The Walk...

Six A.M. is early, but we had a ways to go before the Sun really showed up and slowed us up.  Walking and talking with the young adults and a couple of youth made me forget the thoughts of guards and guns and unfriendly ones...

After an hour or more we came around a bend and there it was!  The prison of Fogo.  I looked at the wall.  In places, it is the height I dreamed of jumping over on field day when I was in 5th grade.  I loved field day...the  last day of school, the ONE day of the year when we could wear 'slacks' to school, and run and jump, and win ribbons, and have our very own package of Hostess Twinkies.  WHAT?  A Prison wall the height of an average 11 year old?  I have got to see this!  Just then,  Paulino cut his foot on a rock, so Pres. Benedict took him back to Sao Filipe about the time they opened the front gate of the 'Prison'. 

An English Garden gate would be more decorative... and perhaps more secure!  I looked around, was it just me or...

I might have giggled a bit...but the guard at the front gate told us not to take any photos inside the prison and the men and women were separated and things took on a serious tone.  It makes sense that they would scan us for dangerous materials, and I did a quick personal pre-scan hoping that I did not have keys, or any pins holding anything together underneath.  The woman were asked, a few at a time, into a room.  Two young wide-eyed sisters pressed toward me for confidence.  I couldn't let them down.  "Come on," I said, "we'll do this together!"   The guard apologized that they did not have machines, and so she would have to do a pat down.   I was in a movie, right?

I mentioned to her that the only things that I had carried in were the Liahonas (Ensigns) and Livro de Mormons and I placed them on the dusty cockroachy type table as I spread my arms in the air.  "You are welcome to have one of the Liahonas!" I tried to lighten the mood and much to my happiness, the warden lady decided that yes, perhaps, she would like one!  I gave her a choice of April, last November, or the January edition.  "My husband and I would like to come to your home some evening and talk with you if you'd like." I said.

Next, we were lead to a place in the middle of the courtyard where we sat on wooden benches that formed a large circle, and we waited for the prisoners.  When they came, I had to remind myself that we were not in Sunday School.  Each one, came around the circle and shook each of our hands saying: "Bom Dia!" (Good Morning!) Como Vai?  Muito Bem, Obrigado! (How are you?  Very good, Thanks!) until everyone had assured everyone that we were all good... as was the morning.  And then...the most incredible thing happened.  We sang: "I am a Child of God."  I noticed that a couple, of the 20 or so prisoners, sang with us.  Then two of the young adults gave talks...not your normal...we are happy to be here and have a good day talks...

The talks were about heavy duty repentance.  About changing our lives and becoming a new creature. I looked around again.  Most of the prisoners were nodding their heads.  There were two who seemed disconcerted that we would give out Book of Mormons and Ensign Magazines...because we did!  Each prisoner chose what he would most want to read.   "You have time here to read!" was met with laughter.   Our young men then shared scriptures; they spoke of forgiveness and the Plan of Happiness.  Then they asked me to share my feelings.  I could hear words coming from my mouth that I know to be true.  Each one of us is loved with a specific and amazing love...and each of us can choose what we want forever.  And it is not too late.  And after we sang another song, we ended with a prayer and most every head was bowed. It's during these times and these kind of prayers that I bend down to use the hem of my blouse to wipe the tears off my chin.  It was a singular experience for me

Pres. Benedict came back soon, with Paulino and his stitches, to join in the fun.  Everyone played soccer or took turns with the one set of UNO cards that we brought from the youth center and the checkers and board (one piece missing, but we use a pawn from the chess set that no one knows how to play and so it is all good).  I took some magazines to the two men that were not happy with our visit and learned that they do not speak Portuguese, they grew up in and were deported back here from America due to drugs... and they would like to read something in English.  I promised them, in English, that we would bring an English Liahona. which we did a few days later.  The thing I remember was the kindness of the prisoners as they sincerely thanked us for our visit.

It was a hot and long walk back...but we love these young people so much. When we stopped to share some crackers, bread, and juice.  I finally had to ask.  Why don't the prisoners just jump over that little wall or open the gate?   What keeps them from escaping?  I have thought about the simple answer for 4 months now: "Everyone knows them...where would they go?"

