“As we neared the large village of Neuendorf, our hearts grew very heavy. The coach driver tried to comfort me by reminding me that he would return at Christmastime to take us home for the holidays. When the tall chimneys of the mills and factories of Khortitsa came in sight, we smoothed our dresses and touched our hair. Soon the village itself became visible, especially the large sunlit cross on the Russian Orthodox church.”