6 Nov 1927
John to Mother / Montpellier, France
Well here another week has passed and it's time to write home again. It seems like the time passes so quickly and yet in another way it drags terribly slow...
There has been nothing of any great importance happen this last week. Last Tuesday was Decoration Day here so we couldn't tract. During the afternoon we went for a walk out into the country with the Saints. The country is by far the prettiest part of France - it is just one rolling hill after another. The hills are usually covered with woods or else grape vines. The woods over here are yet quite green even though it is almost the middle of November. The grape vines have turned though and the hills in places remind me of the wonderful mountains at home. It surely made me think I was home to see the old sun setting down over the sea casing its red reflections all over the colored grape fields. Here everything is green and there are flowers. There is so much moisture in the air that it keeps things green. I also saw the first olive tree on my walk out into the country.
In the evening we went to see the opera Carmen. The music was wonderful but parts of the acting were not as well done as the other operas I've seen. Altogether though it was one glorious day - one of the best that I've spent in France.
I'm doing all my tracting alone now and if I can make up my mind to get out and at it I quite enjoy it after I get started. The other day I got into a place where a guy ordered me out, but I couldn't understand what he said so I didn't go. He got hot and was going to throw me out, but he looked twice and saw I wasn't so small myself so he just threw up his hands and raved like a Frenchman would. I finally left. I find this kind every once in a while, and of course they're not always the most pleasant to meet. However its all in a lifetime so we have to put up with it.
The work is going rather slow. We are however making a few friends. It seems like just when we get making a little progress the investigator goes to a Catholic priest with his story and then we have to start all over again. The Catholic Church is certainly a devilish thing. It is (The Catholic Church) not like it is at home. Here they rule the people with an iron hand and it seems their motive is to keep the people in ignorance. We have to tear down all their false doctrine and then build ours. In many cases the people of the Catholic Church aren't even allowed to read or believe in the Bible.
Before I forget, did Dad send any money for November. They havn't received any at the office in Geneva. I have only about $35 to get along on this month and that includes what I've saved. Besides I have a book bill at Geneva yet unpaid which amounts to about $7. I suppose if I have to I can get along by using my birthday money...
Dot sent a box of candy for my birthday but it is up at Geneva yet. You see thay have to receive it there and pay duty on it and then send it here and I have to pay duty on it. So if you send packages, send them direct to their address. Thanks for the shirts, etc. I have not received them yet, but I suppose I will soon. It's suppertime and I've fasted all day so am pretty hungry. Give my love to the family and tell Donny and Elsie that I'll write to them soon.
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