A Story That Stirs the Soul
The Corrie ten Boom story is a living testimony of resilience, faith, and the power of forgiveness amidst unimaginable trials. Time may heal many wounds, but the scars of deep pain often linger unless touched by something greater.
Set during the difficult times of World War II, her story tells how a regular family of watchmakers in the Netherlands became unexpected heroes. They risked everything to stand against evil, hiding Jews to shield them from the iron grip of Nazi persecution. Through gut-wrenching loss and unspeakable suffering, Corrie carried a light that shone even in the darkest of nights.
This is not just a tale of survival; it’s a story of redemption, forgiveness, and unwavering faith in a God who works all things together for good.
Who Was Corrie Ten Boom?
Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom, also known as “Corrie” ten Boom, was a Dutch watchmaker, writer, and Holocaust survivor. She became known for her bravery and kindness during World War II. Born on April 15, 1892, in Haarlem, Netherlands, Corrie grew up in a deeply religious family. Her father, Casper Ten Boom, was a watchmaker, and the family lived above their shop in a modest home.
Corrie was the youngest of her three siblings. Their names were Betsie, Willem, and Nollie. Her three maternal aunts—Tante Bepa, Tante Jans, and Tante Anna—also shared their home. They all lived together as one big family.
The Ten Boom family was known for their generosity and strong Christian faith. They often opened their doors to those in need, a practice that would later define their actions during the war.
The Beginnings of the Resistance: The hiding place
A Country in Turmoil
When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands, life abruptly changed for Corrie Ten Boom and her family. Adolf Hitler’s propaganda promoting a “better world” disguised an insidious plan to destroy entire communities. As Jewish families were marked by yellow stars and stripped of their livelihoods, the Ten Booms couldn’t stand by idly. Their watch shop, nestled in Haarlem, became more than a family business—it turned into a haven of hope.
One fateful day, a customer arrived with a delicate watch in need of repair. It wasn’t a watch—it was a baby. A Jewish child whose life was at risk. The Ten Booms faced a life-altering choice: would they risk their safety and become part of the resistance, or shut their door to evil?
The Secret Room Is Built
Amid growing oppression, the family resolved to act. A secret room was constructed on the highest floor of their home. Hidden behind a false wall, this space became a small sanctuary for Jews fleeing the Nazi regime. With the help of underground resistance members, the Ten Booms trained themselves to withstand surprise Gestapo raids. They learned how to use coded language disguised as watchmaking requests: “We have a men’s watch that needs repair.”
Their mission? Save as many lives as possible while evading capture. But living so close to danger came at a steep cost.
Danger Knocks at the Door
Betrayal Brings Arrest
In February 1944, the Ten Boom family was betrayed by a Dutch informant. The Ten Booms’ courage was tested when a man, desperate and pleading for help, betrayed their trust. Nazi soldiers stormed the house, demanding to know where the Jews were hidden. Despite brutal interrogations, the family held their ground. Corrie herself struggled to remain calm under questioning, but her training helped her evade giving away the truth.
Tragically, the Ten Boom family did not go unscathed. While some of the Jews they sheltered escaped through the secret room, the Ten Booms were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Their act of love and mercy came at an incomprehensible cost.
Faith in Ravensbrück
Surviving the Unimaginable
Corrie and Betsie found themselves in Ravensbrück, a notorious women’s concentration camp in Germany. Each day tested their physical and emotional limits. The prison barracks were bone-chilling and overcrowded, infested with fleas. But in those fleas, the Ten Boom sisters found an unexpected blessing. The bugs scared the guards away. This meant the prisoners could hold secret Bible studies. They were able to give hope to other prisoners.
Even as Corrie railed against the injustice and dreamed of vengeance, Betsie’s perspective remained steadfast. With stunning grace, she prayed for their captors and believed that even their enemies deserved God’s love.
Her words left a lasting impression on Corrie: “We must forgive them, for they do not know what they’re doing.”
Loss and a Promise Fulfilled
The cost of holding onto hope came at a devastating price. Betsie’s frail body succumbed to the harsh conditions of the camp. Her parting words to Corrie carried a promise: “Before the year is over, you will be free.” Betsie trusted that God still had work for them both, even if their paths diverged.
On December 28, a clerical error miraculously secured Corrie’s release. Days later, other prisoners her age were sent to their deaths. God’s hand moved in mysterious ways, fulfilling His purpose even in the midst of devastation.
Forgiveness That Defies Logic
A Heart Transformed
After the war ended, Corrie faced new challenges. The Netherlands was still reeling from the trauma of Nazi occupation. Corrie opened her heart to a higher calling: to bring healing and restoration not only to victims of the war, but also to its perpetrators. She set up special homes for people who had been in prison. These homes gave former prisoners a place to recover. People could heal both emotionally and spiritually there.
In one extraordinary encounter, while speaking about forgiveness, Corrie was approached by a man whose face jolted her memory. He had been one of the guards at Ravensbrück, who had been particularly cruel to her and Betsie.. Now, with tears in his eyes, he asked for her forgiveness.
Corrie froze. Could she forgive someone who had been complicit in such evil? In her book The Hiding Place, Corrie describes the internal struggle she faced at that moment. Though every fiber of her being resisted, she prayed for the strength to forgive. She took his hand, and in that act, she found freedom from the bitterness that had threatened to consume her.
The Legacy of Corrie Ten Boom
The Hiding Place: A Beacon of Hope
Corrie’s story didn’t end with the war. She went on to share her experiences, carrying her message of God’s love and forgiveness across the world. Her book, The Hiding Place, became a bestseller, inspiring millions with its powerful testimony of faith in action. Later, the book was adapted into a film, further cementing her legacy.
Corrie’s self-description as “The Tramp for the Lord” reflected her lifelong commitment to travel and spread the Gospel. Whether she spoke to war-torn communities or thriving congregations, her message was consistent: “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”
Why the Corrie Ten Boom Story Still Resonates Today
The Corrie ten Boom story is more than a historical narrative—it’s a profound lesson in courage, faith, and the transformative power of forgiveness. In a world still grappling with injustice and division, her life teaches us to embrace love over hate and action over complacency.
Her story teaches us important lessons:
- It shows us we can stand up for people who are being treated badly.
- It shows us we can forgive, even when it seems impossible.
- Her example challenges us to be brave with our faith. It asks us to take actions that really matter.
Corrie’s legacy serves as a reminder: no matter how bleak the circumstances, God is always at work, and His plans are greater than our fears.
Conclusion: Living the Legacy
Corrie ten Boom’s journey wasn’t without struggle. She wrestled with doubt, anger, and grief—but ultimately, she clung to God’s promises. Her bravery reminds us that ordinary people can do extraordinary things through faith and obedience. Her forgiveness reminds us that God’s grace knows no limits. And her triumph reminds us that even in the darkest times, the light of God’s love can shine the brightest.
Let us carry forward her legacy by being instruments of peace, agents of change, and beacons of hope in a hurting world.
“God does not have problems, only plans.” – Corrie ten Boom
Would you like to know more about Corrie ten Boom’s story? Visit The Hiding Place Foundation for deeper insights into her life and ministry.