“…. observe all that I commanded you, and lo I am with you always” This is, undoubtedly, a promise that Corrie ten Boom claimed often. She and many of her family members were imprisoned for obeying Ps. 122:6 - - pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Continuing a tradition started by her grandfather in 1844, they were eventually imprisoned for their love and prayers. Their love and dedication resulted in the death of many of the ten Booms.
Though she did not lose her life, Corrie faced much suffering. Her “prison life” began when she and the others were taken to the city jail in Haarlem, Holland. From there they went to Scheveningen prison. It was there that she and her sister Betsie were separated from their father. For the majority of her sentence there Corrie was in solitary confinement. On the night of Hitler’s birthday the prison workers left to go to a party and she was able to find out what had happened to the rest of her family: Betsie was still in prison; her sister, Nollie, and brother, Willem: released. The next bit of information, however, was devastating - - her father, Casper, was dead! The stay in Scheveningen was short lived. Soon, she, Betsie and several other female prisoners were shipped to Vught, a concentration camp in Holland. The conditions were terrible, and the place was filled with hatred and violence. It was here, however, that Corrie and Betsie learned forgiveness. Vught seemed bad, until they were transported to Ravensbruck in Germany. Each place she had been in was a little more degrading, and Ravensbruck prisoners went from being known by their names to just numbers. To visit the doctor they had to strip naked, in front of men. If they were late for roll call, which was at 4:30, they were beaten.
It was at Ravensbruck that Corrie’s beloved sister, Betsie, died. It was also at Ravensbruck that, through an administrative error, she was released! The tide had turned, if you would, and she finally was able to begin a life of teaching forgiveness and love for the unlovable.
To learn more about Corrie ten Boom read her book, THE HIDING PLACE, and/or take a virtual tour of the museum in Haarlem, Holland dedicated to her at the Corrie ten Boom Mueum. More importantly, join her in her life long quest of fulfilling scripture - - by praying for the peace of Jerusalem as we are directed in Ps. 122:6!
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