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INTRO:

The Hiding Place is a vivid account of the courage and faithfulness of Cornelia ten Boom during World War II. When the Germans occupied Holland and put heavy restrictions on Jews, Corrie, with help from her father and sister, put her own safety aside to support Jewish fugitives. Then, when their house was raided and the lives of the Jews and of Corrie’s family were at stake, she could only depend on Jesus to keep them safe.

AUTHORS:

Written by Corrie ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherrill, The Hiding Place is the true story of the Nazi occupation of Holland during WWII, and how that affected Cornelia ten Boom’s life. John and Elizabeth wrote the book after hearing much about Corrie from Brother Andrew, a missionary behind the “iron curtain”. Brother Andrew portrayed to the Sherrills all of Corrie’s love and peace even though she endured unimaginable hardships. The Sherrills were not convinced until they met Corrie themselves; that’s when The Hiding Place began to take shape.

BOOK OUTLINE:

The book begins with the one-hundreth birthday of the clock-shop, the family business of the ten Booms. The ten Booms lived in a house in the center of Haarlem; actually, the Beje was two houses, long ago constructed into one. The upper rooms were used for living quarters, while the kitchen, workroom and watch shop were on the lower story. Because of the duel-house, the Beje would later on be a superb place to put secret room for hiding Jews. For the celebration at the Beje, people from all over the city came to pay their respects. The ten Booms, Corrie, her sister Betsy and their father, were known for their forth-right honesty and their tender care of people in need. Sometimes, Corrie’s old father would get nothing done for two hours while he just sat and prayed with a customer who needed encouragement. As the kindness of the ten Boom’s was recognized through the multitudes of visitors, so would the kindness of the ten Boom’s be tested through many late night fugitives.

When the Nazis begin occupying Holland, slight restrictions such as a ten o’clock curfew limited the people of Holland. But as time went on, more and more boundaries were created until it became necessary for Jews to wear yellow stars on their coats to clarify them as being Jewish. Such was the aim of the Germans to cut off Jews, gypsies, mentally handicapped, and other minorities that nothing would stop them from putting their “survival of the fittest” theory into order.

As more and more rights were taken away from common people, it became harder and harder for the ten Booms to buy the basic necessities. Some supplies they just had to do without. Corrie rested in God, trusting her life to Him. Then, when the first Jew stood on their doorstep asking for a place to stay, the question finally needed to be answered: “Would Corrie, Betsy, and their father risk their lives for God’s chosen people?” Corrie’s father settled it, “You say we could lose our lives for this child. I would consider that the greatest honor that could come to my family.”

So, just as one fugitive was let in, many others followed. Corrie set about the task of finding extra ration cards, a necessity for buying anything at any store. The possibility of a raid was also to be feared; Corrie was put into contact with “Mr. Smit”, an underground name for a contractor willing to help make secret rooms. As “Mr. Smit” climbed the stairs to the top room, Corrie’s bedroom, he gave her tips on getting escapees into the secret room quickly and efficiently. The worst news for Corrie was that she needed to be able to scurry the old women, children, and other men, most likely in the middle of the night, into that room in under sixty seconds; that was longest Betsy should stall before opening the door. Corrie was only able to cry out to God for safety and strength. Her whole task seemed impossible.

One night, the Nazi raid happened so quickly that no one had time to think clearly. Just as Betsy opened the door to the German guards, the last of the Jews slipped into the hiding place. Corrie, Betsy and her father were taken away to be interrogated and imprisoned for possibly hiding Jews.

Eventually, Mr. ten Boom died in prison, while Corrie and Betsy frequently questioned God. Yet, Betsy proved stronger than Corrie, despite Betsy’s frail health. She continually encouraged Corrie to trust in the Lord, since He had a purpose for their lives. Corrie finally realized that their father was spared the pain and grief of concentration camp by being taken home to Jesus. As Betsy began sharing her faith with others around her, she constantly reminded Corrie and other women that “No pit is so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” Betsy told Corrie of her dream to share God’s love with others after the war. Finally, when Betsy could not bear the cold, the hunger, the pain, the lice and the impossible work standards any longer, she died. Corrie was heartbroken. Her big sister, the one keeping Corrie alive with encouragement and prayer, now was dead. Corrie wished she could die, yet God spared her.

Corrie did not understand why God would let her live, especially considering all the horrific circumstances Corrie endured. Yet, as usual, God had a purpose for her life, and that was to spread Betsy’s line, “No pit is so deep that His love is not deeper still”. Corrie went on to open a house for concentration camp survivors, where no bells, whistles, curfews or forced work were ever allowed. She wanted to spread God’s love to others who were hurting inside; she finally realized how much God had cared for her through her concentration camp experience, and wanted others to know the same. Corrie spoke at conferences and churches, sharing her story while carrying out Betsy’s dream of telling others about God’s love. Corrie died in 1983, after influencing many with her story of trust in God, and of His care for those who obey Him.

THE HIDING PLACE:

This amazing story of trust, bravery, endurance and peace all centers around Corrie ten Boom’s life during WWII. Somehow, Corrie managed to keep a clock-shop running, more than six Jews hidden in their small home, food on the table, and much, much more. Through Corrie’s pain, despair and triumph, you will find yourself crying, nail-biting and laughing right along with her. This book is a must-read for everyone!