Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Nov/91

Contributor - Annie Vandezande

Title - Wartime and Liberation in the Netherlands 1940-1945

Topic - World War 2

At Christmas time Dutch Christians love to sing "Ere Zij God", and one fine of this carol says, "Peace on earth, Peace on earth." This line comes to mind today as I set myself down to write this article about World War III.

Many earthshaking events have taken place in the last few years in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union, and around the Persian Gulf. We have been able to watch and follow all these events on TV. During the Second World War, however, and the liberation that followed, we depended on radio-reports, the newspaper and pamphlets distributed secretly by the underground organization. I sometimes wonder, therefore, if it makes any sense to go back in time and write about things that happened fifty years ago. Perhaps it does not. However, I have been asked to do so, and now that I put my mind to it, old memories are coming alive, and I am beginning to experience again all kinds of events. After so many years perhaps it is good to get a better understanding of World War 2.

Was it necessary in 1940 for Hitler and his army to invade our country? They had already captured so much territory! Why did they want our small country as well?

Yes, I think it was necessary because after five years of oppression and hardship, the end would come for the powers that at first seemed very invincible.

Yes, I do think it was necessary because I believe that our God is still writing history. He did so fifty years ago, and is still doing it. This we must never forget: "He's got the whole world in His hand!"

It is a great comfort to know and believe that the Lord God says, enough is enough, stop right here'. Thanks to our faith in the sovereign God, we were enabled in those days to bear all burdens, to fight the good fight and to gain the victory through Him who gave us the strength to continue and to endure after May 10, 1940.

You see, when people are being deprived of their freedom, and especially their freedom of conscience, they will rise against the tyrants. All over the place the Resistance was born - the underground organized itself in the backrooms of farm houses, in meetings of students, in the study rooms of pastors. Yes, the leaders of our people began to sense the great dangers of Nazi-propaganda. At first it did not look so bad, because the wolf had disguised himself in lamb's clothing. However, slowly but surely more and more people were convinced that something needed to be done against it.

Many prayer meetings were held, and many individuals prayed for wisdom and courage to take the necessary steps that would lead to the Liberation. Those steps, as many of us know, led to fights, persecutions and death. But nothing could stop the Resistance; it continued to grow stronger, from house to house, and from mouth to mouth.

No, we could not organize protest marches and public demonstrations; we could not openly go out on the streets and shout, "Please, give us Peace!"

But as true patriots we went to work as many men and women joined the illegal underground, and the Christian books of history tell us about faith, courage, suffering and victory. I don't need to mention any names, because you yourself may know names of heroes and heroines in your own neighbourhood. Entire families were involved in the work that eventually led to the liberation of the Netherlands and Western Europe.

What a great event that was! A great celebration, despite the countless victims and losses we suffered! A celebration with tears, yet a celebration! We danced in the streets, in the school yards, in the centres of small towns, together with our liberators, the Canadian soldiers.

Our local brass band played repeatedly the Dutch National anthem, "Wilhemus van Nassauen" and other songs of freedom, which made us cry. We were hugging one another, no matter who the others were, or what church denomination they belonged to. In our tiny Reformed Church a service was held with everyone who wanted to thank God for their freedom; the church was filled to the rafters. The same thing happened in other churches. Our house became an open house for Canadian soldiers, since the underground gave us permission to hang a poster in the window of our grocery store which meant that the Canadians could trust us and were welcome. We praised the Loi@d that we could do this.

We still consider it a privilege that we have been able to contribute to the Liberation. One night we had thirteen Canadian soldiers for dinner, and the commander was Polish. We could not understand one word of what they said, and we were not able to speak their language. I made signs with my mouth and hands to tell them we did not have much food, only some rye bread and potatoes. But then they came with cans of food for which they needed a big pan to make a hot meal on our stove. They also provided large loaves of white bread. After I set the table and lit some candles, my husband came up with some wine which he had hidden under the floor of the store.

When we were all seated around the table in this small room, my husband said in Dutch, "Well, I'll say grace"; and as soon as he spoke the words "Onze Vader die in de hemelen zijt", the men rose and said, "Our Father, who art in heaven". This was a moving moment. They enjoyed the rye bread.

Our eldest son, Gerald, was also present; the other three were with our neighbours who looked after them, something we'll never forget. No, the neighbours were non-church goers, but they certainly were doing good deeds. After dinner Gerald sang for us, at my request, the Dutch National Anthem. Our visitors rose at the first line and remained standing while giving a military salute, followed by the Canadian National Anthem, "O Canada". This was also very moving and wonderful. At that time we did not know we would ever come to live in Canada and sing this National Anthem ourselves.

The Canadians did not only help us to obtain freedom, they even offered us their land where we would be able to build a new future together with them, and where we would be free to speak and to build our churches, Christian schools and organizations such as the Christian Labour Association, Citizens for Public Justice, Christian Mental Health, and our youth organizations, which have such a beautiful meeting place in Camp Shalom, and other locations in Canada.

That is the freedom given to us by God's grace, not only physical, but especially spiritual freedom. Therefore, we don't want to forget those who lost their lives during the war in Europe and in the Far East; nor do we want to forget the great courage of our underground workers. Our deepest respect to the men and women who died, our deepest respect for their determination, hardship, and, yes, their faith in God!

Also people who did not believe were involved in the fight for freedom; they had their own reasons. We know such a person, a widow who sheltered four young men in her house during the war. She is now 83 years old. She did what it says in Isaiah 16:3b, "Hide the outcasts, betray not the fugitive".

In closing I would like to say, let us support one another in faith here in Canada, and continue to pray for a free world, so that we may be serving our Lord Jesus until he returns in glory.

A mighty fortress is our God, a Bulwark never failing; Our Helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing., For still our ancient foe, does seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great; and Armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.

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