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They came from the land of the rising sun
To make a new home in Davidson.
They would always love Russia, their dear homeland.
But they couldn't live where religion was banned.
Molochna
ca. 1910
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As closer and closer the Red Armies came marching
With hate and envy - all Mennonites watching
The looting, raping, murdering and lying.
Everywhere was heard weeping over dying.
Dead bodies were tramped into the mud,
While the waters ran red with their blood.
Fear and starvation followed day after day,
Bandits and robbers moved into stay.
Village men being taken away by Stalin.
Painting by Henry Pauls
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Flee to Canada is the only way,
We'll take our family and move there to stay.
With tears in their eyes
They said their goodbyes.
Their hearts were breaking;
There could be no more waiting.
Not for wealth or adventure
Did they undertake this venture.
Through England their journey would take them,
In Southampton they waited for inspection,
In Mother's eyes the doctor found infection.
When his inspection was through,
He said "You, Mother, won't do.
In Canada you may never be wealthy,
But to go there, you've got to be healthy.
Till your eyes get better you'll have to stay,
And travel to Canada another day."
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Talking it over they finally decided,
The family would have to be divided.
With the oldest three Dad sailed o'er the blue,
Left Mother behind with the youngest two.
The feeling they had when they parted there,
Only God in his mercy could help them to bear.
Immigrants aboard the Empress
of Scotland, 1924.
Although they came to Canada separately, this is the same
ship on which both Jacob J and Margareta Lehn arrived.
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And then one fine morn,
One more trouble was born.
The days, the months, went past February
Before we could finally board the Queen Mary.
At Davidson the family united
And very soon a farm was rented.
But the south wind it blew,
And the dust clouds they flew,
Till dust all over the land lay.
The only thing that grew was the family.
Try as we may, we just can't stay.
We need a place we can own someday.
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Once more Dad set forth,
This time to the north.
To see for himself what he'd heard of a tale,
He followed the road to Sonningdale,
Where the trees were so high,
They blotted out the sky.
The grass was so green,
It was just like a dream.
J.M. Dyck barn near Wilson Lake,
Sonningdale.
Photo by Anna Lehn.
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They loaded the cows on the old C.P.,
For horses they traded their old model T.
With an old binder canvas they covered the wagon,
And loaded it down 'till the floorboards were saggin'.
Pots, pans and lids,
Clothes, blankets and kids.
With a south wind to push,
They headed for the bush.
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They built their first house out of logs,
And covered the roof with sods.
They built long and wide,
Added a room on the side.
They felled the tall trees
And planted some peas.
On rhubarb and dill Mother would insist,
For a garden was the next thing on the list.
The first house at Sonningdale. Painting by
Tena Pauls.
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To keep us all fed
Took some baking of bread.
We always had enough
Even though times were tough.
They miss so much who do not know
The simple joys of long ago -
When life was lived with an easy pace
Before we invented the modern rat race.
When neighbours took time to be a friend,
A helping hand so quick to lend.
The second house at Sonningdale. Painting by
Tena Pauls.
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Our values were quite different then,
O, Time, we can't go back again.
And time will also not stand still,
Kids grow up and leave home as young folks will.
As times got easier and neighbours were leaving,
To look for ways to make a better living,
"Let's move one more time before we're too old.
Ontario's a beautiful province, we're told."
They sold their possessions at the auction sale,
And said goodbye to old Sonningdale.
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In Mersea Township they bought a small farm,
Moved in an old house and built a small barn.
Two Jersey cows, some chickens to roam,
Soon gave the place a feeling of home.
Twas here that Dad should pass away,
For God has planned on earth our stay:
Through the sun and the rain of each passing year,
This message from God is loud and clear.
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Before many more years had expired,
Mother alone moved to town to retire.
She found a small house - just what she wanted,
Moved all her possessions with a spirit undaunted.
Her backyard garden was quite a sight,
To give away vegetables her heart's delight.
To feed her company she would cook and bake,
The greatest thing of all was a picnic by the lake.
'Twas a hard decision for her to go to the home for the old.
This was one home she couldn't learn to love,
And she began to long for that new home above.
If memories are treasured, then she had her share -
For her children and grandchildren she had love to spare.
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Then God in his mercy took her up yonder
To that new home up high
where we'll never more wander.
We laid her to rest
Beside the one she'd loved best.
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May there be no sadness of farewell,
For God's in his heaven and it's his will.
They'll be up there waiting, faithful ones for you,
Praying for their children - won't you come here too?
Calling them to glory, sending down His grace.
Loved ones, come and gather at this blessed place.
So when your life is ending and death hovers near,
Let God guide you to heaven and banish your fear.
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