The Joy of Citizenship
by Yanelis Lopez, Ministry Director
Each stage in life has its own challenges and joys. We plan and dream of what will happen in the coming years. What do we have to do to achieve our dreams? What do I need to learn? What network of friendships do I need to develop? Each stage has its own challenges and plans. Since I came to the US, one of my goals has been to become an American citizen. The reality is, that this opens many doors and opportunities and allows immigrants like myself, to open a path for our loved ones that we had to leave behind in our countries. Thank God, last month I passed my test and had my naturalization ceremony. I am so thankful to all of the volunteers of our citizenship classes from whom I learned a lot.
I am so happy and grateful!! I would immigrate a thousand more times to this country. We always talk about how hard the process of immigrating is and how difficult the transition is, and yes it is... but the opportunities that we find here, the freedom, the abundance, the diversity of people and cultures, how hard people always fight for making this country a better place - it is something I would never give up. I love my past life and where I come from, but my present and future in the US - I would not change for anything.
I am so grateful and praying that we will soon have a path for all the migrants who are still waiting for a legal path for themselves and their families 🙏 🙏 🙏