For the past twenty years Corrie ten Boom has crisscrossed the globe, slept in more than a thousand different beds, and lived out of suitcases...all to fulfill her God-given mission to tell people everywhere that Jesus Christ is reality, that He Lives, that He is Victor.
This remarkable woman of eighty-one years served time in a German concentration camp during World War II for the "crime" of hiding persecuted Jews and survived to tell the story in her best selling book, The Hiding Place. Her brush with death lent a new meaning to her life. In her own words: "My life had been given back as a gift...for a purpose."
After her release from the concentration camp, Corrie ten Boom set out to become what she calls a "tramp for the Lord," traveling around the world at the direction of God, proclaiming His message everywhere. And through her lifelong experiences, she has learned a few lessons in God's great classroom which she shares with the readers of Tramp For the Lord.
So deeply has she touched the hearts of men and women during her years of ministry that she is known as the venerable "Double-old Grandmother" and "Tante" Corrie to them. And she , in turn, has been touched and taught by them.
Let her introduce you to...
-her former prison guard who asks her for forgiveness...a forgiveness that come hard and with much pain...
-the war-crippled lawyer with a soul that was as twisted and deformed as his limbs...
-an African who truly followed Christ's exhortation to forgive your neighbor seventy times seven (Matt. 18:22)...
-the travel agent who learned that her ultimate destination could not be found on any map...
-a missionary mother whose unwanted babe ended up saving her life...
All these touchingly human vignettes from her life and travels are intertwined with the unique teaching trouch that has sustained Corrie throughout her days.
Corrie ten Boom and her family were Christians who were active in social work in their home town of Haarlem, the Netherlands. During the Nazi occupation, they chose to act out their faith through peaceful resistance to the Nazis by active participation in the Dutch underground. They were hiding, feeding and transporting Jews and underground members hunted by the Gestapo out of the country. It is estimated they were able to save the lives of 800 Jews, in addition to protecting underground workers.
On Feb. 28, 1944, they were betrayed and Corrie and several relatives were arrested. The four Jews and two underground workers in the house at the time of the arrest were not located by the Nazis and were extricated by the underground 47 hours after they fled to the tiny hiding place (located in Corrie's room).
The ten Boom family members were separated and transferred to concentration camps. Corrie was allowed to stay with her precious sister, Betsy. Corrie's father (Casper), her sister (Betsy) and one grandchild (Kik) perished. Corrie was released in December of 1944.
These acts of heroism and sacrifice became the foundation for Corrie ten Boom's global writing and speaking career which began after she was released.
Ten Boom has received numerous awards for her writing and speaking. Notably, she was honored by the State of Israel for her work in aid of the Jewish people by being invited to plant a tree in the famous Avenue of the Righteous Gentiles, at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, near Jerusalem. She was also knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of her work during the war, and a museum in the Dutch city of Haarlem is dedicated to her and her family.
Outstanding! I was captivated, inspired and challenged by this collection of stories from Corrie ten Boom's life after The Hiding Place. In The Hiding Place we learn of her life in and before the concentration camps. In Tramp for the Lord, we learn about how she lived her life following that experience. This book has less of a plot than the first one, but more depth in terms of spiritual wisdom. A must read for any Christ-follower. She tells of how she went along side of others all over the world, spreading Christ’s love after the war – especially to those who needed it most. She recognized God’s call for her life and no doubt fulfilled that calling. She has truly inspired me to do the same. She had complete trust in God, and just reading her stories increased my own faith in the Lord. I appreciated her honesty as she presented a very real look at her own personal struggles with selfishness and how the Lord taught her to address them with humility. I needed the reminder that He (the Lord) will give me strength for every task he gives me.
Corrie's words serve as a reminder: To what it is I believe, to what I have been called, and where it is I am going.
"It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts." — Corrie ten Boom
I have never read "The Hiding Place," though have heard it mentioned many times. This book seems to be a follow up of various accounts of her ministry/mission after the fall out of WW2 and her time in a concentration camp. As she travels the world, telling her story and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ wholeheartedly and unashamed.
Corrie Ten Boom's (1892 - 1983) faith and trust in the Lord was very inspiring to say the least. I appreciated her transparency about her flaws. I was also impressed that she pressed on with her ministry well into her old age. Ministering in communist countries, impoverished jungles, prisons, colleges, wealthy nations etc.