Since our visits at the Prison, I think about the eyes of some of the people there.  I think about what they might have been through and what they are learning in the sun day after day.  At times, I wish I could go high jump over the wall or open the gate wide and shout: "I don't remember your past...you are all free...come over for soup and sandwiches on your way back home!  Let's all start over fresh."

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...We can... you know.

White Shirts and Ties!

Some stakes in Portugal sent a box load of white shirts for us to distribute and about the same time we got two packages from home in the mail.  Thank you to our family for the surprise ties!!!  The young men on Fogo who receive them are so excited!  What a special joy for us to gift such wanted items!

We gave the shirts from Portugal to the District Relief Society President, Isabel Teixeira. 
The shirts (a few per branch) were given out within days!  

We are gifting the ties from our family.  I looked across the street from the church and saw Alex practicing the knot on his first tie while guarding Adileno's tie until he returns home. Or maybe he is still trying to decide which one to keep and which one to give to his friend!?!  ;)

Visiting Teaching

If this photo were a painting, it's title would be: Visiting Teaching!!!

Over-all, (for the past 39 years in 14 different wards), I have had some of the best visiting teachers available to womankind!  Even so, there are times when both of us (teachers and me), have so much to do...that we just get 'er done!  Sometimes because we want to, and sometimes because we're supposed to. Sometimes we talk about important things and sometimes we go to lunch and laugh and visit for a long time and give hugs and go home, and sometimes we talk on the phone for 1.3 minutes sending high-fives through the cell tower...done!

and...Sometimes a note takes weeks to get to Cape Verde from the Mill Hollow boundaries of our home ward in America...but my sweet visiting teachers, Ann and Sylvia, write every month.  They miss me...they love me...

...and there are moments on a mission...when those notes are read over and over again...just to make sure.

Whosoever...

  At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, 

Except ye be converted, and become as little children, 

ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Granite Counter-tops

 Only 9 months ago, I was thinking how nice it would be to have granite counter-tops...

It's easy to think like that when your roof doesn't leak.

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Should I not want Granite?  My days have unfolded the gentle thought that I have asked the wrong question.  

The Thirteenth article of Faith ends with: "If there is anything virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."  How can our Spirits not seek after quality and beauty, art, and expression, after having spent forever (before here) in a place of excellence?  Is it not what we have known and the goal that we seek?

On the other hand: Alma counseled his son, (our whole Sunday School class yesterday, and me again this morning), not to go after mere things...for behold, you cannot carry them with you. (Alma 39:14)  We don't see u-hauls behind hearses!  Why then, would any of us travel to an important conference for a week and then spend the entire week re-decorating the motel room and miss the conference for which we came?!  The question must be about the earth-life conference...(not the color of the bedspread)...right? But, it has to be okay to have a favorite color, don't you think?

Then, if my question is the wrong one...what is the right one to ask, to think about, and to spend my time on?  The question must be...how can I best share my blessings? 

For every spirit that comes to earth has spend forever (before here)...in that same place of excellence.  

Each of us reach to make sense of all of our longings and belongings. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us the proper place of things, and people, and priorities, and purpose. Is the balance of blessings weighed in sharing and caring?  May I have granite if I don't take it for granted?  If I give fast offerings generously?  If I entreat my family and guests more graciously?  

What can I share so someone can rejoice with me in the truth of a perfect plan that can take us back to the beautiful quality that Isaiah spoke of: "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, not perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."  Isaiah 64:4)   Sounds like things far greater than granite!    

I have discovered that it doesn't really matter if we have granite cabinets and it doesn't really matter if our roofs are leaking onto our dirt floors becoming mud.  What DOES MATTER is that we share what we have and help who we can.  Becoming a disciple of Jesus means we become the best that we can and use our blessings to inspire, serve, and bless others. For some, having food is as happy as having granite!  I love that we can donate to the Humanitarian Fund and that we belong to a Church who loves everyone of Heavenly Father's children. It is a miracle to see all the help coming in from those who want to share.  

What can I do to help someone remember that they have great value and that they are loved perfectly?  Maybe that is the right question.