God
Grew
Tired Of
Us (2006)
Setting: Sudan, Kenya, and U.S.A.
Rating: PG -
Thematic Elements and Disturbing ImagesStar Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5
If I could describe "God Grew Tired of Us" in a single phrase, I would call it thought-provoking. Once you're done watching this documentary, you will (hopefully) have an even greater sense of gratitude for the everyday things in life, from potato chips, to running water, to the shirt on your back and the bed you sleep in.
In the 1950's, as the British abandoned the colonization of Northern Africa, they hastily combined two separate territories into one Sudan. Religion and oil ignited a civil war, pitting the Muslim North against the Black Christian and Animist South.
In 1987, the Northern Sudanese Government declared that all males in South Sudan, regardless of age, were to be killed (sounds strikingly reminiscent of Pharaoh and the enslaved Israelites, doesn't it?). Muslim soldiers and raiders enacted terrible acts of brutality and violence against the South Sudanese, burning, killing, enslaving, and abusing. Males were especially targeted. As one South Sudan refugee said, "If you are found and you are a boy... they (Muslim troops) can shoot you." It was Hell on Earth.
It is into this atmosphere that the documentary takes the viewer. You catch a glimpse of life in the "lost boys" refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya.
You also follow three patricular boys, as they journey to America to start anew. While in the U.S., they encounter things like apartments, running water, electricity, escalators and television for the first time. The simple blessings which we Americans too often take for granted amaze and astonish them.
While it is a fascinating film, I would not reccomend it for young children. There are mature themes discussed concerning the brutal treatment dealt out by the Muslim troops, and images of starving, wretched children which might be unsettling to a younger audience. There is no objectionable content save one brief scene of immodest dress, which is actually from a commercial on American television.
One of the first things that struck me as I watched this film was the conduct of the Muslims. They deny the accusation that their religion is one of hate. What a lie. Think of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Think of the countless numbers (particularly Christians) who have been murdered, beaten, and cruelly treated because they did not conform to Islam. Does that sound like a religion of love and peace to you? Not unless love means hate and peace means war. Islam, for all that it claims to serve God, is Satanic to the core.
Another thing this film brought to mind is this: how often do we thank God for the little things in our everyday lives, the things we take for granted? How often do we praise God that we can openly go to Church every Sunday and worship Him without being assaulted or killed? How often do we thank God that we have electricity, parents, siblings, hot meals, access to clean, running water, and Salvation through Christ Jesus?
Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Are we doing that? Are we truly giving thanks to the Creator for the great and small, for the blessings and the trials - for everything? Notice that Paul isn't asking us to do this - he's giving us a divine command from God.
And that's not the only Scripture reference on this subject. See Psalm 50:14; 68:14; 92:1; 100:4; 105:1; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1; Col. 1:12; 2:7; 3:15; 4:2; Heb. 13:15. All of these are just a few of the many places in God's Word that instruct us to praise our Heavenly Father.
As for the title... it's not quite what you think it is. You're probably thinking, "'God Grew Tired of Us'? What kind of movie title is that?" That's exactly the same thought that ran through my head when I first heard it, too.
As you watch the movie, however, the meaning of the title becomes a bit clearer. In an interview, John (one of the three Sudanese boys who relocated to America) talks about some of his experiences on the hard treks with his fellow refugees. He says, "I thought that God felt tired of people on Earth here - felt tired of the bad deeds, the bad things that we are doing... I thought God got tired of us and He wanted to finish us."
Simply witnessing the tragedy of life in Sudan makes one understand the despair behind such a statement. Nonetheless, despite these terrible memories, John's love for God and his desire to fulfill the Lord's purposes in his life thankfully remain strong.
In closing, I would like to share a line of one of my favorite hymns with you, reminding us to always give thanks:
"How good it is to thank the Lord,And praise to Thee, Most High, accord,
To show Thy love with morning light,
And tell Thy faithfulness each night;
Yea, good it is Thy praise to sing,
And all our sweetest music bring."
Praise to God should be on our lips day and night for everything, great and small, which He has blessed us with. Thanks be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit now and forever more!
Persevero,
Scribe
~While the big boys were on their date, we enjoyed the rainy day by having tea, playing Sorry, and making some playdoh. The Littles picked wonderful spring colors, yellow and lime-green. I read that using baby oil instead of vegetable oil makes the playdoh last longer, so we gave that a try, and it turned out quite well and smelled baby-fresh. :)
Scribe, quite the multi-tasker, discovered another way to lull Peep to sleep.
