Khortiza, February 21, 1920

The colonists in the Berdyansk district have sent a transport of flour and lard. We received only a part of the provisions sent. About half of them have been “confiscated” by some “Black Authorities.” We call those robbers, or Anarchists.

A portion, however, has actually arrived. And surely, the givers will not stop continuing support on account of this misfortune—for what has been sent is but “a drop on a hot stone.”

We are glad that the colonists there have not suffered so much that they could not share a piece of bread with us. There they have victuals, and the only question now is, how to bring them over to us, for it is a distance of ninety miles.

Those colonists are sending whole hospital outfits. They have sent some nurses too, in order to establish hospitals to prevent the further spread of this malady. They will take all sick persons out of private homes and place them where they will have proper care.

And more still. They have promised to share with us their small reserves of body linen and bed linen.

Our need and suffering has awakened the brotherly love in those settlers with whom we have the protestant religion and European traditions in common. They, too, have passed through a history of sorrow which is not unlike ours.

At all events, their sincere wish and willingness to sacrifice for us meets our spiritual need: it renews our hope. Without having suffered great need themselves, these colonists, inclined to selfishness, would not have been willing to sacrifice so much. Such is the good side of these times of terror. After all, even such a harrowing experience has its blessing. That is a bitter truth.