Anna V. Blough letter to dear ones at home, May 12, 1921

              Pingtingchou, Shansi, China
May 12, 1921

Dear Ones at Home,-
It is so long since any letter from home folks, a whole month. That is even longer than I wait to write. I am wondering what is the matter, if it is in the mail or something else. 

Last time I said we had no rain. There have been two good rains since but this seems not enough to bring the wheat out as it should. It is quite evident now that famine will continue at least until the fall harvest, at least there will be many who will be in need that long. We are glad our funds are not running short now. 

Minerva and I have the tomatoes set out, some eighty plants. Also planted sweet corn and a few other things. It will grow if rains continue to come each week. There is not the pleasure to make garden here that it is where water is assured. 

At last writing I told you Laura Shock has been sick with typhus fever. She is over the worst part of it but is not up yet as her heart is so bad. Pulse 40 and temperature 95. I have been taking my turn regularly every other night. Some night I am not disturbed so often and other quite frequently. Have been keeping up my daily work too, so am beginning to feel it somewhat. But am not worn out yet. It will be easier from now on as she will take less attention and some others are helping out now. 

I am still busy in recruiting business. We are still taking on men and the next week expect a good many. This afternoon there ought to be 300 in addition to the 150 of this morning. But they are coming a distance and so are slow in getting here and that gives me time for writing. We now have over 14,000 men on the road which means the support of at least 70,000 people besides a good many thousand who can not work on the road and are getting grain out in their villages. 

The children who were in our court this winter are almost all gone home now. There are several little orphan boys left yet, who may go home or may stay with us, we do not know yet. We have no more sickness in the place since we put them thru the de-louser.

Last Sunday morning I had occasion [sic] to go to the place where the government is feeding some three-hundred women and children. They have put fodder on the floor and mats on top. But sickness is among them and it has a pretty good chance among that crowd in those conditions.

Fri. eve- May 13- Last eve your letter of Mar 28 came. It was six weeks on the road. Thanks for the money, I�ll try to use it profitably. That was a surprise that Mary Hoots is married. Laura Shock is a niece of D.W. Shock. Hope Elizabeth is stronger again. What does Doris say about the baby? Sorry Mark Knop is sick, hope he will be better soon.

Best Wishes to all,
Anna V. Blough