The papers of Vernon and Evangeline Matthies Neuschwander primarily document relief and service work to Russian Mennonite refugees after World War II. Materials include correspondence, poems, testimonies, and songs by Russian Mennonite refugees, reports and correspondence pertaining to Mennonite Central Committee relief work in the Netherlands and Paraguay, a diary kept by Evangeline Matthies Neuschwander during her Europen relief work, correspondence between Vernon and Evangeline Matthies Neuschwander, and a well-labeled photograph album documenting Evangeline Matthies Neuschwander's relief and service work. Other materials include records of Vernon Neuschwander's Civilian Public Service work, family and genealogical materials, Evangeline's writing and reminiscences, and miscellaneous materials.
By 1926, portions of the Chortitzer and Sommerfeld Mennonite churches belived they could no longer trust the Canadian government after they had lost control of educating their children. Samuel McRoberts, a wealthy banker who, at the behest of his wife, helped the Mennonites by purchasing their land on the prairies and selling them land in Paraguay. These photos were likely taken by McRobert's associate, Fred Engen and were intended to show the progress and good conditions in the Menno Colony in Paraguay and thus encouraging more movement to Paraguay.
A "newsletter" created by John R. Schmidt and his family describing their life and work as medical missionaries with the Paraguayan Leprocy Project at the Kilometer 81 Hospital.
The papers consist mostly of correspondence and articles relating to the various mission fields. Most important would be the materials on the General Conference Mennonite mission in China. Especially interesting is the material on the Japanese internment, including a large group of sketches of camp life, and items relating to the changes in China after the war.
The family history materials in the collection are also significant. They shed light on the early Bethel College (Halstead Seminary) and on Emmaus Mennonite Church near Whitewater, Kansas.
The collection contains some personal and family materials related to Suderman’s education, and many family letters are part of the extensive correspondence primarily related to his teaching and research. However, there is nothing in the collection before he became a student at Bethel. Some genealogical materials are included such as files for Suderman family reunions. Education materials include both notes and syllabi, not only from courses taken by Suderman, but also for courses taught by Suderman. However, other than humanities courses and a few music courses taught in the1960s, most of the teaching materials are from Sunderman’s last decade at Bethel with almost nothing from his first ten to fifteen years. There are administrative files from departmental and other committees, including his work as North Central rep and on curriculum development. Very extensive files relate to his sabbaticals and summer workshops and also to the numerous South American activities. Some files also relate to each of his many choral activities, directing church choirs, Mennonite Men’s Choir, Golden Singer’s Choir, etc. Several boxes are filled with a vast array of English and Spanish choral music, which are completely unorganized.
Photos of Indigenous people in the Yalva Sanga settlement, Paraguay. The first twelve photos (not uploaded) were taken by Nancy Flowers and are credited to the Standard Oil Company.
Photos of Indigenous Ayoreo people in the Paraguayan Chaco and of Mennonites interacting with them. The folder also includes a photo of Catholics with Ayoreo children. Notes: Our historic documents refer to these subjects as "Moro Indians," a loaded and outdated term. The history between Mennonites and Indigenous peoples includes serious injustices. For more information, see https://mcc.org/what-we-do/initiatives/indigenous-neighbours
Mai 1921: Raststätten unterwegs: das Nachtlager im Chaco wurde an offenen Stellen aufgebaut. Weil es zwischendurch auch regnete, stellte man Zeltplanen auf, um darunter die Mosquito-Netze auszuspannen.
