Born into a working-class Dutch family and hardened by military service in Indonesia, Andrew van der Bijl finds dynamic faith that leads him across the Iron Curtain. Driving a modest Volkswagen Beetle packed with Bibles, he navigates Soviet-era checkpoints and border guards to reach underground churches in countries like Poland, Romania, and the Soviet Union. The narrative documents specific encounters with persecuted Christians, the logistical risks of transporting forbidden scripture, and constant reliance on prayer to remain undetected by communist authorities while delivering religious materials to restricted regions.
Readers interested in Cold War history and Christian missions find here a practical account of navigating ideological hostility. It serves those looking for a record of how underground religious networks functioned under state surveillance. The audience gains a perspective on the logistical realities of mid-century smuggling and the specific risks taken by religious dissidents. The book leaves the reader with a detailed understanding of the geographical and political barriers facing Eastern European believers during the height of the Soviet regime.
Clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1964
- Language
- EN
