Assomada

Assomado

From Sister Biven . . . 


So here is the boat we watched being brought into the harbor by a tug boat.  You can also see a military boat on the dock if you expand the photo a little.

Elder Biven's humanitarian work took us to Assomada this week, it was a drive through the volcanic mountains of the island. Assomada is about 40 kilometers from Praia. Due to the nature of the roads, it takes about an hour to get there. The valleys were lined with beautiful fields of corn and root vegetables, and mango and papaya trees grow by the fields.  Such a beautiful place, and we are assured that it is even more beautiful during the rainy season which is yet to come this year.  Here is a street view of Assomada.  It is a busy place.





As we left Assomada we stopped at a scenic overlook and took a photo of the city behind us. On the horizon is the sea  (sorry about the finger on the camera lens) and once again, there is an outline of the island of Fogo in the distance.  Someday I will have a spectacular photo of Fogo to post.  We traveled with President Mendonça of the mission presidency and as we drove through a little village he said Stop!  Stop right here!  So we did.  And he got out and purchased roadside pastel milhos, little corn pastries with fish in them, I thought the were very good.  Freshly cooked.  Mmmm.


As we get used to life on our island we are grateful for the opportunity to be here and help the people, and to support the missionaries.  We have multiple opportunities everyday to speak with junior missionaries and they inspire us!  Those who don't speak English--who patiently listen to our faltering Portuguese and offer suggestions--how we appreciate the kindness they extend to us!  We have been here nearly three weeks.  Today most of our meetings and phone calls, as well as our lunch with two elders who do not speak English-- one from Cape Verde and one from Brazil-- today we mostly spoke Portuguese!  Through the grace of God we are functioning.  We have grateful hearts.