CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL
On December 18, the stake had a Christmas Devotional with the stake choir. They showed a couple of Church videos and a couple of the talks from the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Bishop Pires and his wife and new baby were Joseph, Mary, and Jesus during one of the songs by the choir.
Part of the choir. Elder Lunt sang a duet with one of the young adults.
The full stake choir, mostly made up of young adults, both single and married.
Elder and Sister Alvarez next to one of the few Christmas decorations in town. This is at Cruz de Papa, which is up on a hill with a beautiful view of the ocean. The Christmas tradition here is that the family gets together at midnight to have dinner together. They prepare lots of food, dishes they normally don't have during the year, and they spend the time together. Some families give a gift to the children, but no Santa Clause.
ZONE CONFERENCE
On December 20th, we had a combined zone conference for all of the missionaries on the island of Santiago, including the senior missionaries. The food was very yummy!
Sister missionaries so happy to be together!
Awesome elders!
For the program, each district performed a skit. Ours was "I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas", with words adapted by Elder Carnell referring to missionary obedience, which was the theme of the zone conference. It was lots of fun! Elder Lunt and Sister Anderson really like to ham it up :) They're awesome!
A skit by one of the Praia districts.
Another Praia district. The two elders on the right are the missionaries in our branch: Elders Holmes and De Jesus.
BRANCH CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY
On December 22, we had a Christmas activity in the branch. The branch president painted this mural covering the back wall of the chapel. We had a Nativity presentation, in which Sister Alvarez was supposed to be the Star (literally the Star), but she came down with the flu and wasn't able to attend.
Branch members at the activity.
Kristina's girls: Jasmin, Lennifer, and Cristiana
YOUNG SINGLE ADULT SERVICE ACTIVITY
The young adults and stake choir had an activity at a rest home. Elder Lunt is entertaining the residents while the choir gets ready.
Residents of the rest home.
The choir.
NEW YEAR'S EVE
For New Year's Eve, the missionary couples went to a nice restaurant in the afternoon, before the crazy crowds.
While we were at the restaurant, a race went by. Apparently racing is a big thing on New Year's Eve. After that healthy activity, many people party all night (unhealthy activity). Many people have a family meal that ends about midnight, after which many adults go to a dance that lasts the rest of the night.
At this restaurant, the specialty is a tuna filet cooked at your own table on a very hot lava rock. It gradually cooks as you watch. When the bottom half is cooked, you turn it over, and when it is fully cooked, you eat it. :) Sister Alvarez is still not partial to fish, but gets by because everywhere there are other options.
Setting up for a big New Year's Eve party next to the beach.
The races.
NEW YEAR'S DAY
On New Year's Day we were invited to visit and eat with two families. The first one is the home Edson, of one of the guards on our street. His partner (most people are not married here) is a less active member of the Church, and they have a beautiful 3 year old girl. Her name is Cibele. We ate a Capeverdean dish, kind of a stew, with potatoes and other vegetables and pork.
This is Edson's family. His wife's name is Leisa.
The second family that invited us to come over is Melina, the lady that brings us fresh papayas and bananas three times a week. This is her daughter.
Sister Carnell does not speak Portuguese, but she is SO loving, that children just flock to her. Everyone loves her.
This is the stairwell to the upstairs of their home, although the upstairs is just a roof right now. Eventually they will build additional rooms. On the bottom right is the entrance to the house. They just recently poured the ceiling.
We went up to the second floor (roof) to see the view of the city from there.
This is Melina's precious family.
Melina's mom. On the right is Jessica, Melina's sister, who was baptized a few weeks ago. This papaya plant just started growing in their house. Now that they have poured the ceiling, they think it will probably die.
This is the kitchen. We are so impressed with Melina and her family, because even though they earn very little money, they live on less so they can get ahead in life. They are gradually adding on to their home, and she is also saving to buy a little truck so she can expand her business. Most people here do not ever get in debt. Even though they have very little, they make do with what they have.
