The Hiding Place

by Corrie ten Boom

  February 28

  Gestapo agents raid Beje at about 5 p.m. (RHP 142). Six people illegally in the house (four Jews and two underground workers) run into the hiding place. About 11 p.m., Casper, Corrie, Betsie, and Willem ten Boom and Nollie and Peter van Woerden are taken to the Haarlem jail along with about thirty others (PY 14, RHP 146). Six people remain in the hiding place while Nazis guard the house. Herman Sluring (Pickwick), Corrie’s contact in the Dutch National Underground, is arrested elsewhere in Haarlem (HP 145).

  February 29

  The six family members are transferred to Scheveningen prison near Den Haag (PY 19).

  March 1

  After over 47 hours, all six in the hiding place are rescued at about 4:30 p.m. Eusie, Mary, Martha, and Ronnie (Jews) are taken to new safe houses. Reynout Siertsema and Hans van Messel (underground workers) leave the Beje safely (RHP 160).

  March 9

  Casper ten Boom dies at age 84 (PY 22).

  March 16

  Corrie begins solitary confinement in cell 384 (PL 18).

  April 15

  Corrie spends her birthday in solitary confinement (HP 164).

  June 5

  Corrie and Betsie find each other as they are transported by train from Scheveningen prison to Vught Concentration Camp in Holland, arriving June 6 (PL 11).

  September 4

  Corrie and Betsie begin nightmare train ride—three days and three nights jammed into a boxcar. Their destination is Ravensbruck Concentration Camp near Berlin, Germany (PY 85).

  September 8

  Corrie and Betsie are officially registered as prisoners in Ravensbruck (PY 88).

  December 16

  Betsie dies in Ravensbruck at age 59 (LST 63).

  December 25

  After learning she is to be released, Corrie is put in Ravensbruck hospital due to edema (HP 233).

  December 30

  (or December 28—both dates appear on discharge) Corrie is released from Ravensbruck Concentration Camp (PY 88).

  1945 [53]

  January 1

  As a free person, Corrie arrives in Berlin and finds a train to Groningen, Holland, where she spends ten days in a nursing home. One of her nurses, Truus Benes, is a friend from the YWCA (LST 69). Then Corrie recuperates with Willem and Tine for two weeks before returning to Haarlem (HP 236–40).

  May 5

  Liberation Day in Holland. Shortly afterwards, Corrie rents and opens part of Schapenduinen (the home of Mrs. Bierens de Haan) as a Christian rehabilitation center for war victims (HP 244–45).

  May 8

  VE Day (Victory in Europe)

  June 19

  Corrie writes to Jan Vogel, the man who betrayed her family to the Gestapo, and forgives him (PL 81).

  June

  Corrie’s first book, Gevangene en Toch . . . (A Prisoner and Yet . . .), is published in Holland.

  1946 [54]

  Early in the year, Corrie travels by freighter to the United States (U.S.A.) to share her story. She begins in New York City and receives advice from Irving Harris. Then in Washington, D.C., she is helped by Rev. Abraham Vereide and his daughter Alicia, Marian Johnson, Mrs. Frank McSherry, and Kate Cheney. From there, Corrie travels to speaking engagements across the country (HL 149–52). She writes a July prayer letter from Kansas having already worked in New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Vermont, Michigan, Illinois, and Canada. (Corrie’s “work” is evangelism and discipleship.) In Canada, she is helped by Mrs. Bobbie Halliday. She works in California, Utah, and Iowa (PrL 10–46). On December 13, Corrie’s brother, Willem, dies at age 60 from tuberculosis of the spine, contracted in prison (HP 249). She returns to Holland after ten months abroad (PrL 6–47).

  1947 [55]

  Corrie continues work at Schapenduinen (PrL 6–47). She also works in Germany, where she meets a guard from Ravensbruck and forgives him (TfL 82). In September, she works in Canada (CP).

  1948 [56]

  On her birthday, Corrie speaks in Los Angeles at the University of California (Contemporary Christian Acts magazine 4–78). She attends a Youth for Christ conference in Switzerland (HL163).

  1949 [57]

  Corrie speaks in Germany and works in refugee camps there. With help from the German Lutheran Church, she rents and opens Darmstadt (a former concentration camp) for refugees. The Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary serves the refugees on an ongoing basis until the camp closes in 1960 (CP, HP 249). She also works in Switzerland and the U.S.A. (CP).

  1950 [58]

  Corrie works in California (HL163– 64), Washington, D.C., (CP), Michigan, Canada, and Bermuda. In Bermuda, she speaks twenty times in one week (PerL 3–50). She returns to Holland by freighter and works several months in Germany (CP).

