FBI: Andrew van der Bijl - "Brother Andrew"

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Any records mentioning or pertaining to Andrew van der Bijl. Andrew van der Bijl was also widely known by nicknames of "Brother Andrew" and "God's Smuggler." Andrew van der Bijl was born in the Netherlands on May 11th of 1928 and died in the Netherlands on September 27th, 2022. His death was widely reported in the mainstream media.

Here is a link to his obituary, and his obituary should also be attached to this request: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/september/died-brother-andrew-open-door-smuggled-bibles-into-communis.html

Andrew van der Bijl gained renown for starting a ministry known as "Open Doors" and smuggling bibles into Communist Eastern European countries and into the Soviet Union itself. He published a book about his efforts, and later in life met with leaders in Latin America and the Middle East. According to contemporary news reports, Andrew van der Bijl read KGB files about himself.

This is a request for any records mentioning or pertaining to Andrew van der Bijl, with a special emphasis on his 1955 visit to Poland, his 1957 visit to Moscow, his 1960s era visits to China, Czechoslovakia and Cuba. Also of interest would be files related to his visits with members of the PLO and Hamas, as well his visit to Pakistan. Please include a search for any correspondence about Andrew van der Bijl or his "Open Doors" ministry sent to FBI leadership.

Please include all potentially responsive materials, including but not limited to all communications, reports, inquiries, investigations, photographs, audio files, video files, memos, directives, etc. Please include all materials found in other subject files and all materials associated with any potentially-related names and any other known aliases, nicknames, code names, or any other identifying pseudonyms or references utilized by this agency. Please consult the Central Records System and records, the Electronic Surveillance (ELSUR) Data Management System and records, Microphone Surveillance (MISUR) records, Physical Surveillance (FISUR) records, Technical Surveillance (TESUR) records, and all available cross-reference indices, databases, and records, in addition to any other locations containing potentially-responsive materials related to Andrew van der Bijl.

According to a blog post I just read, it is important that I state the following: "As you know, your agency is required to search the records stored at NARA’s Washington Records Center in Suitland, MD, but still technically under your agency’s control. For more information see 36 CFR 1250.8" Please also conduct a physical search of records at NARA's Washington Records Center in Suitland, for any records or documents related to Andrew van der Bijl.

Thank you for your commitment to transparency, and I look forward to working with you all on resolving this request, no matter how long it takes.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Robert Delaware