Months ago Ryan's sister, Stephanie, told me about this.
It's been on the list ever since, but for some reason a 50 minute documentary is hard to squeeze in. As luck would have it- the kids went to bed early tonight and my hubby went on a man-date with our brother-in-law, Josh. Just me, the couch, and North Korea. I know that doesn't sound like a very exciting evening, but when you're mostly cut off from everything intellectual it's pretty awesome to face the reality of communism. Not just communism- Kim Jong II style. An American (she use to be a reporter for Channel 1 when I was in school but has obviously moved up since then) follows a humanitarian eye doctor on his quest to preform 1000 eye surgeries in 1 week for North Koreans who have been blind for years. It's one of the few humanitarians Kim Jong's allowed in the country and the American reporter is absolutely the ONLY American in the whole country. I'm not sure people actually know she's American since they're talking about getting guns and killing every evil American they see. Anyway, the crew brings a camera to document the eye surgeries supposedly, when really they're trying to capture the reality of life in North Korea. Although we mostly just see footage from the capital city, where only the privileged live, it's hard to watch. Just small snip-its of the country villages, concentration camps, and extreme starvation quickly remind us that even today not everyone enjoys liberty.
While watching this documentary I couldn't help but think about the war in Heaven, why we're here, and what satan has always been trying to take from us. Agency. Our Father presented a wonderful plan of Happiness. Satan stepped forward and, in perhaps the greatest act of pride in all eternity, attempted to alter God's plan. I'll force them to be obedient. And the glory be mine. The North Koreans worship Kim Jong. They praise his name. They credit him with every good thing. This dictator who has stripped them of even their most basic needs of survival, who has all but suffocated their eternal, God-given and God-protected right to liberty - this is their leader- and the glory is his. Then another stepped forward. "Send me and the glory be Thine." I know Christ did step forward at that great council and began His mission to save each of us. I know He was born to Mary in a humble stable, lived a life of purity, and ultimately preformed the wonderful Atonement in Gethsemane. He allowed Himself to be killed. And then was resurrected, bringing hope to each of His brothers and sisters born to the Earth. This documentary makes me ache for the Second Coming of our Lord, when all nations- no matter how physically darkened- shall look up and see their Redeemer.
sad. i can't believe you watched this alone ames! seems like something i should have been there for.
ReplyDeleteit is shocking to see even a little bit of how different life is in a lot of countries outside of the US of A... things we take for granted, and all that. i'll have to watch this sometime when i'm up for it.
ps- now you should watch a fun movie i think. tom and i just saw larry crowne last night and loved it! i was smiling almost the whole time. :)
Thank you for your thought-provoking post. It's so easy to get comfortable and take all that we have for granted. I like your Gospel perspective.
ReplyDeleteI love having family like you. :) Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteI like this. I think this would be a good documentary for me to see. Man, are we blessed. I forget that too often. It's crazy to think that every nation, even one's like that, will one day know the truth of God and His plan. It's humbling.
ReplyDeletewonderful thoughts. it truly is amazing (especially as we sit here so comfortably in america) what is going on TODAY in other countries. like others have said, it's easy to be safe and comfortable and free here and get apathetic and sit back and do nothing. thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteI showed that document to my students and I really enjoyed it. N Korea is a crazy place.
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