Book Review: God’s Smuggler
Han Lim was a part of the Missions Reading Group and shares this review of the book “God’s Smuggler”, which the group read together. She shares how she was encouraged to love, treasure and delight in God’s word and to continue to trust Him.
As part of the Missions Reading Group from March to May this year, we read God’s Smuggler by Andrew van der Bijl, with John & Elizabeth Sherrill. God’s Smuggler is an autobiography of Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary whose bold endeavours behind the Iron Curtain in the mid-20th century earned him the nickname “God’s smuggler”. The book follows Brother Andrew on his journey from a spiritually indifferent youth to a bold servant of Christ, committed to bringing Bibles and encouragement to persecuted Christians in Communist countries. It is a powerful testimony of God’s providence, the transforming power of grace, and the sacredness of Scripture.
Summary
The story begins in Holland where Andrew is still in his adolescence. Born into a poor household and wounded during World War II, he stumbles through life with little to no direction or purpose. But slowly and unexpectedly, God begins to draw him in inconspicuous ways at different points in time. A pivotal moment happens when Andrew, recovering from an injury sustained during military service, begins reading the Bible in earnest. From there, his life begins to change radically.
After attending Bible college in England, Andrew senses a call from God to go to Eastern Europe, into the very heart of the Communist bloc where Christianity is suppressed and Bibles are forbidden. With no official backing or logistical support, he begins smuggling Bibles across hostile borders, one carload at a time.
Through his perspective, we are given access to a forgotten Church, where believers in countries like Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany, and the Soviet Union hunger for Scripture. Andrew’s visits to these countries provide not just practical help but spiritual encouragement, as these believers are inwardly strengthened from their fellowship with Christians beyond their country’s borders. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of the unity of the Church, the one body of Christ.
Highlights: What Makes God’s Smuggler So Impactful
One of the most striking aspects of the book for me is the display of the sheer power of regeneration. It’s hard to believe that the young man we meet on page 15 – scheming his way out of services every week, is the same man we encounter on page 215 – risking his life alongside others to build the underground Church. Page after page testifies to this reality: God makes dead men come alive. It’s not mere character development – it is a miraculous transformation.
One scene that stands out vividly is Andrew’s interaction with Geltje, a former colleague known for her unapologetic crudeness. She had made Andrew’s work life a difficult one, to say the least. Yet in a brief, most unassuming exchange, the Spirit of God pierced her heart. That very night, she turned to Christ and the next day, she was a completely new person. It’s a quiet moment in the book, but perhaps one of the most memorable for me. I have found myself rereading that section more than once. It is a reminder that evangelism is not about grand eloquence but by the power of the Spirit of God.
Another deeply moving thread woven through the book is the reverence for the Bible. Over and over again, we see believers receiving Bibles as if they were gold. Some had been waiting years to have just a page of Scripture. Their longing and hunger for this Book was a point of reflection for me. It made me pause and look at the ancient book on my desk, one I sometimes ignore for days, and realise what a profound treasure it is. In a nation where Scripture is as readily available as water, this book reminded me never to take it for granted.
Prayer, too, is a recurring and beautiful theme. Brother Andrew never presents himself as a champion of the faith. On the contrary, he is vulnerable about his fears and weaknesses. But if there is one thing he does – he prays. And man, does God answer. Not always immediately, and not always in the way one might expect, but unmistakably: Border guards fail to check his car at the very moment he has dozens of hidden Bibles inside; he receives the exact amount of money for travel or printing costs or some other need right in the nick of time. To me, these moments are not so much about the miracles themselves as they are about the miracle of the infinite God hearing the words of tiny men.
Who Should Read This Book and Why
This book is for anyone who has ever wondered if their life could truly count for something in the kingdom of God. For those who long to live a life laid down, it is a potent call to action. Brother Andrew's story doesn’t invite one to admiration; it invites one to obedience.
If you are struggling to see God as One who is intimately involved in the workings of your life, this book will imbue you with a deeper sense of God’s nearness. In a world that often feels chaotic and secularised, God’s Smuggler is a quiet but resolute declaration that God is still at work. He sees. He hears. He acts. Whether you're a long-time believer or someone new to the faith, the story will increase your awe at the power and grace of God.
Finally, it is a wake-up call to anyone who has grown casual about Scripture. After reading this book, you may never look at your Bible the same way again. It might cause you to pick it up with new reverence, realising that there are countless brothers and sisters across the world (and throughout history) who would give much just to read the pages you have free access to.
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This Missions Reading Group meets once a month on Sunday evenings at the home of one of the members. If you are interested to find out more, please contact Thomas or Julie Hamilton.