Running for my Life by Lopez Lomong

Running for my life

I received the above book free from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, to review recently.
So I decided to read it while in Haiti. 

First off here is what the publisher has to say about this title:

Running for My Life is not a story about Africa or track and field athletics. It is about outrunning the devil and achieving the impossible faith, diligence, and the desire to give back. It is the American dream come true and a stark reminder that saving one can help to save thousands more.

Lopez Lomong chronicles his inspiring ascent from a barefoot lost boy of the Sudanese Civil War to a Nike sponsored athlete on the US Olympic Team. Though most of us fall somewhere between the catastrophic lows and dizzying highs of Lomong's incredible life, every reader will find in his story the human spark to pursue dreams that might seem unthinkable, even from circumstances that might appear hopeless.

This was an amazing story. One which seems too impossible to believe.  Kidnapped, running 3 days for you life, living in a refugee village for many years, living almost as a prisoner within the UN camp. Food rations, mallaria. On and on this story goes.

This is a story of ressiliance, of determination. Of God's provision and protection.
If you are a fiction reader you will love this as it is so full of surprises that you will think it fiction.
History readers will love this true story of the Olympic athlete.
This book is amazing.

But the greatest part is how God saved him just like Joseph of the Bible. Saved for a mighty purpose.
Yet the biblical connection doesn't end there. Lopez soon is given gifts he could have never imagined.
There is a moment when he is over whelmed by the size of it all.
Going from poverty to riches in 36 hours.

How similar to that is the realization of the grace God has given us.
We were penniless and now we are royalty.
We were filthy in sin yet now we are clothed in glorious hues.
We were dead and we are made alive. 

This story is just amazing and tells event after event that God gave to Lopepe. From the flag bearing at the 2008 Olympics to meeting the Dream Team.  You will feel as if you were there with him as he feels each and every emotion.

Read this book and the try to feel sorry for yourself. As Americans we take it all for granted. The power goes out we yell at the power company. Our milk goes sour we yell at the grocery. Yet in so many countries they live on no power or generators. Living on no milk or cheeses. No yogurts. Peanuts are rare.
Yet we live in plush provisions compared to our African brothers. 

God convict us and forgive us for outer complacency.