Book Review: God's Smuggler

Want to increase your world view? Then read this book - God's Smuggler by Brother Andrew with John & Elizabeth Sherrill.

Dutchman Andrew van der Bijl tells his story of life in Holland in the 1930s and 40s and his travels

throughout Eastern Europe during the Cold War. He tells the story of a man who accomplished some amazing and truly incredible feats. The interesting thing about this book is you are reading this man's life story and you are realizing that this man - this "Brother Andrew" - was nothing more than a vessel.

Let me explain.

Andrew is ordinary. He isn't any different than you and I. He grew up in a normal family, who did normal things. Sure, they lived during Nazi-occupied Holland, but they didn't do anything to stand out. After the war, Andrew joined the Dutch army and through a normal series of events recognized that he was a sinner in desperate need of a Savior.

After that this ordinary Andrew surrendered his life to the Lord, like we all do each and every day. And  Andrew sought a deep and meaningful relationship with the Lord, just like we should seek. Andrew made himself available to be used by God in any capacity. He became a vessel for God, and God worked so clearly and amply worked in his life.

I couldn't even begin to summarize for you this book. You just have to read it. Be prepared for adventure. Be prepared to read about impossible prayers miraculously answered. Be prepared to see God.

Parental Alert: Andrew doesn't mince words about his life prior to salvation, but he never goes into great detail. Everything that he did prior to salvation was "resolved" at the moment of his salvation or as his relationship with the Lord grew. Only once does he do something that I would personally would deem questionable as a missionary and a Christian. He was offered a drink of alcohol and took it as a witnessing opportunity. He indicates that he was uncomfortable with this, but believed that it was the only way to establish a baseline with this group of people. Not everyone is perfect, but I would have left that out of a book. You know?

Photo Courtesy: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/824062.God_s_Smuggler