Mission Fever

I did not realize it had been 3 weeks since we wrote--very sorry, and we will try to remember more often.  Reason:  we normally write on the weekends, and they have been so full, often with guests, that we don't get to the computer.  My ankle is all healed--no more brace.

Hope that Matt is enjoying his time in Russia and Ukraine--we have "talked" with him via computer messages a few times. It is especially wonderful to return to the areas of your mission.  Maybe in a few years we will get to do the same, hope so!

The Young Adult committee for Outreach purchased a microwave, a blender, new net and paddles for ping pong, and a waffle maker.  We used the waffle maker the next evening to make a treat for the youth.  And we liked it so much that we bought one for our house (to remain in this mission house).  When we made waffles at Outreach for the next activity night, we had two waffle makers so they could eat the food twice as fast!  The activity was a quarterly birthday party for those born April, May and June.

On Monday, June 28, we had a district missionary activity day (one per every 6 weeks, or per missionary transfer).  We went to San Pedro beach to play and see a blowhole, but the surf was so high that even with the tide out we could not get near enough to see into the blowhole.  So we just played games and constructed sand castles and sand turtles (not live ones), and had a picnic.  Monday is the mission P-day, when the missionaries clean their apartments, do shopping, email families, laundry, etc.

For July 4, we celebrated with a special dinner, at the request of our BYU student friend Joanna--cheeseburgers, chips, potato salad, cake, ice cream, etc.  Also, in Relief Society that morning, the chorister chose the hymn "Battle Hymn of the Republic" from the hymnbook in honor of America's Independence Day that day.  She speaks good English and talked a bit about our country and the meaning of July 4.  Then she also talked about July 5, which is Cape Verde's Independence Day, freed from Portuguese rule as of 1975.

We have been enjoying Sunday evening choir practices again, followed by band concerts in the nearby park.  It is a relaxing and fun way to end Sunday.

Today we attended meetings at the other chapel to hear the missionary farewell talk by an elder who is going to serve a

Elder Airton Nascimento (1st elder)

mini-mission for 5 weeks on another island in Cape Verde, and then fly direct to Brazil for the MTC for his full-time mission to Mozambique.  Next Sunday we will return to that chapel to hear the farewell talk of our favorite elder who will

On the right, Elder Evandro Fonseca, (2nd elder)

be also going to Brazil for the MTC and then returning to Cape Verde to serve his mission here.  The first elder was released today as the district secretary, and the district president said that every time he gets a new secretary, the young man goes on a mission soon.  Another young man was sustained to the position today, and guess what?  He is going on a mission in about 4 months!  Mission fever!  There is also a young sister planning to go soon. 

One of our young friends accompanied us yesterday for 3 hours to visit the homes of some less-active Young Adults.  Our friend is planning to go to Brazil for medical schooling, leaving in two weeks.  She will be missed--she is one of my favorite piano students.

Sister Goff cooking waffles at church

We hope you are all well and happy--we pray for each of you every day.
Love always, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Elder and Sister