Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

ct. 7, 1922, from New York, 342 FEEDING THE HUNGRY for Bremen. From there we traveled by train via Berlin and Riga, to Moscow, where the A.M.R. had its head- quarters. From Moscow we proceeded via Kharkow and Alexandrowsk to Halbstadt, where we had our local office for the Molotschna district. This was our appointed field of labor where we had charge of sixty villages with an average population of about five hundred people. The situation was indeed pitiful. Half-naked and hungry, the people were at our doors early and late coming from far and near. They had no right of ownership; no right of citizenship, and no full right in their church affairs, causing them to be help- less and hopeless subjects. The A.M.R. was well organized through one central committee of three in our office in Halbstadt, and a com- mittee of three in each of the sixty villages. We were able to feed five to ten thousand persons daily in the so- called American Kitchen one of which was located in each village; thereby actually saving many thousands of starv- ing children and adults from premature graves. Aside from the feeding, we had the privilege of helping in the distribution among the needy. This was also an impor- tant part in this great work of charity. Not only did we find the people hungry for the loaves and for the fishes, but also for the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The influ- ence of the A.M.R. reached far beyond the Mennonite circles and will go down as a milestone in Mennonite his- tory for generations to come. In returning to America, we traveled through Europe by way of Germany, France, Switzerland, and Italy. Then crossing the Mediterranean sea, we landed at Alexandria in Egypt and after visiting Palestine, we journeyed home by way of India, China and Japan, finally landing at San Francisco May 12, 1924. PERSONAL REMINISCENCES 343 Clayton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Kratz, was born in Bucks County, Pa., November 5, 1896. At the age of eight he went with his parents to Blooming Glen, Pa., where he finished his grade and high school education. After attending West Chester Normal School he taught one summer and three winter terms. Later he attended Goshen College and was a member of the Senior class when he was asked to join the first unit of relief workers for Russia. Together with Orie Miller and Arthur Slagel he sailed from New York September 1, 1920. After the base of operations had been established at Constantinople he accompanied Orie Miller into Russia, from whence he never returned. He gave his life for others, and God will surely reward his sacrifice. What is known of his experiences while in Russia is perhaps best told in the words of an eye witness as given in the follow- ing pages. CLAYTON KRATZ Who lost his life in the service of suffering humanity in Russia. (Translated from the German by A. W. Slagel) G. A. Peters Brother Clayton Kratz, a worker of the M. R. U.