Good-Bye Moroni!

This first part is a post Written Dec.17th 2012. The blue lettering below is an update written today.
Wednesday after Wednesday,  Lucindo Aderito Rodrigues Teixeira showed up at the young adult center to do family search with his 30 minutes on the computer. The center fills with young adults waiting for their turn on the computers, playing ping-pong, Uno, visiting, studying, applying for the Perpetual Education Fund, and emailing.  But for Lucindo, the need to search his genealogy and record his family names is paramount.

Lucindo had a free evening 10 months ago...(most evenings are free in Fogo and the people sit in front of their cement houses and visit into the night.)  Some of his friends were walking in front of his casa that evening... and they began visiting.  He wondered what their plans were and they invited him to attend something called: Family Home Evening (Noite Familiar).  That was in January 2012.  Tomorrow night, Lucindo will begin teaching his Institute class.  He is excited to learn more about our Savior in studying the New Testament this semester.  As the Elder's Quorum President, he understands the importance of helping others learn as well.

He carefully takes the folded paper from his pocket, information that he has borrowed from his uncle.  Lucindo is second to the youngest of eleven children.  His Mother passed away when he was 5 years old and his father too, when he was 16 years old.  Lucindo is the only member of his family who attends church. He was baptized on Feb 25th, 2012 and has 5 months before he will be able to go on his mission and to the Temple to give his parents the opportunity of being sealed together forever.  His eyes light up when asked about his interest in Family Search...he says it is  because he has the power to bless his family forever.

Lucindo (on the right), with his friends...one already serving a mission in Mosambique, one on his way to Brasil, and the others waiting until they have had enough time in the church to put in their mission papers.  

Lucindo credits a Family Home Evening for the beginning of his conversion.  He has never had a Family Home Evening with his own parents or brothers or sisters...

but if he has anything to do with it...He will...   He will! 

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Without parents, work, or goals, it is easy for young people here to waste their time, their hope and their lives.  Lucindo stopped selling drugs the day he went to prison and he is grateful for what he learned there.  

  
 He wrote the following in a letter to us in January, 2013. 
quando cheguei na prisão eu estava muito triste,eu estava numa sela sem nenhum condição  eu foi transferido para outra sela. No lado da minha cama estava um foto do anjo moroni ,eu não sabia quem era,eu só queria ser forte como ele era,fiquei quase seis meses a treinar para ficar como ele mas não consegui.o senhor queria me mostrar a condição da minha mesmo na cadeia...hoje sou membro da igreja da igreja de jesus Cristo. agora sei quem é moroni,ele era forte mesmo fisicamente e espiritualmente.hoje tudo que eu quero é ser como ele mesmo..hoje sou feliz.  Eu sou amo o evangelho e também amo vocês...  


Translation:

"when I arrived in prison I was very sad, I was in an empty cell. I was transferred to another cell. On the side of my bed was a picture of the Angel Moroni, I did not know who it was, I just wanted to be strong as he was.  "It was almost six months that I trained to be like him but could not do it. Heavenly Father wanted to show me the condition of myself even in jail.  Today I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. I now know who Moroni is.  He was strong physically and spiritually.  Today all I want is to be exactly like him.  Today I am Happy.  I love the gospel and love you too...

 In February, Lucindo received his mission call to serve for two years!  Each day for awhile after that he would bring me his words on little folded pieces of paper and ask me to translate them.  One day he memorized the Baptism prayer, one day a door invitation, one day he shared his Testimony in broken English. He can't wait to teach the great people in the England, Leeds Mission!  

He told me that he had wanted to be physically strong like 'The Man with the Muscles and Sword', 

but now, he said, "I want to be spiritually strong ... just like Moroni"

The morning came to say good-bye to his brother and some neighbors, he has been released as a counselor to the Branch President and he had his suitcase in hand and off we went to the boat dock. 

It's quite a thing for us to watch these young people leave their island to bless the lives of others.

So many thoughts go through one's head and heart at such a parting and starting.

We gave him a small bag with some fruit in it, a note, and small laminated visual aids about 'The Plan of Salvation.'  I like to send those with the Fogo missionaries so they have something to share right from the start. I think they need to know they have something they too can share--- especially for the moment when they set their one-small-suitcase-and-a-sack-or-two down-- in a far away apt.-- next to the two full-loaded ones of a companion with new shoes.

(Two days later, it will not matter, one will have more to carry upon transfers and one thankfully a little less!)
The Mission home will help him with a new suit and tie and some white shirts and maybe even shoes.
   

Just before he left, he looked at the simple treat we had prepared. For his appreciation, you'd have thought that we gave him Christmas early! (or Christmas at all...)He gave Grandpa a big hug and shook my Missionary hand.
He looked into our eyes and paused, then said English words that he had practiced on his own:
  "I Love You!"  followed by his shy Lucindo smile!

We were both a bit over-come with emotion. We waved as he went up the boat ramp,
And I heard myself call out:

"Tchau...(good-bye) Elder Moroni!"