Last night my wife and I rented “God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan“. The film tells the tale of three displaced youths who walked hundreds of miles from their homes in Sudan to Kenya in order to escape a horrible war. These three young men are then accepted into America for asylum, where they get work visas and do everything in their power to help out their families and friends in Africa.
It’s an inspiring movie that left me feeling ashamed. Not that the movie actively attempts to leave the viewer feeling ashamed, but (especially) seeing the efforts of Daniel Abol Pach caused a sadness to well up in my heart (more on that later).
The movie has a lot of ups and downs emotionally. It’s hilarious to watch these three young men interact with electricity and apartments and many other aspects of Western culture for the first time; it’s particularly funny after seeing the things they’ve gone through to get there. The young men attempt to adapt to the new culture, often grieving over their beloved homeland. It’s very moving to see these three change and work and fatten up (ever so slightly) through the course of the film. One of my favorite parts was the discussion of the Christmas tree, and its significance. One of the three asked “where is Santa Claus in the Bible?”
The movie had a profound effect on me in that I faced my own complacency and selfishness. Daniel (at times) works three separate jobs in order to send as much money home as possible, putting off his educational opportunities in order to do everything he can to save his family. I ask myself, “Would I work a second, part-time job in order to help the world?” I find myself shamefully answering, “no.”
I do not know how to respond to such a film. As a recently married man I find myself concerned primarily with ensuring the care and well being of my wife and some vain attempts to plan for a future. While I do this, people are being killed by their own government for not believing in the right faith. These people are being driven from their homes and starving for being themselves. Much like “Hotel Rwanda” I lose all pride in my own self when exposed to the lives of truly great people.
But enough about me.
Go! Rent the movie. Watch and be horrified, hope-filled, saddened, and amused all at the same time. Perhaps afterwards consider writing your Senators and Representative in Congress, praying, or sending money. But don’t let this movie pass you by without some response.
