Run Frank Run

Frank Musisi grew up on the island of Ssese on Lake Victoria.  Kibile School’s coach would not let him run for the school’s team when he was in fourth grade so he received permission to run for Beta, a smaller rival school.   It was a decision the coach would regret because Frank was so fast he ended up winning district competition and defeating the runners from his own school!   

During the time Frank was growing up, Uganda was wracked with civil war.  Being an entrepreneur at heart, he would ferry people from his island to the mainland but unfortunately he was captured and arrested at the age of 18 in Kampala and accused of fighting for the rebels. Soldiers took him to a barracks where they were killing people.  They brought him in and after beating him, poured burning plastic on his hands in an attempt to force him to confess.   Just before he was likely to face execution, a guard took pity on him, came into his cell and released him telling him, “Run, as fast as you can!”  He safely made his escape and eventually was able to come to the United States.  
 
Meditation
Psalm 34:17,19—The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them from all their troubles . . . Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.  

In 1996, Frank’s sister died of HIV.  Over 1000 people died on Ssese from this horrible disease.  At first people were dying with no help because people thought it was a consequence of witchcraft. Frank joined the U.S. Army eventually receiving a commission as an officer.  Meanwhile, he was deeply burdened by the number of people that he knew who died on his island.  Lukaya, an entire village was lost.  So he returned to Uganda in 2004 on emergency leave and while home determined he must do something to help.  Today, CPT Musisi is working hard through his nonprofit, Ssese Islands African Aids Project (SIAAP) to establish a hospital on his island to care for HIV patients.  While our team was in Kampala, he was recognized in Parliament for his humanitarian work. 

Had God not rescued Frank he undoubtedly would have been executed.  Our First Cause team was able to receive a direct invitation from President Museveni, because of Frank’s key connections in Uganda.  When God delivers His children from adversity often there are major second and third order effects which are for the direct benefit of countless souls.   

Frank could have felt sorry for himself.  Instead he chose to persevere!  Don’t let adversity define you.  Don’t feel that because you are suffering God is unfair or uncaring.  Cry out in faith to God, who hears, and let Him work His will for the glory of His kingdom. 
 
Inspiration
Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God.  Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love.  There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.—Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race
 
©2014 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)