gave shelter to Jews, in the face of raging Nazi Holocaust, during the World War II. The family of Corrie ten Boom was eventually betrayed by a fellow Dutch person, on 28 February, 1944, subsequently, the entire family was arrested and imprisoned. From May 1942 till their arrest in February 1944, the ten Boom family could help save nearly eight hundred Jews.

Corrie ten Boom along with her sister Betsie were sent to the infamous Ravensbruck concentration camp, outside of Berlin. After the war, most of her family was released, however four of the family died while in prison, including her 84 year old father, within ten days of his imprisonment, and Betsie, her sister, died in December 1944, a mere ten months after her imprisonment.

A miracle happens at the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Due to some clerical error, Corrie ten Boom, was released from the concentration camp, which otherwise was almost impossible. Corrie was released just twelve days after the tragic death of Betsie, and one week before all the women of her age, were executed. On the New Year’s Day 1945, Corrie was on the train from Germany to her freedom.

Corrie returned to Germany in 1946, at the age of 53 to speak about the LORD Jesus Christ, and His love and forgiveness. In one of the meetings, at Munich in 1947, she met with her former Ravensbruck guard. He asked for her forgiveness, knowing that she was a prisoner at Ravensbruck, because he himself had become a Christian now. Corrie says, it was extremely difficult for her to extend her hand to this guard. God answered her prayer for strength, and helped Corrie to shake her hand with this Christian man, who once was, her cruel tormentor. With tears in her yes, Corrie says to her tormentor, “I forgive you, brother! With all my heart!”

The LORD enabled Corrie to a worldwide ministry. In the following years, the frail Dutch watchmaker, traveled the world, and carried the message of love and forgiveness, to more than 60 countries. She also wrote many books that have become a blessing to many. I am one of those. I read “The Hiding Place” as a 12 year old, borrowing from my father’s collection, which had left a lasting impression on my young mind.

Corrie ten Boom, and her life of following her LORD and Saviour, should be an inspiration to us, to do the same. She had faithfully stood for what the LORD asked her, as a disciple. How about us?