Post date: Jul 14, 2010 3:32:07 PM
For Christmas I’d asked for and received a copy of Corrie
Ten Boom’s ‘The Hiding Place’. Many will be familiar with
her testimony, but for those who are not I will endeavour to
summarise her story.
Corrie Ten Boom and her family were living in Haarlem, Holland
at the outbreak of World War II. Her family, not wealthy but
devoutly Christian, risked their lives by offering their home to
Jews as a ‘Hiding Place’ from the occupying Nazis. The story
goes on to recount the experiences of Corrie and Betsie (her sister)
after their arrest and subsequent detention in various concentration
camps.
I love reading a good adventure book and this is truly of this
genre. However, it is also a deeply challenging book as the reader
remembers that this is not a novel, but a real account of the Ten
Boom family and Corrie’s testimony of God’s hand on their life
through adversity. She writes honestly, contrasting her practical,
often forceful self with the more sedate, spiritual Betsie and the
highly respected, profoundly wise Father.
I couldn’t put this book down (and equally couldn’t believe I
hadn’t read her story before!) The Hiding Place presents so many
spiritual jewels, it gives evidence that our God is still providing
miracles where there is need and offers a challenge to our comfy,
Christian existence of today.
Rhiannon Ware