DOC Things We Couldn't Say by Diet Eman in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I bought the book for my friend after seeing Diet ...By Ernest J. BoehrI bought the book for my friend after seeing Diet Eman on Youtube. I am Dutch as well as my friendf. My father was a Jew. All but one of his 15 relatives died in the Holocaust. I am sure that my Dutch friend likes the story and I am anxious to read it myself.Mrs Ernest Boehr {Louise (Zilverberg) Boehr}2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. I can't say enough about this book: I laughed; I cried; I was held in suspense- all from a biographical narrative.By Barbie G.I saw and interview of the writer on PBS and then looked up the book and found it was only a few dollars. But this book is truly amazing. It's hard to say positive things considering the subject. This book will take you through the events of this time in a way you've never been. It was riveting and page turning. My emotions were on a roller coaster. Her memory was recorded with dates and times through her detailed journaling all while it was happening.An incredibly brave and young christian woman who felt she was doing God's work by working with the underground resistance proved that she was still as brave by sharing her story years later even though it was painful to relive. And at the heart of it all; this book is a love story.In the interview on PBS Diet Eman said the only reason she came forward with her journals is because she heard that their are people in America that don't believe the holocaust existed. Her duty called her again to come forward with her story.I can't say enough about this book: I laughed; I cried; I was held in suspense- all from a biographical narrative. I bought this book a few times because I keep lending it to people and never getting it back; which is fine by me.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. Things We Couldn't Say: A dramatic account of Christian resistance in Holland during World War IIBy P. K KendezejeskiDiet Eman with James Schaap have written a marvelous account of her life in Holland from 1938 to the liberation in 1945 and after as "picking up the pieces". You might say "how can living under occupation be marvelous" ? On the one hand; it was a horrible experience for both Christians and Jews but; on the other hand; it was marvelous. Diet Eman experienced the worse that man can offer and in spite of that reality in which she was immersed; she willingly and faithfully participated in a resistance movement - a movement unlike one would expect. This resistance movement; undertaken by Diet and her very dear Hein and others; is a willingness to face evil like lambs among wolves and turn to God for His wisdom; power and strength to do what He has called them to do for a time such as this - rescue the Jewish people of Holland - all He brought to her. In her own words: "But once we got fully involved in Underground activities; we often made mistakes when hiding Jews - especially in the early going. What did we know about it ? Who did we ever have as teachers ? We were really only a little older than the kids who had played at spying in our neighborhood in the Hague" - (pg 97).As a Christ follower; I was encouraged by Diet's story and testimony because it is really the testimony of God that he writes in the lives of those who put their trust in Him when they have nothing else to lean on and are called to do His work. It is a reminder that we are never able to do what He has asked outside of trusting in Him and leaning not on our own understanding. Diet wanted to put this experience behind her and forget the pain. She was able to do so for a number of years until she heard Corrie ten Boon speak in her town in 1978 of her experiences and God's faithfulness. "After that my conscience started to gnaw; and it seemed that every time I opened the Bible something like 'Tell the great things I have done' stared me in the face. Then in the early nineties; many things happened that convinced me the book should be written" (pg. 327).The book begins with Diet as a school girl; a tomboy who liked to ride her bike into the country outside of The Hague; - as her mother said: "just a girl who thought real adventure was running in the woods and jumping sloten and certainly not interested in boys" (pg 16). What a beginning and what a training for the task that was to come before her. Traveling all over Holland; by bike and more often by foot; with ration cards; ID Cards and news; for her fellow resistance workers and her dear Jews who she cared for as a mother hen until the end of the occupation. As Jesus promised; He would not lose any that the Father had sent to Him; neither did Diet. Every one sent to her and her group; survived. Yet; her deeply loved fiance; Hein died in a German Concentration Camp at Dachau sometime in January 1945. "When I had heard of all the suffering Hein had to go through; I wondered why. Lord; was that necessary ? Why didn't he just get an honest bullet and have it over with ? Why was that necessary?" She talked to God and shared her anger and pain with her whys. "I told Him I wished too I were dead; like Hein. I asked Him; over and over; why it was necessary for Hein to suffer much." God responded in love and mercy and grace. "Then I began to receive letters from people I'd never known - farmers; pastors; other men from the Underground. They said that they had met her fiance in this camp or that camp; and that in the deepest misery they faced; Hein had spoken of his faith in God's promises. He was the light in their darkness" (pg320-321).In reading this book; this account of God's mercy; may you experience His light in whatever darkness you face. He always uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in ways no one can anticipate or expect.