New Area!!!

First off I want to apologize that I haven't been able to write in a long time. I've been really busy and last week the computers were not working. Alright, so the past few weeks have been realy crazy. My companion was dealing with depression, so we didn't go out. Then, a week ago, we got transferred from Wilsonville to North East Portland.It was a big change. Wilsonville is the rich part of Oregon and now I'm literally in the ghettos of the ghettos. Its so different. There is a lot more people to talk to and to teach. I guess more people are open to hear us because they are more humbled. The job rate is low here and many people need to have that faith to help them through. The area is also about 10 times bigger. I was really sad to leave Wilsonville. I had grown close to the members there but specially our investigators. Speaking of investigators, I'm baptizing Linda Willis, on August 11th. I'm really excited for it. Well this area is really tough. We are serving in two wards. Gateway Ward is an english ward and Rose City 2nd, a Tongan ward, where our spanish group meets. The thing is that both start at the same time so we have to fine a way to be at both. TONGANS ARE REALLY SWEET!! They are the best people in the world. They have the strongest testimonies that I've ever seen in a particular group. I had the honor eat with them last Sunday and they are just amazing, and soid their food. Let me tell you a little story about them. The ward was looking for an Elder's Quorum President. The High Counsel told the bishop that he was looking into on of the members and the bishop said,"No, he is not so faithfull. He only goes to the Temple once a month." I hope that we could all have that same desire to do the Lords work. Well thats about all that I have today. I wish you all well and pray that the Lord keep you safe.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)