Cabo Verde, Latvia, Lithuania, England | Wednesday, 15 March 2023 |

International women leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Cabo Verde’s First Lady to discuss humanitarian initiatives during an 11-day ministering assignment to Cabo Verde, the Baltics and England.

In Praia, Cabo Verde’s capital, Sister Tracy Y. Browning, Second Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, and Sister Rebecca L. Craven, Second Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, visited the Presidential Palace on March 2 where they met with First Lady Débora Carvalho, who highlighted projects she has developed in three areas: combating child sexual abuse, children with special needs and teen pregnancy.

Expressing appreciation for the First Lady’s work, the leaders referred her to the Church’s online educational resources, which include material on mental health and abuse, that can assist with some of the concerns she shared.

Sister Browning and Sister Craven were also hosted in Praia by organizations the Church has helped support: Colmeia, which promotes inclusion for children and youth with disabilities, and CENORF, the National Orthopedic and Functional Rehabilitation Centre.

 
The General Officers traveled from Cabo Verde, 350 miles off the coast of Africa, to the Baltic nations of Latvia and Lithuania, and ended in southern England during the March 2–12 assignment.

They addressed young people, adult members of the Church with leadership responsibilities, and members of the Relief Society, the Church’s worldwide organization for women. Typically attending multiple events in each country, the women were accompanied by their husbands, Brother Brady Browning and Brother Ronald L. Craven, and by members of the Europe North Area Presidency.

The overriding theme during the leaders’ travels was Christ-focused outreach. “Your life and your time are purposeful,” Sister Browning told youth in Crawley, England. If we seek Christ’s voice, we “will hear Him calling” to “‘arise and come forth.’”

Ministering to Women and Youth in Cabo Verde

“You are not forgotten in these islands,” Sister Craven reassured a group of more than 300 young people in Praia age 11 years and over who attended with their parents and leaders on March 4. “Heavenly Father loves and knows each one of you by name,” she said.

Earlier that day, more than 500 younger children and adults attended a devotional that included a presentation by a Primary children’s choir. Sister Browning asked the children to share what they learned from the song “The Holy Ghost” (Children’s Hymn Book, 105). “The song reminded me of the day when I was baptized,” said one nine-year-old old girl, “I feel very happy and grateful for this gift.”

“We pray for you every single day,” Sister Browning told the children, “and our hearts hope you can feel this in some way.”

 Visiting Primary Children in Latvia

Spring was in no hurry to arrive in Latvia, and winter covered its capital Riga with a snowstorm, but the inside of the central branch building was unusually warm and noisy for an ordinary weekday. On March 7, parents, children and youth from two branches gathered to meet the special guests from the Primary and Young Women General Presidencies.

“We felt that the Baltic countries should be part of our journey,” Sister Browning said. “The many hours and many flights were worth it to hear the testimonies of your children!”

 Young children also shared their heartfelt convictions with the leaders. “We need to study the gospel more often,” an eight-year-old girl declared. Another young girl said, “Heavenly Father always answers our prayers,” and she shared a story about when she lost her pom-pom in the strong wind and snow, but after praying, she found it on the street. A two-year-old child at the activity said, “I am a child of God.”

Meeting Youth in Lithuania

Church members from all over Lithuania came to the chapel in Vilnius to attend a youth activity and meeting March 8. It was the first such event in Lithuania that most youth and parents in attendance had experienced. The activity theme was building Nephi’s ship from the Book of Mormon, demonstrating active faith in Jesus Christ.

 Sister Craven emphasized four vital principles: “Live according to the Gospel of Christ,” “care for each other,” “invite all people to get to know the Gospel” and “unite families for eternity.” She urged parents to give young people “the tools and trust them to succeed.”

After the meeting, the seventy people at the event were invited to eat Lithuanian national dishes — cepelinai (potato dumplings) and kibinai (pastries filled with mutton and onion). This was followed by Lithuanian “lazy cake,” with ice cream.

Inspiring Missionaries and Leaders in England

“You are Christ’s ambassadors,” Sister Craven told a group of sister missionaries from the England London Mission in Crawley March 11. “Gather yourself and others in this great cause of truth. You have great impact, greater than you can imagine.”

At a leadership meeting, Sister Browning emphasised the spiritual influence of Primary children whom she described as “Christ’s youngest disciples.” “They may be small in stature but not small in testimony,” she said. Encouraging leaders to help children recognize the spiritual aspects of their lives, she said, “Truth will be delicious to them, it will break down what is confusing.”

Worship Service at Bracknell Congregation, England

For Sister Craven, attending the sacrament meeting at Bracknell on March 12 was like a homecoming. She lived in the Bracknell area with her family during her last two years of high school. Visiting the congregation and catching up with friends was very meaningful for her.

“This is a place where some of the most important principles of the Gospel were taught to me. This is where I solidified my testimony. I am grateful for my friends who helped me stay on the covenant path,” she said.

Congregation member Tracy Edwards cherishes her relationship with Sister Craven, “It’s a friendship that I don’t think can be broken. It doesn’t matter how far apart we are; we feel the love and friendship of our experiences together. It’s just beautiful.

Women’s Devotional Meeting

Broadcast to the UK and Ireland, the women’s devotional was the concluding meeting of the sisters’ four-nation tour.

Conducting the devotional, Area Organization Adviser Sister Traci De Marco spoke about how Christ trusted the women in New Testament times and that “He trusts women now.”

Europe North Area President Elder Hans T. Boom spoke of his love for the women of the Church. He referenced modern scriptures where the Lord counselled to “lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:10). He told participants that the Holy Spirit will prompt us to not pursue what is no longer needful, giving us the courage to let go of things that will not help us. “I testify we can do all things in Christ, with Christ,” he said.