Some minor theological disagreements here and there, but it doesn't discount her life, work, and ministry. The book is written in very short chapter form and is worth a read.
Worth the price if only for the story of Corrie meeting one of the guards from Ravensbruck, where her sister died, in Munich after World War Two, and how she responded to his request that she forgive him. (You either already know what happened or you need to read this book.)
I did not like the sequel to The Hiding Place. While I found Corrie lovable in her faith and humility during the war, after it I found her preachy and overbearing to the point of self-righteousness. The breaking point for me was when she chastised a woman who tried to give her money for her work helping those displaced by the war, upset that the woman had not being moved by the Christian part of her speech and then criticized the woman for taking offense.
Maybe it has something to do with her elderly age, but as the book progressed I became more irritated by her determination and dare I say her faith? I think it's wonderful that she dedicated her life to serving the Lord in whatever capacity He required, but I think she gave too much credit to her life being lead in ever instance that or may not have been divine intervention to the point of it deterring from her message of faith instead of adding to it. Almost too childish in her faith where me, a believer, was trying hard to still grasp onto her miracle and believe instead of discount. I'm sounding harsh. She was a wonderful woman and I'm sure her passage to heaven was won many times over with many there to welcome her with open arms. I just didn't like how she wrote about it in her book.
Corrie Ten Boom's Hiding Place is a personal classic of mine. I've read it so many times since I was a young girl and leant on many of her spiritual insights and powerful testimony. It took me far too long to getting around to reading her follow up book Tramp for the Lord. I absolutely loved it. It also came at a great time in my life. Many of her spiritual insights, powerful lessons, and her candor on her own weakness where extremely helpful to me.
Here are some quotes I enjoyed.
"He means it seriously when He says He will care for and protect us. However, if we seek to raise our own money then God will let us do it--by ourselves. Many times we will be able to raise great amounts of money by human persuasion or downright perseverance in asking. But we will miss the far greater blessing of letting Him supply all our needs according to His own riches."
"Theology in the hands of the Holy Spirit is a beautiful science. But in the hands of unbelievers it is death."
"Forgiveness is the key which unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. The forgiveness of Jesus not only takes away our sins, it makes them as if they had never been."
Where I didn't agree with everything Ms. ten Boom said, there were so many nuggets of gold all throughout this book! It was beautiful, jaw-dropping at points, and inspiring at others!
What an encouraging woman! To think that in 1970 she came to my town to speak. Would that I were I alive to hear her! This book is a must read for long time and new Christians alike. Corrie never beats people over the head, she gently comes along side to teach the Lord's lessons. A few chapters towards the end really struck home and I felt as though she were talking directly to me. It is also refreshing the way she deals with her own sin, in that she doesn't sugar coat her life to make it seem she is the perfect Christian. She is open and honest and humble, a rarity in today's society. I only wish I would have read this sooner (Sorry I didn't listen to my mother's kind persistence that this is a book I needed to read), but I'm sure it came at the right time. I highly recommend this to everyone.
I have never felt discipled by a book until now. I know discipled is probably not a truly accurate word but it’s what I feel like happened & what keeps coming to mind. The way Corrie wrote this book so honestly & simply, it felt like she was pouring out wisdom over a cup of coffee, just telling me how the Lord had worked in her life. It was so sweet & precious & extremely convicting. The Lord is definitely revealing an idol of control in my life and with every chapter I felt more convicted, humbled, & a craving to trust Jesus with my life like never before. I know my life will not look much like Corrie’s because the Lord has called us to different places, but I do hope that at the end of my life people could say I trusted the Lord with everything, like she did.
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom was a book I read a few years ago. It was about her and her sister Betsy being held as prisoners in the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Tramp for the Lord takes place after her release. There are several stories about her travels all over the world sharing her faith, and ministering for the Lord. She was a humble woman with a child like faith. She definitely had a servants heart. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as The Hiding Place, but it was a solid 4 stars. I listened to the audio, and Nadia May narrates TRAMP FOR THE LORD in a winsome and loving manner.
At first the title intruiged me to look it up then the blurb made me quickly start the audiobook. An very interesting lady for sure. Not a Christian myself but her story was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time.
