This post contains affiliate links. Recently, we decided to listen to an audio of Brother Andrew by Janet & Geoff Benge. Usually I read the Christian Heroes: Then and Now books aloud to Cuddle Bug as part of her religion curriculum. While I liked the experience of listening to this book on audio, I should clarify that I am not an auditory learner, so I probably missed some parts of this story, especially since I was driving while we were listening.
About Brother Andrew by Janet & Geoff Benge
Andrew van der Bijl was a young boy when the Germans invaded Holland during World War II. Still, at only twelve years old, he joined the Dutch Resistance. He was daring, brave, and eager to help his country.
This sense of adventure continued throughout his life. Eventually, he became Brother Andrew who smuggled Bibles into Communist countries to bring the Word of God to those who so desperately craved it.
My Thoughts on Brother Andrew
Brother Andrew was a complicated person. Although he was devoutly religious, that wasn’t always the case. In his late teens, he talked to and socialized with many girls. His objective? So that when he went to Indonesia as a soldier to try to prevent the country from leaving Dutch rule, the girls would send him many letters and care packages. That part of his plan did work. However, Andrew hadn’t considered how harsh the realities of war would be and how being a soldier would wear him down emotionally.
Andrew lived a fascinating life and was an adrenaline junkie. However, I wished that the Benges would have written more about his adventures, to make the book more suspenseful. I particularly would have liked to have read in more detail about his work in the Dutch Resistance when he was young and as a Bible smuggler when he was older because he certainly had some close calls.
I felt that the Benges might have focused too much on the strict religiosity he developed in later life. Certainly, he was a very religious man who did amazing things, but I wanted to hear more about his adventures.
I give Brother Andrew by Janet & Geoff Benge 4 out of 5 stars on the Mom’s Plans’ scale.
Read More
Corrie ten Boom: Keeper of the Angels’ Den by Janet & Geoff Benge
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
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