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2nd March 1944
So this is Ravensbruck - a picture of evil against Your suffering people, Lord. Corrie and I are certainly learning to trust You more each day. Barracks twenty eight contains very little comforts, yet at least we are together as sisters, and can share a blanket. Even more importantly, we can read and pray together each night. How did we manage to smuggle Your word in?
I know Corrie thinks I’ve gone mad, Lord, but somehow I still have a thankful spirit. When I asked You what we should do about the fleas swarming in this hut, a verse came to mind straight away:
In everything give thanks…*
For some reason, I want to thank You for those fleas, and the conditions we now find ourselves in. It’s quite absurd really - and yet You made those little creatures too, Lord! Surely Your glory and majesty can be seen in everything.
Now that I’ve told Corrie (which I have felt reluctant to do), she’s refusing to praise You for such a thing. Oh Lord, her expression is becoming like that of the others in our barracks - etched with pain, eyes devoid of hope. Lord, help us to understand our situation. We know You’re here - even here, amongst Your people. It’s just hard to see Your face right now.
30th March 1944
…..we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.*
What encouragement I gleaned today from this passage, as Corrie read it aloud. Surely I noticed a glint of expectation in her sunken eyes too, as she realised what it meant for us. Lord, while we are starving and persecuted, we are not separated from Your love. All the evil we have encountered can be conquered through Your power!
I could see it in the eager silence among the other women today - Hope. It seems that there are more and more gathering each day to hear Your precious word. When we sing praises softly, I feel You moving in this place of torment. Who would have thought we would feel Your love each time we became the victim of Nazi hatred?
Lord, I hope that no-one discovers our little times together. It’s quite remarkable that no prison guard ever enters this barracks, and that we have managed to keep the Bible for so long! May it continue to bless us more each day.
2nd May 1944
Well, now I see Your plans, Lord. You really do work in mysterious ways! We shouldn’t have worried about hiding Your word today, when Anna called for a guard. She says not one would come because of the fleas!
It’s no wonder I felt the need to praise You for those irritating little creatures! If it weren’t for them, none of us would have learned from Your word daily, and our times of worship would have been cut short too.
Corrie now sees Your purpose in every little thing. We had such a wonderful time of prayer today, as we placed everything in the camp into Your hands.
She was so thrilled, that she wasn’t cross with me for waking her up tonight. I don’t know why I felt compelled to do so, but that dream was fascinating. Imagine if this camp really was full of beautiful gardens and flowers, and all those who had suffered here had a place of healing and fellowship! Oh, Lord may Your will be done.
5th May 1944
I read this journal, penned by my dear sister, Betsie with tears welling from a deep and hurting place. And yet, Lord as I remember her, I know that she has reached mansions of unimaginable beauty, so far away from Ravensbruck. My tears are mixed with joy.
Three days ago, I, Corrie was lying next to her, as she shared her vision. I’m so glad I took time to listen. I didn’t realise that in the morning I would waken to find her body cold and lifeless. Lifeless - yet smiling.
Lord I will miss her company, her kindness, her passion for life and for You. I pray that You will grant me the ability to continue to walk in such faith.
Now, as I sit on this train, still in awe about my unexpected release, I can’t help but smile also. For Betsie has been released too. Together, we have been more than conquerors in your power and love.
Author’s note:
This is based on true events recorded in The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom. Betsie’s dream was fulfilled after her death, when her sister, Corrie opened a home for those who had suffered in concentration camps, and travelled the globe sharing a message of love and forgiveness.
*1 Thessalonians 5:18
*Romans 8:37
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