Aaron's letter 2-9-09

Hey Everyone!!
Well I am now in the city of Inuyama!! Way different than little country Toyama but still awesome!! Lots of Brazillians and quite a few other Latinos as well, lots of Peruvians. They are the nicest people ever!! Much more open to our message and even letting us into their homes! I don't still understand everything our of their mouths but am learning and trying to do my best! I have been trying to speak as much Spanish as possible to the Peruvians in the ward to help with the Portuguese and yesterday gave my first door approach in Portuguese! Then right after I said who we were Elder Brandao took over haha!
But its way fun here! The members are the bomb and way fun to associate with! Half the chapel sits the Japanese and the other half sits those getting translation into Portuguese! Way funny set up
Yeah so that's life here...way big area still and we always bike a ways down this one road to get to places. Or we take the train and then walk.. we actually train quite a bit here. it's so bit that in order to get all over, you have to use the train. So bike and train area...
Now for the spiritual goodness we all love!
So when I came here I was wondering why I, an unspeaking Portuguese elder, would come to a Brazillian area....after thinking I came to the conclusion that it was to push me even farther as a missionary and member of the church...then I went to church on sunday.
I first noticed how there just seemed to be a split in the ward. A lack of full unity. I mean, all the members are still great people and way nice, but divided by the barrier of language.
So after church I began talking with an awesome sister, Sister Endo. She is a great missionary. In her entryway she has church material and copies of the Book of Mormon for all to see and question. She has given away many copies of the Book and is just awesome. Well, she told me how she had been praying and praying for an American elder to come here becuase lately it's have been only Brazillian. She told me how the relationship between the Japanese members and the elders has kind of gotten weaker and was praying for a solution. Then, she said, as I was giving my talk on Sunday, she felt a strong confirmation that this was meant to be and that while I am here, we can see a baptism.
While she was tellIng me all of this I felt peace and confirmation that that is why I am here. There is work to be done and we are called to do it! I know president Traveller is called of God. Furthermore, I know that God hears our prayers and answers the desires of our hearts. I have no doubt about the fact that I am here for a reason.
Heavenly Father completely knows our need and desires. In the case of this one sister's plead, he sent me. It is an amazing joy to be a servant of the Lord and go where he needs me. Yes, I am having to learn Portuguese. But through the Japanese I already have, I can help this ward and work with Elder Brandao and move this area, both Brazillian and JAPANESE!!
The church is true and I know that with all my heart!!
Love you all tons and wish you the best in all your efforts! Don't forget to look to the Lord for added help, it will come.
Elder Parks