W-1896IL-Trip.DOC

Ila in 1975 passport photo at age 79, 9 years after the following trip report

The Tour group of which I was a member was sponsored by the United Christian Missionary Society with headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Co-Directors of the Tour were Walter and Sue Cardwell, former missionaries to the Congo, and Bob and Janet McNiell. Bob is a member of the Staff and Editor of Leaven. Their experience and understanding were a great help to all of us. Sue was nurse to all who became ill, and there were several.

Mr. Charles Mills made all arrangements for the thirty-one members made up of five from Indianapolis, six from Nebraska, six Missouri, four Kansas, two Ohio, two Illinois, two Georgia, one Kentucky, one Virginia, one Brooklyn New York, and one California.

On the way to Kansas City with daughter Phyllis and her husband George Brown on Friday, July 8, news came over the car radio of the TWA strikes along with four other airlines. It was reported that the airlines lost 80 million dollars because of the strike. From my experience in Kansas City, St. Louis and New York, I'm sure it caused more than 80 million headaches. We stopped in Topeka where I had planed to stay over night with my sister Margret and her husband Frances Barclay. Mr. Mills called me next morning to tell me that he had made reservations for me on Braniff to St. Louis and New York. The strike caused us to lose our day in Indianapolis where we were to have visited Headquarters and meet our church leaders, and the day in New York where we were scheduled to visit United Nations, Inter Church Center on Riverside Drive, and Hermosa Church, one which we help support. My son-in-law George accompanied me to the airport in Kansas City to see about making the exchange of my ticket. Of course TWA office was closed. After several hours of waiting, explaining and checking with Braniff, I was told they could find nothing to confirm a reservation for me. That evening I put in a call to Mr. Mills at his home in Indianapolis. He assured me there was a seat for me and asked me to stand by while he called Chicago and St. Louis. After a long wait at the airport the next afternoon, I secured a one-way ticket to New York. They were sure that in three weeds TWA would be flying againt but they were not!

Thursdays July 14, 8:00 am Flight

I met a member of our group at the airport. Mrs. Penny of Lawrence came just that morning not knowing the difficult time she might have had. With our help in explaining to the officials she made it in time to board. Mrs. Penny is a member of the Christian Church State Board and is a lovely person. We soon became good friends. During the layover in St. Louis we enjoyed a visit with my niece Judy. Bob McNiell met us at La Guardia airport in NY and took us to J.F.Kennedy airport where we were scheduled to board Air France at 7:00 pm for Paris. We met the rest of our Tour group here, all but one, my to-be roommate. We had dinner at the airport, and we waited and waited all night! All sorts of rumors were floating 'round about putting a new engine in our plane. We decided that since Air France no doubt was feeling the effects of the strike, that they had let a load waiting before us, board our flight. It was only fair, I suppose.

Friday, July 15 - Paris

Finally around six o'clock am, a sleepy bunch climbed aboard and we were off for the eight hour flight across the Atlantic to Paris, every one of the 260 seats filled. We had breakfast and lunch on the flight. Here at the airport in Paris I met Mrs. Thelma Lorah of Bell, California, who was to be my roommate for the duration. She had taken a nonstop flight from California to New York, and was fortunate in getting an earlier flight to Paris. We became good friends. (A few years later I visited her in her home and she has visited me in Oberlin.) It seemed a long process with examination of passports, etc. before we were taken to Hotel La Francia at 4 pm. We were ushered into the dining room immediately where we were to be served a "snack". The snack consisted of a sort of Swiss Steak, French Fries, fresh tomatoes and coffee.

This tour was termed a purposeful tour, it was that and much more. It was to become a most wonderful experience meeting Church leaders in other parts of the worlds to learn a little of what the World Council of Churches is doing in the way of Missions, Church World Service, and to meet personally many Disciples of Christ leaders and learn of their work. In every city and every stop we were met by leaders in their respective fields, who explained their work to us, and sometimes accompanied us on all-day trips. In addition, we had native guides to explain and inform. The guides in France, Switzerland, and Greece were charming girls, well trained for their jobs. In Italy, Lebanon, Jordan and Israel the guides were men.

Madam Benignus, a worker with the Protestant Federation in France met us at La Frances, and was our constant companion while in Paris. We learned that her husband, a noted Frenchman, had been killed in an airplane crash a few years ago. Both had been Missionaries. She has five children but is also dedicating her life to the continuation of her husband's work. I have never met a more dedicated person.

