Cape Verde Week 14

Bom Dia Amigos,

This has been a busy week for the Waller’s and the missionaries here in Mindelo. Saturday started with interviews with the President for all the missionaries. Of course they look forward to that, but also just being together visiting while waiting. Sister Tolman gets in on all the news while the Elders and Sisters wait for their interviews. The Sister missionaries and Sister Tolman then converged on our apartment for lunch together. I disappeared into the back room, it sounded like they had fun being together.

Sisters Waller, Tolman, Delgado, Souza, Vaterlaus, and Bikhazi.

Sister Waller and I then headed back over to the church for a baptism. I had been asked to baptize Djeka (a 16 y/o) who I challenged to be baptized a month ago. He has been a wonderful experience for the Elders, as he follows through on all of their requests. He finished the Book of Mormon in 5 weeks. We all were very proud of him. He has been attending church faithful and has a strong testimony. He will be a good example for his family. I had to practice the prayer so as not to make a mistake. It was a nice service.

Djeka & his little brother Junior

We then followed with Seminary and Institute Graduation. We had about 16 seminary students graduate and about the same number of institute students finish their course for the year. It was a long meeting. Afterwards we went with President and Sister Tolman to dinner. It was nice to have a nice evening together. I hate to say, but we were out past missionary curfew. Sunday we attended the branch to confirm Djeka. We generally attend 2 sacrament meetings a week, because Sister Waller generally plays for the meeting. We had the Pres. and Sister Tolman for lunch and a nice long visit.

Monday found us in Zone Conference. It is always a pleasure to be around the Elders and Sisters, because of their enthusiasm. The theme of the conference was on “More effective Study Habits”. Something we all could work on in our lives. My segment was done with power point, so I could use more Portuguese. We had our lunch at the “Grill”, where we were served a ¼ of a chicken BBQ. It was just okay, rather over done.

On Tuesday I headed over to Santo Antao with President De Costa for church business at the Porto Novo branch. It was a long evening with the Branch President and interviews. President and I had a very late dinner. We headed back the next morning. The ferry ride over was pretty smooth, but coming back was quite rough. President De Costa got a little green. We had a Chinese man sitting next to us on the way back so I asked why there were no Chinese restaurants in Mindelo. He did not understand one word of Portuguese. The President had to interpret my Portuguese into Creole. No restaurants because too few customers. All the Chinese like to cook at home so they won’t go to a restaurant.

Sister Waller stayed at home while I was away and went out with Sister V and B. They had a really good discussion with Carla an investigator. She is set to be baptized in another week. They asked her about each principle and after she told them what she remembered they sang a song related to the principle. An effected way to invite the spirit! The rest of the week has been rather uneventful. I did visit a Pre School, to see if there is any Humanitarian opportunities, plenty!!

There about 160 children at the school; ages 1-6. They must have really played hard cause they were all a sleep.

We have a 3 stage filtering system to clean our water here in Mindelo. I was thinking about pure water and the living water offered by Christ.

When Christ and His disciples were returning to Galilee, they went the direct route through Samaria. At Jacobs well, while the Apostles went for food the Savior had a discussion with a woman of the village wherein he offered her living water; a well spring of living water. Water being the most important element for survival beyond the air that we breathe, has always been the major concern for mankind. The living water offered here though would bring eternal life.

In the mission field we face many dangers to our health. One is the lack of health care services; the other is the natural surroundings. Our water, here in Mindelo, comes from a water desalinization plant. When it leaves the plant it is pure and totally safe to drink and sustain life. Unfortunately the distribution network is not as safe and bacteria, parasites and impurities enter the water system. The water we receive at the tap is very different than the water at its origin. If we drink this water we face many health problems. The church has installed in each apartment a 3 stage water filtration system, which eliminates these harmful substances from the water. The filters must be replaced regularly to maintain proper function.

