Ratings4
Average rating4.5
What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to disobey and disappoint her parents by forgoing college, break her little brother’s heart, lose all but a handful of her friends (because the rest of them think she has gone off the deep end), and break up with the love of her life, all so she could move to Uganda, where she knew only one person but didn’t know any of the language? A passion to make a difference. Katie Davis left over Christmas break her senior year for a short mission trip to Uganda and her life was turned completely inside out. She found herself so moved, so broken by the people and the children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. Her story is like Mother Teresa’s in that she has given up everything—at such a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, has gone on to adopt 14 children during her time in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family, which includes children with special needs.
To further her reach into the needs of Ugandans, Katie established Amazima Ministries. The ministry matches orphaned children with sponors worldwide. Each sponsor's $300/year provides schooling, school supplies, three hot meals a day, minor medical care, and spiritual encouragement. Katie expected to have forty children in the program; she had signed up 150 by January 2008; today it sponsors over 400. Another aspect of the ministry is a feeding program created for the displaced Karamojong people—Uganda's poorest citizens. The program feeds lunch to over 1200 children Monday-Friday and sends them home with a plate for food; it also offers basic medical care, Bible study, and general health training.
Katie Davis, now 22, is more than fascinating, she's inspiring, as she has wholeheartedly answered the call to serve
Reviews with the most likes.
I found out about this book after working with my church on an adoption/foster/child sponsorship initiative. Someone recommended that I read it, and a co-worker even lent it to me. I didn't get around to reading it though until this past week while on a mission trip. I didn't bring a book other than my Bible and daily devotional to read, and a friend happened to have the book with her. I read through it this week and am so glad I was able to do so while doing ministry in another country (the Dominican Republic). Her heart for orphans, the sick, widows and all of God's people is so clear and helped keep my own heart in check while working with young children who often were dirty, sick and yet so beautiful and lovely all the same. Not once does Katie allow any credit to fall on herself or for any attributes such as “brave” or “courageous” to be attributed to her efforts. She always points back to Christ and scripture and is constantly able to identify examples of God working even during the hard times.
Katie is a wonderful example of being the hands and feet of Jesus in a way that could intimidate and scare away many quite easily. A wonderful story to read about a wonderful and humble servant of the Lord doing wonderful things to let others know how loved they are by the God who created them intentionally and equally.