  1951 [59]

  Corrie works in Germany, England, Canada, and the U.S.A. (CP). During this year, she returns to Holland to complete the purchase of the house Zonneduin for the Christian retreat and training center. It moves from its rented house, Schapenduinen (HL 166). She is associated with this work until 1966 (PerL).

  1952 [60]

  Corrie works in the U.S.A., and then, on her way to Japan, she stops in Hawaii and speaks sixteen times in four days (PerL 4–52). She works in Japan for nine months, partly with missionaries Father and Mother Mitchell (PerL).

  1953 [61]

  Corrie’s second book, Amazing Love, is published. It is her first book printed in English. She works in Taiwan and visits leprosy patients with Lillian Dixon (PrL 1–53). She also works in the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Israel (CP), South Africa (Reim. 66), Spain, Switzerland (PrL 12–53), and Holland (PerL). On October 22, her sister Nollie dies at age 63. Corrie is greatly affected by her sister’s passing (TfL 62). In December, she is in Haarlem where she falls and injures her hip. She is cared for at Zonneduin (PrL 5-54).

  1954 [62]

  In early January, Corrie is prayed for; she receives the baptism of the Holy Spirit (TfL 62). She works six months in Germany (PerL). She meets a nurse who was cruel to Betsie in Ravensbruck and leads her to the Lord (HL 160). Corrie also works in the U.S.A. (PrL 10–54), Bermuda, and Cuba (12–54). Her first book, Gevangene en Toch . . . , is translated and published in English as A Prisoner and Yet. . . .

  1955 [63]

  Corrie works in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A. (PrL 1–55, 5–55). This trip lasts sixteen months (PrL 1–56).

  1956 [64]

  Corrie works in Hawaii for one month, where she speaks at 85 meetings (PrL 5–56). Remainder of year she works in New Zealand and Australia with the Revival Fellowship Team of J. Edwin Orr (PrL 1956).

  1957 [65]

  Corrie continues her work with the Revival Fellowship Team in New Zealand and Australia for this entire year (PrL 1957). While in Australia, Corrie meets a Jewish young man named Martin. As a baby, he was rescued by Corrie’s underground group (PrL 6–57). Her books Not Good If Detached and Common Sense Not Needed are published.

  1958 [66]

  Corrie works in India, Borneo, Korea, Japan, and Formosa (IHT 1958). Having been christened as a child, she is baptized by immersion at the William Carey Baptist Church in Calcutta, India, on March 20 (PerL). The name of her personal updates changes from Prayer Letter to It’s Harvest Time.

  1959 [67]

  Corrie begins the year working in Hong Kong, then in Vietnam and Europe (IHT 1959). She returns to Ravensbruck Concentration Camp to discover her release was a clerical error (HP 250).

  1960 [68]

  Corrie works in Germany, Spain, England, Switzerland, and for three months in Israel (IHT 1960). In Switzerland, she meets Billy and Ruth Graham (LST 106). She begins traveling with a personal companion, Conny van Hoogstraten. They work together seven years (HL 176).

  1961 [69]

  Corrie works in India for three months, then in Africa for eight months (IHT 1961).

  1962 [70]

  Corrie works in South America and the U.S.A. (IHT 1962). On April 17, the Netherlands’ Queen Juliana makes Corrie a Knigh
t in the Order Oranje-Nassau (LST 102).

  1963 [71]

  Corrie writes about recent work in Bermuda and Canada (IHT 1–63). She works in the U.S.A. (IHT 3–63). She stays in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in the apartment of Dr. Gwen Shepherd for six weeks. This is the first time in sixteen years she has stayed in the same home that long. She speaks in many meetings and visits patients at Dr. Shepherd’s hospital. Then Corrie works in Cordoba, Argentina (IHT 6–63, TfL 102), and Brazil (PerL 7–1963). She returns to Holland for hospitalization due to an infection of the liver (IHT 10–63). She flies to the U.S.A. December 31 (CP).

  1964 [72]

  Corrie works in the U.S.A. (CP), Germany, Poland, and Finland (IHT 1964). Then she is diagnosed with hepatitis. Under doctor’s orders, she takes a year off from working. Her sabbatical year begins in September. She spends the first two months receiving medical treatment in Bavaria, Germany; then she stays with her nephew Peter van Woerden and family in Switzerland (IHT 1964–65).

