DELIVERED

Psalm 34:4—I sought the LORD, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

At the age of one month he was dedicated to be a witch doctor and to one day replace his grandfather. But as a ten year-old he ran away mad because the ancestral spirits wanted him to start practicing divination. Consequently, this young boy grew up rejected by both his paternal and maternal family.

In 1987 while living in Nairobi city, he used to eat from a garbage pit. A year later, while staying with the wife of his mother’s brother, he was mistreated and his clothes were filled with lice. For an entire year, he had only one pair of shorts and a T-shirt to wear. At the age of 12, he suffered from whooping cough and runny nose. Because he was staying with his stepmother, his dad gave no thought to take him to the hospital. Then he developed wounds on his lungs which caused him to cough heavily for twelve more years suffering severe chest pain.

In 1992, attracted by his favorite sport, soccer, he came to watch a scheduled match. At 6:00 p.m. when the contest ended, a crusade commenced and he listened intently to the visiting preacher. The only words he remembers were, “Those who would like to accept Jesus . . .” and then he moved forward. He recalls John 1:12, “But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.” That night, May 14, Daniel Mugeni gave his heart to Jesus at the age of 13.

Eleven years later, Daniel slept on a dusty mat in a church. In the course of praying, God miraculously healed him from his cough and chest pains and relieved his severe stammering. Increasingly he received joy, peace and the unmistakable reality of God’s love for him. Now his stammering is completely gone. Delivered from the pit of rejection and abuse he now ministers the gospel sharing his story to any who will listen in his land of Uganda.

If you would like to be encouraged in your Christian pilgrimage, write Daniel. You can easily reach him at glhrevmin@yahoo.com. One of the beautiful aspects of the internet is that it helps shrink our world so that we who love Jesus can meet new brothers and sisters and communicate with one another. Through our journey and ministry in Kenya we met Joseph. Later, he and Brian traveled into Uganda. Providentially, God connected our First Cause family to Daniel and Joy and others with whom they serve. Though physically they have never met, today my Dad has the privilege of helping Daniel grow spiritually by sending him instruction via email. This is what it means to know Christ. He delivers us from Satan and his insidious attacks and links us together to thrive under grace. Jesus sets us free! Are you living delivered?

Inspiration
It is not enough to be delivered from sin; it is enough to be delivered to righteousness.—Edwin Louis Cole, author, (1922-2002)