Born in the Netherlands in 1928, Brother Andrew, known then as Anne van der Bijl, was a young man yearning for adventure. His early life in the village of Witte was marked by the hardships of war and a restless spirit. After serving in the Dutch army during the Indonesian National Revolution and witnessing the horrors of conflict, Andrew found himself grappling with guilt and despair. It was during his recovery in a Catholic hospital that he encountered the Bible, a gift from his mother, and committed his life to God.
War Veteran Finds God
Andrew's transformation began with a simple yet profound commitment to God: "Whenever, wherever, however You want me, I'll go," he vowed. This decision, which he termed 'the Step of Yes,' led him to the WEC Missionary Training College in Glasgow. There, standing before a world map, Andrew's heart was stirred by the plight of Christians living under communist regimes.
Bible Smuggling Behind Iron Curtain
In 1955, Andrew embarked on a journey that would change his life—and the lives of many others—forever. With a suitcase full of Christian literature, he headed to Poland to support the struggling church behind the Iron Curtain. As he crossed borders laden with Bibles, Andrew prayed, "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." Miraculously, he was never caught, and this prayer became a cornerstone of his mission.
God's Smuggler Ministry Expands
Brother Andrew founded Open Doors in 1955 to support persecuted Christians. His daring Bible smuggling missions earned him the nickname "God's Smuggler," and his work expanded globally. He openly defied restrictions, trusting in God's protection, even as he approached checkpoints with Bibles conspicuously visible in his Volkswagen Beetle.
Over the decades, Brother Andrew's ministry grew tremendously, impacting millions. From smuggling a million Bibles into China in one night to engaging with leaders in the Islamic world, his legacy of faith and courage continues to inspire. Brother Andrew passed away on September 27, 2022, but his life remains a testament to the power of God's calling and the impact of unwavering faith.