Corrie Ten Boom led a remarkable life, dedicated to Jesus.
I absolutely loved this memoir of Corrie Ten Boom's travels around the world after being released from the Ravensbrück concentration camp in Germany. Her home in Haarlem, Netherlands was no longer available to her. Someone else lived there. So she spent the rest of her life traveling and writing books to sell or give away along the way.
Her consecrated life of missionary service was full of miracles and divine appointments aka: unexpected opportunities to serve the Lord by serving his people. Each chapter in this book is a little story about something that happened along the way.
This book is the sequel to The Hiding Place, her memoir about living with her father and sister, and helping hide Jews from Nazis during World War II. That book is amazing and heart wrenching, and very much worth reading.
I did not expect to like the sequel as much as I did however the stories in Tramp for the Lord appealed to me. They spoke to me in a different way. I am happy Corrie shared so much about her Christian life. I'm very glad I read this.
I don't want to write too much and give away spoilers, but I will say after reading this I have a great respect for Corrie Ten Boom and her missionary activities in her old age.
Please read this. One of my favorite ones of the year and so quick and wonderful. Felt like I was communing with a wise old saint over a cup of coffee, reflecting on the Lord's work in her life. I devoured the Hiding Place and thought my precious time with CTB was over, then I found THIS. I started this one on a day where I was having far too many "woe is me" feelings. Then Corrie starts goin' off about the joy she found in the Lord in a concentration camp and finishes the book with declaring the Lord's purposes even over minor inconveniences like a flight delay in her 80s. I needed to be reminded that everything from minor irritations to suffering is where the Lord has me in that moment for His good purposes.
The Hiding Place is my favorite book of all time, so I was excited to read this one. I am always super impressed with Corrie Ten Boom’s faith, tenacity and bravery. She is an amazing woman. In this book, I did see that Corrie is human. I had definitely set her up on a pedestal that no human could probably live up to. But, there were still some really good stories of faith. I am in awe of the fact that she spent so much of her life trying to bring people to Christ. Even in old age, she continued in this pursuit, and really did not slow down. She is such a role model to me.
A honest and very personal encounter by a person who not only speaks about religion but also lives it fully. One of the few books that give a solid argument against the assertions in Richard Dawkins' "God Delusion". The life of people such as Corrie Ten Boom is a very strong witness to God's presence in the heart of the believer.
It’s no secret that I am a huge Corrie ten Boom admirer since childhood when I first read The Hiding Place. She is a truly amazing woman of God and in this memoir, Corrie proves her obedience to her calling as a Tramp for the Lord. After her release from Ravensbruck concentration camp, Corrie was 53 years old and spent nearly 4 decades of her life traveling the world preaching and spreading the Gospel. This memoir presents many of the most inspirational and miraculous stories of her experiences. One of the most poignant stories titled “Love Your Enemy” (published in Guidepost magazine in 1972) highlighted when she returned to Germany with a message of God’s forgiveness.
“When we confess our sins,” I said, “God casts them into the deepest ocean, gone forever. And even though I cannot find a Scripture for it, I believed God then places a sign out there that says, NO FISHING ALLOWED.”
It was then that a former cruel guard from Ravensbruck approached her and told her he had since become a Christian and now he was asking her for her forgiveness for the things he had done. Even Corrie ten Boom had a moment of humanity when faced with this task. Could she do it? Not without God’s help and love, and yet, the two grasped each other’s hands and the forgiveness flowed freely!
Forgiveness is the key which unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. The forgiveness of Jesus not only takes away sin, it makes them as if they had never been.
Wow! There are so many nuggets of wisdom to marinate on. I chose the route of listening to the book, but I plan on purchasing it to read again. Definitely a staple in your library! I enjoyed hearing about Corrie’s missionary adventures and felt so inspired and encouraged. Using Corrie’s words to summarize it the best - “You’re not called to convince anyone…you’re simply called to be an open channel for the spirit of God to flow through. You can never be anything else even though you may think so at times. Follow the pathway of obedience, let the word of God do its own work, and you will be used by God far beyond your own powers”.
I DNFed The Hiding Place last year, so I was skeptical when Tramp For the Lord was chosen to read with a group of friends in a book club setting. (The title didn’t help my skittishness.) But Corrie Ten Boom captivated me by the end! This truly is just a collection of stories of the Lord’s hand in her life.
