'Lost Boy' carries US Olympic flag
Maureen Sieh/Religion News Service
Issue date: 8/24/08 Section: Divine Intervention
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"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 Rogers 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 Rogers' work became more public when Lomong, now a 23-year-old track and cross-country star, made the U.S. Olympic track team. He carried the American flag as he led the U.S. delegation into Beijing's National Stadium earlier this month.
Locals here have rallied to raise money to help send the Rogers 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."
The couple moved here in 1987 when their son, Robert Jr., was five. They got involved in the community, volunteering and supporting various causes in the schools and at St. Leo and St. Patrick parishes. They own 27 apartments and a Laundromat in Tully, and Robert, 51, buys and sells construction equipment.
The Rev. Louis Aiello, the Rogers' former pastor, said it was a delight to have the couple as parishioners because they were strong supporters of his ministry and other causes in the community.
The couple bought cars for a nun and a deacon. Robert built a steeple for St. Patrick Church, put a garage behind the church and installed a handicapped ramp at St. Leo.
The Rogers are truly living the gospel message to love others through their support in the church and for fostering the young men from Sudan, Aiello said.
"It was exciting to see these young men become a part of our community," said Aiello. "Rob and Barb have done great things for Lopez, but they've done an equally great thing for that parish and community."
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