Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

which our Russian brethren place on this phase of our work: “The 20th of September was a dav of great rejoicing and anticipation for Halbstadt. It was on this day that the first shipment of tractors arrived. For months the people had been watching and waiting for the time; now they were really here, and every one was anxious to see how they looked; old and young, rich and poor, the hungry and the satisfied—all were eager to get to the station and watch them unload the “Wonderthing.” With joy and great eagerness, the workers under the direction of G. G. Hiebert, unpacked the parts, while the people watched with growing interest. In a comparatively short time the machines were put together and ready for work. It was quite a jubilant RECONSTRUCTION WORK IN RUSSIA 301 crowd that gathered around the tractors, as they left the station headed by barefoot boys and girls. It was only through the calm but firm voice of the director, that no accidents accompanied this celebration. The tractors started their work and the hardened Russian soil yielded to the plowshares, beyond the expectation of those who watched the proceedings. You could see in the expressions of their faces great satisfaction and victorious joy, as they returned to the village. “And so the first day’s work of the tractors was ended. The people soon got used to the machines but they did not lose the interest. A few timid Jews would still stand at a safe distance and watch them from afar, but even they were finally persuaded to come nearer, and even to touch the machine. In the first week of plowing there were very many interruptions on account of the rainy weather, and because the necessary fuel could not always be secured in time; but at that they plowed for ten villages using seventeen tractors. “Informed people are of the opinion that next to the blessings of God, it will be the tractors that will rebuild Russian farm industry. Every one acknowledges that through the tractor work the axe is put to the root of the famine. The kitchens of course have done their part. Great areas were plowed and planted with rye. We wish to ex- tend our sincere thanks and gratefulness to the American Mennonite Relief.” Signed: The Tractor Committee of Halbstadt. LETTER FROM B. B. JANZ, PRESIDENT OF VERBAND From a letter written by B. B. Janz to Director Miller, we take the following about the tractor situation: “The first twenty-five tractors surely are doing a great work; not through great speeches, but with sharp and shin- ing plowshares do they write the work of love in the hardened Russian soil. This language is understood by the Christians, heathen, and Communists. It is a loud testi- monial. We understand you very well. Thousands of hearts, of tear stained eyes, encouraged hands, confirm our thanks to you. ; “T wish to state especially to-day, that the promises of 302 FEEDING THE HUNGRY the A.M.R., to the Ukrainian government c