Monday, April 25, 2011

I got called as the Branch President in Tarrafal

So transfer calls came and Elder Fonseca got transferred back to Praia. He's now serving as a Zone Leader for Santiago South.

I'm staying in Tarrafal and I got called as the Branch President. Holy heck this is going to take some serious relying on the Lord. I'm in charge of the Church in Tarrafal. This is going to be some crazy work. I'm excited and I feel honored that the Lord has confided such a calling in me. I feel like I can do this, and I'm confident that the Lord will direct me in how that I need to move this work forward with the work of my new companion.

I went to Praia this morning to drop off elder Fonseca in his new area and to pick up my new companion who came in from São Vicente. His name is Elder Coleman and he is from Layton Utah.

This will be my first American companion. We will see how it goes. We have not had much time with each other. Only a few hours, but I'm more than confident that things are going to work out just as I made them work out with Elder Fonseca. I have learned that on the mission, you can get along with every one since you have the spirit of the Lord so strong. I am excited to get him filled in on the work.

Alex came to church!!! That’s 3 times in a row. He did something that touched my heart. This is someone who does not talk about his feelings. Last Friday he put his arm around me and said that he will never forget me. He said that I was his brother and that he's grateful for all that I've done for him. I know that it was not me that helped him, but the spirit of the Lord that has trusted me to help the people here.

We have two new investigators that came to church, and one accepted a date for baptism. His name is Tony, and he’s probably one of the poorest people I’ve seen so far. He has three shirts, two shorts, and one pair of pants. He’s very humble and quick to make friends. He's showing up at all the church activities and came to church for the first time last week.

Julia is now taking the sacrament and staying free of alcohol. She is doing better than I have ever seen before. Cedrique ("Jack") is doing incredibly strong. He is one of the Sunday school teachers and is magnifying his calling very well. It is so nice to see that because he is preparing to go on a mission. Ivandro, all being good will be baptized in two weeks. Steven will be baptized at the end of this month.

I want to emphasize how happy I'm to be here. My life is amazing, and I think I can say that sharing the gospel is one of the best things to do in this life. I love this gospel, and I have seen with my very own eyes what it has done to the lives of others who have nothing.

I have come to a realization that many people long to see. I'm in heaven. I'm in paradise. These have been some of the happiest moments of my life as I forget myself and focus on how I can help other people to discover the sweetness of the spirit of the Lord. I have seen how people transform from hopeless to hopeful. Some of these people have nothing to give you. They don’t even have a chair for you to sit on in their house. Then you realize that they give you their hearts and that is more than you could ever ask for.

My life is a dream right now. My life is in the Lord’s hands as He directs me for the benefit of others. This mission has moved my life in such a way that I thank my Lord endlessly, and affirm that such a gift, I am not deserving of.

This country is incredible. These people are gold, and I have found a place in my heart that will never go away for the people of Cape Verde. I know that Christ lives, and I know that he loves us. I know that the Lord forgets none of his children, and I will spend the rest of my life thanking him for the gift he has given me as calling me to be one of his servants and special testimonies.

Elder Cuestas

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Transfers are next Saturday

We have been having tons of water problems this week. We go 4 or 5 days without water. We have a 50L reserve tank, but we have to boil the water to drink it, and I get lazy. Ha-ha. No big deal. I usually start boiling water as soon as I get home from work.

Transfers are next Saturday, and everyone is hoping that I stay. It’s so nice to hear that. It makes me feel really cool. I love all the friendships I have been making.

Alex hung out with all of us on P day and we went and walked along the beachside with him and hung out. The beach here is awesome. The water is blue and the sand is white or black depends where you are.

Both Ivandro and Steven came to church this time and it was such a joy to have them. Steven is getting more and more happy about being a part of the church. He is excited to be baptized. Ivandro already has a testimony, and we are looking forward to his baptism.

JULIA IS DOING INCREDIBLE: I am soooo happy for her!!!! ONE MONTH WITHOUT DRINKING. Elder Fonseca authorized her to take the sacrament for the first time last Sunday. Pretty soon, she will be receiving a church call again. She seems to be stronger and stronger every time.

