Cpae Verde week 66

Boa tarde,

Things keep moving forward here in Fogo. We held a temple preparation class this past week with Alberto e Zita. Elder & Sister Lopez helped out as they were here for seminary graduation. I t was nice to have them answer questions. We are hoping to have them attend the temple in Recife in September. Dani e Neia are set to go this next week and are getting really excited. I think we have everything worked out for their trip. Seminary graduation, big even. They attend seminary 4 nights a week.Institute graduation; good group of young people

Our week has been busy with FHE and visit with less active members. At Lilina’s home we presented a FHE on the Tree of life story. We read the scriptures and put up flannel board figures. I think left them with paper and colored pencils to draw the story. We will check their drawings this next week and play a game. The Sister’s have also been working with this family and today we had 3 out to church.

Yesterday we held dance practice for the RS program in 2 weeks and I think they are finally catching on to “OH Johnny Oh”. By the end of the practice we were all sweating pretty good. They were starting to “Ye Haw” a little during the dance, making it more fun.

This is President and Sister Tolman’s last week, they leave early Monday morning. They of course were worried that the Neves would not arrive and they would have to stay, but everything seems to be working out okay; although President Neves is going to have a very full 1st week. There are a lot of things in the fire right now and he will be extremely busy.

We continue to have little parades each day of drummers and people marching in the street. We are told it is the “Feista Bandeira” celebrating St. Joao or St. Pedro. There is another group going by as I type. At least they have stopped doing it at 2am. We got rain last night!!!! And it also sprinkled this afternoon, yippee. The rainy season is here finally, of course that might be all that we get, hope not, they sure need a few good weeks of rain. Actual a month or two would be good, but that would take a lot of people living the Law of Chastity better and paying tithing. HMMMMM not going to happen real soon I am afraid.

Well time marches on and we will soon go under 2 months left in the mission. We are uncertain if there is another couple in the mix for replacement. They are in for a real treat if they come to Cape Verde. Although we complain about many things, the true fact is we love the people and it has been a great experience. This is Bruno e Bebe Familia; Bruna e Fabricio. Both Bruno e Bebe served missions in Portugal. Bruno at one time was a Branch President here and is now serving as Elders Quorum President, he really likes to preach!This is Nivia who is a member of Sao Filipe Branch. She is very active and always has a smile. She is one of our dancers!

This is Ginha's familia; Erickson, Deborah, Vanessa e Ginha. Her husband is in the US and they are planning on going to the Temple soon. She is serving as the District RS President.Lunch with Elders Wyson and DeCruz. I think Elder DeCruz was a little disappointed, we didn't have rice and beans! Elder Wyson though liked the casserole and kept up a steady stream of conversation.

Graca and JJ Goncalves. This is President Goncalves Father and brother. We keep missing the mother and other brothers in the visit but will catch them one day.
Tchau for this week.

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

Cape Verde week 65

Bom Dia,

Happy are they, whose hands and feet are busy. Well that might be true or maybe not, but we have been busy with our hands and feet this week. Sharon with her hands making and finishing her bonnets. Me working on training programs for the YW and talks. Our feet busy walking to appointments and teaching dancing to the youth; so we should be happy and we are, but also tired.

All join hands and circle the ring. Allamander left, they learn quick. Members: Arnaldo, Danesia, Machu, Paula, Tony, Samira, Neia & Dani

We have had a full week and then a very busy weekend. This was Seminary and Institute graduation weekend. We had a good turnout at the meeting and enjoyed passing out certificates. I think we had about 30 in each category. It is great to see their faithfulness in attending and participating in these programs. Indeed the future of the Church in Cape Verde is being well developed through seminary.

We had Elder & Sister Lopes from Praia this weekend to help with the graduations. They work as the CES couple in the islands helping President Neves. We enjoyed their company. Speaking of President Neves; he and Mafalda should be at the MTC for mission president seminar. They are due to arrive back here in Cape Verde next weekend to take over the reins of the mission. President and Sister Tolman are winding down the Mission call and will be leaving next Monday.

