God Grew Tired of Us

By Britt Perkins

“This is Pepsi. It’s so good. But in Africa, we call it Coca-cola,” he said.

He is one of the “lost boys” from Sudan recently arrived in the U.S. and just getting oriented.

This documentary follows the lives of select refugees over a period of years, from the point where they fled their war-ridden homes in Sudan to the point where they returned.

This is the story of three, Daniel, Panther and John, who were given the opportunity to emigrate to the U.S. after living as displaced persons for about a decade.

I suppose you might think that was their big break. Maybe they would be able to finally take a break. But probably the most poignant aspect of this film is the cultural shock and transition these people made to take advantage of the opportunities they had.

Major issues for them were the individuality and closed-off demeanor of Americans. After living in a camp of thousands of people who became a family, not being able to greet someone on the street felt like a slap in the face.

In Pittsburgh, a group of merchants even complained that the “lost boys” traveled in groups that were too large and intimidated customers.

Smaller difficulties were escalators. Most, if not all, of the travelers were understandably a little disoriented by moving stairs.

But it’s a nice, happy-ending story, too. There are reunions and successes.

It made me want to travel. It made me want to understand other cultures. The differences are stark, but the common thread of humanity is more impressive.