Editorial

Happy New Year! These words ring hollow in the light of the disaster that has just struck Asia. As the death toll mounts, the Mennonite Central Committee will be among relief agencies doing their best to provide food, water, clothing and other necessities of life.

I am reminded that MCC was born of the Ukraine Famine of 1921/22. My great-grandfather was one of the many who received food. A few years later, through efforts by men like B.B.Janz, some of the family was able to emigrate to Canada. MCC helped again after WWII through leaders like Peter and Elfrieda Dyck and C.F.Klassen. Thousands of refugees, among them my parents, received food aid, help in locating relatives, and assistance in finding new homes in Canada, the U.S. and South America.

In the midst of our secure and prosperous lives, it is important to remember that destitution and destruction can happen to anyone. We are not immune. For this, if for no other reason, we must tell our stories to the next generation. (LBP)

Future events in brief

May 15 3 p.m.
Central Heights church. Irmegard Baerg plays the Mennonite Concerto.

Oct. 15
Annual banquet at CBC with Dr. John Ruth, storyteller.
Swiss Mennonite Aid to the Russian Mennonites : the birth of MCC.

Queries

Looking for information about this family:

Johann Heinrich Neufeld born 23 February 1862 at Wernersdorf, Molotschna. He married Anna Toews 8 Dec. 1886 at Fuerstenau, Molotschna. Anna was born 20 July 1860 at Fuerstenau. Anna, together with children Helene, Peter J., Jacob J. emigrated to Canada in 1925, initially settling at Rosthern SK. The eldest son, Henry, died in Russia, and Johann Heinrich N. also died in Russia in 1922. Anna (Toews) Neufeld died at Rosthern SK 4 Feb 1941.

If you have information about Johann Heinrich N. or Anna (Toews) Neufeld, please contact: Ruben Neufeld, 12160 Woodhead Rd, Richmond BC, V6V 1G3 - Tel. 604-278-0335 - email: f19neufeld@yahoo.com