For some reason, we are still trying to find out why, during the middle of the night groups of people are walking the street playing drums and chanting. When I say middle of the night I mean 2-3 am. They are loud and walk all over the city. We have been told it is some Catholic traditions but no specifics as to why and what for. All I know is it brought to mind the scene in “Monte Pythons Holy Grail”, bring out the dead, bring out the dead!! At that time of the morning, that is how I feel sometimes. Although I can’t understand a word of the chant, in fact it sounds more like mourning or waling. They also blow whistles.

We held FHE with Zito and Nana’s family this past week. They have 4 daughters and one son; Zita, Zisa, Zenita, Zileina and Zenildo. My head is swimming with all the zzzzzzz’s. I suppose if you try to say them really fast you might fall a sleep.

Everything is carried on the head. Feed for the animals as in the upper pictures and clothes to be sold, eggs, fish etc.
Sister Duarte and Skinn providing service hours; rounding up the pigs and doing laundry!

Well that is about it for this week. Love to all. Tchau

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

Cape Verde Week 64

Boa tarde,

We worked hard this week in preparation for a number of activities. 1st we have the RS activity at the end of the month which is going to be a play about the organization of the RS. Sharon has been busy making different types of bonnets, all cute and I have been working on getting the Youth to dance “Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny Oh”. We had our first practice today. They actually did really well, of course the boys kind of lagged behind but all in all a good practice. It sure got my heart pumping and plus we were all sweating pretty good by the end. I am having to learn the call and Sharon keeps the pace of the music going pretty quick.

We had a good FHE with Lilina and family, I played a little futebol before with Joselini and Pedro, no contest, they are just too good for me. 1st time Pedro came at me with the ball, he it poked right through my legs and went on to make a goal. Talk about laugh he literally laid down on the ground and held his stomach.

We attended President Goncalves birthday party and had a nice visit with all his family and neighbors. They served dinner and we sheepishly ate a few things. Sharon made the Farmer brownie cake and it was a hit as usual.

This week was transfers. We lost Elder Day, DaLuz, Ellis, Silva and Sister Duarte. They will all be missed but we got some supper missionaries to replace them. Elder’s Tuttle, Sigueira, Gunn, Ray, Wyson and Sister Silveira. We are happy to see them all and look forward to working with them.

I have been busy with medical things this week fixing toenails and taking calls. We have new Elders that are learning the price they pay for eating bad food.

The weather has been really hot this past week with very little breeze. We hurry and open the windows in the morning to let in the cool air then close things up to keep out the heat. We have wooden shutters that block the sun which helps with the cooling. While we were in Praia last week President told us to go ahead and get cushions or new foam for the couch so we would have some where to sit. The foam on the couch was all flattened out and after just a minute or two the rear end got tired. So we have been sitting on the bed to study. So we went looking for foam to add to the already flat couch foam. We talked about sewing a cover over it and had all sorts of plans. When we got to the store we located the right thickness of foam and got the price (way to high) but before getting it I went upstairs to see if they had new furniture. They had a new stock of bamboo wicker furniture. Like out door furniture. It was a little more money but a lot more comfortable and better looking. So we got a new set, see picture enclosed. The next couple will sure appreciate the addition. Okay that is the furniture, even Sister's Silveira e Skinn like it.

I have been working on an YW power point presentation for the new President. They haven’t developed yet the concept of reading the manual. So we need a little spoon feeding at first. Sister Skinn and Silveira helped with the presentation and I hope it helps get the program started on the right foot.

Sister Duarte before heading off to Mindelo. We are going to miss her!

Sister Waller, Maria Antonia and Simone. Sister Maria ids the Primary President in Sao FilipeElder Wyson and Melissa, it didn't take long for him to make friends with her or is it the other way around?

Sister Waller with her new doll and basket from Praia.Beach at Tarrafal.

This is the whipping post used during the slave years. Found in Cidade Velha, now a tourist area.

Senior couples in Cidade Velha: Tolmans, Brewers, Lopes, & Wallers

Sister Waller at the Beach in Cidade Velha

This is a huge tree in Assomada that is suppose to have been growing when the Portuguese arrived in the late 1400's.

Flowering tree outside Assomada with Church in the back ground.

Our New District; Elder Ray, Wyson, DaCruz, DeCruz, Sisters Silveira, Skinn and us.

