God Grew Tired of Us

In God Grew Tired of Us, the film shows the lost boys-Sudanese refugees. They altogether fled from Sudan to Kenya, and have been locked up in UN refugee camps. Some of them were selected and sent to the US. John Bul Dau and other three people sent to Syracuse, and other four people sent to Pittsburg. 

After a few years passed, among them, John and a few started to take leadership roles for their people and country. One studied economics in the States and went back to their country to build a school. John set up a foundation for academic and medical expenses of Sudanese refugees (johndaufoundation.org).

I can see they spent time together almost for 10 years in a camp, so there is a close bond among them. Also they think it is a shame if they do not take care of their own people. It really touched me.

In terms of North Korean refugees, it is really sad that they are quite different with Sudanese refugees' situation. Their first destination is China, but the government keep holding UNHCR's investigation so there is no refugee camp even the total number of North Korean refugees in China is between 300,000 and 400,000. The refugees are just hiding in China. They can hardly help each other but unwillingly have to be scattered all over the world. It is a tragedy, indeed.
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I cannot remember since when I got to have an intention to help them, anyway I have a strong attachment to them, in some ways, I would like to help them and am waiting for the chance I can do something.

House is on Fire!

I cannot explain how I have had dynamic times in Cambridge after I got here. A month is like a year.

Yesterday night, I had dinner outside with friends and was going to home. On my way, I could see many police cars, fire engines, and ambulances passing with their siren screaming. I looked at them unconcernedly. At the moment, Emmy, who is my host lady in Cambridge, called me and said that a fire broke out at the 4th floor of her condominium! That means my place! When I got home, so many people crowded on the street and watched the fire scene. Indeed there was black smoke on the top floor of the building. Emmy guessed that nobody could enter the building even her place is the first floor, so she just went to her friend's place with her dog, Cody, and I went to my friend, Grace's - her little dormitory room at Harvard.

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Today in the morning, I went to the place again as I needed to pick up some of my stuffs. Fortunately I heard that only one old lady burnt in her arm and no one got hurt from the fire. I could see the building was fine except the 4th floor. Unfortunately, however, I seem to have caught a second bad cold as I could not keep myself warm and sleep comfortably. What is worse that nobody, who resides at the building, can sleep at their places during this entire week because of fire regulation. I came to be a kind of homeless by the unexpected accident.. sighs. I really got to understand why some people became the homeless.

At the night, I had a bad dream even though I do not dream often. In Ithaca, the backyard of my dormitory is a golf course. In my dream, I only saw that the golf course was on fire and was frightened at the scene, however, I could not dial 911 and woke up with fright. Oh, such a dynamic life! What will be next?!

Ready or Not?

After Jesus' death.. as usual, "I'm going out to fish." Simon Peter went out and got into the boat. However, that night he caught nothing until early in the morning. Jesus stood on the shore and called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" Again He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. It was full of large fish. Nobody asked Him as they all knew it was the Lord. He appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. While Jesus took the bread and gave it to them, He said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" three times. Peter said, "I love you." Then Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

Nowadays, I often think this phrase. I feel like I am Peter, who caught nothing without Jesus. I wonder where I have to throw my net. I think I love Jesus and am ready to follow Him wherever, but He hasn't told me concretely yet. I guess maybe I have to wait His guidance for a while or am not noticing it now? I don't know what I have to do after leaving school. Where should leave? I am doing something busily, however, I seem to be catching nothing. Helplessness.

Ironies in a Day

I'm confused whether international organizations like the World Bank are needed or not. Although they have helped many countries, including Korea, to develop rapidly with huge loans, physical infrastructure project and engineering services, I've found from most third world, the Bank came under increasing criticism. From the mid-1980s on, the Bank's projects have caused large scale damages. By way of example, the Polonoroeste project in the northwest Amazon region was expected to result in a model case of integrated rural development, however, it turned out to be a disaster. Thousands of people died of malaria as there were not public health services.

Their mission statement is 'Our dream is a world without poverty'. Current development discourse, skeptical attitude towards the 'West' and the 'modernizing'.. is it really fit to the Third World? Often some people say our world became poorer than before because of the Bank's interference. Well then, what are alternative options to us? Actually I guessed the Bank would be a good place to work, however, it might be not. I am probably seduced by the size and the fame of the Bank. Today when I entered the Bank, I thought 'it is a weird building' since the Bank is the organization to help poor countries but it is too fascinating. One of host staffs was a black. I guess he's from Africa but he put on airs. Somewhat he looked ironical to me since he didn't seem to be comfortable in the building. (I'm not a racist!)