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I Heard My People Cry: One Family's Escape From Russia

by Elizabeth Lenci-Downs

247 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #03-0191; ISBN 1-55395-828-4; US$25.00, C$32.95, EUR21.50, £14.90

Spellbinding, unforgettable true story of Lise Huebert Towes Gerig and her Christian family escaping Russia. Epic told through actions of individuals caught up in events of Russian history,1800-WW ll.

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About the Book Written as a narrative, this is a true story of this period in history when thousands in the Ukraine and Crimea were forced to escape from Stalin's Russia. The author tells it like it was, exposing the myth and propaganda used to cover up what really happened to Lise and her Mennonite Brethren family. The book is full of the life of the times, the inescapable resolution to survive and a passion for freedom. It is told entirely through the lives and actions of the people of Tchongraw, Crimea and Lise Huebert Toews Gerig who escaped in their midst. It employs daily journals from 1917 to 1945 and Lise's words about her spellbinding childhood. Lise's father, Nikolai, urges his pregnant wife to flee Russia, promising that he will find her. One hundred and seventy people of Tchongraw refuse to leave anyone behind and march through the Ukraine singing forbidden hymns. Events are detailed as they affect individual members of Lise's people whose personalities, and the cultures that surround them, bring home the reality of their struggle. Johann is a mystery, Nick Enns walks out of Siberia to hold Mariechen in his arms. Justina defies Stalin's officers. Heroic Elizabeth Koop Huebert empowers her husband's people and places herself in peril to help her children out of Russia. Lise tells us, "Love is all we had, Walter and I. We found each other again in time to say good-bye." Lise becomes a photographer of note in Canada after she is able to emigrate. Her story enriches the literature of these ethnic-German people whose ancestors were among the first Mennonite Brethren of Holland. Publication of this book awaited the freeing of a cousin who was granted Asylum in 1998. I Heard My People Cry has received an award and has been well reviewed. Writer's Digest Certificate of Merit - 2001 Self Published Book Awards I Heard My People Cry, One Family's Escape From Russia Nonfiction: What impressed me most about this book? The heart-felt emotions that come through in the writing. The section describing how the father is taken away, the prison visits, the final departure, were just riveting and so incredibly sad. I doubt anyone could read this without weeping. The time span the book covers is also impressive, detailing the first half of the 20th century in Russia and Europe, touching on the overall political situation while also looking at the very personal stories of a family being pulled along by the tidal wave of history unfolding around it. The photos and maps add wonderfully to the story, bringing faces to the characters and perspective to the places discussed. This is truly an epic work, congratulations. REVIEWS Independent Review EASTERN MENNONITE UNIVERSITY Menno Simons Historical Library July 30, 2003 Floyd L. Downs, Vice President Lenci Studios, Inc. P.O. Box 19206 Fountain Hills, AZ 85269-9206 Dear Mr. Downs; 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 DANCE WITH EAGLES Reprint from: WINGS ISSUE NO. 1 - Feb. 02 By Allison Quattrocchi, J.D., Personal/Business Coach, Divorce Mediator and Attorney (480) 946-2936 BOOK REVIEW "I HEARD MY PEOPLE CRY" by Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, Published by Trafford Publishers, Suite 6E, 2333 Government Street, Victoria, B.C. V8T 4P4 Canada, www.trafford.com, Tel: 250-383-6864; & Lenci Studios, Inc., PO Box 19206, Fountain Hills, Arizona 85269, www.Lenci Studios.com, Tel: 480-816-3875. Available in major bookstores. Anytime I read a book I can't put down, I am eager to share it. This is a true story of the incredible struggle of a mother and her four children to survive in Stalin's Russia under the most oppressive, harsh and degrading circumstances imaginable. Yet she never loses her focus on escaping from Russia and finding freedom for herself and her family. The story of her life and the horror, fear, poverty and abuse she and her people - 120 women and children - faced is heroic. The first-hand reporting from one of the daughters (Lise) who lived the journey captures the reader in the moment and creates a fascinating commentary on life in Russia under Stalin. This is a story of raw courage, inconceivable physical and mental stamina, amazing family bonds, and monumental faith. Miraculously, they escape Russia with the Red Army at their heels, and after a total of 21 years of trying, are finally reunited with family in Canada. Some quotes: Of Stalin's Russia - "From 1920 to 1940 one entire generation had been sacrificed." (This is probably very conservative.) "One day (Mother) gathered books from one of the (deserted) houses, steamed the cloth covers off and sewed those cloth squares together. That was how she made underwear for us." During their frantic escape - "Finally, she (mother) spoke quietly to Mary and me. 'Before we fall into Russian hands I'm going to kill you all and myself too,' she told us." On the train from Berlin to Poland, Lise was given an orange. "I had never seen an orange, a beautiful round orange with dimpled skin. I thought it smelled like something from heaven and rubbed it over and over in my hands. At last, someone showed me how to eat it. That orange was the best part of going to Poland." For the reader, an orange will never look quite the same again. --- Allison Quattrocchi, J.D. 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 Black Sea Germans. The saga takes us from early Mennonite history to their migration to New Russia (Ukraine) in 1778, until Lise's family settle in the Crimea by the early 1900's. The theme, "My People", threads throughout the whole book and gives the reader the impression that young Lise appreciated and treasured her grandfather's Christian teachings. 