Edy's Art!

Was it really a year and 1/2 ago that we first met Edy?

During our first Perpetual Education Class we learn about
the dreams and hopes of these great young people.
We've taught several of these classes now in different cities.
Some want to go to drivers school,  to study Mathematics, economics, to be a barber, a nurse, a plumber,
a civil engineer, a construction engineer, a computer programmer, a teacher, a policeman, a banker,
and some aren't just sure and still need to find their dreams.   Edy said he wanted to be an artist.
It is difficult here.  There are no acrylic paints to buy on this island...so Edy draws his work
then glues sand onto a board and paints on top with his water-colors.

We asked him to put together a portfolio. If you want to be an artist you have to do art.

 It took some time. He practiced and practiced. 

Just 'happened' that a new little shop opened up asking for local artwork on consignment.
When Edy was ready with some good pieces, we gave him the plastic bag that our
sheets came in, and off we went with his 'professional' portfolio!
They accepted three pieces.  I think he smiled all the way home!

He asked if he could come talk to Grandpa and they decided that
a visit every Tuesday morning for a while would be nice. One time he
brought us a piece of lava rock from the Volcano.  

We have shared some happy times and have grown to love him as is so easy
to do with these young Cabo Verdianos!   After about 7 months one of his art pieces sold
and they ordered 2 more...
He was so thrilled.
But, even more excited about his news!
He had decided to serve a mission and like so many, after his prayers,
he needed help with his paperwork and passport and then the patience to wait and wait
for the envelope to come in the mail to see where he would be assigned for 2 years.

It was an amazing day when his call came!
He will be serving in Brasil!!!

He hurried home and came back with a gift of art that he had made just for us! 

That was a few months ago.  
This past couple of months,
Edy has spent many days reading manuels and watching trainings at lds.org  
He is the 2nd counselor in Sao Filipe's 2nd branch.  
They planned a branch council training and
Edy wanted to understand every calling,
even down to the Beehives ('Abelinhas').
He wanted to understand what assignments go with each calling,
so he could help their branch function just right!  
What a blessing for us to witness the leadership in such a special young man.
We will take him to the airport next Monday.  
He will serve in Cabo Verde until his Brasilian visa comes.
.
Oh how much we love the Saints here in Fogo!  
It will be difficult to say "Good-bye"to Edy,
like it always is when we take a missionary to the airport.
Yet, at the same time, what great JOY for them to begin...
(Just today we received 7 emails from Fogo Missionaries already in the field.
They love their missions and the people they are helping in Portugal, Brasil,
England, and Mosambique.)

To see the improvement in Edy's artwork in just a year has been remarkable.
To witness Heaven's Artwork in the life of Edy has been even more beautiful!

The other evening, as we were all leaving to go home, Edy looked up at the star-studded-sky and said,
"Eu penso que Nosso Pai e uma artista."  (I think Heavenly Father is an artist)

We replied: "Com Certeza!"  
(For sure!)