Farewell at Beach

San Francisco Beach

Missionaries at Sunrise on San Francisco Beach

On our last morning in Cape Verde the Moraes organized a breakfast at San Francisco beach.  The sun was rising but clouds kept it from getting too hot.

Turtle Eggs

We had had a tropical storm recently, and we were sad to find a number of turtle eggs in the surf, having been disrupted from their nests by the violent waves.  Probably, the eggs had gotten too cold in the wind and would not survive.  Still, Sister Moraes, Sister Erickson, myself, and our good husbands collected what we could grab from the surf and buried them again.  Who knows?  Perhaps we saved one.

Burying the Eggs

Turtle Egg Sanctuary

Happily, at San Francisco beach there is a sanctuary for turtle eggs.  The eggs laid in busy spots on other beaches are brought here, a quieter place, to grow and hatch in a few months.  The sanctuary appeared to be undisturbed.

Sister Moraes

Sister Moraes had kindly brought breakfast to the beach.  There was such a beautiful spirit present and we enjoyed some sandwiches, juice and fruit together.

Blow Hole

Afterwards we went to a nearby location the Moraes had found where there were some really fun blow holes.  The surf went underground and then spit up in fountains.  It was a sweet experience, as we had taken the Moraes to San Francisco beach for the first time when they arrived last year.  Their home in Brazil is near the ocean.  Now they enjoy going to San Francisco weekly, as we did before we moved to Fogo.

Last Entry

This is our last blog entry!  Where did the 18 months go?  We are excited to return to the United States and to see our family and friends.  We are so grateful for the support we received, from so many, while we served in such a remote location.  Cape Verde is a beautiful place and it has been a wonderful adventure.  :)

Goodbye

Joao and Elizabeth Baptista

We said goodbye to some dear friends.

João and Elizabeth of Remar, how we have loved working with these selfless people, so willing to sacrifice to help others overcome bad habits and bring Jesus into their lives.

The Andrades

Manuel, his wife Launda, his daughters Luna and Luana (yes, the names are tricky!)  Manuel served a mission in Mozambique and has worked diligently to become a strong husband and father.  He has improved his employment significantly since we arrived, and the family is now purchasing land so that they might build a house.  We love them dearly and are so pleased they are where they are now.  They have worked very hard.

Dinner with President Amo

We had dinner with President Amo (far end of table) and the other Casals of the Cape Verde Praia Mission.  President Amo has been a beloved friend.

Final Praia Work

Sao Filipe Basketball

Moving the Basketball Goals

At the closing ceremony for the São Filipe basketball project, the custom manufactured basketball goals were moved onto the courts and an abbreviated practice was held.  

São Filipe Basketball Players and Coaches 

After the practice there was time for a group photo.

The Ericksons 

A sweet, extra blessing during our final days in Praia was to have the company of Elder and Sister Erickson who are assigned to the northern Cape Verde islands.  They are new to humanitarian work, having arrived in mid July.  

The Ericksons accompanied us on a few last visits with partners so that they might have an idea of our work and perhaps be able to help our replacements when they arrive.  We gained strength from working with them during our last four days.

A View of Cape Verde

Green Cape Verde

Cape Verde becomes green, (or Verde!) only during the rainy season.  We have received beautiful rain during our final days on the islands.  Here is a view of the road from Cidade Velha, usually a pretty barren looking place, with beautiful green grass.  We were so pleased to get to see Cape Verde like this, especially as we depart.  They have needed the rain desperately.

Leaving Fogo

Relva Community Center

Henrique the Carpenter

Our last humanitarian appointment in Fogo was to inspect and pay for tables and chairs, and deliver computer equipment to, the Relva youth community center.  The leader of the center is having health challenges and he is in Dakar for treatment, but the carpenter Henrique, was happy to pose with Elder Biven in the new classroom.









And we got one last look at the Fogo volcano, it was raining and that was a great blessing.

Saudade a Fogo

Buying our Last Grilled Chicken

This week we closed up our house on Fogo and returned to Praia.  There were lots of goodbyes, so many people we have loved dearly.  Many of them I have already posted photos of somewhere on the blog.

This is the last time we bought roasted chicken from our chicken lady.  She had taken a little vacation for a week or two and we were missing her!  Wonderful that we were able to see her and enjoy chicken for lunch again.

