Letters from the Past: Peter P and Helena Martens Part 2
from the family archives of Lydia Isaak

Peter P. Martens was called into the Forstei in 1903 and has been away from home for 1 1/2 years now. Helene manages the farm and takes care of baby Peter, born July, 1904. He manages to get home occasionally, but misses his wife and baby very much.

Dear Love,
I want to write you a few lines. I am well, thanks be to God, and I wish you and our dear Petja the same. I can't come home tomorrow--will tell you the reason when we next see each other. Nothing much new to report. What is Petja doing? Is he healthy or does he still have a bad cough? Things are going well here, but it's very hot. It must be harvest time at home--they are harvesting grain here now. Have the carpenters come, and are they working on the barn? You must be very busy now! Is my sister Susie healthier?

In this next letter, Peter is stationed in Simferopol. The couple now has two children., Peter, 3 and Lena, 18 months.

Simferopol, Crimea
7 December, 1907.

Dearly beloved Lensch,
A short letter, in reply to yours of Nov. 27. First, I wish you God's blessing and health for both body and soul. As far as the deal with D?ck from Lichtfelde, I'm at peace about it. If it has been sold, it was not meant to be ours. Don't worry about our future. God will take care of it, and will give us our own home if we trust in him…

Well, my love, what are you and the children doing? Do you miss your dear Papa a little bit? Soon I'll be coming home--in 10 days--we will all be so happy! Then we can gaze on each other again, kiss and love each other.

Time is going by quite quickly since I have a lot of work to do. I have to do a lot of calculations and difficult assignments so that I'm often up till 1 AM, but I enjoy it. I'm also taking two courses from an official in the Post office.

I am so happy that Lensch is healthy again. I have bought a Christmas present for Petja. Could you buy something for Lensch out there--I can't find anything for her. We discussed buying a fur coat here. I have checked out prices and they are more expensive here than at home, so don't send money.

Hans Friesen lives here in Simferopol. His Ana is doing very poorly. She's very ill--I went to visit them yesterday, but we could only see her for five minutes, then she asked to be left alone again. The doctor had given her three injections of morphine but nothing helped.

In the letter in which I wrote about Hans Friesen and the 1000 R. you have misunderstood what I meant. I'm not going to write more about it in case of more misunderstanding--it will be easier to explain in person. Well, everything's fine, I'll be home soon my dear ones. Wishing us a happy reunion! your Peter. Write me a few lines, so I know how things are at home… A hearty greeting and kiss to my parents and siblings, and to you my love, and our little Peter. your Peter