A People Tall and Smooth

to Mount Zion] from a people tall and smooth-skinned.” — Isaiah 18:7 Stories of Escape from Sudan to Israel; In the sun-soaked beach town of Eilat, Israel, tourists flock daily to enjoy the Red Sea’s warm waters. But when hundreds of tall, dark-skinned Africans arrive, questions arise: Where did they come from? Why Eilat? Through the doors of The Shelter Hostel, run by John and Judy Pex, come refugees from South Sudan and Darfur—survivors of genocide and unimaginable hardship. They arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs—no money, no papers, only the hope for a safe haven. This book shares five powerful refugee stories, shedding light on a little-known chapter of the Sudanese exodus. While much has been written about the Lost Boys of Sudan resettled in the U.S., these personal accounts reveal the struggles of those who fled alone to neighboring countries, offering a poignant glimpse into survival, resilience, and humanity.