{"product_id":"the-fateful-years-a-mennonite-in-russia-1913-1923-9781990389016","title":"The Fateful Years: A Mennonite in Russia, 1913-1923","description":"ABOUT THE FATEFUL YEARS: \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the year 1913, in the quiet village of Margenau, it seems peace and order will last forever. Peter Braun is coming of age and begins the Mennonite rite of passage, fulfilling his mandatory service in Imperial Russian army by working in the forestry service. But in 1914, everything changes. War breaks out and Peter is called to serve in a Red Cross unit. And when he finally returns home, Peter finds his country embroiled in a brutal civil war - one that ensnares even the peaceful villages of the Mennonite Molotschna. With no government to enforce law, bands of roving bandits subject them to unspeakable horrors. In desperation, these peoples consider forming Selbstchutz (self-defense units) defying their pacifist faith. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow will the Mennonite communities respond? \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis classic work of historical fiction follows the lives and times of the Mennonite people who lived in Russia during these truly Fateful Years. This novel explores themes of war vs peace, theology vs praxis and fear vs faith. Having personally lived through the described events, author Gerhard Lohrenz provides a unique insight to this turbulent period. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eABOUT GERHARD LOHRENZ, B.A., D.D., (1899-1986)\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBorn into a quiet village in Southern Russia at the turn of the 20th Century, Gerhard Lohrenz came of age in a tumultuous time. The First World War threw Imperial Russia into a bloody civil war, and he witnessed firsthand the brutality inflicted on the Mennonite settlements. In the chaos Lohrenz was pressed into service, first for the White Army in a Red Cross unit, and then for the Red Army in the forestry reserve. After working as an official in the Soviet government he and his wife, Anni, immigrated to Canada in 1925. After completing his schooling, Lohrenz worked in public education before teaching at Canadian Mennonite Bible College. He finished his career as a pastor at Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church. Lohrenz was Chairman of the Manitoba Mennonite Historical Society, and wrote several books on Mennonite history, including \u003cem\u003eThe Mennonites of Western Canada \u003c\/em\u003eand his biography \u003cem\u003eStorm Tossed\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Schleitheim Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/08\/2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781990389016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 180\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.47lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.38d","brand":"Gerhard Lohrenz","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52982966255797,"sku":"9781990389016","price":12.74,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/9781990389016.jpg?v=1787062464","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-fateful-years-a-mennonite-in-russia-1913-1923-9781990389016","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}