Kisses from Katie

So, it has been a looong time!  School and work have been keeping pretty busy, but I found something that I just had to share with you!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace  (1 Peter 4:10).

Yesterday was a rainy, cold day in the Bay, so in between errands I went to Barnes and Nobles to just look around and see if I could find anything interesting for the Winter break.  That´s when I found Katie Davis´ book, Kisses from Katie.  The cover shows a young woman, with a bunch of little children around her.  Immediately I was reminded of my trip to Uganda last May!  I read the back, and indeed it was about Uganda!

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother  (1 John 4:19-21).

 Katie Davis' story is inspiring to say the least.  After spending three weeks in Uganda doing ministry work with her mother during her senior year in high school, she fell in love with the country and felt that God was calling her to go back.  Thus, once she graduated from high school she took a year off and returned to Uganda to work for 10 months as a kindergarten teacher.  She was not a teacher, she did not have any family and few friends in Uganda, yet she knew that this was what God wanted for her.  Within those 10 months she begun a non-profit organization, Amazima Ministries International, forged life long friendships, established herself, and adopted little girls!

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).

 Katie now lives in Uganda, does INCREDIBLE work for the people there - feeds children, helps women earn an income through the selling of hand-made necklases, helps to run a school, teaches the word of God to her community, cures the sick, attends to the needs of anyone and everyone that knocks on her door and is a full time mother of 13!  And she is 24 years old!

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith (Gelatians 6:10).

Her story is truly inspiring and I STRONGLY recommend that everyone hear her! 

Here are some links to do so... (really, I am not kidding, this girl is a saint!!)

• Interview and details of her story - This one is a bit long, but so worth it! She describes a day in her life, the kinds of people she helps who just drop by at her house, and the story of how she got to where she is now. 
• Katie's Blog - It goes all the way back to 2007 when she went back to Uganda after graduating from high school!  Warning: crying and/or excessive urges to travel to Uganda may occur as a result of reading this.
• Amazima - This is the foundation she started.  Here you can purchase the necklaces that the women make, learn more about what she does to help the people of Uganda and donate for her to continue her work!  They also have a YouTube channel showing what projects they have accomplished and currently doing, and personal stories.
• Kisses from Katie - If you are interested in reading her story, her book just came out!  I am going to purchase a copy myself. 

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? (James 2:14-17). 

I hope you enjoy Katie's story and the work that she is doing as much as I have!  Sometimes when I hear of these sorts of stories - of individuals who do incredible things in far off places, that change people's lives and dedicate their own to loving others - I feel a bit powerless.  There is so much need, and sometimes we think that there is so little that we can do.  Although not everyone can move to Uganda, adopt young orphans, and give up their comfortable and stable lives to help the less fortunate - we can pray for her.  We can pray for Katie, her family, and those who work with her, that God will give them the strength and power to continue their work providing their community with their basic needs, education, and to continue to bring to them the Good News. 

- Magda

Note: this is usually where I post my photographs, but I did not take any of these.

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