From Lise's Sisters

"You did a marvelous job creating the tension, the fear, the agony and uncertainty of daily events; the harsh realities as they were lived by millions of people. I thank-you also that you portrayed the faith our people needed and lived in order to survive - that God really heard His people cry and answered their cry. I am glad that you wrote our story that definitely needed to be told. Thank-you, Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, with love." — Agnes

"I am truly grateful...you did an excellent job of retelling the story of our lives. Persons who have read I Heard My People Cry exclaim to me that they can't believe anybody could survive. Well, we did survive. I thank God very day that we can live in this beautiful country while the world is in real turmoil. I thank-you from the bottom of my heart for writing I Heard My People Cry. May God reward you for doing this." — Mary

EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY
Menno Simons Historical Library
July 30, 2003

Thank you very much for your letter and the review copy of I Heard My People Cry by Elizabeth Lenci-Downs. We are delighted to add this important book to our library and sincerely appreciate your generosity.

Elizabeth's book is a wonderful record of moving, significant experiences of persecuted but courageous persons. It is one more account of a Mennonite family's escape from Stalin's Russia during a time of great hardship. A story rich with human pathos, this compelling book reads like a novel and is very hard to put down.

I Heard My People Cry is well organized, providing good historical background and context. The fine collection of varied photographs, the glossary and the appendix add much to the interest and usefulness of the volume. The front cover has a scene that arrests the reader's attention.

I am truly impressed by this book. Elizabeth Lenci-Downs is to be congratulated on an outstanding piece of work.

Again, thank you for your gift. Best wishes. Sincerely yours,

Lois B. Bowman
Librarian
MENNO SIMONS HISTORICAL LIBRARY
Harrisonburg
VA 22802-2462