Welcome Home

I was born in the city of San Benito, State of Petén, in the beautiful country of Guatemala. While growing up I would always hear these nice things of a great place called The United States. Someone could easily confuse it with the Promised Land (the place in which flows milk and honey) when listening to these folks. “Will I ever make it there?” I used to wonder. “Probably not”, I would conclude. Well, seventeen years ago my parents brought me here, and this week I swore to defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. I became a U.S. Citizen.

I had never had such a pleasant and peaceful experience in a courtroom before. The judge who officiated the ceremony even shared with us that his parents were born in a different country, that he knew what it was like to be in a family of immigrants. I was touched. All of those who took the oath had their families and friends there. Although I had no family present, I could feel the presence of Jesus through a peace that surpasses all understanding. God was present and smiling as well. At the end of the ceremony, followed by a “Congratulations”, there was a round of applause.

Friends and family also congratulated me. However, the word congratulations made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I’m used to hear that word whenever I do something good, something in which I work hard at or made an accomplishment (graduation for example). In this case I’ve done absolutely nothing. In fact, in that courtroom I felt so humbled for I was receiving a gift that maybe I don’t deserve. I consider my legal status in this country as a great gift from our Creator, Jesus. And for that I am FOREVER thankful with God and with my mother who have made many sacrifices in order for me to receive such blessing.

In the past 5 years I have traveled to Guatemala, Dominican Republic, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and to the British Virgin Islands. Whenever I would return back to the States the immigration officer would look at my papers and say, “Have a good day, sir.” But I noticed that they would greet other people with a, “Welcome home.” This would bother me so much because THIS WAS MY HOME TOO. I later found out that it was only to U.S. citizens that immigration officers greet this way. The good Lord would comfort my self by remind me that I am soon to be a citizen of Heaven.

I press forward for this day. “Will I ever make it there?” many of us wonder. “Probably not” too many of us conclude. Perhaps we have this type of thought because we think that we must DO SOMETHING in order to make it there. However, allow me to remind you that it is a GREAT BLESSING, a gift, available to you and those who you love the most. Today. Right now. Simply believe it and receive it. Come one! Don’t give up! We are almost there!

Soon and very soon we shall feel that peace that surpasses all understanding. Jesus will be there smiling as well. Millions of angels will welcome you into the most amazing place in the universe. They will greet you saying, “Welcome home.”

In Christ,

Pastor Sergio Ochaeta.