Welcome to America!

Today was a momentous day in Andre's family. His grandfather, or Deada, became a US citizen! Deada immigrated here from Kazakhstan in 2004 and now, at the age of 85 has a new country to claim as his own.

The Lord has had special plans for Deada and has guided him throughout his life. As a child and young man, he was very ill and almost died several times. As an older man, he was a respected doctor in his community. He was also a Christian and was persecuted, imprisoned and beaten many times by the KGB for his faith. In his later years, after raising 6 children and having great influence in his grand-children's lives, he was told he could apply for refugee status in the United States. His wife, Baba Nina, did not want to leave her homeland and so it was only after she died that Deada began to seriously consider applying. Well, he did and the rest is history! He passed his citizenship interview just after Thanksgiving and today was the ceremony in Philadelphia. Andre was able to be with him for the interview and we loved seeing these photos of this special occasion.

Deada receiving his citizenship

Proof!!

Deada with his grand-daughter Yuliya (left), daughter (and Andre's Mom) Nataliya (middle) and other daughter Lyuda (right)

Welcome to America, Deada!!!!