Great are the Promises . . . (2 Nephi 10:21): Pastor João's Farm

Last week Elder Biven felt we should go tracting. As humanitarian missionaries, that means we go out and look for NGOs(non-government organizations) who are doing good work that we would like to partner with. In a country with no addresses and no phone book, tracting for NGOs could be challenging. But Elder Biven has kept his radar on, as have I, and as we have driven through Praia to inspect missionary apartments, or to run errands for the chicken farm, etc. we have watched for signs with phone numbers. That's how we find NGOs (and medical services, many times).

So last Friday we went tracting. We went to an organization in Varzea that LDS Charities helped a few years ago. At that time they were just getting started and they needed kitchen equipment for their services for the elderly. We visited their site. It appeared to be locked up tight, but as we approached I felt I should ask the guy across the street sitting on a bench about the organization. He said he didn't know anything, but a fellow walking a few yards away overhead my question and nodded his head and took us in. The manager was happy to see us, remembering the work we had previously done, and readily set up and appointment with the president. I felt we were very blessed that this happened so easily. (We actually returned and they have a playground project they would like help with. It was good to reconnect with them).

Following our first success with tracting that day we tried another organization, Remar. An international group, in 70 countries, they are seeing success in a faith based approach to overcoming addiction. We had seen a sign not too far from where we live so we walked over to check things out. It was the heat of the day on Friday, and once again, the location appeared to be locked up tight. We lingered in front, then as we turned to walk back home a truck pulled up. A man jumped out and spoke to us in English "I know you! I know you!" Elder Biven began to introduce himself but once again the man said "I know you!" He had a story to tell. Twenty six years ago he was a cocaine addict. He was beginning to turn his life around and he was visited by two young elders. In his words "they came to my house in Lisbon, and they prayed for me. A week later I got the job with Remar. Every time I see them on the street I remember, they prayed for me." He was so happy to see us. I wonder if those Elders know how they helped him change his life. He is married and has four children. His life has been good, filled with tremendous service to others.

We don't yet know everything about the Remar organization, or Pastor João whom we met that hot afternoon. But we learned that Remar is building a halfway house on a rented farm in the mountains north of Praia. This week we had the privilege of returning to visit João in his home, meeting his wife, and then following him up into the mountains to see the farm. It is quite a place. The future residents are working to rebuild the interior, which is hard work, it is good work. And perhaps we saw opportunities where we can help. But the most precious moment of all was at the end of our tour. Pastor João asked Elder Biven if he would like to say a prayer. And so he did, blessing the farm and those who will live there, while such a sweet spirit attended! We have felt such joy interacting with these incredible people who are working very hard to bless the lives of the people of Cape Verde.