31 Jan 1928
John Griffin to Mother / Montpellier, France
Last sunday we held our first meeting and I believe it was quite a success. Last Friday night the other Elders came over, so Saturday we all went down to Palavas and played football in the sand. It was surely a lot of fun and we had a wonderful day. It is always a thrilling thing for me to go down to the Medeterranean Sea and think that right across the sea is Africa. Anyway we all had a mighty good time even if we are still stiff from the effects.
Sunday we held our first meeting. There were 16 there counting 7 missionaries. Five of the others didn't come until late, so when we started there were only four others besides the missionaries. We felt pretty low until the five others walked in. those five are some friends I found, and look like some of our best prospects right now. Frere's Creer and Nelson did the talking. It was a very good meeting and was well received by all present. the saints were very well pleased with the meeting, hall and all - also President Nelson. You can't imagine the joy one has when after he works hard to get a hall ready and to get people to come out, and then he sees some of his friends come out to meeting, and finds the Saints and friends all well pleased. It's a joy one can only experience on a mission.
Sunday evening we all visited the Saints, and sang, chatted and drank malt. I believe they have got over the squabble and everything seems to be going fine now. Sister Henriette wrote to Ben today. Tell him I will write soon but I've been so busy with this church, etc. that I havn't had time to hardly think. I don't know what we are going to do next time when I've got to occupy a portion of the time. I'm sure it won't be for long, though. It isn't so bad when you are just carrying on a conversation, but when you have to do all the talking, I don't know just where I'm going to get off at. I suppose though that before long I will be used to it and can do it all right.
Right soon now, in 15 or 20 days we will have our other big conference. We are looking forward to a big crowd and hope to avoid any Communists this time. I suppose you know I got Dotta's other package at last, on the 29th. All the Elders got an awful kick out of the things she sent.
I am glad to hear that Sept. Hopkins is coming around, as we call it over here. I always did think that he was quite lax in his Church duties. This darn pen, it won't write good. I suppose you know I lost my "lifetime" up in Geneva right after I got there. I bought this but the darn thing is only a cheap one and is always clogging and getting ink all over. You can buy "lifetimes" over here, so if you want to give me a good birthday present...
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