Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Russian Immigrants give thanks to America
11/25/2003 | self

Posted on 11/25/2003 11:35:05 PM PST by djwright

My wife and I have lived next to a Russian church for about 4 years. We have been acquainted with some of the pastors but have never attended any services. Sometimes living next to the church can be an inconvenience. The parking is bad and they block our drive almost every Sunday. Also sometimes when one of their youth groups has a late night function they can be a little loud as they leave.

Anyway the church has been aware that they can be a tough neighbor and have given us gifts in the past to thank us for our patience. But tonight was more than I could have expected.

They invited us to a youth program. We had heard them practicing in the evenings for some time and my wife had always wanted an excuse to try some of the Russian food so we planned to attend.

I, being the supportive husband, agreed to go without really knowing what the evening was about.

When we arrived they had us put on name tags and almost everybody we passed shook our hand and introduced themselves. Most of them had heavy accents but their English was quite good.

We sat near the front and waited for the program to begin. It was a little after 7 and they hadn't started yet. The youth pastor who was running the show came over and introduced himself. He told us they had invited many people from the neighborhood and looking around we saw that we were practically the only ones there. He asked how long they should wait to start (not knowing the American custom) and my wife said maybe 15 minutes.

At precisely 7:15 they started the program. A small choir sang a couple of hymns. They sang Amazing Grace in English and repeated it in Russian. That moved me greatly as I have always said Amazing Grace is the best song ever written and now I have heard a Russian version to prove my point.

The had a small youth choir come up and do a couple of songs. It was fun to see how teenagers are the same everywhere. You could tell they were a little uncomforable but they put their heart into the songs.

Then they had an American teacher from their school program come up. She gave an amazing explanation of the origins of Thanksgiving. It was touching to see the Russians listening and absorbing the story of the pilgrims and their struggles in a new country, not that unlike their own struggles to come to this country.

Then the pastor came up and made a short presentation. The whole night was really about giving thanks to America for accepting and welcoming them. As the only none Russians there many of the comments were directed directly towards us. He said that most of the congregation were refugees from Russia, Ukraine, Belorus and the former Soviet Republics. He told us that he and many others there had been victims of persecution in the USSR for their beliefs. His father had been imprisoned for being a Christian and his uncle spent time in Siberia.

He talked about his pride at becoming an American citizen and how his whole view of the country changed upon taking his oath.

Then the lead pastor came up to give a closing prayer. They thanked the neighbors (us) the city, even the people who gave them the building permits to build their church. They prayed for President Bush, the House and Senate and the Judicial branch.

I am not a very religous person but I have a deep belief in this country and to hear these recent immigrants express their love and appreciation for this country brought a tear to my eye.

Afterwards we talked to many and ate some great Russian food.

I explanied to some that I have always thought that America is an idea not a place. They just nodded. They get the idea and I think better than many who were born here. They are true Americans and I welcome them to their new home.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy; Politics/Elections; US: Washington; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: aliens; church; immigrantlist; immigrants; proamerica; russian; slavic; thanksgiving
If you get a chance I suggest you find a Russain church in your area an stop in.
1 posted on 11/25/2003 11:35:05 PM PST by djwright
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: djwright
it's always nice to hear about immigrants who come to this country and LOVE America ... thanks for posting ...
2 posted on 11/25/2003 11:36:58 PM PST by Bobby777
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
A lovely account. These are the kind of immigrants we WANT in this country.
3 posted on 11/26/2003 12:02:34 AM PST by ETERNAL WARMING
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: *immigrant_list; A Navy Vet; Lion Den Dan; Free the USA; Libertarianize the GOP; madfly; B4Ranch; ..
ping
4 posted on 11/26/2003 12:06:26 AM PST by gubamyster
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
Awesome - Thanks for sharing.
5 posted on 11/26/2003 12:10:25 AM PST by Avenger
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
What a great story, thank you for sharing it.
6 posted on 11/26/2003 12:11:34 AM PST by McGavin999
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
The whole night was really about giving thanks to America for accepting and welcoming them.

What a nice story. Thanks for sharing it.

7 posted on 11/26/2003 12:16:27 AM PST by Dianna
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
Do you mind me asking what City this happened in?

I think Russians make great Americans. I'll never forget the Russian-American who called Limbaugh and eloquently espoused conservative principles. It was hysterical to hear him say Tom Daschle speaks so slowly so he can get the idiot vote. He also saw many similarities with the Liberal media and the state run Soviet media.
8 posted on 11/26/2003 12:26:12 AM PST by faithincowboys ( Zell Miller is the only elected democrat in America who isn't committing treason.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gubamyster
He talked about his pride at becoming an American citizen

And this is all we ask, therein lies the key

9 posted on 11/26/2003 12:42:05 AM PST by JustPiper (For Cooper and Logan - You are well-loved)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: djwright
..Right on. Touching account. Welcome to America I say, they came in legally.
10 posted on 11/26/2003 12:42:12 AM PST by Pro-Bush (Homeland Security + Tom Ridge = Open Borders --> Demand Change!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
I have several Belarussians that work for me.... I brought them and their families over from Belarus due to the unique nature of their skills that I could not find in the US labor market.

They are bright, hardworking individuals with a strong sense of family. They also are able to contrast this country against the old Soviet Union and Belarus after the collapse. To state that they are pro-US would be an understatement.

A couple of years ago I attended my first "Russian" wedding. Food and Vodka galore.... The same girl just had the first "American" baby born into the group a few weeks ago. The parent's are the first to state he's American and not Belarussian.

NeverGore
11 posted on 11/26/2003 1:02:33 AM PST by nevergore (Please return your seat trays and seat backs to their full and upright position....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
Sometimes it pays to be neighborly.
12 posted on 11/26/2003 4:10:19 AM PST by uglybiker (The only thing Democrats contributed to Bush's tax cut package was the word "TAX')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
Is it a Russian Orthodox church?

When I was growing up, my favorite holiday was Russian Orthodox Easter, with my grandmother and all of my mom's relatives. The ceremony and church customs were very moving. There was always entertainment with a Russian flair. And, ahhh....the feast.

The only difficult thing was that grandma would insist we crack open her hand-painted easter eggs.

13 posted on 11/26/2003 4:33:03 AM PST by grania ("Won't get fooled again")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: grania
I don't think they are Russian Orthodox (at least that is not the name of the church).

Also to answer a previous question this is in the Seattle area.
14 posted on 11/26/2003 7:23:58 AM PST by djwright
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: djwright
What a wonderful story! Thanks so much!
15 posted on 11/26/2003 7:35:23 AM PST by Nea Wood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: djwright
He talked about his pride at becoming an American citizen and how his whole view of the country changed upon taking his oath.

These are the kind of immigrants we want to allow in, the ones that follow the rules....

16 posted on 11/26/2003 9:46:17 AM PST by b4its2late (The light at the end of the tunnel is a muzzle flash.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson