Kuel & Karbino at Livingstone Guest House
We had the privilege of having 2 lost boys come to our house last Sunday for lunch. They had chili for the first time. Afterwards they shared their stories of how they came to Nairobi and how they came to know Christ. The group of college students from Ohio State sat focused on them the entire time. I found myself amazed at how they could recount stories of pain as if they were reading you the grocery list. Their stories were as powerful as anything I'd ever been privileged to listen to before.
Karbino is a young Dinka from Southern Sudan. He came to Kenya in the late 1990's. He saw violence take the life of his mother and then later his father. He hasn't seen any other family member since having to flee into the U.N. Refuge Camp. He speaks impeccable English and has a very high I.Q.. Karbino loves Jesus. He shared the story of how Jesus came and comforted him during his abandonment. Karbino has found hope. A friend from the U.S. came to him and is currently helping him finish college. Karbino is president of his class. He loves politics and is passionate about going back into Sudan to help his people. Karbino will succeed because his faith is in something unseen.
Kuel is very tall young Dinka from Southern Sudan. His English is not very good. He is always smiling, revealing the evidence that shows he's Dinka. He is soft-spoken and straight-forward. He came to Kenya after a raid on his village took the life of his mother. The only person he knew was his older brother who now lives in Nairobi with him. He has never finished school. He wants to preach God's word.
We've had the privilege of watching these young men worship at a predominantly non-Kenyan church. The entire service is in English, yet these young men cry out to God as they sing words they barely understand. They come to this church because they get treated differently in other churches. Kenyans aren't keen on them. Yes, discrimination is very common here among other nationalities and tribes. It's difficult for them to find an inexpensive place to live and buy groceries. So they come to Karen Vineyard where they receive love and acceptance.
Please pray for Karbino & Kuel. Pray for other "Lost Boys" from Sudan who have endured more than you and I ever will. Pray for the Nation of Sudan.
Kuel (left) telling his story
Karbino talking about his hopes for Sudan.
