You may remember that with our study of Russia, we are learning about a missionary named Brother Andrew. Brother Andrew, who is still alive today, was a Dutch man who smuggled Bibles into countries behind the Iron Curtain.
I checked out the book, God’s Smuggler, for myself to read about this man and I am SO glad that I did. This book was so very good that I have to recommend it to you all! God’s Smuggler is the autobiography of Brother Andrew.
This book is the true story of a man of faith who put his life on the line many times all for the love of his brothers and sisters in Christ. Brother Andrew felt it was imperative that he get in behind the Iron Curtain to let the persecuted believers there know that they were not alone. I found myself shocked at the lives that many of the Christians had to lead behind the Iron Curtain.
I just cannot imagine not being able to hold my Bible in my hands daily and hear from God in this way. To think that not only do I have one Bible that is my own, but several in multiple languages scattered around my home is humbling. I read of an account in God’s Smugglers where an underground group of believers passed around a Bible, that Brother Andrew had brought them, with such awe, touching it as if it were a most precious treasure…weeping at the site of something they had never touched before.
Oh how blessed we are to be in this country…to touch the Word of God. To read the Word for ourselves. To worship freely. To attend church publicly with no fear of persecution.
I am so thankful for Brother Andrew and other men and women around the world who are putting their own lives at risk to share the gospel and the Word of God with others around the world. The stories in this book of God’s provision for Brother Andrew – always at just the right moment – will build your faith and inspire you greatly.
Brother Andrew took in thousands and thousands of Bibles into many countries, we have learned, not just Russia. Each time he approached a country’s border, he said a prayer…
“Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture that I want to take to Your children across this border. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see.”
This book has inspired me to learn more about Brother Andrew. There is a ministry that he started, to aid the persecuted Church around the world, called Open Doors. He has also written other books that I’m going to search out at the library. I think that you could share this book with your family as a read aloud. My children aren’t the best at listening to longer chapter books yet, but in a few years I want to share this book with them!
Just think of all the lives that were impacted by this one ordinary man…a man with a dream and a heart for others to know God. I am in awe of all God did in this man’s life…and it leads me to hope and pray that God will use me in some small way to impact others for Him glory also.
Hi Candace, I am glad to have found your blog through the Bloom community. I have/do also struggle with depression. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
Karo