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“Sara Groves: Just Showed Up For My Own Life” DVD 2006, INO Records January 28, 2008 Reviewed by Ann Ahrens Nomad Reality Films chose Sara Groves, winner of several Dove
nominations, multiple “Album of the Year” honors, and seller of half a million
records, as the subject of a film which takes place over the span of eight
months. The film follows Groves from the Gulf Coast, approximately
eight days after Katrina, to Rwanda's lush valleys, portraying Groves' inner
journey and faith transformation. Chip Johnson, director of the film, explains: “We like to
call it a 'reality film,' with a fast paced, music driven, reality TV style but
without the game show element that we see in most reality shows. We were
interested in following Sara because her music reveals a thought provoking side
of life. The perfect fit for our first installment in the Nomad Series.” The film features music from Groves, music from her live set
from the 2006 Jars of Clay tour, short sermon and teaching illustration clips
from Sara for use in small groups/church services, discussion starters and
trailers from upcoming releases. The film focuses on two very different, very painful
disasters, Rwanda in 1994 and Katrina in 2006. My immediate thought was that the focus would be on the
disasters, but was surprised and moved to find that it also focused on Sara
Groves' personal transformation and the resulting life philosophy that has since
been expressed in her music. In response to the needs on the Gulf Coast after Katrina,
Groves, her family and church began to collect infant/toddler supplies as well
as bottled water, which they would deliver on their tour bus. In the film Groves quotes Mother Theresa: “You can do no
great things, just small things with great love.” Groves said remembering this
countered her tendency to think that what they were doing would make no
difference or didn't make sense. Facing Tragedy The film chronicles their journey (and its mishaps) to
Louisiana and their participation in distributing the supplies they collected.
Upon arriving in Rwanda, Groves' pre-conceptions of Africa
were shattered - not a country to be pitied, but rather one of beauty with
beautiful, resilient people. Groves and her family joined a team of American business and
church leaders, lead by Rick Warren. Their intent was to get updated on the
rebuilding of Rwanda's economy. President of Rwanda Paul Kegame asked for help
from the American church, thus prompting the visit. Groves and her group met
with Gary Haugen, President of International Justice Mission, who directed the
U.N.'s genocide investigation mere weeks after the tragedy. Haugen states:
“When disasters happen I've ceased to ask, “Where is God?” Instead I began to
ask, “Where
are God's people?” The visit was one of grand
scope--from dinner with President Kegame to a visit to the Murambi Genocide
Site, a school where 50,000 people were slaughtered after being promised safety.
This was a very moving part of the film, one I shall not soon forget. The Music, Not the Soundtrack Having known little of Groves' music before viewing this DVD,
I have become very interested in her message and the philosophy of her music.
She is a very introspective, genuine person with deep thoughts and a
transparent, comfortable demeanor. The following is a quote from a recent
release, “Add to the Beauty”:
Groves' song “Add to the Beauty” which was used on the DVD,
expresses her introspective style: This is grace - an invitation to be beautiful… Redemption comes in strange places, small spaces, Calling out our best. I want to add to the beauty, I want to tell a better
story…. © 2008, Ann Ahrens ---------- Ann Ahrens teaches at Gateway College of Evangelism and Missouri Baptist University in St. Louis where she pounds the ivories for a living. In addition to teaching she also enjoys history, travel, Cardinals baseball, her cat Mama and spoiling the cutest niece in the world. |
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