Temple Preparation Lessons

Last Sunday we were introduced to three couples that we are to prepare to go to the temple. We are to visit them in their homes. Two of the couples live close together, so we will visit them together, and the third couple lives farther away, so we will visit them alone. We made appointments and were supposed to meet with Lenini and Cristina and with Bainhu and Sandrina Thursday at 6 pm. Well, things here in Cape Verde don't work quite the same as in the States. It turns out Lenini had to work late, and ended up sending his wife Cristina to meet us at the soccer field to guide us to their home because he wasn't going to make it. They have to guide us because there are no addresses here in Cape Verde. The only way to find a place is for people to take you there or to describe exactly how to get there, which is complicated :) We went to their home. It is an unfinished home made of cinder blocks, no running water and no electricity. Not quite the poorest of the poor because their home is made of cinder blocks, and we have seen a few made of cardboard and sheets of metal. But most homes are made of cinder block. They start with one room, and little by little, as they are able, they add the other rooms.

That's a goat. They have two, and lots of chickens.

We waited and waited, but Lenini couldn't get off work. So Bainhu and his little boy came over.

These are Cristina's girls. The beautiful 10 year old in the second picture has a club foot.

This is Cristina in front of her house.

The home is on a hill, and after dark we noticed that all of the street lights in that part of the city were orange. It looked pretty cool.

Bainhu took us to his home to meet Sandrina, and they gave us orange juice and Maria cookies (Mmmm, we love Maria cookies. Memories of Mexico.)

The next day, Friday, we met with the third couple, Celino and Pipinha, in their home. Celino's sister, who is not a member, also joined us. We had a nice get-to-know-you meeting with them, but we forgot to take a picture :( Next time we meet I will post their picture. They are an awesome family. They have been in the Church for about 3 years and they are very faithful.

BTW, everyone goes by their first name here. They don't even want to give you their last name most of the time. Interesting.