The Journey of John Bul Dau John Bul Dau is just one of the many lost boys of Sudan. His story takes us away from our daily lives and shows us the difficulties that the people of South Sudan faced as they fought for survival. Growing into the man he is today, John tells the story of his past life in an inspirational book titled "God Grew Tired of Us." From the age of thirteen until adulthood, he faced many challenges. Some of his challenges include: dealing with conflicts with soldiers from Northern Sudan, dealing with nature disturbances, and questioning his own religious views. Even today, he remembers these hardships and did what he could to help his people. His first encounter with hostile forces occurred among men in the Dinka village of Duk Payuel. He becomes a great obstacle for John, as well as a threat. Not only is it ridiculously hot year-round, but Africa is home to vast wildlife. A great example is the episode in which John and thousands of refugees were trapped on the banks of the Gilo River. They had Ethiopian soldiers on one side and a river full of crocodiles on the other. When John began to hear grenades being thrown, he saw many soldiers and vehicles. He had no choice but to dive into the river, face the ferocious crocodiles and “attempt” to swim for ten minutes without having the physical ability to do so. Meanwhile, crossing the river, he was pushed under water by a man who could not swim at all and had to help another man cross. John states that "Across the river, similar dramas of survival played out as swimmers struggled to the opposite bank and non-swimmers clung to someone or something floating" (Bul Dau and Sweeney). After overcoming the challenge, the survivors shared their stories of the crossing. John later states: "I know the crocodiles had a feast, for others who came to the western shore told me they saw their friends in the cold of the beasts".