It is with pleasure that I fulfil the request to put in writing the details that Wilma Müller shared with me of her experiences, which are indeed unique, amazing and inspiring.
Wilma was born on February 10, 1903. I know practically nothing of the details of the early years of her life.
What I can share is what she told me personally in 1966 when I met her for the first time, and in the years following.
I believe it was in the early 30s that Wilma went into the work.
I first heard of Wilma in 1962 when I was preparing to come to Germany to labour. I received a copy of the farewell letter she wrote to her correspondents in the USA and I was deeply touched by that letter. She explained to her correspondents that she had deeply appreciated their fellowship through the years, but that it wouldn’t be possible for her to receive letters anymore as she would be going into Eastern Communist Germany to spend the rest of her life with those friends, and that all contact with the west was forbidden.
As I mentioned, I first met her in 1966, when she came to the Dettingen Convention for the first time again. She took an interest in me, and I bombarded her with questions, wanting to know every detail of what she had experienced. So now I’ll back up and share the details that she shared with me.
It must have been in the spring of 1961 that Wilma was with other workers in the east for special meetings. The tension was growing, and everyone knew that the border between East and West Germany would be closed completely. So she realized this would be her last opportunity to be with those friends. Many of them had professed in her meetings, before and after the 2nd World War, and of course, her heart was bound very closely to those friends.
She felt an inward pressure rising. A terrific struggle developed. She became so desperate that she spent a whole night on her knees. She felt a strong desire to spend the rest of her life there. But she knew she must be very sure that it was God’s will because too much was at stake. So she prayed for what she felt was an impossible sign. She prayed that if the way would open up for her to make another visit to the East, without her raising one finger to make it happen, then she would know that the feelings of her heart weren’t just her love for those friends, but that it was God laying this on her heart.
That gave her a measure of peace, and she returned to the West, realizing “Now it’s up to God. I’m willing, but He must make it clear.” The borders between East and West Germany closed completely on August 13, 1961, and the building of the Berlin Wall began.
In the summer of 1962, Wilma received a letter from the authorities in Eastern Germany giving her permission to enter the Communist area. One of our elderly friends in the East was becoming frail in body and needed someone to care for her. So it was really a selfish desire on her part that led her to apply for permission for Wilma to come and care for her. But God used her to fulfil His plan. The authorities never questioned that Wilma must be a relative of hers, and permission was granted without any questions.
When Wilma read the letter of permission, she took it to our overseer, Arnold Scharmen, to read. After studying it over, he commented “So, you can make another visit to the East.” She replied, “Yes, Arnold, but this time I won’t be coming back.” She told him her story, and as Arnold told me later, it was the hardest thing for him to agree to, that Wilma should go into that “den of lions” at 59 years of age. She was small, and to face the pressure of Communism alone. But he told me it was so obvious that this was of God that he couldn’t refuse.
It was on November 16, 1962, that Wilma left from the Stuttgart train station to go to the East, turning her back on everything and everyone in the West, to spend the rest of her life shepherding the friends in the Communist zone. She never expected to see anyone in the West again. She told me that when she shook hands with Arnold, he said to her “Wilma, we WILL see you again.” She told me she looked at him in shocked silence, thinking “Arnold, don’t you realize the seriousness of what is happening? That’s impossible!” But Arnold told me later that God had given him that assurance, which made it easier for him to “let her go”.
Wilma told me that after she had written that farewell letter to her correspondents in the USA, a sister had written right back, and she mentioned a definition of faith that often was a help to Wilma afterwards: Faith is a step into a seeming void, with the Rock of Ages under your feet. And this was now taking place.
In Berlin, Wilma was taken out of the train and put into a prison, where she would spend the next five weeks. She was interrogated countless times for hours, day and night, and each time she heard her name over the loudspeaker and was taken out of her cell, she thought “Will I be executed today?” They could not believe that Wilma was not a spy, that there was any pure motive in the step she was taking. To me, it seemed like someone would go to the door of a prison and beg to get in! That would never happen! But finally, they released her on December 23 to continue her journey to Aunt Else.
Wilma told me that in the first two years, she did more weeping than anything else. Aunt Else was very demanding and unthankful. Wilma had just a long, narrow, dark, cold room in which to stay. The only fellowship she had was when rarely some friends would come to visit Aunt Else, and then they would share their thoughts from the Bible with each other. Wilma was followed every time she left the house. After one year Wilma gave up her citizenship in the West to become a citizen of the East, which eased the pressure somewhat and she wasn’t watched quite so closely. After about two years Aunt Else passed away and Wilma was left alone in that house in a very small village. There was only one bus each day leaving the village and one coming to the village.
