God’s Smuggler

God’s Smuggler is the biography of Andrew van der Bijl, the son of a poor blacksmith and an invalid mother in Alkmaar, Netherlands. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 94. His story is both remarkable and inspiring, beginning in his childhood during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. Raised in a devout Christian community, Andrew was only pretending to share the faith. Later, as a Dutch soldier in Indonesia, he confronted the horrors of war—atrocities, death, hopelessness, and despair. He was wounded and endured both physical and emotional suffering for years afterward.

The book is well written and engaging, capturing the people Andrew meets and the unique journey that leads him to a genuine faith in God. His path to becoming a missionary was unconventional, focused on serving the “suffering church” behind the Iron Curtain. I had no idea that despite oppressive Communist regimes, God was still working, calling people to faith and organizing underground churches. In these churches, Andrew discovered an urgent need for Bibles in their native languages. And so, he became God’s smuggler, known as Brother Andrew, reaching out to countries within and around the Soviet Bloc.

What I found most refreshing and relevant today was how God called, equipped, sustained, protected, and blessed Brother Andrew throughout his ministry. His story emphasizes that every believer must have a personal relationship with God, which is empowered by the Holy Spirit—even in the absence of a Bible. Communist governments have long repressed Christianity, fearing its ability to set people free by establishing God’s supreme authority over all things, including the state. God, as Brother Andrew discovered, is far more powerful than any totalitarian regime. While some regimes try to destroy Christian faith through deceptive tactics, these efforts only serve to subvert the true essence of relationships within families, schools, and communities.

Brother Andrew learned that God’s ways are based on trusting Him (rather than relying on money or human reasoning), walking in faith (rather than leaning on logic), praying for guidance, and being led by the Holy Spirit. The story illustrates the abundant riches and power available to God’s servants who place their complete trust in Him. Before Andrew fully trusted God, he felt limited and ineffective. But when he saw the sacrifices and unwavering devotion of the underground believers—who endured persecution yet relied on the Holy Spirit for guidance—his own faith was deeply challenged and transformed.

The narrative also highlights how God is generous, meeting personal needs with love and provision. Brother Andrew’s story includes the joy of God providing him with a wife and family, further illustrating the “economy of faith” where God’s love, not worldly wealth, is the ultimate currency.

This is a story of God’s authority, His provision, and His unshakable power to accomplish the impossible, all flowing from His Kingdom. Brother Andrew’s life serves as a powerful testimony of how faith, when fully placed in God, can change lives and impact nations.