A Youth Shaped by War
Born into hardship in Sint Pancras, Netherlands, Anne van der Bijl, known to many as Brother Andrew, faced early challenges. Growing up during World War II, Andrew participated in minor resistance efforts against the Nazi occupation. His life took a darker turn when he joined the Dutch army, witnessing and partaking in the horrors of war in Indonesia. Haunted by these experiences, Andrew spiraled into despair, seeking death's embrace.
Seeds of Transformation
But while recovering from a war injury in a Catholic hospital, his life shifted. Surrounded by caring Christian nurses, Andrew began reading a Bible gifted by his mother. This new exposure planted seeds of transformation. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he attended a revival meeting where he surrendered his life to Jesus, praying for guidance. This moment marked the beginning of a profound change.
Smuggling Bibles Behind the Iron Curtain
Driven by a newfound purpose, Andrew committed to spreading the Word of God, particularly to those hidden behind the Iron Curtain. He later attended missionary training in Glasgow, where he prepared himself for a life of service. In 1955, Andrew embarked on his first mission, traveling to Poland with a suitcase filled with religious tracts. Witnessing the desperate need for spiritual resources among Christians living under communist regimes, Andrew felt a divine calling to deliver Bibles across closed borders. His prayer, "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," became a testament to his faith. Many times, border guards inexplicably waved him through, oblivious to the Bibles in plain view.
Open Doors to the World
Through his work, Brother Andrew founded Open Doors, a ministry dedicated to supporting persecuted Christians worldwide. His legacy continues to inspire, with Open Doors operating in over 60 countries. Brother Andrew's journey from despair to divine mission is a vivid reminder of Jesus' transformative power and faithfulness.