  1965 [73]

  The remaining months of her sabbatical year are spent with Harry and Evelyn Campbell in Uganda, East Africa (HL 177). During her “year off,” Corrie occasionally speaks in prisons and churches in Kenya and Uganda (CP, HL 178). In October, she starts to work again in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, and Uganda (CP, IHT 12–65/3–66).

  1966 [74]

  By the end of January, Corrie finishes four months of work in Africa by speaking in Congo, Kenya, and Ethiopia (CP). Then she works in Canada and the U.S.A. (CP). For several months, she works in Russia and Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia), then Germany and Holland (CP).

  1967 [75]

  Corrie works in France and Indonesia (CP). She celebrates her 75th birthday in Vietnam. It is wartime, and she is working with missionary Brother Andrew (LST 89). When she returns to Holland, Baroness Elisabeth van Heemstra loans her an apartment to use as a “home base” whenever she is in Holland (HL 186). In the summer, Conny leaves to marry Lykle Hoogerzeil, a Dutch missionary doctor to India (ML 23, 28). Ellen de Kroon becomes Corrie’s next personal companion. They work together for nine years. A car Corrie is riding in is involved in a serious accident, and her arm and shoulder are broken. She spends nine weeks in the hospital (HL 186). Plenty for Everyone is published.

  1968 [76]

  On February 28, Corrie is honored by Israel at Yad Vashem (Holocaust Memorial). She is asked to plant a tree in the Garden of the Righteous because of the many Jewish lives she and her family saved during World War II. She works in Israel, Holland, Germany (IHT 5–68), the U.S.A., England, and Moscow (CP).

  1969 [77]

  Corrie begins the year in Switzerland, then works in France (IHT 4–69), the U.S.A. (CP), Moscow (CP), Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Germany (IHT 1–70), and Cuba (CP). Corrie’s book Marching Orders for the End Battle is published.

  1970 [78]

  Corrie works in Israel and Cyprus (IHT 5–70). Her former personal companion, Conny, dies of cancer. Corrie speaks at the funeral (HL 179). She returns to Holland for five months’ rest—under doctor’s orders (IHT 9–70), then works in Alaska and the northern U.S.A. (IHT 12–70). Defeated Enemies is published.

  1971 [79]

  Corrie spends five months in the U.S.A. (IHT 4–71), then works in Holland, the U.S.A. (IHT 8–70), and Canada (CP). The Hiding Place, by Corrie with John and Elizabeth Sherrill, is published in November (IHT 8–71).

  1972 [80]

  Corrie continues to work in the U.S.A. and Canada (IHT 1972).

  1973 [81]

  Corrie works in the U.S.A. (IHT 2–73). She begins calling her personal updates The Hiding Place Magazine, which is regularly published into 1983. She works in the Netherlands Antilles (HPM Sm 73). In June, she speaks at the Billy Graham Crusade in Atlanta, Georgia (BGCA).

  1974 [82]

  The Hiding Place movie is filmed from March through June in Haarlem and England. Corrie visits the set (LST 110, HL 202). Corrie works in the U.S.A. and Israel (HPM Sm 74). In July, she speaks at Congress for World Evangelization in Switzerland (MY 122). Tramp for the Lord, by Corrie with Jamie Buckingham, is published. In November, she is interviewed at the Billy Graham Crusade in Norfolk, Virginia (BGCA).

  1975 [83]

  Corrie works in the U.S.A. for several months (HPM Sp 75) and in Bermuda (HPM W 75). The Beje in Haarlem, Holland, opens as a museum, “The Hiding Place” (LST 98). On September 29, The Hiding Place movie is to premiere in Beverly Hills, California. Just as it is to begin, a suspected neo-Nazi group throws a tear gas bomb into the theater. Instead of viewing the movie, hundreds of people enjoy a street meeting with Corrie, Billy Graham, Pat Boone as the master of ceremonies, Bev Shea singing “How Great Thou Art,” and Pat and Cliff Barrows leading singing. Newspapers and television carry the story internationally (LST 112). The Hiding Place is shown in movie theaters in many countries. In November, a member of the Evangelical Sisterhood of Mary comes to the Beje and presents Corrie with plaques that are hung in the hiding place (LST 98). Prison Letters is published.

  1976 [84]

  In January, Corrie is in Oklahoma (BGCA). In April, Pam Rosewell becomes Corrie’s personal companion when Ellen de Kroon leaves to marry Bob Stamps, chaplain of Oral Roberts University (TH 16). Pam works with Corrie seven years. Their first trip is seven months long, working in Switzerland; Toronto, Canada; and the U.S.A. (Honolulu, Hawaii; New York; Wenham, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; Knoxville, Tennessee; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dallas and Waco, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Chicago, Illinois; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Diego, and San Jose, California) (SY 40, 42). On April 23, Corrie receives an honorary degree (Doctorate of Humane Letters) from Gordon College in Massachusetts (HPM Sm 76); then she spends three months in Holland (SY 49). In My Father’s House, by Corrie with C. C. Carlson, and Corrie’s Christmas Memories are published. The film Behind the Scenes of The Hiding Place is released.