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. The reader is impressed with the faith and trust, energy and endurance, hardship and suffering. How quickly the lot changed for the people throughout Russia when the Bolsheviks took over. From abundance, affluence and tranquillity, change came very quickly to fear, starvation, cold and hopelessness. One is moved to tears as you empathize with the horror and despairs of the young mother Elizabeth Koop Huebert as she copes with four young children, ages four to fourteen, during this time of need and oppression, and yet one is uplifted by her outlook and amazed at how she instills in her children the skills and faith they need to survive while surrounding them with "normalcy". Elizabeth Koop Huebert empowers her husband's family and endangers herself to get her children out of Russia. There is the description of Lise's people being shipped by cattle car destined to hard labor in Siberia, when miraculously, all escape. They start out on foot from Zaporozh'ye. to the Molochnaia Colony to the southeast threatened by the Red Army in the east and the approaching German Army from the west. An interesting, captivating feature for me was that this group of 170 singing refugees arrived at Waldheim, only about 30 km. from where I was born and spent the first seven years of my life. 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 n Poland. One cousin was granted asylum in the west after I Heard My People Cry 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 do so especially to our young people. "Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, May I compliment you on the excellent, superb job you did in writing I Heard My People Cry? It is so well done, one would think Louise wrote it. You so genuinely describe her experiences, the events, even the geography. You must have visited the locations, read full diaries and had intensive access to histories, biographies and archives. I cannot recommend your book too highly." --- Dr. Henry Baerg, Past President of The Bible Institute, Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada "Set in Eurasian history, this remarkable story of faith, courage, perseverance and love could easily have happened-and is happening-today. A mother's love and determination, a child's lost innocence, a tale of harrowing survival. What should never have occurred again is as fresh today as it was then. --- K.C. Shippey, JD, Shippey Law, Yorba Linda, California I couldn't put down I Heard My People Cry the first time, and I continue to pick up my favorite parts to read them over and over as a source and basis for my own faith. The words are so clear, the vision so real." "Your book is so very poignant in this year of all years! Can't help drawing comparisons between Afghanistani families and the ones in I Heard My People Cry. What an inspiring story to tell and you did it so well. All the best to you." --- Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Adams, Professor, Berkeley School of Religion "When I Heard My People Cry was picked up neither of us could put it down. This book is very anthropological. The photos add extra meaning to a very compelling account: of so many people-such very hard times-the ways in which people kept a grip on themselves and kept their determination alive-and Elizabeth Koop Huebert, and Lise! -what a remarkable book! It is an outstanding contribution to both history and literature-a singular accomplishment." --- Dr. Hiroyasu Kurashina, Dean, Graduate School and Research; Director, Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam and Dr. Becky Stevenson, Professor Anthropology, University of Guam "I was moved by Elizabeth Lenci-Downs' I heard My People Cry. The Huebert family's story is another testament to the fact that bad things happen to good people. Lise Huebert's resilience in the face of repeated trials is remarkable and uplifting. Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to review this heartwarming book. Lise's positive outlook shines through the pages " --- Kathryn Lang, Senior Editor, Southern Methodist University Press It is with great pleasure that I write this endorsement for I Heard My People Cry. I could not put this gripping story down, but read it well into the night, finishing it in one setting. I am passionate about it. --- Dr. Nancy J. Splain Rule of Law Liaison with the American Bar Association's Central and Eastern European Law Initiative 1998-2001 (ABA/CEELI). Living in Russia for these years, Dr. Splain was instrumental in assisting with the writing of the new Ukrainian Constitution. "I Heard My People Cry! It is a splendid book and we enjoyed reading it-the sorrow and paths of Lise's life are only equaled by the courage, determination and faith that shine through the pages-many of them wet with my tears. It was noble of Lise to share her story and wise of you to recognize both the humanity and non-humanity of it-and to write it. Thank you so much." --- Dr. and Mrs. Edward Mulvaney, Gilbert, Arizona "It is heartening to see that the literature on Mennonites from the former Russian Empire, quite rich on the period before 1917 as well as the revolutionary years is now, with this book, enriched with information on those who remained behind and suffered even a worse fate during the period of forced Soviet collectivization and the displacements of World War II." --- Professor Paul Robert Magocsi, Chair of Ukrainian Studies, University of Toronto, Canada. --- PAUL ROBERT MAGOCSI, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, is a professor of history and political science at the University of Toronto and director of the Multicultural History Society of Ontario. He is the author of several books, including the Historical Atlas of East Central Europe, Ukraine a Historical Atlas, and Galicia: A Historical Survey and Bibliographic Guide.

