Live Accordingly

Scotland, what can I say? Nice place, nice weather considering every other part of Europe is burning hot. Here in Aberdeen, it's nice and cool; occasionally rainy and can get a little too cold. In this city, almost 100% of the buildings are made out of granite. It's nice and quaint in Old Aberdeen but busy in Aberdeen city centre.

For those who don't know, I am here also to visit Adeline or Ade-Line as her housemates calls her and our daily activity seems to be shopping for groceries. lol.

It's 4 am now and the sun is rising and Adeline is sleeping while I am writing this post in her dark room and using her laptop. So far, we are still in great tolerance of each other. hehe. But I must say this trip over here has been real FUN! All the cooking together sessions and grocery shopping and the walk to nice parks and the beach. Basically just chilling out has been fun. And her housemates are a crazy bunch. They are all so friendly and I feel so at home. Nice!

Will post up pictures soon when I get some free time. In the meantime, as they say it in the UK, CHEERS MATES!

Corrie Ten Boom is a woman of faith and held true to her faith up till her death bed. She was a woman who against all odds, gave up her life to serve the Lord.

Her book entitled 'The Hiding Place' is sold around the world. I had the pleasure of visiting 'The Hiding Place' which happens to be her own house called The Beje, located in the heart of Haarlem, The Netherlands.

The Ten Boom Family dedicated their lives in Christian service to their fellow men. The Beje was at that time called the 'open house', whereby anyone who had a need could go and seek help. Their faith lead them to serve both the church and society at large.

In WW2, The Beje became a refuge for fugitives mainly Jews and people from the Dutch underground resistance movement. The Beje became home to these refugees until it was safe to smuggle them to families in the countryside. A false wall was built in Corrie Ten Boom's bedroom to house the refugees in the event a raid was conducted by the Gestapo (nazi secret police). An alarm was setup to warn the refugees in the house to hide when the Gestapo arrives and it took them 70 seconds to run and hide from the dining hall to the hiding place which by the way is 2 floors different with very narrow and steep stairway.

However, in Feb 28 1944, the family was betrayed and the Gestapo raided the house and six family members were arrested. During the next few hours, more family members and people from the Dutch resistance movement came to the house not knowing what had happened and they too were caught. 30 people in total. The miracle was that the 4 Jews and 2 members of the resistance that were hiding in the 'hiding place' was never found or caught by the Gestapo. After 2 1/2 days, the people in the 'hiding place' was rescued by the people from the resistance.

Corrie's father, nephew, sister died in the concentration camp whilst she survived because her time has not yet come. Her story is a true encouragement ! The underlying point behind her story is mainly about forgiveness and keeping true to your faith in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Below are some of the pictures I took in the house. It has truly been a blessing.

Finally after a 10 hour drive back from Lyon, France. I set my foot once again on Dutch soil. After a two week holiday in France, Swizerland, and Germany, I am convinced that I don't want to go back to Malaysia. The surrounding areas just takes my breath away. I am immensely satisfied with the trip. Will write more when I have fully recovered from the trip. Imagine a holiday after a holiday. How great is that?

To my sister Marian,

You celebrates your 15th birthday today. It is truly wonderful to see you being all grown up and having a mind of your own yet still learning to be responsible for your actions. It's truly a joy to see you mature so quickly. Sometimes, it becomes difficult to accept that you are growing up so fast.