Peter in 'Heaven'

During the 21 year war in Sudan many of the village in Southern Sudan were destroyed. This sent many of the people away from home. One of whom was Peter. Peter ran away from what was once his home and became a refugee in Kenya. After adapting to his new life in the refugee camp Peter is sent to America where he begins his life.

While Peter was assimilating to his new life in America he encountered many problems that made is new life less than enjoyable. He had trouble handling money, getting an education and the racist and stereotypes people were making about him and his fellow refugees. During his part time job working at Wal Mart his boss said that he and all the black people had to work in sun because they were from Africa and were used to the heat while the Americans stayed inside with air conditioning. When Peter was at school he told his counselor that he would like to go to college. His counselor told him that he could go to a community college. But when Peter should him that he had received a letter from honor society his counselor was dumbfounded. He then told Peter he had to write a biography and was even more shocked to find out that Peter knew what one was and he had already finished it. Peter was racially discriminated against because of his skin color and his nationality. This made it hard for him to make friends but with Peter determination he overcomes these obstacles.

While the Dinka tribe member is adapting to his new life he discovers new ways to deal with his life. Peter joins the basketball team to try and become more intertwined with his new peers. Also Peter joins a Christian group with all his new friends but when he goes to where they meet at this nice house his feels like an outsider. Although he practices the same beliefs as his new friends he is not used to way that they teach it. During the speeches Peter was hanging around the back because he was not sure what he was supposed to do. But although Peter feels left out in this new world, he still manages to overcome his troubles and fit in to his new home in America.