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About the Author Elizabeth Lenci-Downs was born in Virginia, Minnesota-a city settled by European and Scandinavian immigrants - an area rich with a mosaic of cultures and nature. "Growing up in that area provided me with unique parallels to Lise's life in Russia that are evident in I Heard My People Cry: One Family's Escape From Russia." says Elizabeth Lenci-Downs. They supplied the excitement and confidence that carried the author through five years of research and writing. A graduate of National Louis University, Illinois, she received her MA from Columbia University, New York. Lenci-Downs taught for twenty-five years. Currently she travels, writes and is a professional artist, awarded the 1995 YWCA Woman of the Year in Fine Arts Award for Maricopa County, Arizona. She lives with her husband Floyd L. Downs in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Contact the author at: LD2AZ@aol.com or visit "Lenci-Studios" for more information or for interviews and speaking engagements.

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Sample Excerpts or Table of Contents

Contents

Dedication iii

Foreword by Nancy K. Splain, J.D. v
Preface and Acknowledgments vii
Contents x
Lise xii

Part I

Frederick the Great of East Prussia - Vistula Delta - Napoleon - Tsarina Catherine the Great - Ukraine - Rising Nationalism - Land of Tatars.
1. My People 1
2. An Evil Wind 13

Part II

Russia Defeated: W.W.I - The Great Revolution - Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (Lenin) - A Free Ukraine - Civil Wars - Bandits and Partisans - Joseph Stalin.
3. Elizabeth 27
4. Moskva 43
5. My Tchongraw 59

Part III

Stalin's Brutal Purges - Gulags Across Siberia - Box Cars and Prisoners - Frozen Wastelands - Millions Who Disappear Forever.
6. Red Terror 73
7. Verschlept - My Father 87
8. In The Barn 97

Part IV

W.W.II - Hitler and Stalin - Hitler Attacks Russia - Stalin's Decree: Ethnic-German Russians to Siberia - Hitler's Forces Occupy Western Ukraine - Stalingrad.
9. Stalin's Decree 109
10. The Will To Survive 117
11. October Under Siege 131
12. A Town Called Tiege 145

Part V

"March of Millions" - Black Sea Germans - Allied Armies - The Red Army - Heroic Warsaw - Russia in Germany - Post War Germany - To Freedom.
13. Black Sea Germans 163
14. Fleeing Refugees 185
15. Let My People Go 201
16. Freedom Beyond Hope 213

Epilogue: The Secrets Russia Holds 227

Glossary 321

Appendix: Events of Russian History That Touched the Lives of This Family 235

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Catalogue Information

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