  1977 [85]

  In January, “The Hiding Place” is closed as a museum because of too many visitors (HPM Sp 77). Corrie is the guest speaker at a Billy Graham Crusade in Gothenburg, Sweden, and then works in Switzerland (HPM Sp 77). Also in January, Corrie and Pam receive resident alien status in the U.S.A. and leave for Florida, where Corrie spends several weeks writing a book (HL 209, SY 50). Then she and Pam go to California to look for a house to rent (SY 49). On February 28, they move into “Shalom” house in Placentia, California (LST 120). Corrie works in New York and Florida (HPM Sm 77). On July 4, in Arizona, she is honored by CHIEF (Christian Hope Indian Eskimo Fellowship), receives a headdress, and is welcomed into their tribes. In July, she attends a booksellers’ convention in Kansas City and Denver and then goes to Oklahoma for the baptism of Ellen’s son, Peter John Stamps. She completes a film made especially for prisoners, One Way Door (HPM F 77). On September 25, she speaks at San Quentin Prison, near San Francisco, California (LST 125). In October, Corrie is hospitalized to receive a pacemaker (SY 73). In November, she speaks in Portland, Oregon (HPM Jan 78). Each New Day; Prayers and Promises for Every Day; He Cares, He Comforts; and He Sets the Captives Free are published.

  1978 [86]

  On April 15, Corrie spends her birthday in Arizona making a film for American Indians (SY 82). She spends May and June working on the book This Day Is the Lord’s, which is published in 1979 (ST 156). In the early summer, she works on the film Jesus Is Victor (SY 89). In July, she is honored with an evening called “Corrie: The Lives She Touched” (SY 91). On August 23, she suffers her first major stroke (SY 102) and loses most of her ability to communicate (ST 163). Her books Father ten Boom, God’s Man; A Tramp Finds a Home; and Don’t Wrestle, Just Nestle are published.

  1979 [87]

  On April 15, Corrie celebrates her 86th birthday with a small party in the back garden (HPM May ’79). In May, she suffers a second serious stroke, losing the use of her right arm and leg (SY 144, ST 169).

  1980 [88]

  In October, Corrie suffers
her third serious stroke and is bedridden (SY 186).

  1982 [90]

  Corrie’s book Clippings from My Notebook is published. It is a collection of notes she wrote and photographs she took during her many decades of travel. Corrie’s evangelistic film Jesus Is Victor is released.

  1983 [91]

  On her 91st birthday, April 15, Corrie goes to heaven. She dies at approximately 11 p.m. (SY186). Her memorial service is held on April 22, with burial at Fairhaven Memorial Park, Santa Ana, California. Her evangelistic films One Way Door and Corrie: The Lives She’s Touched are released. Her book Not I, but Christ is published this year in Dutch, in 1984 in English.

  1985

  Jesus Is Victor is published. It is a compilation of three of Corrie’s books.

  1988

  On April 15, the Corrie ten Boom House opens as a museum in Haarlem, Holland.

  1999

  Reflections of God’s Glory is published. It contains messages given by Corrie on Trans World Radio.

  2002

  Messages of God’s Abundance is published. This contains additional messages given by Corrie on Trans World Radio.

  2003

  The Hiding Place movie on DVD is released by World Wide Pictures. It includes four of Corrie’s other films: Behind the Scenes of The Hiding Place, Jesus Is Victor, One Way Door, and Corrie: The Lives She’s Touched.

  ADDITIONAL TRIBUTES GIVEN to the Ten Boom family: there is a Corrie ten Boomstraat (street) and a Casper ten Boomstraat in Haarlem, a Ten Boomstraat in Hilversum named for Christiaan ten Boom (Kik), and a Ten Boom School in Maarssen named for Corrie’s brother, Willem.

  Timeline References

  BGCA From the Corrie ten Boom Collection in the Billy Graham Center Archives, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

  CP Corrie’s passports, BGCA.

  FH In My Father’s House by Corrie ten Boom with Carole C. Carlson. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming H. Revell, a division of Baker Book House Company, 1976, 2000. 1976 edition co-published with Christian Literature Crusade, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania. All publication rights held by Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan.