Our departure and arrival

We have had a whirlwind two weeks but are now settling in at our apartment in Mindelo on the island of Sao Vicente, Cape Verde.  We left Salt Lake City on Monday, July 16th, and arrived at Praia early Wednesday morning.  We spent the day with the mission president, Presidente Amo who is from Brazil, the office couple, Elder and Sister Moraes who are from Brazil, and the new missionaries.  The new missionaries came from Angola, Brazil and the United States.  We have to speak Portuguese to understand one another.

The treasures we left behind

At the Salt Lake Airport

What a good looking companion!

Thursday morning, July 19th, we flew to Mindelo where we will be working for the next two years.

Overlooking Mindelo Bay

The Gerritsen's are the couple that we replaced.  We were able to spend four wonderful but busy days with them.  On Monday, July 23rd, they left for their home in North Ogden, UT and we moved into their apartment.

The Gerritsen's, a truly remarkable and amazing couple.  They will be an extremely difficult act to follow.

Our first trip to the mountainous island of Santo Antao.

A rock home with a thatched roof on Santo Antao.

Next week we will talk about the wonderful and incredible people here in Cape Verde and the miraculous work that is going forth for a people truly prepared to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.