Monday, September 20, 2010

Lost Boys of Sudan

Kathleen and I had the distinct privilege of having dinner last night with one of the lost boys of Sudan. He goes by the name of Peter – one he chose for himself from the bible. Peter is a Christian who lived in a Muslim country that has been at war with itself since 1955. It is an African country that the ruling clan wants to make Arab. The ruling clan lives in the north and all the wealth (oil, gas, minerals, salt) are in the poor southern part.

They have been killing one another since before the war started. Peter has lost just about all of his family. His dad was killed; he was separated from his mother when he was 7 and set loose to wander the desert sands of the Sudan for the next hand full of years. He was able to contact his brother last year, but not since. Peter's one desire is to go back to his homeland and find his mother.

Peter is now an American citizen. Yet, while he lives here and sees the life we live – a dramatic comparison at best – he wants to go home, into the war zone, to search for his family. There are no guarantees that he will find anything other than trouble.

Peter is a strong Christian young man. He has an amazing story and testimony of how God has directed and protected his life. I am sure this is not the last I will see or feel of Peter. Blessings on you my new friend.

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