Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

CAN MENNONITE RELIEF KITCHEN This kitehen was located in the Russian Village Orechowka, Ukraine. It is made up mostly of Baptists and Christian Evangelical churches of Russian descent. FLOOD-STRICKEN REFUGEES FROM ORENBURG These are in the Volga region where much suffering was caused by the floods of that district during the famine. The filth and stench of this camp beggared all description. BLUMENORT MENNONITE GIRLS They are working the field with the American truck in the distant keround. SEEDING UNDER DIFFICULTY Native Russians scratching under hand-strew millet. They were doing their best to plant a little for the next harvest. AMBRICAN AND HOLLANDER RELIEF WORKERS In conference with the “Verband” of Russian Mennonites. The question of co-ordinating the relief work was under consideration. A RUSSIAN MARKET PLACE A’ HOME IN SOUTH RUSSIA An old typical Mennonite, poor man’s house. THE CHORTITZA MENNONITE CHURCH VIZUALIZING FAMINE CONDITIONS 233 famished person; the dark circle surrounding the eyes told a sad tale of suffering and anguish; the cheeks were hol- low, revealing a face of almost only skin and bones, while her lips were thin, pale, and no longer able to cover a well formed and well preserved set of teeth. There she stood pleading for alms. Her slender bare arm stretched out to receive some of that worthless Russian paper money. She retreated a few steps and wearily sank down on a mass of gruesome rags and ragged old fur robes. There she lay almost motionless, resting on her elbow, with the skinny fingers of her hand attempting to cover her face and a forehead that spoke of intelligence. The very air about her in the midst of filth and rags spoke of culture, and the way she moved and acted gave me the impression that she came from a family of social standing and wealth. Just then I noticed right next to her, the form of another woman, still more pitiable than the one just de- scribed. She was already so weak that she did not rise from her couch of bundles and rags. And a little to one side lay the shadow of what must have been a boy of about ten or twelve. He hardly moved, but there was that expression of woe in his face, that no words can describe but which will remain indelibly impressed on my mind for life. Near these three, on a large dirty bundle of clothes, sat an elderly woman. She seemed to have a little more strength and life than the younger persons, and seemed less concerned about herself than for the group of younger people that we have just noticed. On comparing her features with the first mentioned young woman, I noticed considerable similarity and concluded that she was the mother of the other three. I do not know the personal story of these three, but if they were of the upper classes, the following would probably be the story they could tell. ‘We formerly were 234 FEEDING THE HUNGRY wealthy and lacked nothing in the conveniences of life.