The living water that is offered by the Savior is there to sustain us and lead us to eternal life. We maintain this source of living water in our lives by keep the sacred covenants we have made and by immersing ourselves into the fountain of the living water. Like the 3 staged system this helps to purify. The fountain is the scriptures, where we learn to recognize Gods hand in all things, to learn of Him, about Him and learn to know Him. Where we are taught by the Holy Ghost all things we should do. This fountain of living water allows us to follow the Savior’s example and be perfected in Him. When we use the fountain of living water, the scriptures, we can maintain the filter system and remain spiritually healthy; eventually obtaining eternal life, the greatest of all Gods gifts.

If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. John 4:10

May we each use the filter system provided for us by the Lord and drink from the fountain of living water each and everyday.


Tchau for this week

E/S Waller, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa

Cape Verde Week 13

Bom Dia;

We continue to stay fairly busy, although there are times when things slow down. We have been out a number of times with the Elders and Sisters. We continue to try and use our Portuguese. I had the opportunity of visiting the Nursing School at the hospital and present a resuscitation baby. This was part of a lecture series they received a year ago on resuscitating infants. While there the Director asked if I would give a lecture on foot and ankle trauma. She then increased it to a three presentation; lecture, demonstration, and then a practical where the nursing students actually get to apply cast, or splints. Ok, when? Well in 1 year, so you have time to prepare. So I am on the program in one year for a full 3 hours. A one hour lecture on trauma will be very basic, very basic. The demonstration will also have to be very basic. I just need to practice my medical Portuguese.

Presentation at the Nursing School

We are gearing up for this week end, as the President will be here for Zone Conference. He comes to town tonight and then holds interviews all weekend. I have a part on the conference program and have been working on a power point presentation about study habits.

Elder Friaca teaching Portuguese

On Preparation Day all the Elders got their haircuts, in preparation for the Zone Conference, so the Sisters decided to do their hair as well. Sister Bikhazi had her hair done in corn rows and Sister Vaterlaus had braids put in. They look good, sporting their new hair do’s. The Elders generally get a buzz #2 on the sides and #4 on top; basically a buzz all over.

Sister Bikhazi & Vaterlaus with new Hair Styles. Notice the corn rows on head at lower right, lower photo of our grocery store.

We have been having some good wind lately so I have written a short thought on Po (dust).

Pó

The wind blows every day here in Mindelo. We basically have one season dry and hot. Located off the west coast of the African Sahara desert; when the desert winds blow the dust and sand comes all the 400 kilometers to the islands. The dust makes visibility very difficult and causes major health problems among the aged. The hills surrounding the city are bare rock and sand. There is no vegetation to take hold of the loose dirt and sand, so when t he wind blows the earth moves.

We are constantly cleaning our apartment as the dust comes in even under the doors and around the window sills. We have rolled rags to block some of the dust and generally only leave the windows open in the early morning, so as to cool the apartment. Then we shut it all up and depend on fans to circulate the warm humid air.

The wind blows so hard sometimes that the sand feels like it is peeling the skin. It stings! I have told people here that we also have dark skin but the sand has cleaned us down to the white primer. Cleaning our apartment is a daily task. We have also taken to having two showers a day. You come in with a gritty feeling and a good night sleep only comes when the grit is removed.

The men here keep their hair cut short, and most women tie their hair back or braid it into corn rows. This helps when the wind is a constant force on your looks.

The Portuguese word for dust is pó. As we have a constant problem with pó here so do we have a constant problem with the evil pó that surrounds us in the world. We see, hear and experience this evil pó everyday. The language used by many is very disturbing and inappropriate. The music lyrics are suggestive and rhythm erotic. The visual senses are stimulated with all that is abhorred by followers of Christ. The sensual and devilish are portrayed as normal behavior and applauded. The physical and material world is portrayed as bringing happiness. With this evil pó everywhere, how do we keep the light of Christ in our lives and create a spiritual haven?

Our homes are protected by locks and security yet we invite into our homes the TV and music that carries all that is wrong with our world. Our homes need to be a place of refuge, where the evil influences are kept at bay. We need to continually clean the evil pó that comes into our homes. In D&C 88:119, we read about establishing a house of prayer, fasting, and a house of God. The evil pó that can so easily invade all aspects of our lives needs to cleaned away daily by; prayer, FHE, scripture reading, kind and loving speech and respect.