I am fully fluent in Creole now. It’s no problem. I understand every single thing I hear. It’s good because Alex only talks to me in Creole. Elizeu too. He’s been good as well. He is just looking for work and going teaching with us.

Did you know that our mission president is finishing his call in July? We will have a new mission president then. His name is President DeOliveira, and he is from Brazil, but has lived in Bountiful Utah for a long time.

People carry EVERYTHING on their heads here. The coolest thing about Cape Verde is that you’ll see women with buckets full of whatever on their heads and you can buy stuff from them right on the street. We always buy fruit from them. It’s much cheaper than in the store.

Cape Verdinians always try to look their best. You’ll see them with jeans, shoes, and shoulder bags. Lots of the women cover their heads with bandannas, but they wear the same thing. It’s usually very modest. They are very humble people. You almost never hear someone cuss here or call someone else a bad name,

Temples are very important to the members here, and many spend several years just traveling to the temple.

There is a very strange tradition for funerals. They will happen like any other, but the older more traditional people will wear black for an entire year in mourning of the death.

Elder Cuestas

Monday, April 11, 2011

Zone Conference was pretty cool

Sister Lapeyrouse sent me a package of American food like Oreo cookies, Mac and cheese, and cliff bars. My companion and I shared them and ate everything already.

About the violence, there is a lot of violence, but it is very concentrated. It is only in the cities of Praia, Mindelo and some parts of the island of Sal. Where I am, is more peaceful than back in the US. After 9 p.m., the streets are dead quiet except for young people that like to hang out outside their houses. All of them will greet you and shake hands with you. It is not uncommon to find a person you have never met before and shake hands and give them a pat on the back. They will act like you have been friends with them for 10 years.

The people in Tarrafal are some of the friendliest people I have met in my life. That is why I am so happy here. The only stuff that happens here is drunken people trying to have conversations about religion with you. You smile, act like Christ would and talk with them and go about your way. All the other places are like that too. There is very little crime here in Tarrafal.

Something amazing that happened yesterday is that Steven came to church on his own. We taught him later in his house that day and marked another baptismal date with him. I am so happy. This time it really seems like it’s going to work out. He is showing up to more and more activities and seems happier that he is going to church more often. Everyone is giving him a warm welcome!

Ivandro has a baptismal date too and is doing well. He sees us like his friends and talks openly with us and is grateful how we are with him.

Batcha and Mulato are on school holidays, so as a result, we have been playing soccer with them and the other members from 5:30 to 7 in the morning. It has been amazing, and I am getting really good at soccer.

Zone Conference was pretty cool. The steak was good and we got ice cream too. Ha-ha. The Hiace/Van was a bit frustrating because he did many turns around the city before
going back to Tarrafal. Hiaces/Vans will do that to try to fill up before they go to their destinations, so we usually try to find one that is almost full, but they were all empty at the time. I was exhausted coming back.

Some people will cook for us, but it’s not common. Like I said, Tarrafal is a village and people are very poor here. Most houses don’t even have electricity.

One thing that happened that I am so happy about is that we have been working with a less active member with a Marijuana addiction. His name is Alex and we have been developing a lot of care for him. He came to church yesterday and bore his testimony. A HUGE step.

Elder Gianluca Cuestas

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

General Conference

This was the longest weekend due to Conference. So because we are the leadership of the ward here in Tarrafal, we had to set up the Chapel for General Conference. Then we had to stay in the Chapel for the whole weekend, and the chairs are really uncomfortable. And since we are in Cape Verde, we have to watch conference via Internet. We had to watch one session on Saturday and 5 sessions on Sunday. That’s over 10 hours of sitting in the Chapel.

I am going to download the talks later and listen to them. I was not able to pay very good attention during the sessions. I was pretty tired of sitting in the chair.

So this week is a little different. I am going to Praia on Wednesday for Zone Conference on Thursday. We have zone conference every other transfer, and zone conference in San Tiago is in Praia.

The awesome thing is that President Neves gives us plates of really REALLY good food that he buys at this expensive restaurant every time we have zone conference. I am going to eat Steak!!!

We went into the mountains last week to help Zee with a project. He is clearing some space to plant corn. It was really good, and we arrived home exhausted.

We had a bunch of new investigators this week, and we are working closely with them.

Elder Gianluca Cuestas