August 15th, 1964

 Date: 8-15-64

Time is slipping by. Towards end of July Bro Ritchie and I were taken on a trip with one of our investigators and son, Herr Moll, and Rene. He took us to the French part of Switzerland. We had been speaking to him and his family for about two months and Orten and Ritche for some time before that. They are among the most hospitable people I've ever met in Switzerland. His wife comes from Konton, Bern. There just about every one is supposed to be hospitable I'm told. 

Anyway, we drove east with him to the Ural and Then went on read that ran on the border between Switzerland and France. International Highway. Then we headed South for " La Chaux-De-Fonds" it was quite an industrialized town. They make may watches there. Then still farther south to Neuenburg or Neu Chatel. Here the climate and surroundings were much like those in Lugano. Primarily a tourist town. There we took pictures and talked Herr Moll into going sailing. His son didn't want to go but after he got out he really enjoyed himself. He even steered the boat. We really enjoyed ourselves. After that we wet north again to Biel. There we had in ice-cream, and headed home to Basel through Pelemont. 

The next week Brother Ritchie and I worked as usual until the end of the month. It was sort of funny, but I had a feeling ever sine the beginning of July that he would be transferred at the end of the month and I told him so. At the end of the month came transfer news and sure enough he was transferred as I had predicted it. To Lugano he went to work with Brother Monson. I somewhat felt sorry for him for two reasons: the first he wanted to see his mother who was coming to Bern after a trip to the Holy Land and it was a lot closer from Basel to Bern as from Lugano to Bern. But three weeks later it didn't matter because his mother's trip to the Holy Land was cancelled because of heat was there. The other reason was Monson was the most enthused missionary in Switzerland. I know this from working with him for two months. A good guy but not to much "testimony" well anyway, week later I received a card from Ritchie to find out I was right about this. He said, "I've been here a week and like it a lot. But we haven't worked yet." I didn't prejudice him any before her went down so he came to the same conclusion that I did. I've always found it best to hold your conclusions to yourself. I can't still remember brother May's express as he came to understand of who Brother Camberlang was. I had always old him to wait and see for himself. 

Anyway, I got a new companion and I couldn't have hoped for a better one. Yes, and ole Tessin buddy by the name of Al Becker. I had though of the possibility of getting him for a companion, but it seemed out of the question because we were both senior companions. But as I analyzed the circumstances it became clear why we got together. Three weeks before and Elder Guthre was transferred to Becker in Baden. Guthre had been in Tessin before; we both knew him. He was an ugly guy. "acne" and dirty but he knew the lessons (president=happy) He had been in Bern for a long time. He was then transferred to Baden and Hodgson , Becker's companion, was transferred to Bern to take over what was left of Guthre's area. Becker and Guthre didn't get along as one could well imagine. Later when talking to Becker he said he had asked the President for a transfer. So three weeks of work with the Guthre kins and Becker was in Basel. It was just the program needed here with two of us speaking a little Italian we were making a lot of progress. Two testimonies in cottage meetings. Yes, and a tremendous help in the Italian Sunday School and English class. 

Now two weeks after Becker and I have been together we appear to be making good progress language as well as missionary wise. We have the English Class going again (3weeks dormant) and one hoping to have Sunday School again tomorrow. Proselyting hours are up and the moral of the Basel program is at an all time high. 

But it is not all missionary work we also have made a trip in this short time too. Yes, we went to Strapburg which is in French in Alace border province. We went with long time friend from Tessin days. "The Gayer" There was and interesting Cathedral there with not only religious things there, but also a clock to help the fortune tellers. 

We are still working on Scarpellini. Sure hope we can get him baptized. He could be the leader we need.

Companion Al Becker in the vest