G2G: Andrew van der Bijl, Bible smuggler, has died

Question

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2022/september/gods-smuggler-brother-andrew-who-smuggled-bibles-into-communist-countries-dies-at-94

I remember reading a book about Brother Andrew, as he was known, back in the 70s. I had no idea that he lived so long. An inspiration. I do not think he has a profile. Born in 1928 in the Netherlands.

From the article: "Van der Bijl first garnered the world's attention in 1967 with the publishing of the book God's Smuggler. 

"In the book, Brother Andrew gave his account of how he smuggled Bibles into countries right under the noses of unsuspecting border guards hidden in his Volkswagen Beetle. 

"Written by evangelical journalists John and Elizabeth Sherrill and published under the missionary's code name "Brother Andrew," the book sold more than 10 million copies and was translated into 35 languages." 

Comments

My copy of that book was lost years ago.  What a blessing he was to so many people during his time on this earth.

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Lost my copy, too, Melanie.  Amazon still carries it. I ought to order another. 

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I had also "lost" (read for that "left behind in Australia") my Corrie ten Boom books as well.  I replaced The Hiding Place a few years before hubby died, as I wanted him to read it.  And The Cross and the Switchblade, as that'd had a strong influence on me many, many years ago.  I didn't think of getting him Brother Andrew's story.  Time I replaced that for myself now.  And More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell.  Hmm . . . 

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Melanie, I think our early libraries matched. I had all of those books, too.

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I grew up going to a little Congregational Church. The daughter of my childhood pastor knew at an early age that she wanted to be a missionary and planned accordingly- including choosing the flute for her instrument at the age of 10 because it could be easily packed for travel. She and her flute were destined for many missions in Eastern Europe, from being in Poland when the people declare independence to living in Moscow for a few years during the open times, to running a youth program and bible camp out of Yerevan, Armenia. She had many stories of smuggling bibles into iron curtain countries.

Answer 1

According to Wikipedia Anne van der Bijl (in the English-speaking world known as Andrew) was born on 11 May 1928 in Sint Pancras, Noord-Holland, Nederland.

Unfortunately I cannot find a birth notice in a newspaper on Delpher and he was born less than 100 years ago, so his birth certificate is still private. The only thing about his parents I found was "a poor blacksmith and a disabled mother" in this news article.

Answer 2

I was so sorry to hear about the death of Brother Andrew.

What a blessing he was to so many.

Thanks to God for the influence he had, and for his living out of the Christian life!