One of our dear friends, Elfriede Schramm, lived in the city of Aue and cared for her ageing frail parents. One day Elfriede’s father (professing but not so clear) said to Elfriede: “Couldn’t Wilma come and live with us? She’s very lonely there in that small village.” So this was arranged, and with time Wilma moved into the apartment with Elfriede and her parents. One by one the parents passed away and Wilma & Elfriede were left together, which was truly a godsend. Elfriede was a very special, faithful lady, who had also professed in Wilma’s meetings after the war. The friends realized that Elfriede was the answer to their prayers, as they had felt so helplessly concerned about Wilma’s welfare. Elfriede was everything to Wilma that a companion could ever be and more.
In 1966 a law was passed that women over 60 years of age and men over 65 years of age could visit the West for 30 days each year if they had relatives in the West. Wilma did. So in August of 1966, Wilma was in Dettingen for the convention.
As I mentioned before, that was my first privilege of meeting Wilma. We had several walks together, at which time I had the opportunity to learn more about her experience. One day I said to her “Wilma, it must be overwhelming for you to be at this convention. You never expected to see anyone from the West again, and here you are at the convention.” Her reply was “Yes, it is wonderful. But this morning when I was praying, I tried to analyse which joy is greater: the joy of being here, or the joy of going back.” She showed me her little notebook in which she was taking notes in shorthand, and she said “This is my treasure. And you have no idea how anxious those friends are for me to return and share with them what we’re experiencing here. I can hardly wait to get back.” My heart was deeply touched. That’s true dedication to one’s calling.
From that time on Wilma came to our conventions in the West each summer, and after Elfriede was able to retire early because of health issues she accompanied Wilma. In 1976 Wilma asked for me to visit the East, which wasn’t without danger as I am American. But Wilma sponsored my coming herself. I won’t go into the miraculous details of how that happened, but on December 10, 1976, it was my privilege to enter the Communist area for a 30-day visit, which was up until that time the highlight of my life. Meetings were possible, but in most places, we didn’t sing, just read the hymns, so as not to draw attention to our gatherings. Birthdays and holidays were used as a “reason” to gather, so often we had our meeting at a table set for coffee, in case the authorities would come and question why we were together.
December 25 was on Saturday that year, so we had a “special” meeting that day, with approximately 30 friends gathering together. That day will remain very vivid in my mind as long as I have a memory. There could be no gospel meetings, planned special meetings or conventions, so a meeting was never tested. When someone wanted to make his choice he would stand up in a fellowship meeting, usually when a visitor was present. So that morning after we had all spoken, before Wilma gave out the last hymn, the son of our friends, Andreas, 14 years old, stood to his feet, saying he wanted to give his life to God. This came unexpectedly for us all.
The last hymn was sung and then a reverent silence followed. No one moved and no word was spoken. We just sat in silence. I must say I’ve never experienced such a holy silence before or since. I have no idea how long it was as silence can seem longer than it is. But after a while, Wilma whispered, “If you want to stay together, then we can sing another hymn.” So a hymn was chosen, we sang it, and all went silent again. After a while, Andreas’s grandmother stood up quietly, shook Andreas’s hand, and disappeared without a word. Then the grandfather followed, also in silence, shook Andreas’s hand, and left. Slowly we all stood up and shook hands without a word.
I went looking for Wilma & Elfriede and found them across the hall, standing in the corner by the stove, silent with bowed heads. I stood in the doorway. Elfriede looked up and whispered, “There aren’t any words, are there?” I shook my head and joined them in silence.
All stayed for the noon meal, and at the table, Wilma said, “Do you know what came to my mind this morning when Andreas stood up?” (It was Christmas Day) “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given!”
Wilma asked that we would sit down together later in the afternoon. She said, “Perhaps some of the young people have Bible questions that we could discuss.” So that was arranged. A question that one of the teenagers asked was “Why did Jesus always speak of Himself in the third person? He didn’t say “I”, but rather “the Son of Man”. For example, this morning I read Jesus’ words, “The Son of man must suffer many things.” I know he was speaking of Himself.” I wouldn’t have had any idea what to say. Wilma and Elfriede expressed some thoughts that I can’t recall. But after everyone had expressed their feelings about it, Andreas’s brother, Falk, 16 years old, who had been professing for two years, said “Perhaps Jesus wanted to say the human side of Him would suffer, the divine in Him wouldn’t suffer.” Wilma replied, “Falk, that’s the answer!” I was truly amazed at the depth of thought in that young heart. An unforgettable day.
