Boa Vista

The town plaza by night.

The plaza is where the community gathers at night. There is a playground and a soccer courtyard, and a restaurant/bar.

The women gather by the wharf to wait for the catch of the day. Sometimes it's a long wait. And then they take their baskets on their heads and go peddle their wares.

These children teased us. They were playing with a plastic toy, like a lizard or something. As we passed by the older boy tried to scare me with it.

 This boy was playing marbles in the street. Carlos asked him to show him how he shoots the marbles.Then Carlos showed the boy how he shoots marbles. Carlos told him that the next time we come to Boa Vista he'll play marbles with him and his friends.

This is the Bed and Breakfast where we stayed the first 2 nights. In the US it would probably be a one star hotel, but it was fine. Very friendly people.

Fish. Can you spot the head? Here everything is served with french fries and white rice.

Elder Alves from Cabo Verde and Elder Casulle from Angola

 We watched as these fishermen pulled and pulled on the nets. It took a lot of time and effort. And in the end, they just pulled in a handful of fish they couldn't use and had to start over again. Reminded me of the story of Peter the fisherman.

THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!!!!!

 Training branch leaders. I should tell you about George. He is the branch clerk and the mission leader. He is originally from Guinea/Bissau, but his family moved to Portugal and then France. He is a young Single Adult and has been a member of the church for 3 years. His mother died when he was little. His dad lives in France, and he has one brother that he hasn't heard from in a few years. He wants to get married but hasn't found the right one yet. I asked him what he liked the best about the church, and he said The First Vision.

 The branch president is standing. He is also the Institute teacher and I don't know what else. He and his wife just had a baby recently, their first child. The brother closest to the computer is Emanuel. He is the Elders' Quorum president, a high councilman and a stake auditor. Whew!

The branch president and the Elders Quorum president. So young! Emanuel is a tour guide. He came to this island because there was work here, but his wife and children live on a different island.