Monday, June 27, 2011

President Neves finished his term



This email is going to be very short because I went to Praia this weekend and I only slept about 35 minutes. Praia is very hot this time of year, and none of the houses in this country have AC.

This Sunday elder Coleman and I went to Praia as President Neves finishes his term tomorrow. His farewell fireside was on Sunday. All the missionaries were invited, and we got to see a wonderful array of testimonies from the entire Neves family.

On a flight from SLC will arrive our new mission president Oliveira and his wife. They are from Brazil but have lived in Bountiful Utah for several years. I’m so excited. We’ll travel back to Praia for Zone conference on Thursday with the new Mission President.

I love President Neves. He has changed my life forever through his faithful service to the Lord. I feel like someone older with more knowledge.

I am indeed grateful for how much I have learned in my life out here on the mission. I will continue to grow and love this gospel and the church.

I will give more details next week. I’m exhausted and a bit sick with a cold, and it’s about 90 degrees in this place.

até breve,

Elder Cuestas

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Sundays can be quite hectic here

Lacy is doing very well since his baptism. I’m so happy for him. He says that the church has really changed his life.

Tony and Michel are doing pretty good. We would like to baptize them soon, but Tony is a bit hesitant. We just have to be patient and continue encouraging him to move forward. He has a testimony and that’s what is important.

Family is not really significant here, so Fathers day isn’t on the top list for Cape Verdinians.

As Branch President, I have to make sure the church runs here: everything from finances, to the members, to all the activities and meetings that the church has here. I’m in charge of what is taught, what takes place, the callings of all the people, the worthiness, sending people on missions, etc. etc.

My companion and I run church on Sundays, which includes directing Sacrament meetings. We interview people and take care of any tithing and anything else that requires taking care of on Sunday. It can get pretty hectic for us here.

And yes we cook every single day…

What have I learned here? To get used to anything that can make me uncomfortable. I’ve learned to be patient, and most of all that I have a really good ability to humble myself.

Elder Cuestas

Monday, June 13, 2011

My First Baptism


Last Friday was one of the best days of my mission!
Lacy chose me to baptize him and everything went through as planned. Many members were there to support him and the water was indeed beautiful. It was in the ocean on a rocky shore, where there is this small lagoon perfect for baptizing. After the baptism, we just stood there hugging for a minute. The spirit of the Lord was incredible, and my heart was filled with an intense joy. Lacy said to me that now we’ll be together forever in the kingdom of God. I couldn’t stop congratulating him. We’re indeed friends for life, and I knew that my purpose in Tarrafal is being fulfilled. The church members are so happy to have a new member in the family.

Julia has fallen a few times on the drinking, but she - like Alex - is not giving up and continues coming to church. She has plenty of support from the RS. She loves church and is happy that she’s a member. It’s the best thing that she has in her life.

We have this great investigator, his name is Michel, and we’re thinking he’s going to be baptized in the next two weeks. He’s very smart and is so ready to accept the Gospel. We’re working closely with him and we already have a baptismal date. He’s Tony’s friend so hopefully they can be baptized together.

Very few people have TVs in their houses. There are two channels TCV (Televisão Cavbo Verde) and RTP AFRICA. There are no movies, no newspapers, and no ways to rent movies. There is very little to do here if you’re not a missionary. Mostly there are news or TV movies on those two channels. Not much is known about the US here, only that people think life is perfect over there. We frequently get asked if the Church helps people to migrate over there.

I like that I'm branch president the most and helping this branch move forward. I love my job as missionary!

Elder Gianluca Cuestas

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I know that God loves us with all his heart

Lacy is amazing! He was the first one at church, and he is very happy with everything. He never misses an appointment and is ready to be baptized. He'll have the baptismal interview this Saturday and hopefully be baptized the following weekend.

Alex has been clean for a month now!!!! My wonderful God is so merciful, and I cannot believe the breakthrough he made in this. He’s just clearing some other problems in his past, and he’ll take the sacrament soon. I’m so happy for him. We continue to have the close brotherhood that we do

I called Elizeu as the branch mission leader. We’re growing even closer and closer than we already were. I’m glad to have his help and his presence so often. He’s a blessing in my life.

Lacy told me the other day that he’s grateful for our friendship. It makes me feel so wonderful that these people love me as much as I love them, and especially that Lacy sees how the gospel is making changes in his life and that he is already firm in his testimony.

It doesn’t matter how hard this country can be... I love this place. I love these people. I feel that I’m relating more and more to them than I’ve ever related to anyone else in my life. I know that this gospel is the only thing that can form these kinds of brotherhoods that last the way they do. My Lord is teaching me that which I cannot learn anywhere else. I have made my mistakes on the mission, but nevertheless, I continue to grow more and more every day and I continue to love Heavenly Father for all that he has done for me. Nothing will ever take me away from him. I love him. I love his son Jesus Christ, and I know that this church is true.