Today was like a holiday. We slept in and started our day around 9:00 AM. While Linda, Amanda, and Harry had a second cup of coffee, I had to go in search of sustenance for the group. I walked to a nearby farm and bought fresh milk, cheese, and sausage. By this time we pushed our departure time back to 9:30. Our destination today was Haarlem. This a medieval city located on a thin strip of land known as the strandwal. It is about 20 km west of Amsterdam. They struggled against the waters of the North Sea, but they became very wealthy through collecting tarifs (taxes) from boats and travelers passing the city on the Spaarne River. It is a pretty city, many of the medieval buildings still exist. The New York burrough, Harlem is named after Haarlem.
One of the reasons we went to Haarlem was to tour the Corrie Ten Boom home. The Ten Booms attained world wide recognition and fame for the families efforts in WWII. They were a Christian family and made their living as watchmakers. Casper Ten Bloom was the family patriarch and a very devoted Christian. He felt that the Jewish race were the chosen ones. With the help of his daughters, Corrie and Betsy, they opened their home to Jewish refugees and any other displaced people in fear of being deported. It is beleived that the Ten Blooms saved over 800 people from being deported by the Germans to a concentration camp. Casper said "In this household, God's people are always welcome ". A carpenter built a small room to be used by the refugees when someone came unanounced. It was called the "hiding place".
This work began in 1942 and ended in February 1944, when the Germans found out about the hiding place and arrested the entire family. Casper was told he could go home if he promised to stop aiding Jews. Casper told them his door is always open for anyone in need. They did not release him, and he passed away 10 days later. He was in his 80's. Corrie and Betsy were sent to the Ravensbruck concentration camp. Betsy died 16 December 1944 and Corrie was released 10 days later. When she returned home she continued to help those that needed help.
Corrie wrote a book " The Hiding Place", detailing what the Ten Boom family had done in WWII. It was released in 1971, and a movie was made with that title. Corrie spent the rest of her life traveling the world talking about their faith in the Lord and helping others.
Her home is now a museum and is open for tours. They continue to share the message of God in the honor of the Ten Bloom family. Haarlem is a lovely town. If your travels bring you here, visit this museum. You will be rewarded.
We drove back to Abcoude for dinner, and got ready for the next day. I am going to post more pictures of Amsterdan, tulips and Haarlem.
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| Corrie Ten Boom |
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| Casper Ten Boom |
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| Keukenhof Windmill |
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| Linda, Amanda, & Jerry |
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| Ten Boom House |
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| Jesus is Victorious (original to the house) |
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| The Hiding Place. The refugees crawled into the space through the bottom of thr cabinet. The wall cutout was for visitors to see the size and depth of the space. 6 people were in this space when the Ten Booms were arrested. |
They were in there 3 days before they were rescued.
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