We visited Cimade Headquarters, where two Frenchmen explained their work. Cimade is an Ecumenical Service Agency initiated by various Protestant Youth movements in France during World War II, "to serve those who suffer, regardless of race, religion, nationality or political position." We visited an Orthodox Church one evening which was an eye-opener to us. Much brass, glitter and elegance. A service was being held in one section of the Church which of course we understood not at all. We were shown through the church, then the pastor spoke to us in the foyer, and we stood. We saw no pews anywhere. We understand that the Orthodox worshipers stand for a two hour service and are so intensely interested they do not notice the time. I can almost believe this, as I found that later on, during the trip, I walked and walked with my ankles swollen three time their regular size, too interested to know.

We had a three hour night boat ride on the Seines with the Eifel Tower ever over us. The Tower is painted every five years, using 28 tons of paint. Our tour of the City included Notre Dame Cathedral; the Louve (1610); Joan of Arc; Unesco; Arch of Triumph; American Embassy; Christian Dior Fashion Center; a Cathedral built entirely of the stone which had been excavated from beneath; the government building with flags of all nations waving in the breeze; new modern TV and Radio building (1963); all were very impressive. A stature of George Washington stands at an intersection with the six streets branching out from it named for American Cities. The side walk cages, open markets, lovers walking hand in hand, (seeing a man fasten the belt of his trousers after leaving a "convenience" station, we'd heard of them), cars, cars, peoples, people, all were part of our sightseeing.

At dinner Saturday evening we were joined by Paul Elonda and Pierre Boyka, two Negro college students who had come from Strausburg, France, to Paris for a happy reunion with the Cardwells. They were small boys in the Mission school in the Congo when the Cardwells were there. One was tall, one was small, both were blacks not colored, 28 and 30 years old, married, each had two children. After dinner they spoke to us. One plans to preach, the other teach, when they return to the Congo. We felt a great pride in that our church had a small part in the education of these two fine young men. At the Hotel a spiral, black wrought iron stairway wound up around and old fashioned lift or elevator; mirrors, windows and fixtures were also very ornate. Friendly little Patrick, one of the waiters, was a favorite of all of us. We did not always understand each other, which made it all the merrier.

Sunday morning we attended The American Church in Paris, feeling very much at home. Sermon was by Reverend Martin Van Buren Sargeant, Boston. After dinner we enjoyed the drive to Versailles, the main attraction being the famous Palace and the lovely gardens. We were taken to the room where President Wilson signed the Peace Treaty of Versailles in 1919. We toured the entire Palace, containing the famous and historic paintings and furnishings.

Monday, July 18, Geneva, Switzerland, World Council, World Health Organization, Palace of the Nations.

Early morning we boarded Air France to fly at 25,000 feet to Geneva. Switzerland is beautiful whether seen from the air or on surface. From the airport we were taken to Hotel du Parc, a lovely spot in the mountains. Constructed of pine, it reminded us of the homey, resort places in the Rockies of Colorado. Six of us had rooms at the beautiful Residence Hotel, a short distance away. Our bed linens were quite a contrast from those in Paris. Large snowy-white square pillows of down, and coverlet of embroidery trimmed linen covered the beds in addition to the regular bed linen. We very carefully laid all this frill aside. Our meals and dining room service were all especially enjoyed at du Parc. On our tour of Geneva the first afternoon we went through the beautiful St Piere Cathedral overlooking the old city. The organ at St Piere had 5800 pipes. Another highlight is the famous Monument of the Reformation, started on 1909. It has a base 300 feet long. Statures of John Calvin, Farel, Beza and John Knox are in the center) with inscriptions in stone of their famous statements. Many other statues, the Lord's Prayer, and various inscriptions complete the Monument which is in one of Geneva's four parks. Geneva became headquarters for the Reformed Church in 1536. The Parliament Building, the University of Geneva and the old league of Nations building were also on our tour.

Switzerland being a neutral country, the Palace of the Nations (United Nations of Europe), the World Health Organization and the World Council of Churches are all located in Geneva. These being in somewhat the same area in a suburb overlooking the lake. We took in all of these on Tuesday. We enjoyed so very much being served our lunch at the World Health Organization Cafeteria where we were seated at a special table. (Most impressive, and probably the most unexpected on my part was the W.H.O. Building.) We would liked to have learned more of the details of it's program. The World Council of Churches, also referred to as The Ecumenical Center is quite a complex of buildings. The Chapel is most unusual. Materials for the finishing, and furnishings came from many different nations. The chairs are of an unusual rope twist, very beautiful and substantial. The walls are of wood paneling with slender stained glass windows from floor to ceiling. The "Baptismal Floor" is laid in Mosaic tile to achieve the effect of running water and to symbolize baptism. This I shall never forget! Here at the Center we met some of our own representatives who were attending the 1966 conference on "Church and Society". George Beasley, George Owens, his wife and daughter, who is attending the University of Madrid, Mr. Leggett, Mr. Lunger on Sabbatical leave from Texas Christian and Rosemary Roberts, who is with World Council in Geneva.

