5 Dec 1928
John Griffin to Mother / Grenoble, France
Last Friday morning we took the train for Lyon, arriving there about nine o'clock. We went up to the Elders and had a missionary meeting in the morning. It was a good meeting and a good way to start the day off. Right after the meeting we sat down to one of the best feeds that I've ever eaten. It was prepared by the sister at Lyon, and was really a French masterpiece. There were 11 different plates. It ran something like this: (1) olives and butter. (2) fish steak with sauce, (3) ...cake with sauce, (4) roasted celery, (5) mashed potatoes, roasted, (6) sweet potatoes caramelized, (7) turkey and dressing, (8) apple sauce, (9) rice pudding, (10) ... cream, (11) St Jacque cocktail. Of course just to name them off like that, you can't understand what it tasted like, and the translation seems funny sometimes, but boy it was surely good. It is the most I've ever eaten. Afterwards, we all went in and lay on the bed for the rest of the afternoon. In the evening we went to the opera. MMe Butterfly was playing. It was real good, yet not as good as the time I saw it at Marseilles. After the opera we came home, ate some more and talked around until 2 bells in the morning. It was really one of the best Thanksgivings I've passed. All it lacked was the family and of course the family spirit that one finds at home.
Now comes the joke. Saturday afternoon I and three others went to a show. I was to meet frere Middleton at the station at 5:10 as our train left at 5:20. Well the show lasted longer than I thought it would and even though I missed the last act, it was 5:15 when I arrived at the station. Of course frere Middleton had already got on the train. I rushed out onto the platform and climbed on to the train, or rather on a train. Well, 5:20 came and the train didn't leave. I thought it was just late as French trains often are. About a half hour later it pulled out. After riding for about a half an hour, we stopped at a station. I didn't recognize the place, but it was dark and so I didn't pay any attention. Well, about an hour latter we stopped at another station. I didn't remember that one either, so after we started up again I asked the man next to me if this was the train for Grenoble. I was informed that I was on the "rapid" headed for Marseilles. Well, needless to say I got off at the next station at Valance. There were no trains back to Grenoble that night so I had to stay at a hotel and get up at 4 the next morning to catch the train home. As much as I have traveled in the big and little cities, that is the first time I've ever made a boner like that. It was quite an experience. The worst part was that it cost me about 60 Fr. Next time I'll look twice before I jump. Well, I arrived here about 6:30 in the morning, and went back to bed until ten.
Sunday night we held one of the best meetings that I've ever held. In the first place there were 23 there and it was a good crowd. Six were new and above all we both got away with fairly good speeches. We were able to make a couple of visits and things look quite brilliant right now. We have new people coming out to our English class and all in all, it looks as if things are starting to pick up again. However we still hear rumblings of trouble. That is a thing that doesn't pass with the day. Anyway I am greatly encouraged and hope that we will be able to make some real progress.
Monday I received the two registered letters; one with $10.00 and the other with $15.00. Thanks a hundred times. There is no particular hurry about the suit. I may wait until spring time. When I wear my overcoat, it covers up my shabby cloths and I think I'll be able to get along till spring, for if I wait until then I'll have my suit to bring home with me. I was glad to receive the letter from Grandma Smith. I should write both her and Grandma Griffin one of these days. I was sorry to hear that Dad is still having trouble. I guess I should be home to keep him in bed until he is well again. I hope that he is better by now...
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