“And the Lord God spoke to Job out of the storm.” Job 38:1
Death and destruction rage through the Mennonite colonies as Red and White armies continue to requisition, recruit, and advance their positions. Ongoing strife and accompanying drought result in severe famine and disease, and the worst enemy of all—fear.
Johann Sudermann works with Benjamin Janz to secure permission for Mennonite emigration, but they are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles at every turn. Meanwhile, Katarina attempts to sustain her family and friends amid chaos and uncertainty, and Paul Gregorovich Tekanin tries to survive in anonymity.
The Mennonites of South Russia face a fierce struggle for faith and survival as their dreams are dashed one by one, yet they cling to the hope that God will yet intervene and speak to them as he did to Job, “out of the storm.”
Out of the Storm is the culmination of the story of Johann, Katarina and Paul Gregorovich as they struggle to survive the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, and seek possibilities to emigrate to North America. Although this is a work of fiction, the stories reflect the reality of people known personally by the author—family members—as well as many whose stories she read and researched.
