Out of the Black Shadows

What have I been reading lately? Well, a number of books. Perhaps the most enjoyable and stimulating has been Out of the Black Shadows: The Amazing Transformation of Stephen Lungu by Stephen Lungu. I gave the book to my son to read and before he started reading it he asked if I had read it. I said no. Everyday I would see him engrossed in the book and I realized that not only was I probably missing a good read, but I was also missing an opportunity to dialogue with my son on spiritual matters contained in the book. So I took up the book as well. He was over half way finished and I told him that I would catch him and pass him in no time. (He thinks I read fast. But I don't read real fast, I just read diligently) Sure enough, once I picked the book up, I could not put it down. The book is autobiographical and yet it is full of suspense, tragedy, trial, and triumph in the Lord.

Stephen Lungu was born to a teenage mother in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). She was forced to marry a much older man who would become Stephen's father, but she never cared for him. Likewise he did not care much for her and thought Stephen to not be his son. Eventually his mother abandoned him on the streets and there began a life of homelessness and crime. Soon Stephen became a gang leader of the Black Shadows (thus the name of the book), and a black nationalist terrorist and a hater of Christianity. One night he attends a gospel tent meeting with the intentions of setting off home made bombs. But the gospel that was preached gripped his heart and the bombs remained in the bag, though the cries of his heart were let out as he repented of his sins and trusted Christ as his Savior. Thus began an amazing life long ministry of evangelism to Africa and around the world.

This is a wonderful book and an amazing story of God's grace beyond measure. It reminds me of the power of God in the simple proclamation of the Word to drastically and dramatically change lives. If you have not, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. I am sure you will not want to put it down.