A Memorial to President Wilson is in one of Geneva's parks on lovely Lake Geneva. The United Nations took over the beloved gardens in 1946. The International Hotel with it's 500 rooms is quite impressive. Geneva is an ancient city and was once a walled city. The wealthy started building Chateaus outside the wall and eventually the walls were no more. The afternoon bus trip took us to the Ecumenical Training Center, Chateau de Bossey. Our driver had never been to de Bossey before and we became lost. We didn't mind; it gave us a chance to see more of the Swiss countryside and the small villages, where we stopped to inquire the way. The old expansive Chateau was purchased by the Rockefeller Foundation and donated to W.C.C. The Institute was established in 1946. Ten thousand men and women, ministers and laymen from ;all over the world have come here to do pioneer work in ecumenical encounter. Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Old Catholic are participants. An executive explained the work here. Disciples send a student every winter. We enjoyed sitting in the shade of the beautiful trees and wandering around the flower gardens.

Wednesdavy July 20

We left Hotel du Parc early morning on a sightseeing bus trip through the mountains and around the Lakes. Our luggage went with us. Switzerland has so much in the way of beautiful scenery. Many, including Americans, come here to spend vacations in the lavish motels and hotels built on the mountain sides, overlooking a lake. Lovely homes with gardens and crops cultivated to the very top of the mountains are seen everywhere. Many peace talks have been held at Chateaus on these hillsides. The main street of Lauzanne follow the foot of the mountains and around the lake for miles. On the lake shores are huge shipping yards. We saw Charlie Chaplin's home, a large modern Nestles Coffee and Tea plant and the University of Lauzanne. We stopped in a park here to stand under a gigantic Cedar of Lebanon tree. Next we went through beautiful Lucerne and the Chapel Bridge. The flowers and gardens here are superb. Our lunch stop was at Interlackeng, a city situated on a narrow strip of land between the two lakes and can be seen for miles and miles as we drove around the Lake. We spent the night at Hotel Rossili at "Stafa by Zurich". Here again we found Swiss hotel people and accommodations above average in Europe. In the evening our group visited the Boldern Lay Academy at Mannedorf to learn of their program. Feeling the 'need of rest I stayed "home".

Thursday, July 21

After breakfast at Rossili we went by bus to the very large and modern Kloten Airport in Zurich where we were to board Swiss Air. The two tour members from Georgia had brought hymn books from home, so we had devotions and sang on the way to the airport. Who wouldn't feel like singing in Switzerland? Zurich has a population of 480,000. We passed the University of Zurich enroute. Our flight was delayed for some reason, so Swiss Air gave us our lunch and then took us for a ride on a special sightseeing bus. We sang again. Finally we took off at 4:25 pm instead of 10:30 am, for the short 45 minute flight back to Geneva. We rode in trolley cars to and from airport to plane in Switzerland. At 6:15 we were off again on Swiss Air for the one hour, 15 minute flight to Rome. Had dinner on the flight and checked in at hotel Fiume) very tired but happy after a wonderful day of sight seeing. Every time we checked in at a hotel the mail call was most important.

Friday, July 22, Rome-St Peters Square

We could hardly believe we were in Rome! A few of the highlights: The Colosseum; Roman University said to be the largest in the world; Saragot, the White House of Rome; American Parish; Presbyterian Church of Scotland; the Pantheon (27 B.C.) now Christian Church with service celebration once a year by Catholics (workman were cleaning and polishing the marble floor when we visited). The Roman Forum was most interesting. Here was the ancient seat of government, Cesar's Castle, etc. all destroyed by earthquake in fifth century. Old ruins were interesting to study. Excavating is still being done. The Statuary on bridge across the Tiber river is grand work of art. The great walls along the river were built by Mussolini to control flooding. There are many beautiful fountains in Rome said to be fed by natural springs. We saw oleanders tall as trees. When we drove into St. Peters Square and gazed up at the marvelous statures of St. Peter and St. Paul atop the Cathedrals -- we wondered if we were dreaming. Our bus was a tiny thing in the huge courtyard surrounded by the mammoth pillars and great statues. 600,000 had attended church the previous Sunday in the Cathedral. After lunch of Raviali at Hotel Fiume, two Catholic leaders talked to us of Christian Unity. Our guide and companion in Rome was "Larry", a handsome young man, 22 years old studying for the priesthood. Everyone loved Larry, who proved himself to be friendly capable and eager to please. As we got onto the bus one time I asked him where his home was. His answer "Milwaukee, Wisconsin". During dinner we were entertained by two costumed Romans (with guitar music). We thought we should make an attempt to see a show in Rome, as we did in Paris, but after taking a taxi to the theater, we found seats for the English version were sold out. Just to be different, Thelma and Terry returned to the hotel by horse-cart.