There’s so much more that I could share of my time there, and of the experiences of our dear friends there: their faithfulness, their contentment, despite so much that was against them. But this is becoming too lengthy as it is.
Different workers were allowed to visit from other European countries one at a time, and there was no “small talk” when visitors were there. Those friends were so eager to hear of the experiences of God’s people in other countries and to speak of scripture. Each visit was very rich.
Once, when Waldemar Detain, one of our German brothers, was visiting in the East, in every meeting he prayed for those in authority, that God’s people could lead a quiet, peaceable life. After hearing this a few times, Wilma asked him what this verse meant to him (1 Timothy 2:2). Waldemar replied that those in authority would make decisions that would allow God’s people to lead a quiet, peaceable life. Wilma said “Yes, that may be part of it, but it has appealed to me in a little different way: that no matter what those in authority demand or decide, God’s people could accept it, and lead a quiet, peaceable life, no matter what was expected.” That is what Wilma put into those friends: to be content no matter what the government does. And that was very evident in the calm acceptance that the friends manifested. Waldemar commented that on the streets, no one smiled, whistled, or had a pleasant facial expression. All were very sober, obviously dissatisfied, even bitter. He said God’s people were the only ones smiling, happy, and content. A wonderful testimony. And now since the wall is gone and there is liberty, still God’s people are the only ones who are satisfied.
Two baptisms took place in Eastern Germany during the Communist years, despite the tremendous risk that it presented for our dear friends. The first one was in October 1963, when for the first time, two workers from the West received permission to visit there: Otto Kimmich and Ilse Koch. They went to the Baltic Sea where several of our friends lived. Wilma was also there, and she arranged for several of the friends to also come there for the three Sundays that Otto and Ilse would be there. They all stayed in rented cabins in that tourist area. On the last Sunday that they were together, they all met together for the Sunday AM meeting. A baptism was planned for afterwards, for Heidi Stridde, in her early 20s. Since a brother was present to do the baptising. All of them wanted to witness this special occasion, though Wilma was fearful of the possible consequences since watchtowers were in the area. But she relented, and as they all began to walk to the Baltic Sea for the baptism, a thick fog fell, and they were completely cut off from the view of guards in the towers. And the baptism took place, undisturbed. An unforgettable experience for them all.
The second baptism was at Easter time in 1978 (I believe), when Emil Hegg was visiting in the East from Switzerland. Two teenage boys in Saxony wanted to be baptised: Falk & Andreas Gläser and their cousin Volker Werk. Emil decided to perform the baptism at midnight when it would be unlikely that they would be watched. It was a cold night in April with below-freezing temperatures and the water was nearly freezing, but all went well and no one became ill as a result.
I might just mention Falk Gläser’s experience when he was 17 years old, and he was called up before the military to be interviewed before needing to begin military duty. Wilma had visited the family the previous day, and when she left, she said to Falk “I’ll be thinking of you tomorrow in a special way.” Falk replied “Aunt Wilma, I’ll be alright. They’re only men. What can they do?” The following day Falk was questioned for hours by army officials, who thought they’d soon be able to convince Falk to take up arms. But Falk refused. They called him a traitor to his country, a ‘sissy’, and numerous degrading expressions. Falk remained calm. He said, “I’m not refusing military duty. I’m only refusing to take up arms. Perhaps I could do something else?” They inquired what he could do, and he told them he was learning car mechanics. Perhaps he could keep their trucks running, etc. The officers took note of that, but they continued trying to intimidate him. After more than two hours, when they realized that he couldn’t be moved, the one officer became so furious, his face was scarlet, and he screamed at Falk, “Even every garden has a fence around it to protect it!” Falk quietly replied, “Yes, but a fence doesn’t shoot either.” The officers had no more to say. They dismissed him, and he was never called to serve in the army at all.
About two years later, his brother Andreas had to go to the army. He also had learned to be a mechanic. (Our young friends weren’t allowed to study at a university unless they joined the Communist Youth, so for conscience’s sake, our young friends chose rather to do manual labour).
