The movie "God Grew Tired of Us" Follows three Sudanese refugees -- Jon Bul Dau, Daniel Abul Pach and Panther Bior -- as they try to come to terms with their horrifying experiences from their homeland, all while trying to adjust to their new lives in the United States.
This movie changed my life.
These boys back in their refugee camp were like a family. They even started little parliament, it gave each other a chance to talk and come together like family. They could talk about what they were dealing with. Many saw their parents killed right before their eyes, or had to bury their brothers and sisters. "The human mind is complex, you cannot take away a bad thing."- Jon Bul Dau.
These boys came to the United States wanting to help their people and their family, "it is my time to help them, I'm strong enough to do that." It's remarkable how once they get here all they think about is how to help their people back home. One of the boys holds down 3 jobs purely for this. When they get to the United States they "Still eat with our hands, a person without culture is like a person without land." But everything about American culture is different.
Here's some observations these men made about life in the United States.
"theres no time for family to be together, why is it tough like that?"
"how does Santa relate to the birth of jesus christ?"
"people are not friendly"
"If you go over to another mans house that you do not know he will call the police and say why did this guy come to my house?"
We may think that in the United States we are so advanced and ahead of other people. Truthfully this movie showed me how behind we really are.
One boy commented on how there was a woman crying in the grocery store, people walked past and no one even paid any attention to her. So he went and asked, "What is your problem?"
He remarked, "I know the best way to help people in pain is to get involved in their problem." These boys may not know how to turn on a light switch, but they know how to comfort someone. Is that not more important? These people understand many basic things Americans don't.
Jon Paul knows that he has a purpose in life. He said, "god does not create me as a very tall person for nothing."And he's right. he has done so much good in the world, and helped many people.
I have so much to say…. but the most important thing is GO WATCH THIS MOVIE.
Because most American people do not know much about Africa or refugees.
When you hear sentences like,
"its not easy 17 years of separation", "they killed my father I see with my eyes."And the story of a boy that hasn't seen family since he was 13 but still loves them, meanwhile his family suffering from desiese in Uganda refugee camp.
These things are eye opening. And it shows us why we need to help. These people need our help. They need a friend, not weird stares.
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