In about 2 months from today I will complete 18 years of living in the United Stares of America. This is a threshold moment for me, because I was 18 years old when I came to America. If you told me 18 years ago that America would become my home, I would not believe you. Mainly because it seemed impossible in my mind. But with God nothing is impossible for God (Mark 10:27).

For anyone reading this article who is an immigrant, you know the struggles people go through just to come to America. Financially, it is expensive. Legally, it takes a mountain of paperwork. Emotionally, it is extremely hard to adapt to a new culture and its alleged values. Personally, your family who is left behind in your country of origin suffers from the physical separation, and so do you. Relationally, you feel aloof from others because of language barriers. Culturally, you feel distant from others because the things you learned and were taught to value growing up are many times antagonist to one another. Physically, you realize if you’re not careful you’re going to gain a lot of weight fast if you do not watch what you eat, because healthy food in America is really expensive. But fast food and processed foods are plentiful, not to mention super cheap! 

Life is a journey. My journey so far includes having to learn new tastes, new priorities, new relationships, a new culture and habits, new perspectives, and much more in a foreign land. Like the biblical Daniel in the Bible, I too had to adjust to living in a foreign land. America is not a perfect place. But it is home now. And one thing is for sure, I am thankful for America. 

The United States of America

What is America? Technically, America is a federal presidential constitutional republic. I am not naive nor misinformed about America’s past. America’s history is marred with sins such as slavery, lack of right to vote, wars, and discrimination on all kids of levels. But it is not the sins of America I would like to be the focus of my reflection for this article. Neither is this article spiritual in nature. It is simply a reflection on the country I now call home. Also, it is a reflection about the many people who are part of my life journey. Why? Because I am feeling thankful.

America is a place where people who work hard are rewarded. This is not the reality for the majority of countries around the world. Americans enjoy comforts that 80 percent (“ish”) of the world’s population does not. It is a place where people can freely express their opinions and freely disagree without fearing for their well-being (life) and of their family members (at least for now). Freedom of expression, the right to bear arms, freedom of religion, and the view that “all men are created equal” are values many nations around the world do not hold. However, these rights, among other ideals, are part of what makes America great.

America is home to some of the world’s greatest brands, thanks to capitalism. It is the home of Google, Walmart, Coca-Cola, Apple, McDonald’s, Nike, Amazon, YouTube, Ford, and of course … Twinkies!* The internet, wifi, the laser printer, the personal computer, email, video games, cellphones, the microwave, and of course Dental floss were invented in America!** Further, many of the world’s greatest sports have their origin in America: Basketball, American football, baseball, volleyball, disc golf, racquetball, roller derby, skateboarding, and of course the world’s greatest sport … surfing!  

America has developed the greatest military in the history of mankind. Just this past week I met with a friend of mine who is in the military. Bob (pseudo name to preserve his privacy) joined the military two decades ago and is fighting wars we do not know exist. He is sacrificing his life, time, and energy to keep us safe. He is part of thousands of people who dedicate their lives to keep me and you protected. I am thankful to my friends Jay, Micah, Adam, Eric, Matt, Kenny, Waddell, Phil, Jonathan, and so many others who have sacrificed so much for our country. The Bible tells us to honor one another (Romans 12:10). I honor and respect you! Thanks for your service.

It is America who gave me friends like Joel Greenwich, Guy Key, Grant Medford, Joshua Blackwell, Randy Bertram, Morgan Taylor, Paul Morgan, Abraão Cristina, Jeremy Zook, and many others. I think if I tried to list all of my close friends in this article, it would take days! It is in America my family and I have enjoyed deep friendship with people like the Curry’s, Beck’s, Shrader’s, Mitchell’s, Zook’s, Medford’s, Clounie’s, and Same’s. Their friendship, love, and generosity live on in our hearts.

I’m thankful for Hot Springs Baptist Church, First Baptist Litchfield, and Crossroads Fellowship and how each impacted my life at so many different levels. I am thankful for Ouachita Baptist University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and the professors who invested in educating and mentoring me.

I became a US citizen 3 years ago. I am proud to be Brazilian-American. My wife is American, my boys are American, I am American. You see, America is more than an idea. People is what makes America such a wonderful place. Though I am not thankful and my heart breaks for the evils of our nation, this 4th of July I choose to celebrate the lives of my dear friends and family! I appreciate you!

A Little Walk Down Memory Lane

Picture of my Brazilian parents and American parents in Hot Springs, Arkansas circa 2006 (Mark and Susan Curry):

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Picture of some of my best friends from College:

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Engagement photos:

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The first car I ever owned at age 24:

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Wedding photo (Pretty much summarizes Ashli and I … I know … she’s so pretty right!!??):

My first full time ministry position was as a youth/worship pastor. Here’s a photo of the youth group I led (D-Now weekend):

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Photo of my three baby boys … I love them so much!!

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May God bless you and yours and May God bless these United States of America! (I felt like a president giving the last words during a state of the union speech … but only for 2 seconds, since I am an immigrant and can never become one! lol).

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Declaration of Independence – July 4th, 1776

Written by Daniel Messina

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*America’s top 100 brands: https://www.rankingthebrands.com/The-Brand-Rankings.aspx?rankingID=179&year=728

**50 American Inventions that change the world: https://blog.cheapism.com/best-american-inventions-17046/#slide=50