| Island of Maio |
| The "escape boat", in case there is any trouble. |
Maio/The Boat
This week we had a chance to do a division on the beautiful island of Maio. Our boat left at 430 A.M. So we woke up, and grabbed out stuff, and got in a taxi to go to the port to catch the boat. First of all, the taxi driver had to wake up at 330 to come get us, take us to the port, and return home. The taxi ride earning him whats equal to 2 dollars in the U.S. Thank your lucky stars your not that guys... Anyway, so we get there, and are all ready to get on the boat, then they announce that we should have our ID's. They dont check them to get on the boat, but they do to get on the plane. Usually they dont announce that for the boat, but it was a good thing that they said that because neither Elder Figs, or myself had our ID's. Which means we would have no problem getting on the boat, but we had to take a plane back, and there is no chance in the world that they would let us on the plane without ID's. So we took a ride in a truck full of fish (it smelled terrible) back to our house, grabbed the IDs, and got back just in time to catch the boat, avoiding getting stuck on the island of Maio..
I was super nervous for the boat ride, because my track record with boats and not throwing up isnt too good. So I took a comple vomit pills, and thank goodness, the boat was smooth and nice. We got to see the sun rise right over some clouds and it was beautiful.
We got to Maio at like 10 in the morning. Maio is so pretty. The only thing people do in Maio is fish. The island is very small, with not too many people. There is a lot of tourism there because of the beautiful beaches. Saw more white people than I am used to seeing. We had pizza from some Italian guy. He didnt speak any portugese, but we got by communicating haha.
It was amazing to see the church there. Maio was opened by missionaries a about a year ago, and now has about 35 members. It was incredible to go over there and see everything. The chruch is very small, and the missionaries have classes to train the members how to do things every night. None of the members has seen a church service with more than 30 people, so they are training them a lot just how little things should be done. Little things like not answering your phone in sacrament meeting, and things like that. They are learning haha.
It was amazing to see the church there. Maio was opened by missionaries a about a year ago, and now has about 35 members. It was incredible to go over there and see everything. The chruch is very small, and the missionaries have classes to train the members how to do things every night. None of the members has seen a church service with more than 30 people, so they are training them a lot just how little things should be done. Little things like not answering your phone in sacrament meeting, and things like that. They are learning haha.
3 Best Friends
I had a very funny thought this week on Friday when we were coming back from Maio on the plane. Spent the entire day with my comp, Elder Figs from Portugal, and Elder Camargo, from Brazil. And while at different places throughout the day, people would as us, "So you three are American? Or you three are from Brazil? Or you guys are Portugese?" And we passed the entire day together, teaching, and going on the plane and what not. And we were all just great friends. A Brazilian, Portugese, and American just hanging out all day, just like we best friends. The church brings together so many cultures and different types of people, its incredible. We spoke Portugese half of the day, and English half of the day. They are both learning English, and both speak it very well. They are two of my favorite Elders on the mission.
Assomada is Made a District!
Yesterday Assomada was made a district of its own! Before, it was part of the Praia Stake, and they had to travel a long way to Praia for meetings and what not. Now it is a district of its own, and it will be such a blessing for the people there. It means a lot for me because I had a chance to visit every part of the Island when I served in Assomada, and I know all the bishops, and people from all the branches. I am really good friends with the newly made Branch President Torres, and I am really excited for all those people up there. It was one of the more rewarding days of the mish for sure.
Small and Simple Things
It was such an incredible experience to go to the Island of Maio. Knowing that the church didnt exist there a year ago, and to go and see the members, and see their love for the gospel. These people may not have much, but the have faith, and that has a lot of value in the eyes of God. Literally all of the members there have been members for less than a year, and they are all still learning how the church is suppose to function. They are all doing there best, and it was incredible to see them.
We had the chance to hear from Elder Morreria of the 70. He came down for the creation of the District in Assomada. He said something that really hit me hard. He said that "Cabo Verde is an inspiration for the rest of the Europe missions and areas. You may not have a lot of material things, but you have something that has a lot more value in the eyes of God. And thats your faith. The entire europe areas look to you as examples of faith"
He's right, the people are incredible. From small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.
Cape Verde is incredible. I love being a missionary, and love you guys for the emails and the support. Have a great week!
Much Love, Elder Jarvis
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