Várzea week 21

This week we had the baptism of Sisoco or Elvis. He was a very prepared person. Another person that was taught and baptised in two weeks. He was first brought to church by a member and he is a smart kid. He is pretty funny as well and likes to joke around. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to be here and witness his conversion. This week we lost our water for an unknown reason so that has not been fun, but we are doing well all things considered. I would say that the temperature has dropped a little. Halloween is in a few days but it means practically nothing to me because nothing has changed around here. A member of the Stake Presidency came to church yesterday and basically told the members that they need to step up and pay tithing, do family history work, and get a temple recommend if they want to see the temple completed anytime soon. It is true. Our members here need to really decide to follow the gospel or not. You cannot just stand in the middle. Lécio and Jaquelina are doing fine, preparing to get married on the 14th. We are excited for them.

Várzea week 20

This week we had a lot of success here. Four investigators came to church and we have a young man named Sisoko ready to be baptised this Saturday. Also there is another young man named Ailton being prepared to be baptised on the 10th. Some other news is that Lécio e Jaquelina, the couple preparing to be married, moved their marriage date to the 14th of November. This means that I will be here to see them married and baptised. I am 99% sure that this is my last transfer here in Várzea. We had zone conference and I learned a lot about how I can teach with the Spirit. It is something that I need to improve on for sure. It is very easy to fall into the routine of teaching just lessons and not people. Our Bishop had dinner with us on Saturday, or that is, he invited us to dinner with his family. He is lonely sometimes because his wife is in Portugal recieving treatment for Cancer. This week was a good one and I am happy to be a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is quite a privilege to be able to testify of these things. I know that Jesus lives, I know that The Book of Mórmon is true, and I know that Joseph Smith was called to be a Prophet of God. Have a great week.
Sorry I forgot to take pictures.

Várzea week 19

This week begins my 4th transfer here in Várzea. In some missions that may be normal but here it is very long. I am doing great though and we are having success. My companion now is Elder Silva. He is from Maranã-something, Brazil. He probably has ancestors from Cabo Verde but he has never looked it up. We have worked hard this week and we now have a couple who are very commited  being married on the 14th of December and than baptised on the 15th. They came to church an hour early and loved all of it. It helped that we talked about Eternal Marriage in the Gospel Principles class. It has been hot here but I think that Elder Silva is feeling it more than I am because he has not been in Praia for a while. We ha a lot more people lined up to go to church this Sunday but as it can happen none of them came through. Church is what really separates the Sheep from the Goats. I included some photos of Elder Angulo´s going away party. Also we bought giant pans of pizza for 3 dollars each.

Várzea week 18

Well, what can I say? These last few days have been awesome. I loved every minute of General Conference, except when a little girl behind me started puking. The messages were inspired and I am so blessed to be here in Cabo Verde when they announced the Temple that they will build here in Praia! I atached some pictures of the land that they will build it on. It is in our area. When President Russel M. Nelson announced the temple and that little temple figure popped up off the west coast of Africa, everybody in the capel went wild. It was pretty irreverent and I stayed seated, but it was a happy ocasion. Everybody Hugging everybody, except us of course. All of the Sisters bauling their eyes out. The change to a more Home centered Church and the focus on using the correct name of the church are inspired revelations as well. Here in Cabo Verde people really need to start using the correct name. Everybody just says The Church of the Elders, which is us, so that needs to go. Elder Angulo is preparing to go home tomorrow and I will recieve a new companion here shortly. I do not know who it is. I love you all and encourage you all to listen to the conference talks again. I know that this is Christ´s church. I included a picture with my Bishop here and his family.

Várzea week 17

This week I still had a cough but I found out that it was actually a lung infection so I got an x-ray which was cool and they let me keep it which is even better. Now I am taking Antibiotics so the cough is almost gone. We got some rain here which is good for the plants and the animals. I did a division with Elder Dopp who is a Zone Leader from my group in the MTC. He is a cool guy and likes to talk with people. He taught me a lot about not focusing just on the number of baptisms. We had a good time. Last Saturday we had the baptisms of Cíntia and Lindinha. Cíntia is that 13 year old who is pretty smart and who we brought to a baptism two weeks ago. Some people are just prepared. Lindinha also is a great woman. She was given to us as a member reference. Some people were telling her that she was crazy to be baptized because she was already baptised in the Catholic church. She payed no atention to them and for that she will be blessed. Next week we will see who will be my new companion. I am pretty pumped for General Conference as well. Até lá.