GOD GREW TIRED OF US

I watched the documentary God Grew Tired Of Us last night and was so moved by it, I could barely sleep. It packed so much emotion into every frame. God Grew Tired Of Us follows three young Southern Sudanese men, John Bul Dau, Daniel Pach and Panther Bior to the US where they work hard for a brighter future.

The documentary begins in the 1980’s, by following the boys as they walked a thousand miles to escape their war-ridden homeland. During the five years they walked in search of safety, thousands died from starvation, dehydration, bomb raids and genocidal murder. Finally, they found relative safety in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. In 2001, 3,600 lost boys, including John, Daniel and Panther, were invited by the United States to live in America. Assisted by Catholic Charities International, the three boys uproot their lives and once again embark on a journey, leaving behind thousands of other refugees who, had become their family.

Once they reach the US, they must now learn to adapt quickly, learning new customs, adapting to new and strange foods, coping with the ordeal of getting, and keeping a job, or multiple jobs, while never forgetting the loved ones they left behind in Africa. These men inspired me and my heart ached for them. They had seen the worst of humanity and had survived unimaginable hardships but still believed in the best the universe had to offer. They embodied such grace and kindness through all their actions. Not to mention, they send most of the money they make working in the US, back to Kenya to their fellow lost boys and loved ones. Selfless and brave doesn’t even begin to describe these men.

Today, I am going to make sure I don’t complain about a thing in my life 🙂