| Independent
Review
Dr. Henry Baerg, past
President of The Bible Institute. Chilliwack British Columbia, Canada
-January 2002.
"Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, I
compliment you on the excellent, superb job you did in writing I
Heard My People Cry, One Family's Escape From Russia. I cannot recommend
your book too highly."
I Heard
My People Cry by Lenci Studios, Inc. with Trafford Publishing
This
is the story of Louise Huebert Toews Gerig (Lise in the book) and
"Her People" who were originally Dutch-German Mennonites of the
Crimea and South Ukraine. The focus is on the years 1918-1949, the
Great Revolution, Lenin and the reign of terror under Stalin
followed by three years of occupation of the southern Ukraine by the
German army and the family's life in Poland as trapped Black Sea
Germans. The
saga takes us from early Mennonite history to Ukraine in 1778, until
Lise's family take refuge in the Crimea in the early 1900's.
...The
author writes about the manner of life, joys and prosperity of Dutch-German
farmers in Ukraine and of those in the marine climate of the Crimean
peninsula jutting into the Black Sea. The fruit and the flowers,
meadows and mountains, the agricultural fields and gardens are described
in exquisite picturesque language...
. .
.Lise's poignant words tell how her people found a haven in the
village of Tiege under Rumanian forces of the German Army where
they were able to survive for two years. However, when the German
Army was retreating from Stalingrad, Lise's people joined millions
of others who fled on wagons, by train when possible and on foot
to Poland and finally to West Germany and British protection. It
is a breathtaking and agonizing story of flight and escape.
The
author must be complimented on her use of words and language to
engage your mind so thoroughly. You can just feel the suspense and
pathos from the danger of being captured. The story ends with Lise's
family able to come to Canada despite all the obstacles including
detention in Poland. One cousin was granted asylum in the west after
I Heard My People Cry, One Family's Escape From Russia was completed.
Interesting
facets in the development of the story are the romance and finally
marriage of Lise and Walter Toews. The fire of love and romance
cannot be extinguished even in times of separation, oppression and
danger. To appreciate our freedoms and affluence, I recommend the
reading of this life story which is skillfully woven through the
events of Russian history that affected Lise's people. And to read
especially to our young people.
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