Wilma lived to experience the fall of the wall on November 9, 1989. She couldn’t take it in that this was happening. She and Elfriede took a taxi to the border to see it for themselves. Her body was very frail but her mind was still very clear.
In the spring of 1990, all the younger friends from the east came to our Hambühren Convention: their very first convention! The older ones had been able to come anyway over the years, and they all made use of the opportunity. We all tried to experience that convention through the eyes of those friends who had never experienced a convention before. One of the young ladies said she hadn’t brought a notebook to Convention, but she didn’t need one, she remembered every message!
The only thing I recall from that convention was the testimony of Andreas, who had professed in 1976 when I was there. He mentioned being so thankful for the miracle that allowed them to share in such a privilege. But he added something else that had come clear to him: that when the door is open for the rabbit to leave the cage, it’s also open for the foxes to get in! And he realised that there were now new dangers that the enemy would place in front of them, that they had never known before. And he wanted to be on guard not to lose the most precious things as a result. I felt that puts it into a nutshell!
On October 3, 1990, Germany was reunited, and I want to mention one thought in connection with that celebration that spoke volumes to me. The celebration took place in Berlin and was broadcast live all over Germany. Just before midnight, the East German flag was taken down, but that wasn’t televised. At the stroke of midnight, the orchestra played the German national anthem, while the German flag was hoisted up. The same amount of East German soldiers on the east side of the border as West German soldiers on the west side. That was televised. It appealed strongly to me that when we struggle to tear down what has previously had a strong hold on us, that’s done in secret. No one else except God sees that. But when God’s righteousness is raised up in us, that’s open for all to see.
In the fall of 1990, I had the privilege of being in the East for the first Special Meeting rounds, which was truly special. And in July of 1991, the first convention was held in Zschorlau, in the East: the first convention in 57 years. My sister and I had the privilege of attending that convention: an unforgettable highlight. Wilma was very weak at that time, and the doctor had forbidden her to leave the apartment, so it looked as though she wouldn’t be able to share in the convention.
So that Elfriede would be free to attend, I suggested that perhaps we sisters could take turns staying with Wilma, to set Elfriede free. Elfriede felt it wouldn’t be possible for her to get away for the morning meeting, as Wilma needed so much time in the mornings to prepare for the day. So I offered to spend the first afternoon with Wilma, and that was arranged. When I arrived Wilma was sitting on the couch in the living room, clothed in her best dress, and the speaking list was in front of her.
When I sat down beside her, she said she wanted to ask me a very personal question, and she wanted a direct answer. Her question was: Would you say that God’s Spirit was there at the convention this morning? It was more than Wilma could take in, that this was actually happening. I could assure her God’s Spirit was felt very strongly. We had sung that hymn in the morning meeting, “We thank Thee, Lord, for weary days.” There were about 100 friends gathered, and with open windows, all sang heartily from the depths of their hearts. I couldn’t sing! I thought “Yes, now they can sing this wholeheartedly: the weary days are past.”
So I shared some things with Wilma from that meeting. And I mentioned to her what I strongly felt about the situation that Wilma was in. It reminded me of God taking Moses up to the Mount and showing him the Promised Land. He wasn’t allowed to enter, but he saw it from afar. He had led God’s people safely through the wilderness and brought them to the border. God allowed Wilma to live to see the wall open, Germany reunited, the first workers to come to labour there again, and also to see the first ones profess and the first convention there again. The circle of her life was completed. God had worked miracles that never seemed possible!
The next morning, Wilma was at the convention. No one could keep her back, and we felt if she died at the convention she would die happy. She was in all the meetings from then on. Two of the elders had to carry her down the stairs of the apartment and help her walk into the meeting room. Many burst into tears when she entered the room. In the last meeting Sunday afternoon, after testimony time, Wilma struggled to her feet, trembling from emotion and weakness. One of the friends rushed to the front to turn the microphone toward her to catch her weak voice. She expressed deep gratitude for the friends who had stood by her so faithfully all those years. And she appealed to the younger generations to take up the torch of their fathers and to hold high the standard of Truth in their day. It was very touching.
Wilma was still alive at the time of the convention there in 1992, but too weak to share in it. She died just a couple of weeks after that. I had the privilege of attending her funeral. She had faithfully shepherded God’s people through the wilderness of Communism. God alone knows the far-reaching effect of her life and sacrifice, given gladly to God’s honour and glory and as an inspiration to us all.
Truth Archive 