"...the Lord gave Lotte a hymn of several verses, in Dutch, which she translated into German and English, and which we sang to a seventeenth century Dutch tune. Tante Corrie was so happy with it, doubtless, also, because she had been instrumental in its being written in that she had prayed for it. She liked us to sing it to her often:
"Jesus Christ alone is Victor
now and in eternity!
In His sovereignty He reigneth,
great in power and majesty."
I read a powerful book this weekend that has greatly encouraged me. The book, The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom, is about the last few years of Corrie ten Boom's life. "Tante Corrie" as she liked to be called, was a Christian missionary and servant of Christ for the entire 91 years of life, and she became known after her miraculous release from a concentration camp during WW II. I remember hearing about Tante Corrie way back in the '70s. I believe it was around that time that I read her book, Tramp for the Lord, and soon thereafter I saw her movie, "The Hiding Place." The movie was based on her book by the same name. If you have never seen this movie, PLEASE get in from Netflix or your local library. It describes Tante Corrie's life as a watchmaker, a Christian who was always fervent in prayer for the Jews, and a person who helped her family hide many Jews in a small "closet" that they had built behind her bedroom wall. Three years ago my daughter, Lydia, and I had the opportunity to visit the home of the ten Boom family in Haarlam, the Netherlands, and I will never forget the lessons that I learned there as a born-again Jew told us all about the ten Booms.
The Five Silent Years of Corrie ten Boom begins with the author, Pamela Rosewell, thinking about her upcoming interview with Tante Corrie in her home in a suburb of Haarlam, her hometown. This unmarried British woman is about to interview with Tante Corrie for the position of companion. She knows that this will be a position that will require a lot of patience and prayer, but she doesn't realize the full extent of how this woman will change her life. At the time of the interview, Tante Corrie is at the age of 83, and Rosewell serves as her companion for the nine years until her call to heaven at the age of 91. Rosewell didn't expect to work for a woman who was so energetic at her age, yet she found that many times she couldn't keep up with this fervent Believer. They traveled together, hosted many visitors from all of the world, and shared the Gospel in airports or wherever they happened to be. Tante always carried copies of Tramp for the Lord to distribute to people who she meant along her days of travel, speeches, and writing of books. It is fair to say that Tante prayed about everything. She lifted up her hands in prayer to God, seeking His will in everything. To her, everything was worthy of bringing before the Father, and He led her all of the way. She was so driven to share the Gospel at all times. She enjoyed getting up early in the mornings to talk to Pamela about their plans. Even at her advanced age she always had many plans, plans to share her message, "Jesus Christ is victor," with everyone she encountered.
Eventually Rosewell and Tante Corrie settled in California in a home that was provided for them. After several years of traveling, writing books, and more, they continued their ministry in this suburban neighborhood where they could enjoy roses, orange trees, and the heavy traffic of constant visitors who wanted to meet her or to ask her for her prayers. Although this was Tante's final earthly home, she never saw herself as "retired." Instead, she remained very furtive in ministry even though her traveling days were over. At approximately the age of 86, Tante began to have strokes that caused her to lose her speech and some of her mobility. After her third stroke, she never spoke again. It is amazing how these days that were very trying for her and her care-givers, Tante was able to communicate somewhat through gestures or looking at things that she wanted to talk about. Even when she could not speak a full sentence, she could at times respond with the Dutch "ja!" to express that she was in favor of what was being discussed. She still closed her eyes in prayer, even though she could no longer lift her hands toward heaven.
Corrie ten Boom left this earth quietly on April 15, 1983, when she was 91 years old. She was bedridden for the last three years of life, taken care of by her faithful companion and other helpers. Everyone involved believed that God would take Tante home at the appointed time, and not before, because they could see how God continued to use her even though she was in a diminished state and unable to communicate with words. Even in death, her voice sang out, "JESUS CHRIST IS VICTOR" and people were greatly encouraged by her faithfulness. You see, Tante Corrie and her sister, Betsie, had suffered greatly in Ravensbruck concentration camp. They and their father were arrested because a traitor told the authorities that they were hiding Jews. They had always prayed for the Jews and felt strongly that they should protect them, no matter what the cost. Betsie died in Ravensbruck, but Corrie was released due to a "clerical error" that no one has ever explained. I call that a miracle of God, for He had important plans for her. For the next decades of her life she helped people who were displaced due to the war by setting up rehabilitation centers. She went on to speak to great crowds of people about hope, forgiveness, and the power of God. Her books, movies, and Bible studies leave a legacy that still encourage many people to this day.
I believe that this book about Corrie ten Boom will encourage every person who reads it. If Tante Corrie could be hopeful in all of the circumstances of her life including the years in a concentration camp, then surely I can get through my own difficulties. One of her themes that she and Betsie clung to when they were imprisoned goes something like this: "There is no pit too deep that God's love cannot reach into it." So be it. Corrie ten Boom's message is still spoken loudly for all who will hear it.
Here are the very last 11 books in my card catalog. I should start over because I've added books since I began typing this list that goes back to 1984, but I won't do that. Instead, maybe I'll come up with some other type of list, such as my favorite poems, memoirs, etc. So, drum roll please....
1. To Know Her by Lori Wick
2. Night by Ellie Wiesel
3. What is Theology? by Maurice Wiles
4. Sighing for Eden by William H. Willimon
5. The Homecoming of Samuel Lake by Jenny Wingfield
6. A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg
7. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski (one of the best novels that I've ever read)
8. Coffee Lover's Bible by Jill Yates (a gift from Rod many years ago - great fun)
9. The Shack by William P. Young
10. The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
11. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (great book and movie)
Have a blessed day,
Melissa Hill
Book Blogger
www.onegoodbookblog.blogspot.com
Used book seller: MCH Seller
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