Stories Change Hearts {A Visit to Auschwitz}

I’ve always been drawn to stories, but few have changed my heart like the ones I heard several years ago. It began when we traveled to Poland to see Auschwitz-Birkenau. I’d read many books about Auschwitz and part of my novel Night Song took place there. But nothing could have prepared me for the actual experience of being there–it was surreal.

More than 1.4 million people visit Auschwitz every year, and the place was packed with people from around the world.

As we walked, we heard facts about the locations, and in my mind, I scrolled through the stories I read of those who’d been there.

As I walked through the barracks, I considered those who’d walked the same path. I looked at prisoners’ photographs, and I wished I could hear the story of each one.

My heart broke the most when I saw the suitcases stacked with names and birth dates of those who’d traveled by train not knowing what awaited them at the last stop. Parents were scared and worried about their children. They most likely guessed that hard days lie ahead, but no one could imagine that death waited, that only those capable of work would live more than twenty-four hours within the barbed wire.

I also teared up to see the small sweaters, shoes, and dolls from the children. Lives cut short because of evil. Little Alyssa was with us through the tour. She rode on a backpack on her dad’s back. His smartphone played Barney and happy songs flowed through her earphones. She had no idea where we were or what that place represented. Her smiling face and plump arms and legs were such contrast to the skeletal photographs plastered on the walls.

Stories Change Hearts {A Visit to Auschwitz}

I was amazed by the sight of Birkenau. Brick chimneys stretched into the distance as far as I could see—the remnants of the barracks, each one holding between three hundred and five hundred prisoners. Yet in that place wildflowers now bloomed. Visitors came to weep and remember. The truth of what happened there can never be completely known. The tragedy won’t ever be understood completely by those who stroll alongside the railroad tracks, but we were there and were trying to understand.

I think those lost would appreciate that—appreciate that we won’t forget their suffering.

The stories from within the camp weren’t the only ones I listened to. On the drive to and from the camp, we had the chance to spend time with our Czech pastor friend, Petr. His family’s story moved me. Christians during WWI, during WWII, and during the Communist regime, his family served God and others during difficult times. I could almost picture the printed pages of a novel as I listened to him speak. About my age, Petr has experienced so much. Following Christ has been downright dangerous for his family, and that amazes me.

Where would we be without stories? Our view of the world is limited until we dare to step out. Dare to listen.

Listening makes me want to listen more. It makes me want to understand deeper. It makes me want to write a translation of my own—whether a blog or book—to help others understand, too. Of course, you don’t need to travel to foreign countries to experience such things. Stories are all around us; we just need to take time to focus on the words of another. I was blessed to meet Thomas Graumann and help tell his story, the one in Twice Rescued Child.

Aged eight, Thomas Graumann excitedly boarded a train in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to embark on what he believed was a three-month holiday.

“Go to Britain, learn English, and when the Germans leave, you can come home again,” his mother assured him.

Thomas carried two suitcases and a bag of food. At the time he knew his country had been taken over by the Germans and now was under Nazi control. That was the last he would see of his mother and most of his Jewish family, who died in concentration camps. He had also never heard of Nicholas Winton, the hero who saved 669 children (Thomas was one of the last, #652), transporting them from Czechoslovakia to the UK to save their lives.

This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

His second came a year later when an evangelist from the Scottish village he was taken to for safety shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him. Saying a prayer on bent knee, Thomas’ soul was rescued, and he soon dedicated himself to missionary service, which he fulfilled as an adult in the Philippines, eventually moving to the U.S.

Twice Rescued Child now available on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QxU0Ah

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Stories Change Hearts {A Visit to Auschwitz}

More than 1.4 million people visit Auschwitz every year, and the place was packed with people from around the world.

As I walked through the barracks, I considered those who’d walked the same path. I looked at prisoners’ photographs, and I wished I could hear the story of each one.

Stories Change Hearts {A Visit to Auschwitz}

I think those lost would appreciate that—appreciate that we won’t forget their suffering.

Where would we be without stories? Our view of the world is limited until we dare to step out. Dare to listen.

This was Thomas’ first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport.

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