Category Archives: Blog

The fourth New York snapshot involved another meeting with Rob and Barb Rogers in the Fall of 2001. The weather turned cold early his first fall in Syracuse. At least he thought it was cold. When you grow up in a place that sits just above the equator with an average temperature of 104 degrees […]

The third New York snapshot involved 9-11. One day in September, the mood in the hallway felt different to Lopez. Something odd seemed to be going on but he had no idea what. He overheard a few people talking about a plane crash but Lopez did not stop to ask questions. In the middle of […]

Coach continued: “I tell you what. In the next race I want you to run alongside the race leaders. Stay right at the front. Then, if you feel up to it, you can run as hard as you want the last mile.” A week later, Lopez ran his second meet. This time he did exactly […]

The time in New York can be captured by looking at five snapshots. The first involved Jim Paccia and the cross-country team.   “I coach the cross-country team at Tully High School.” Lopez looked at Jim Paccia with a blank expression. “That’s a running team,” Rob added. “The cross-country team runs five-kilometer footraces against teams […]

“Dad,” Lopez said, I would like to run, then play football, er, soccer.” “Okay, Lopez. You can do that. How far would you like to run?” Dad said. “Thirty kilometers.” Rob Rogers looked at Barbara with a very puzzled expression. “Don’t look at me,” Barbara said. “I have no idea how far thirty kilometers are. […]

    Chapter 6 The First Day in America   His new family greeted him with hugs and kisses. They introduced themselves as Rob and Barbara Rogers. “But you can call us Mom and Dad,” they said.   “Do you have any luggage?” Dad asked.   “Yes,” Lopez replied. Lopez had no idea what luggage […]

The flight to America was quite a learning experience. First, he got on a airplane that was large enough to hold his entire village – a 747. The plane had two aisles and four seats in the middle section. Second, he learned about airplane food. When the airline attendant asked him if he wanted any […]

The four boys were loaded into a truck – a much nicer truck – and taken to Kakuma. Kakuma was a United Nations refugee camp and it became Lopez’ home for the next ten years. Life at Kakuma was not a picnic. After the three older boys disappeared from the camp – Lopez never saw […]

Chapter 2 Escape   “You’re going to see your Mom again.” “What?” Lopez nearly shouted. “Shh, not so loud,” one of his three teenage friends said. “You can’t tell anyone.” Most of the boys had settled down for the night, although one or two were up walking around. “This is our secret, okay, Lopepe.” These […]

  Part One 1991 – 2001 Chapter One Kimotong (Sudan)   In 1991, Lopez had his eyes closed in prayer when the trucks pulled up. He heard them before he saw them. The soldiers poured into the small outdoor Catholic church yelling: “Everybody down! Now!”  Lopez knew that Sudan was at war but he never […]