You are hereby called to serve as a MISSIONARY of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
You are assigned to labor in the Cape Verde Praia Mission.
You will enter the Provo Missionary Training Center on
Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013.
You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Portuguese language.
I already shared this on Facebook, but it's just too perfect, so if you didn't see it there, see it here.
How did I get so lucky?? I can't stop Googling pictures of gorgeous beaches and adorable sailboats and maps of remote African Islands! Because I'm going to AFRICA! (Waka Waka)
The Church there is small, but growing. The first Stake was organized in April 2012, and there is now a membership of about 8,000 Latter-day Saints (out of a population of a bit over 500,000) living on six of the nine inhabited islands. Here is a helpful article that was recently published by the Church.
I only have one small regret about this call: I really didn't want a call that was difficult/awkward to pronounce. Because I knew it would be something I'd find myself telling people a LOT. I have always said Cape "Vair-day" (as in the Spanish spelling of green), because that's what everyone says. But the wise sources that would know the ACTUAL answer (Wikipedia, Google Translate, and The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary) say that it's Cape "Vurd" (as in turd) or "Verd" (as in nerd) or "Vird" (as in bird). So until I start using the Portuguese pronunciation (Cabo Viergi?--no idea how to even spell that) I either sound like I don't know what I'm talking about, or I betray Truth by pronouncing it wrong to blend in with the American crowd. It's a common predicament, I suppose. HOWEVER, this is a small price to pay to have the privilege of actually going to Cape Vurd to serve for 18 months. It's a sacrifice I am more than willing to make.
I am still just giddy with excitement. That's all for now. (But I'm sure you haven't heard the end of it.)
