Until people live as a foreigner or immigrant, they often cannot understand what it is like. This man has used his experiences and is helping immigrants here. - - Donna Poisl
By AARON HALE
Robert Selle says he’s knows what it’s like to be a foreigner.
Selle spent 14 years as a Christian missionary in Venezuela. When he first got there, he felt vulnerable. He wasn’t proficient in Spanish. And he was unfamiliar with the customs, traditions and laws of the country.
He found that he had to rely on the kindness and generosity of others to get by.
“I really learned the value of being helpful to other people,” says Selle.
Back in the United States, Selle has turned that experience into empathy as he tries to aid immigrants in Southwest Florida by founding the Amigos Center a faith-based organization dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for immigrants.
Be sure to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.
This country was built by immigrants, it will continue to attract and need immigrants. Some people think there are enough people here now -- people have been saying this since the 1700s and it still is not true. They are needed to make up for our aging population and low birthrate. Immigrants often are entrepreneurs, creating jobs. We must help them become Americans and not just people who live here and think of themselves as visitors. When immigrants succeed here, the whole country benefits.
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