The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites to Central Asia, 1880-1884, Fred Richard Belk, 1976

penalty. Further, said the khan, they must promise never to raise the “unclean animal’’ — hogs! As the delegates suppressed their amusement, Epp assured the monarch not only that he would not have to worry about Mennonites being law-breakers — they were noted for being law-abiding subjects — but he promised also there would definitely be no raising of hogs. Epp’s manner, de- portment, and speech made a favorable impression of the khan. When the Mennonite leader boldly requested permission for many future mi- grations from the West in order to organize a ‘refuge’ from the great tribulation in their settlement, the khan unhesitatingly granted his 150 The Great Trek of the Russian Mennonites request, though clearly failing to comprehend the full meaning of Epp’s proposal.’ Pleased with the encounter with the Khivan monarch, Epp wrote a letter on July 21, in which he compared this new plan to settle in Khiva to that journey of the children of Israel to the Promised Land. The earlier misfortunes of his followers, he averred, were not suffered because they had gone astray from God's will at all; they constituted but a period of trial and testing of their faith to the end. If they were faithful, they would deserve to rule with Christ for 1000 years. Govern- ment officials in Russia, Turkestan, and Bukhara were merely being manipulated and used by God so He could show His will to the Bride Community. They were but “‘tools” to open the place of refuge on the Amu Darya prior to the imminent advent of the Western Anti- christ. He further believed that the fact of their being led to Khiva when all looked hopeless should still all criticism of the venture. He closed the letter: ““Where facts speak, opinions are not necessary, where the Lord speaks, humans keep silent.’’ Epp, for one, was con- vinced that the trip to Khiva would be their final trek.* Deputation Returns to Serabulak, August 1882 Returning to Serabulak in early August, the delegation gave glow- ing reports about Khiva and the khan. Although they had not seen the land for settlement, they knew the door was open, all they had to do was to walk through into paradise. Waiting for them, they believed, was fertile land, religious freedom, immunity from conscription, and a place of refuge to wait for Christ. Plans were put in motion to leave for the refuge on August 30. First, they would go by wagon to the dreaded Kara Kul Desert, then take camels to the Amu Darya, boats to Petro-Alexandrovsk, and on to the promised land. Immediately letters were sent to relatives and friends telling of their auspicious plans and explaining how to retreat to the place of refuge during the time of the great tribulation. They even worked up elaborate routes from Germany and Russia by wagon and boat, and those receiving these directions were to tell other Christians about the refuge. Anxiously, they looked forward to Menno- nite friends and relatives joining them soon