We can create a House of God, but it takes constant effort to clean the pó away.

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

D & C 88: 119

We hope everyone has a week pó free.

E/S /Waller, Mom & Dad, Bama & Bampa

Aldair piano lessons, and construction activity, a beehive.

Tchau

Cape Verde Week 12

Bom Dia:

This past week has been a little different. Sharon was sick for a bout 4 days; with head aches and stomach problems. I am not sure if my cooking helped, or lack of cooking. She is now doing better and we are out and about some. We had a number of visits with members and non members this week. The Elders and Sisters invite us to assist in teaching, and we have enjoyed the opportunity. We have made a few visits to members and seem to be getting the hang of speaking and repeating things.



Main Praca ( Park) in the center of town.

Last weekend was a Branch conference and I got to speak 3 times in stead of the normal 2. I decided to give it a try and only used notes not a written talk. Everyone said I did well. I am having a problem with um though; I say um sometimes when I should say ‘o’ or ‘a’. Um means one and ‘o’ and ‘a’ mean the. So it is rather confusing to the listener. Sharon is helping me with the problem by nudging me or saying HMMMM.

We are continuing our reading the Book of Mormon in Portuguese; we are now in the Book of Mosiah. Our pronunciation is getting much better and we are starting to recognize more words. We do pretty good at reading Portuguese now. Sharon is a great help in the pronunciation department, plus she knows most of the grammar rules. She will say, “that has a soft ‘o’ sound like in the word….. Of course for me it kind of goes in one ear and out the other, but she keeps trying and is very patience. Sometimes I get a little upset as it is hard to have every other word interrupted by a HMMMMM, so I to am learning patience.

Main Road in the center of Mindelo.

We visited, the other night, with the Sisters an investigator named Carla. She is set for baptism in about 2 weeks. We had a good discussion and I even told a few stories, it was a pleasant time. I have also been asked to baptize a young man who I invited to be baptized when out on a discussion with Elder Terry and Tuttle. I asked them why they weren’t doing the baptism and they responded, “they wanted the members to have the experience”. I think that is great but I am a missionary as well, how about the local members. They insist that he wants me to do the baptism, so okay. We have participated in about 3 of his discussions, he is well on the way to having read the Book of Mormon, and should be finished by the time of the Baptism.

Government Building in the Center of Mindelo.

This coming week is one for preparing for Zone Conference, always a treat. Sharon and I have been studying Isaiah together. We have been listening to the podcast on, “ Insights into Isaiah” from the BYU website. It has been really interesting and we are enjoying the study time together. I need to be better at taking notes and recording them so they will be of use in the future.

Well have a good week.

E/S Waller, Bama & Bampa, Mom & Dad, Chuck & Sharon

Praca in Mindelo.

Cape Verde Week 11

Bom dia

We held a District Training Meeting for the Priesthood leaders on Saturday. I gave a presentation on holding councils, and I used a power point presentation which simplified my poor Portuguese. The President of the District wanted everyone also to start a fast together, so they served lunch, it was really greasy, so I had a long fast.

We continue to have problems with getting meetings started on time, especially Sacrament meeting. I think they believe by start later they have less meeting time, because they always end on time.

Monday we went with President James Tarvares and distributed humanitarian new infant packets. There were about 20 ladies waiting for us at the clinic. Some had their new babies with them and others were in the last phase of their pregnancy. We asked President James about the high birth rate and he said the women are afraid to use any birth control measures. It seems there is a stigma about not having children, whether you are married or not. It is a definite matriarchal society, and I think women get pregnant so they will have someone to take care of them when they get older. The men just come and go out of their lives. The men do seem to help some with their mothers though. It is really difficult for the Elders to teach and have everyone ready for baptism; then they have to teach the law of chastity, where upon it all falls apart. Even though they have been living together for years there is this fear of marriage commitment.