One Gate at Sao Filipe Airport

And this is the Fogo airport, where we have come and gone on humanitarian business.  It’s little!  And usually it’s a quick stop, the flight to Praia is only 26 minutes. On the last trip there was wonderful, heavy rain and our flight was delayed for a few hours.  We grabbed a cab and finished one last humanitarian errand and then went back to the empty apartment for a few hours.

Front Porch

And this is the view we have had from our front porch, while living on Fogo.  Brava is shrouded in clouds today, but what a view.

Roof Top View - Sunset Over Brava

And here is another view of Brava from our roof, where we go at night to watch the sunset.  What a beautiful place.  And the people are every bit as beautiful as the location.

Beds, Basketball, and Fishermen

Beds for REMAR

REMAR Bunk Beds and Mattresses

Last week we traveled to Praia for humanitarian work.  We visited our partner, Remar, where LDS Charities recently provided beds for their women’s facility.  We are pleased with how beautiful and strong the beds turned out to be.  We are grateful to Remar as a partner, because they do all the “legwork” on our projects, running around Praia finding the things they need and then submitting “proforma facturas” with pricing information we use when we submit the project to Germany.  If the project is approved, implementation is easy because we’ve already got the resource lined up and ready for purchase.

Elizabeth Baptista - REMAR

We have grown to love our partners Elizabeth and João, who work so hard to help those entangled in addictions and bad behaviors.  It has been wonderful providing a little help.

São Filipe Basketball

Searching for Steel with Bila & Blick

Basketball is a newer sport here.  While soccer is very common and there are soccer fields EVERYWHERE, there are fewer basketball courts.  We have worked with our partner Bila Santos to help him as he organized a youth basketball club in his community of São Filipe.  Since basketball goals are difficult to find, Bila enlisted a welder to help him build two goals.  We were really excited when we found basketball rims in a local sports store, so the possibility of building the goals became real.  We then visited a steel store with Bila and Blick the builder/welder.  The basketball goals are to be complete a few days before our departure.  

Calheta Fisherman

Sister Biven and Sr. Francisco
 da Silva

We went shopping with the president of the Calheta fisherman’s association.  He wanted fishing line and wet-suits to help improve fishing productivity in Calheta.  The theory behind the wet-suits is that fishermen can get in the water and look for the fish.  Perhaps in another world the fisherman might request fishing radar.   It in this low tech world, where cooperative work is so valued, giving a fisherman the role of looking for the fish in the water was the proposed solution.  So we went to the fishing store at the port, and then we went to a sports store in one of the wealthier parts of Praia to find the wet-suits. We were so touched when, upon completion of the sales, this good man, a fisherman, president of the local fisherman in his community, pulled out his organization's rubber stamp and stamped the receipts we received, and signed them.  He was our partner.  We were doing this together.

Elder Biven with Sr. Francisco da Silva

Pro-Pesca

Casal Biven and Fishermen

Today we went down to the port to meet Pro-Pesca’s fishing boat.  The boat and it’s motor were part of a project with a local fishing coop who works with individuals to train them in fishing and give them an opportunity to have more food for their families.  

Dividing the Catch

The Pro-Pesca boat is a little smaller and takes four fisherman.  They went our for a few hours but the water was very rough so the catch was small today.  We have seen more on our other visits, and heard of more on other days.  the fish were divided into four piles, and each participant chose a pile to take home.  It was sobering to think about how much work, today, anyway, yielded a small dividend.  Fishing, and eating fish, is the major source of support for many families in Cape Verde.

Berthing a Boat

While at the port we learned more about how the port works, with all the fisherman present stopping to help pull an incoming boat up into the dock.  That community spirit is present in other aspects of Cape Verdean life, where people are often willing to help others in need.

Moving a Missionary Apartment

Moving an Apartment

We have inspected every missionary apartment on the southern Cape Verde islands at one time or another during our mission.  That’s a lot of inspections, and some apartments are better than others.  You want the missionaries to be safe, that is the first concern, but you also want a clean environment.  We have seen some difficult situations, and we have been so pleased to see many of those difficult situations changed.  We were especially grateful to go to Mosteiros today and help the Fogo zone leaders move the Mosteiros Elder’s apartment.  What  great activity for out last week.  It was work!  But the Relva Elders came and helped.  That area was closed last transfer, but it will be re-opened
tomorrow with the arrival of some new Elders, 
who will get a brand new apartment!

Relva Elders, Slater and Nicholls

Finishing Strong and Loving the Work

Remar sewing project

Sister Biven, Elizabeth & Elizabeth Batista

This project was with our dear friends João and Elizabeth Batista, who run the Cabo Verde Remar organization.  Remar is in 78 countries, many of them African nations. Remar works to help people caught in addiction, as well as others who have lost their way.  Their goal is to help people recover and rebuild their lives.  Elizabeth wanted beds for the women’s portion of the Remar facility, and a sewing machine so the women can sew.

