In an era of digital gadgets and temporary trends, one grandfather has given his family a gift that will truly last a lifetime—and beyond.
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Tiffany Shabazz recently captured a heartwarming viral moment as her “Grandpa” presented his grandchildren with a gift they never saw coming.
Over the last year and a half, he sat down every single day with one goal in mind: to record himself reading the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation.
But as Tiffany shared with me, this gift wasn’t just a creative Christmas idea—it was a spiritual intervention for a family that had walked through the valley of the shadow of death.
A Bond Chosen in Love
The man in the video is Johann Klaassen. While the world knows him as “Grandpa,” he is actually Tiffany’s godfather—a man who chose to become a grandfather to her children even though he never had children of his own.
Their bond began in 1996 when Tiffany’s father, knowing he was dying, took his family traveling. They met Johann and his wife, Cathie, in Washington, sparking a lifelong friendship.
When Tiffany lost both of her parents in 2006 and 2007, the Klaassens made a vow: “We will always leave the lights on for you.”
Faith Through the Fire
For years, the Klaassens remained a steady presence as Tiffany’s family grew to four children. But in recent years, tragedy struck.
In 2019, Tiffany moved her children to Washington to escape a dangerous situation involving her husband’s addiction. Two years later, her husband suffered a stroke and was hit by a car.
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During the darkest days of his recovery and his eventual passing in 2023, Johann was there. He prayed over the sickbed, sat with the grieving boys, and stayed until the very end.
“After losing [my husband], I struggled deeply and became angry. I lost much of my faith,” Tiffany told me. “Grandpa gently stepped in again to help strengthen our faith when we couldn’t do it ourselves.”
A Labor of Love Through Pain
For most of his life, Johann was a professional aerial photographer, running his own business, Klaass Images.
He spent his career in the clouds, taking photographs of the earth below. But as his health declined, he was forced to ground his planes. Today, he lives with daily chronic pain and awaits major surgery.
Despite his physical suffering, Johann found a way to continue “sowing seeds.” He spent 18 months recording 578 MP3 files of the Holy Scriptures.
In the now-viral video, the room was filled with shock as the grandchildren realized the magnitude of the labor of love. “No way!” one of the grandkids exclaimed. “You actually did it?!” “Yeah,” Grandpa responded humbly. “Every day I read one.”
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
A Voice for the Generations
The story has resonated with many online, with one viewer noting, “That is a legacy that can’t be bought.”
Because of the overwhelming response, Tiffany’s family has decided to share these recordings on YouTube, inviting the world to heal alongside them.
For Tiffany, it’s not a production; it’s an invitation to receive the same comfort that carried them through their darkest seasons.
Reflecting on the overwhelming response, Tiffany shared a poignant note on social media about the journey:
“Grandpa made this Bible for us — to carry our family through grief, trauma, and loss,” she wrote. “We never imagined it would touch so many hearts. The love, prayers, and attention it’s received have humbled us deeply.”
In a world full of noise, this grandfather ensured that the most important voice his family will ever hear is the one pointing them toward Heaven.
Daily Affirmation: “The words I speak today will plant seeds of faith for generations to come. My legacy is built on the eternal Truth of God.” (Based on Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Caleb Parke is an independent journalist. Follow him on X, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.
