An example of courage

Six Sugar Beets: Five Bitter Years Erica Jantzen. Pandora Press, 2003. 186 pages.

Erica Jantzen describes this book as “a historical reconstruction of a woman’s life in the Stalinist era.” She informs her readers in the introduction that the story is about her stepmother’s sister, Anna Kroeker, whom Jantzen met while in Germany with Mennonite Central Committee in 1990–1993. Because she took some liberties by using direct speech and adding details, she changed the name of the main character to Mia Peters.

The story takes place in Russia during Stalin’s iron rule; the time frame is 1950 to 1955. Mia is a strong character whose sense of justice does not allow her to keep quiet about some of the gross injustices done to people during this time. As a result she is sentenced to five years in a Soviet labour camp.

Filled with despair at having to leave her family, especially her youngest child who is only three, Mia panics and comes close to losing her mind. It is then that she has an extraordinary experience of God’s presence. This sustains her through the years of intense labour in Siberia and gives her courage to help her fellow sufferers.

Jantzen depicts Mia’s physical and spiritual ministry in a very credible way. In the midst of their mutual suffering, for example, Mia reminds those around her that God is always there. She recalls the words her father gave her long ago: “God gives the suffering to those who can bear it.” At the same time she shows the women how to have fun, teaching them a game using the ground and stones. They in turn teach her to crochet. Later, when Mia becomes deathly ill, the women care for her.

In a simple yet profound way, Jantzen sketches the portrait of a woman whose pain and anguish do not destroy her. Rather, her faith in God and compassion for others become an example to many. We who have so much can learn a great deal from one who had very little.

Elfrieda Neufeld Schroeder is a writer and ESL tutor; she attends Kitchener (Ont.) MB Church.