Well that is it for another week. Tchau to everyone

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

Cape Verde Week 63

Boa Tarde,

It has been a very busy week as we prepared then held a Senior Conference in Praia. We also are getting ready for transfers. We held a number of visits this past week and enjoyed meeting new people. They are all friendly and are delighted to have you visit. But when it comes to doing things in the church, it turns to a different story.

Sharon has been preparing for a RS activity at the end of this month. The Sisters are doing a play about the organization of the RS, and Sharon is making bonnets for about 7 of the RS sisters. She found a pattern on the internet and had to work hard to figure it out, but in the end the bonnet turned out really nice. I in the mean time have been working on a simple cookie handcart, that the sister can make (like a Christmas gingerbread house) and have come up with an easy design. We priced the cookies and I think it will be a hit.

Cute bonnet!!!!!

We traveled to Praia on Thursday and had the conference that afternoon. The Brewers came in from Mindelo. In all we had the 3 couples plus President and Sister Tolman. It was a good time together and refreshing to talk of problems and solutions. We each have our own way of dealing with problems which makes things interesting. President Tolman was pleased with the conference, as was everyone else. Elder & Sister Lopes, Brewer, Tolman and WallerSister Tolman and Sharon had some good long talks; missionary related stuff????

On Friday we drove to Assomada and then over to Tarrafal where we had lunch. The island is large and there are areas where they grow lots of produce. We had a nice lunch on the beach and then drove back along the coast, very rough roads and we were glad to get out of the car.

Transfers are this weekend and we have major changes here in the Fogo Zone. Elders Kinghorn, Day, Ellis, Silva, DaLuz and Sister Duarte are being transferred. Actually Elder Day goes home. We are receiving Elders Ray, Wyson, Tuttle, Sequeira, Gunn, and Sister Silveira. So we are excited about the new arrivals.

We were sad to leave Praia as it will be the last time we see President & Sister Tolman for awhile. They leave in 3 weeks for home. We will see them at the October reunion in Provo.

This is the bumble bee of an airplane that we now fly on, 17 people.

Sister Skinn and Duarte having cachupa, fish or chicken. It was just okay!!

Like I said, it was just okay, not a 3 star dish for me.

Sister Duarte had 2nd on the chicken cachupa.

Dani, Neia, and Danieli. We just finished the Temple Prep class with them; they hope to go next month to Brazil.

Jose & Sandra family with Jasy, Sandro e Ismael

Well that is about it for this week. Tchau till next week.

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

Cape Verde Week 62

Bom Dia,

Sorry for the delay in posting my newsletter, but the internet has been down over the weekend and is finally up. It did rain last night a little. Maybe that is what caused all the problems. They really are not use to rain here in Cape Verde.

We have had a busy week. We made a number of contacts and are involved in visiting a number of families. We have found it extremely important to be simple in our gospel discussions. Many people have limited education and reading skills. This makes it difficult to teach and be effective. Even simple concepts like; sin and faith need to be defined and explained in detail. Unfortunately many join the church and think that is all that is necessary. We have one return missionary who is struggling. The Branch President called him in and issued a calling and he turned the calling down saying; “I just want to be a normal member, come to Sacrament meeting and nothing else”. Somewhere along the line we have failed to teach “persevere to the end” portion of keep the commandments.

We are teaching a family, I think I mentioned them last week that have been inactive for at least 10 years. The children are not members as their parents left the church before they reached baptism age. We are working hard to get them to feel the spirit and so far the reception has been positive. Tonight we are going to talk about temples, as the mother has shown a desire to return to activity and prepare for the temple.
Lilina, Jo, Carlos, Pedro, Joselini, Jessica ( neighbor)

Sharon is helping the RS prepare for an activity in the next month or so. She is making bonnets and they will be doing a play on the organization of the RS. They are also thinking about teaching the youth to square dance for part of the play. So we are looking into “Oh Johnny Oh Johnny Oh”.

That is about it for this week. We are now under 3 months left and time is marching on. We hope everyone is health and we definitely hope the gas prices come down before we get home, but we aren’t going to hold our breath on that one.

Love to all

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