Young girl at the clinic, snuggled up to Sister Waller

Sister Delgado returned from Portugal last week, where she had been for 6 weeks. Only 4 days after returning her father passed away. She has been very concerned about others knowing, so we have had to keep it a secret. This has made it difficult to give any comfort or compassionate service. She has decided to deal with on her own with no one else helping her. The President has made arrangements for her to return home for the funeral and to make final arrangements. She will be gone for about 5 days. We really mourn for her and the struggle she is having inside, but there is little we can do when she wants no one to assist her.

On preparation day the zone took a van to the beach. They had a good football game and enjoyed playing ‘capture the flag’. They also had some fun with the local sand crabs. The waves were breaking well and the tide was coming in, so occasionally the water came up onto the playing area. The Sisters were allowed to play as Quarterback and only the other Sister could rush. They had a good time!

Beach Sao Pedro

I am now preparing for a Branch Conference this weekend. I think I will have to speak twice, once on Sunday and then once in the priesthood training meeting. It does take sometime to prepare for these meetings. Especially when you have to first do it in English then translate it into Portuguese.

We received some new photos of Scott and his family from Alisha. For those interested in what the rest of the family is doing, check out their blog sites. In the right column of my blog the children are listed, just click on their name and you can see what they are up to.

Tchau for this week,
Bama & Bampa, Mom & Dad, E/S Waller

Watch out Elders, she mean business!!

Sisters in the Zone: Vaterlaus, Bikhasi, Souza, Delgado, Waller

Just taking it easy!

The new Bret Favre!!

Elder Hill doing a great back flip; the landing was a little short

Cape Verde Week 10

Bom Dia:

Well it has been a busy week what with all the transfers. The missionaries were a little disappointed when the President delayed the transfers by a bout 3 days. He was having problems getting airline tickets on a Monday. There is one flight to Boston every week on Tuesday and so everyone flies into Praia on Monday. Since most of the transfers are determined just a few days before transfers actually happen, it was hard to get flights.

District: Mendonca, Wixom, Firaca, Bueno, Pires, E/S Waller, Front: Day, Thurgood, Hill

We now have two Sisters living in the apartment above us; Sister Vaterlaus from Boise and Sister Bikhazi from Albuquerque. They were very excited to be put together as companions. Sister Delgado returned to the mission after about 6 weeks at home. Her father remains in poor condition in the hospital. She really felt that she needed to be back, so she made all the necessary arrangement for him and returned. She is again companion with Sister Souza. Elder Pires our Zone leader was transferred to Praia and we now have Elder Wood from St.George.

We presented some humanitarian packets to some very pregnant women, they were very happy.

We have been kept busy buying things for the Sisters apartment. I have made lots of trips to the store for everything from ironing board covers, to dust pans, tables, beds etc. They are really excited to be living above us; we have already fed them once and then cookies today.

I was talking with a member of the District Presidency about families and who is related to whom, wow genealogy is going to be a night mare here. One leader has 3 children from 3 different mothers and half brothers with multiple connections. It is getting hard to know who is related to whom. There is a caste system here as well. We had an investigator come with her brother and a member said something to the effect, “Oh he is your brother, he is so dark!” We hope the effect won’t last because he has a baptism date I about 2 weeks and is a really good young man.

We have had a few medical problems this past week; the most serious was an Elder with a Pilinodal cyst. We have him on antibiotics and warm moist pads. This morning he called and said something came out of the cyst, so I had him bring it over so I could check it out. Looks like and encapsulated hair follicle. We hope things will now clear up easily.

Well encapsulate hair folicle. Though you might like to see it, anyway.

We have just received word of another couple coming to CapeVerde. They both speak Portuguese as one is Brazilian and the other a native of Cape Verde, who has lived in the US for many years. We are pretty sure they will be heading for Fogo.

Well that is about it for this week. Hope everyone is doing well. Drop us a line when you can.

Love to all

Bama & Bampa, Mom & Dad, E/S Waller