Kisses from Katie

So, I haven't posted in a while. A whole month actually. I've been busy. Had a great Thanksgiving! I need to post pictures of my Christmas decor and projects. But, right now I'd rather talk about something that has inspired me to the core.

I randomly bought a book called Kisses from Katie. I never buy books unless they are very cheap or if I have been recommended by many people to read the book. I purchased this one really on a whim, and I am so thankful. It is a true life story about Katie Davis who lives and serves people in Uganda. She is still there today. Her blog is: http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/ if you want to see what Katie is currently doing.

Katie is my new hero, and it is just incredible to read about her life! She has left her safe, sanitary, comfortable life in Tennessee to follow God to Uganda. She was just a junior in high school when she first heard the call. This young woman decided to opt out of going straight to college and dedicate one year to serving in this foreign place. That was almost 5 years ago now. She has such an amazing heart! She's my "hero" because this girl really is doing what Jesus calls us to do. I have never heard of someone so giving and loving... but let me give the credit to God, our Father. Katie would have it no other way! She feeds the poor, sick, and orphaned; she literally shares her home with all who need a place to stay; she has adopted 13 or so young children who needed a "Mommy". Did I mention she's only about 22 years old?

Katie realizes that she can't change the world. Only Jesus can do that. But she can change the world for one person at a time. She does that with her actions. She takes love and turns it from an unfamiliar word to these people and actually demonstrates it so that everyone around her can see what love is (or Who Love Is is a better way to say it). Katie understands that in order to tell someone about the Father's love, they need to understand what love is in the first place. Many of the villagers in Masese have never been loved by their parents. This is not because the parents are not good people. Perhaps it's because many of these people have no hope. They fear common diseases for which they cannot afford medicine or treatment. Most of these diseases are both treatable and preventable. They fear HIV and worry about dying and leaving their children with no one to take care of them. They fear not being able to feed their child even one meal a day. There is no hope. But Katie is such a bright light to these people. They call her "Auntie Katie" and seek her help all the time. Her door is never shut; she helps everyone. I admire her for cleaning badly infected wounds, treating diseases from what she could easily catch herself, hugging and kissing the foreheads of little children who have never had a bath before in their lives. She provides about 1,600 meals per week to the school children. She does so much more!

So I ask myself what my life would look like if I said yes to God like Katie has. I know I would be so much more fulfilled! So, why do I hold back? Jesus called us all to feed the hungry, give to the poor, take care of the widows and orphans. Thank God for people like Katie who have shown us that it is possible to give up our selfish desires and let Christ live through us! It is not us, but Christ who lives in us!

Anyway, I'm excited to continue reading this book and letting it change me as I see God working through Katie. You should read the book too! I'm sure it will change you too!