Like many Swiss people, Serge had once taken the road to Caux and found a new direction in his life. Little by little he felt God's call, a vocation to serve Him through this center of Caux and Moral Re-Armament, and to contribute to His radiance in the world. This did not happen without heartbreak. But God was able to build something solid, in him and through him, whose price we measure today.
Serge, with his architectural flair, had great skills that his friends have benefited from wonderfully at Caux. He knew the centre like few of others, and he made a significant contribution to some of the developments.
Serge was not a man of public speeches and even in small circles he preferred to refrain from speaking if he did not have something authentic to say. When he did speak, however, he often provided the insight that was missing. This relative silence was compensated for by a remarkable quality of listening. He had helped visitors from far away countries outside of conferences who needed to find someone ready to hear their worries and concerns with all their heart.
Serge also expressed himself so well in his correspondence. Many of people there have no doubt received some of those wonderful letters written in his large handwriting, where one would find sometimes an original turn of phrase, sometimes a profound note that reflected his character.
Serge's influence went beyond the borders of Switzerland, of course. He left his mark in countries such as Canada, and a Laotian personality reminded Regula today that they had spent their first wedding anniversary on the banks of the Mekong, a few months before that country lost its freedom.
Serge was a wonderful husband, father, brother and friend who will certainly be missed. Even if, humanly speaking, he left too early, people know that his life was full and rich, especially rich in human contacts because Serge had a sincere and genuine love and interest for each person he met.
God wanted to call him back to Himself, and He wanted to do so in an unexpected way, surrounded by hundreds of friends who had come to the conferences in Caux.
Serge Borel was born in 1933. On Sunday, August 7, 1988; as the 400 people present were getting ready to start lunch, Serge Borel collapsed next to his table, and despite the efforts of all the doctors and nurses present, he could not be revived. The ambulance came from Montreux, then the helicopter from Lausanne, but in vain.
Borel was a member of the Council of the Caux Foundation 1972-1988, and was the Vice-President in the year of his death.
