Dnipor Reality

It is easy to forget the scope of destruction wreaked on all segments of society after hearing personal accounts of those who lived in the Ukraine during the days of World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution. Sure, it always 'hits a little closer to home' when people you know relay their stories of struggle and resilience. The truth is, however, that similar stories exist across multitudes of families without a Mennonite heritage and without familiar geographic borders.

Our tour group was reminded of the scope of the early 20th century communist atrocity when we visited a museum in the city of Dnipor (formerly Ekaterinoslav). We were coming from a few days of visiting villages of our ancestors, remembering what they endured including stealing, burning, abuse and murder. Now we were encouraged to remember the rest of the story -- of people outside the Mennonite community!

After touring Dnipor by bus, observing landmarks such as the former KGB headquarters, dilapidated Red Cross facilities and displays by the military, we headed to the oldest museum in the Ukraine. The building itself was a museum piece, ornate and indicative of European influence. But it was at this museum that individual stories of those from all walks of life were on display and, consequently, an experience that will forever be etched on my mind.

Upon entering one of the rooms on the second floor, visitors are faced with a display of 900 cubes piled in the center with each cube and candle representing a person that was arrested and executed in the Soviet Union this past century. Additional records of individuals are on display on the outer walls that surround the center display.

I noticed that "treason" was listed as the most common reason for execution on documentation that accompanied the photos. I'm sure the authority's definition of treason included anything from the person not following party line or being of the 'wrong' race or religion or economic standing. Our tour guide not only highlighted examples of Mennonites who were rounded up but also of countless others who were caught in this horrific system. The most recent documents showed proof of innocence, having been signed by officials after the fall of communism.

My Great-Uncle Peter's account of how little the communists valued life hit home when I witnessed the thousands of documented murders in this one room museum in Dnipor.

"With the Red victory, ordinary soldiers had not suffered, but officers were attacked. Many officers changed into civilian clothes and hid, but those captured by the Reds were mistreated and later shot. The inhabitants of Odessa had suffered greatly as well. The worst reputation belonged to the so-called troika, groups of three Red commissioners who had power to decide over life and death. Rich citizens of the city were brought before the troika and if even a shadow of suspicion was attached to a person, he or she was put against the wall and immediately shot. 'Right now a person's life is worth nothing in Russia. You live in peace here, but you should be in a big city - there heads roll.'" (Fehderau, Mennonite Estate Family, p. 188)

I was overwhelmed by the number of people displayed in this one room at the museum, looking at their pictures and reading individual stories. I figure that if this room held 2,000 accounts of individuals murdered and the Stalin age (alone) is responsible for upwards of 20 million deaths in total, then I would need to visit 10,000 similar rooms as in the museum to account for everyone killed over this period. Unbelievable.

So many realities revealed in this Ukrainian museum!

It is hard to believe that people will inflict such harm on others to the point of taking their lives, but we understand that evil exists all around us. How crucial it is then, to align our self with the One who conquers all evil and offers us a life of purpose, peace and even joy despite the circumstances we find ourselves! When we believe in Christ, He promises to aid us in rising above the evil we face on a daily basis!

"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-32, 35, 37-39)