Though I didn’t fully agree with everything written, the heart of this book is so beautiful. I put it down and just wanted to have a conversation about Jesus with a stranger.
“You are not called to convince anyone, You are simply called to be an open channel for the Spirit of God to flow through. You can never be anything else, even though you may think so at times. Follow the pathway of obedience, let the Word of God do its own work, and you will be used by God far beyond your own powers.”
“Happiness is not dependent on happenings, but on relationship in the happenings.”
“Where Jesus is, ‘tis Heaven there.”
“…I can not store up good feelings and behavior—but only draw fresh from God each day.”
what a servant of the Lord Corrie Ten Boom was! Her resillency and constant ability to shift her perspective to the Lord is incredible. I admire this book and her post WW2 navigation of grief, life, and tramping for the Lord deeply. 🎧📖 during the daily commute!
It’s a real shame that this title didn’t age well because this book is dang good. Corrie ten Boom just over here encouraging me as the Holy Spirit convicts me. Her stories are truly incredible! While this is a different kind of read than The Hiding Place I’d say it’s just as amazing! 10/10 recommend & this definitely won’t be the last time I read this book.
I loved The Hiding Place so I decided to read Tramp for the Lord. While I enjoyed it, I still would say Hiding Place is the better novel. Corrie Ten Boom’s faith is something to strive for. While I don’t agree with all her beliefs, she clearly loves God and committed her life to serving him.
I will revisit this book. In fact, I’m going to read it to my family. What a gift. I wish I had stopped and written down all of the specific moments where my heart was pierced. Maybe next time through.
What can I even say about this book? Miracle after miracle, this book again shows the faithfulness of God. So many words of wisdom and encouragement. I know I'll remember this book everyday of my life.
Almost as good as the Hiding Place. There’s so much wisdom on forgiveness, trusting the Lord and the work of the Holy Spirit in this little book. An excellent read!
This is another book by Corrie ten Boom that I couldn't put down. It is a sequel to The Hiding place and describes her life after her release from Ravensbruck concentration camp. We follow Corrie as she travels back to her hometown of Haarlem, Netherlands, starting her new life as a messenger of God, helping victims of darkness find the light through her experiences, words of Truth and inspiration and forgiveness. One of the more powerful scenes in the book was when Corrie was confronted by a former German guard from Ravensbruck. It was here that she saw so much death, horror and experienced personal humiliation and pain at the hands of this guard.. In this moment, Corrie ten Boom had to come to terms with her own hatred towards this man, testing her own words and feelings of forgiveness. To get the most out of Tramp for the Lord, you must read The Hiding place. Both are powerful and inspirational books.
“Forgiveness is not an emotion… Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
Tramp For The Lord follows Corrie ten Boom’s ministry travels around the world following the events of her previous book The Hiding Place. She shares wonderful stories and testimonies of the way God led her, miracles that took place and the many people that came to know Jesus.
One recurring theme that runs through the book is Corrie’s own journey of forgiveness. She is quite open about her struggles and her process with God on the subject. I found these moments inspiring.
I absolutely loved The Hiding Place. Unfortunately this follow up book didn’t quite strike the same chord with me. It’s less of a story and more of a series of essays. Worth the time if you enjoyed the previous book. Just know it’s a very different read.
This book was excellent and such an encouragement to my walk with Christ.
Corrie Ten Boom was an exceptional woman! She went through some horrific events in her life but allowed God to use those experiences to honor and glorify him. She chose forgiveness when it would have been so much easier to give into hate. This book opened my eyes to the power we can have through the Holy Spirit. Her faithfulness in following his leading led to so many lives changed through Christ. This book is life changing!!
Ok I didn’t like this one quite as much as The Hiding Place. CTB’s testimony remains incredibly powerful, and it was wonderful journeying with her in this book all over the world as she shared the gospel. BUT there were a few things that I felt conflicted about (the woman preaching thing, every sin being labeled as a kind of demon that must be cast out, etc) and can’t necessarily promote as sound biblical doctrine. I’m thankful for her example and her dedication to the gospel, clearly evidenced in her missionary work into her 8th decade of life!