The Found Boys of Sudan

The first time I saw them, I couldn’t tell them apart. Between their rich accents, dark skin and similar physic they all looked the same. We met these “lost boys” at Praise band Camp 2001, where we. had been sent to create a camp promotional video. They stepped out of the van that morning having been in the United States for little more than a month, with eager smiles and greetings for all. They were brought to the camp by LMG to share their musical gifts and talents. Originally, we thought they’d be performing a few concerts and that’s all; but John, Abraham, Andrew Luka and Simon quickly became an integral part of the camp community that week. They had been lost; but now were found.

Before then, we didn’t know much about the Lost Boys of Sudan, the sufferings of the Christians in Southern Sudan or had ever heard of Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya; but it didn’t take long to realize how God had lifted these young lost boys from a place of darkness to their new land of milk and honey. Originally, we all thought that we’d be the ones teaching them about music, God and Christian Love, but even as they stood before us onstage two days later, sharing their language and culture, their songs and litanies, and witnessing to their love for the same God of all—we knew that we were the ones who had much to learn.

"The Found Boys at Praise band Camp 2000"

The week after the camp, we invited the guys out for dinner at our home. I drove out to pick them up with my 6-year-old son Dylan and while we waited for everyone to get ready, we were served mangos and bananas with juice. Dylan had never had mangos before, and to this day he has a new favorite fruit! Back at our home, we watched in awe as the guys had an opportunity to do something they hadn’t a chance to do much of while growing up: they played. They had never seen Legos before, and were fascinated with them for the next full hour!

Dylan and Ian play Legos with "the Boys"

Since those early days, we’ve spent many hours with the guys, grocery shopping, teaching them a few new cleaning tricks, budgeting and more often just listening. They’re so excited to be in school, and starting new jobs. Still, they have so many things to learn--things we take for granted. On a visit not long ago, I noticed a toaster--in the top rack of their dishwasher-- and pulled it out. They didn’t know what it was! After trying to explain what it was for and why it definitely did not belong in the dishwasher, I decided it was time for a demonstration. I plugged it in and John got out the bread and butter. I put 2 pieces in, and stood back as the guys watched this strange little machine make toast. They took turns holding their hands over the toaster, feeling the heat, and jumped back as the toast popped out. That night there was toast for everyone!

Abraham rides a horse

We have formed friendships that will last a lifetime with these guys. I can tell them apart now… I see their individual smiles, their eyes, their expressions of faith and gratitude. They no longer look so much alike and no longer do they seem so different. As much as I would love to go to Africa someday with my family, my heavenly Father decided to bring a piece of Africa to us. In this I’ve learned that, though many people are called to be missionaries, more often, God sends His people to us.

© copyright 2001 David and Lorretta Stembridge

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Originally publised in "Reach Out To Refugees" an a newsletter published in Fall 2001
by Lutheran Ministries of Georgia

To learn more about the Lost Boys of Sudan, please visit
Servant's Heart