Our Newest Citizens!

God calls us to care for the immigrants living among us, that they would be welcomed and well treated. In the book of Leviticus, he says, “You will regard the alien who resides with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 19:34). Recently, volunteers from Arlington Bridge Builders had a chance to fulfill this command in a very literal sense.

Last fall, Arlington Bridge Builders led a ten week Citizenship Class at Mission Nova. Several immigrants participated, learning American history and civics, while practicing their English. After three more weeks of test preparation, four students from Guatemala, El Salvador and Bolivia took the naturalization exam—and all passed! They didn’t miss a single question! Considering that only about 40% of American citizens could pass this test, we could not be more proud of our friends and how hard they studied.

Soon after the exam, they participated in their naturalization service, taking the oath of allegiance to their new homeland. Having lived in this country for many years, their dream had come true. On a Sunday afternoon in June, we celebrated with our newest fellow citizens and their families.

Our dream, of course, doesn’t end there. Some of their family members want to attend our Coffee and Conversation class to practice English. One woman will send a child to our Vacation Bible School in July. Marlen, our Care Coordinator, also plays a key role in communicating with them often, getting to know them, their needs and their gifts. They’re also helping us connect to other churches, as each of the four women attend a different Spanish speaking church in the area.

You can help Arlington flourish by showing love and regard to an immigrant neighbor. Sign up for an upcoming Citizen Class on our Volunteer page, and you too can help someone fulfill a dream.