John Gak in South Sudan

John Gak has lived in Kansas City since 1995. He works here. He has a wife and son here. He calls it home. But few days go by that Gak's mind isn't thousands of miles away in South Sudan. On most Sundays, Gak can be found traveling through the region's Church of Christ. As a member of the Swope Parkway Church of Christ, he travels raising money for the people in his home land. When I went to the United States, I realized I was so lucky to be in the United States, so I want to do something for the people of South Sudan, my hometown, Gak said. Sudan is a country in transition. Twenty two years of civil war decimated the country. Fights between the Muslim north and Christian south left over 2 million people killed and 1.5 million people displaced from their homes. A peace agreement was reached in 2005 and the people of South Sudan were allowed to vote for Independence from the North. On July 9, South Sudan will become an independent nation. "It's like a newborn baby, you will be so happy, because you want to see your son or your daughter in your hands, you will be so excited," Gak said. Gak grew up in Kongor, a small village in the southern part of Sudan. He went to the schools there, and it is that same place that he now trys to help. Gak organization shortly after he moved to Kansas City. "I believe I was so lucky to be choose out of the millions of people of South Sudan," Gak said.