Running for My Life was an extraordinary, inspiring book. I loved it, and had a hard time putting it down. Parts of it had me in tears, in shock, and all smiles. This autobiography is about how one boy incredibly made it through, beat the odds, and grew in his faith to journey from the Killing Fields of Sudan to the Olympic Games as an American citizen. Lomong grew up during the civil war in Sudan, and witnessed unspeakable traumatic acts in his village and while he was held captive. Each day the boys ran for miles, lived in horrid conditions, and had brutal chores. Many didn't make it, and after time, it didn't even phase them. Heartbreaking. Lopez realized that by running, he felt free and at peace. Running is what ended up saving him, as he one day saw a chance to escape and kept running for days on end through the brutal landscape of Africa until he found solace and aid after crossing into Kenya and being put in a refugee camp. He played soccer and worked and ran and filled a decade, better conditions with rudimentary education yet still scarce food. One day he was able to see the Olympic games on a TV and that became his new goal, to run in the Olympics. He completed an essay contest and won, which sent him to live in America with a supportive famiy, graduate from high school and college (a major goal for him because of the importance his adoptive family placed on it), received his citizenship, and ran in the Olympics in Beijing.

As a sidenote - It was heartwarming to read about his reactions to everyday things we take for granted in America- his own room, plenty of food, the freedom to explore and to worship and go to school, and new friendships. It truly makes you realize, as the reader, how many priveleges we have here that we daily take for granted. Its an incredible and inspiring story to show that anything is possible, no matter where you start out in life, and gives great hope.

Through it all, Lomong learned about God and placed his faith in Jesus, and this became a cornerstone of his newfound freedom and life. Lomong is quick to praise Him for the opportunity and even for the ways he survived his tumultulous childhoood. Those earlier chapters were painful to read. Now with his new life in Christ and after acheiving incredible personal dreams such as the Olympics and to live in the "land of opportunity" in America, he can pursure other dreams of giving back to his community in Sudan, decades later, through medical services, education, and clean water. It truly is a redemptive, full-circle type of story full of so much hope and joy because of Christ and how He carried Lomong through such trials and darkness in life. I really enjoyed this book and highly recomend it to anyone who is interested in humanitarian work, persevrance, and a story of hope in Christ. What an excellent book, and one that I will probably purchase a physical copy for my kids to read as well.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a free copy of the book to review.

Excellent book. I really enjoyed the author's description of his terrible experiences. More power to him!