The Two Elizabeth's

And what a lovely tender mercy, Elizabeth is currently working with a beautiful young women from California, also named Elizabeth, who.......speaks California English (oh, it was good to hear “how are ya?”)  Thus, training on the sewing machine could be done in English!!

Vidativa Women's Shelter

Vidativa Inauguration

Work was completed on the women’s shelter here in São Filipe, Fogo, where they painted and rehabbed the bathroom and bought some new beds.  We had an opening ceremony, with food.

The Unveiling

A big moment was the unveiling of the new Vidativa sign, but later a few short speeches were given, with Sister Biven speaking five minutes for LDS Charities (in Portuguese!) on LDS Charities and the importance of the strength of women. 

Vidativa Volunteers and Dignitaries

Relva Community Center

Wood Being Cut

One of our last two projects is tables and chairs along with two new computers for the Relva community center.  Relva is a small agricultural town where it is difficult for youth to find opportunities for good things to do.  However, and amazingly, a new LDS chapel is under construction in Relva for the faithful members there.  They have sent also out a handful of extraordinary young missionaries.  We wanted to help invest in Relva, and are happy to partner with the Associacao Juvenil Comunitaria de Relva.

Wood Pieces in Front of the Carpenter's Shop

We worked with Henrique, a carpenter from Relva, to purchase lumber in São Filipe and then to have it cut into pieces for the tables and chairs.  The pieces were then transported back to Relva for assembly and finishing.

Young Missionaries

As we approach the close of our wonderful adventure, serving as senior missionaries in the Cape Verde Praia Mission, our hearts are full with love and gratitude for the young missionaries who leave their interesting lives that include cell phones and fast food, and who put in papers and go wherever in the world they are assigned to go to bring others unto Christ.  It is so humbling to be a missionary and serve the Lord alongside these young people.  Here are a few photos

Elder Adriano

Elder Adriano, from Angola, served on Brava and in Pedra Badejo in the Assomada Zone.  We saw him last week as we inspected the Assomada apartments for the last time.

Elder Nelson

Elder Nelson, from Salt Lake, who is a Fogo Zone Leader, is talking and playing with a young boy in the Fogo airport as we await flights.  We have served three transfers with Elder Nelson.  We work closely with our Fogo zone leaders, they are in charge of the work here, we are just support.

Elders Mugimbo and Jones

Elder Mugimbo, from Angola, and Elder Jones from Utah.  We saw them out working as we drove through their little community of Patim on our way back from the other side of the island.  We had also seen the Cova Elders out working as we drove through their area.  These good young people are amazing, they work very hard in difficult circumstances.  It has been a privilege to serve with them.

Final Zone Conference

Pudding Queijos

Thursday Will be our last missionary zone conference.  We love conference and attended Assomada conferences when we lived on Santiago.  It is a time for nurturing and inspiring missionaries.  Elder Rasband attended our first Zone conference on Fogo! 

The couple that preceded us on Fogo served breakfast to the missionaries before conference.  We have tried to carry on that tradition, with a menu of fruit, boiled eggs, some sort of carbohydrate, and fruit juice.  For our first conference Sister Howard made her amazing rice pudding, that was so good!  

This conference Elder Biven sourced cheese tarts.  Made with Fogo goat cheese, which has a mild flavor, these are kind of like little cheesecakes but not so very sweet.  The amazing thing is how the tarts are made, in a large cement wood-fired oven in a garage down near the ocean, Maria Augusta's Padaria.  No sign out front, you have to know where it is, but the big stacks of wood are a clue.  You show up in the morning and tell Maria how many you want (50!) and then you come back in the afternoon and you can smell them..... and there they are.  Whoops, we forgot to bring a bowl to put them in when we picked them up so we had to grab a taxi and run back to the house....... Here they are.  We will keep them in our fridge and they will be ready for tomorrow's conference.

Final Projects

Projects!

As we enter our last six weeks of missionary service we are opening just a few small projects, and trying to close, close, close things down.  

Vidativa

Volunteers Painting the Vidativa Women's Shelter

We are doing a project to help a woman’s shelter just blocks from our apartment on Fogo.  The project will refresh the shelter's interior and exterior, update the bathroom, provide new beds, and provide kitchen equipment.  The organization has years of service assisting women and children who have experienced domestic abuse.  It was a fun project, as we were able to visit the site each day as they transformed the facility.

