Born into a humble family in Sint Pancras, Netherlands, on May 11, 1928, Anne van der Bijl, known to the world as Brother Andrew, lived a life marked by transformation and courageous faith. During World War II, he engaged in minor resistance efforts against the Nazi occupation and later served as a commando in the Dutch army in Indonesia. The horrors he witnessed, including a tragic massacre, left him haunted and searching for meaning, leading him to a life of excess and recklessness.
Finding God in the Hospital
While recovering from a wound in a hospital, Andrew began reading the Bible his mother had given him. This marked the start of a profound change. Returning to the Netherlands in the early 1950s, he surrendered his life to God, praying earnestly, 'Lord if You will show me the way, I will follow You.' He committed himself to ministry, attending a Bible college in Glasgow despite lacking formal education and sponsorship.
Bible Smuggling Behind Iron Curtain
In 1955, Andrew's faith journey took a daring turn when he attended a Communist youth congress in Poland and discovered churches starving for Bibles and prayer. He felt God urging him through Revelation 3:2, 'Strengthen what remains and is about to die.' Thus began his mission of smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain in his iconic blue VW Beetle. His prayer at border crossings was simple yet profound: 'Lord, in my luggage I have Scriptures I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind.' Time and again, guards overlooked the Bibles in his car, allowing him to fulfill his mission.
Open Doors Ministry Legacy
Brother Andrew's work led to the founding of Open Doors, an organization dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide. His legacy extends beyond the Iron Curtain to the Islamic world, where he continued to spread the message of Jesus. His autobiography, 'God's Smuggler,' has inspired millions, capturing the essence of his life devoted to serving God in the face of danger. Brother Andrew often said, 'You can get in anywhere if you go to serve,' encapsulating his life of fearless obedience and unwavering faith. He passed away on September 27, 2022, leaving behind a testament to the power of faith and the enduring light of Jesus.
