The Dawn Treader

Dut [pronounced "doot"] is my new Sudanese friend.  He stayed with us for four days this past week.  We had lots of time to talk and reflect on life.

Dut has experienced things in his twenty-five trips around the sun that I cannot imagine.  He has seen death up close many times.  He has had at least six near death experiences himself (that I know about.)  He has experienced starvation.  He knows what it is like to beg for food.  He knows what it is like to grow up without parents or adults to teach you how to live and act.   Yet despite it all, Dut knows how to have a good belly laugh. 

He is one of the most joyous people I have ever met.  I enjoyed some of the best belly laughs I have had in a long time this past week with Dut.  Dut tells a funny story about a hippo that I will never forget.  He has another one involving ostriches which is absolutely hilarious.  I hope both appear in the book.

In just a short time, Dut has had an impact on my life.  I learned a lot about African culture in general and the Sudanese culture in particular.  I also learned a lot about life.  Here are some of those lessons.

My friend Dut is staying with us for a few days.  You may recall Dut's story from the Lunch With A Lost Boy posts.  Dut is in his mid twenties and is Sudanese.  He is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

His life story is filled with many near death experiences and drama as he fled from his war torn country at the age of nine.  Despite it all, Dut has a wonderful enthusiasm for life, and his story is filled with hope. 

My sister is writing Dut's biography.  She is our guest this week as well.  She is interviewing Dut to gather details and stories from his childhood.   He shared some neat stories with us over dinner, and some sad ones as well.

I asked Dut what impact he would like this book to have on the readers.  He said he wanted his story to provide hope for anyone who is struggling through difficult circumstances.

Amen to that.  Getting to know Dut has been a real blessing.  I can't wait for this book to come out.

Dut met another Sudanese man at a pick up soccer game in Richmond. This man said Dut's voice reminded him of someone he knew back in Cairo. Dut dismissed this, at first, but the man persisted.

The thing that struck me over and over again was how much joy Dut had. He was a very upbeat person. He smiled, joked, and enjoyed a good laugh. He was warm and engaging. I would have expected someone who had lived through Dut's circumstances to be downcast, bitter and angry. Dut did not show hint of bitterness or resentment.

Dut continued telling his story.

I led Dut and Daniel into the kitchen.  I introduced them to my kids before the children left to go play.  The four of us settled in at our kitchen table.  I returned thanks for our meal.  Dut was quite comfortable with me praying I noticed.

"So how do you and Daniel know each other?", I asked.

It was one of the most amazing encounters of my life.   I get goose bumps as I think back to the events of that day.  It all started when my wife suggested we invite someone over for lunch after church. 

"I'll make spaghetti", she said one Saturday night a few months ago.  "Who should we invite?", I asked.

She thought for a second.  "How about Daniel?  He is a young guy.  Just out of college.  Just moved here.  I am sure he would appreciate a home cooked meal.  What do you think?"