Helper Painting the Inside of the Women's Shelter

Mosteiros Community Health Project

Casal Biven with "Sunday" a Red Cross Volunteer

While in Mosteiros last week we met with Sunday who is one of our partners in the community health project.  He reported that training continues as individuals needing help are visited.  We were very excited for the ongoing project success.

Relva Community Center 

Sr. Andrade - Associacao Juvenil de Relva

We met Sr. Andrade, the president of the Associacao Juvenil de Relva, in a somewhat miraculous way.  When we arrived 16 months ago there was a proposal waiting for us from the Associacao Juvenil de Relva.  It was outside of the scope of what we could do at that time, but we attempted to contact the organization repeatedly when we traveled to Fogo.  Then we gave up.  A month ago we were sitting in the Mosteiros chapel foyer during a district meeting, answering humanitarian and medical calls and a man walked in and introduced himself.  It was Sr. Andrade!  He addressed us by name.  He found us!  And we agreed to meet him in Relva the following week.

We traveled to Relva and learned more about his organization.  They have been working with youth to expand their horizons and help them grow personally and vocationally.  Relva is a small agricultural community with little employment, so the mentoring provided is invaluable.  Here is Sr. Andrade is in front of the community center which was built by local volunteers.  They have asked for tables and chairs to be used for classes to be taught by volunteers, and two computers for their ongoing effort to expose the youth to technology.  These will also give youth a place in Relva where they can do homework.  This was one of the first projects we encountered upon arrival, and it will be the last new project we submit.

Fogo water project closes!

Sr. Rodrigues - Chief Engineer for Agua Brava

Finally, through successful management of the accounting and final training efforts, we have managed to close the five year old, very large, Fogo water project.  Wow.  Before we left the Provo MTC the water specialist on this project drove to Provo and asked to meet with us.  "Can you please find a way to get the Fogo water project closed?" he asked.   It took diligence and patience, and reviewing lots of old and perhaps somewhat imprecise reports.  But we got it done!  Here is Elder Biven shaking hands with Sr. Rodrigues, the Chief Engineer of Agua Brava, the main partner on the project. This was a good project, providing water to over a thousand households.

Baptism, Glasses and Tire Change

Baptism in the Ocean 

Salinas Tide Pool

On Sunday we drove to Salinas, Fogo for the baptism of the daughter of the previous branch president of Ponta Verde.  What a beautiful setting for a baptism, you can see the crystal clear water in the tide pool behind us. 

 

Elder Edu at Salinas

Elder Larsen performed the baptism.  This is his companion Elder Edu from Nigeria.

Eyeglasses

Glasses for Delivery

We have provided about 500 pair of eyeglasses to needy recipients in Cape Verde.  These glasses were ordered in early February, arrived in Cape Verde in March, and were just released from customs through the work of a valiant Church distribution center employee (we made him chocolate chip cake).  There are about 85 pair in this photo.  Today we took them to our partner, ADEVIC, who makes the phone calls and distributes them.  

As we were taking the glasses to ADEVIC we got another call, the glasses we had ordered in April and May had also cleared customs, and in our last hours in Praia we were able to take the second group of glasses to our partner.   Now all but our very last orders, made in June, have come through.  We are praying that these last orders arrive and clear customs by the time we leave.

When we returned to Fogo we had another wonderful surprise, the eyeglasses had, amazingly, astonishingly, been declared a donation and there were no customs fees.  That has not happened in the past, no matter how convincingly anyone has tried. What a beautiful experience.

Tire Change

Tire Change in Mosteiros

How many missionaries does it take to change a tire?

Some weeks we drive to Mosteiros with our Zone Leaders for a district meeting.  We enjoy it and it’s a big help to the Zone Leaders when we provide transportation and they don’t have to ride in the hiaces.  After the district meeting often we go to lunch.  Today we finished eating, looked over at our car, and saw that the back tire was flat!  Wow, did the missionaries make quick work of that flat tire!  Elder Alealua and Nelson picked the car up so we could get the jack under it, Elder Vieira figured out how to get the jack out from under the front seat, Elder Price found the rest of the tools in the trunk....... they took turns with the nuts on the tire, and it did take Elder Biven's brawn to actually get the tire off after the nuts were removed (we all applauded).  What amazing service was rendered!  And I was very thankful because usually I am the assistant and it looked like a pretty hard job.