U.S. flag-bearer found new life in New York foster family

By Maureen Sieh - Religion News Service
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - Web Link
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August 11, 2008

Robert Rogers was intrigued seven years ago by the advertisement in a church bulletin seeking foster parents for "Lost Boys" from Sudan.

"This looks interesting," he told his wife, Barbara, at the end of Mass at St. Leo Church.

He still remembers her reaction: "You're out of your mind."

He was out of town on the day of the meeting about the foster children, so his wife went. "When I came home ... we were all signed up and ready to go," he said.

Two months later, the couple welcomed 16-year-old Joseph "Lopez" Lomong. He would be the first of six foster sons from Sudan they took into their home.

Since that July day in 2001, the Rogerses have quietly served as foster parents for the young men who spent much of their childhood fleeing war, trekking all over Sudan and living in a refugee camp in Kenya for 10 years.

The Rogerses' work became more public when Lomong, now a 23-year-old track and cross-country star, made the U.S. Olympic track team. On Friday (Aug. 8), he carried the American flag as he led the U.S. delegation into Beijing's National Stadium.

Locals here have rallied to raise money to help send the Rogerses to Beijing to watch their adopted son compete in the 1,500-meter race.

"It's been amazing, everyone is a part of it, and Lopez wants everyone to be a part of it," said Barbara, 49. "All along his journey, since the time he arrived here, everyone has been involved in interacting with him."