Kisses from Katie

1. Katie Davis's journey from American teenager to Ugandan missionary

"I was blown away by the greatness of our Lord, by the fact that God in all His mighty plans had cared enough for this child, had cared enough for me, to put us together in that moment."

A radical transformation. At 18, Katie Davis left her comfortable life in Tennessee for a short mission trip to Uganda. This experience changed her life trajectory completely. Moved by the poverty and need she witnessed, Katie decided to postpone college and stay in Uganda to teach kindergarten. Her initial one-year commitment evolved into a lifelong dedication to serving the Ugandan people.

Embracing a new calling. Katie's journey was marked by a deep sense of purpose and faith. She felt God calling her to serve in Uganda, despite the challenges and cultural differences. This calling led her to establish Amazima Ministries, an organization dedicated to educating and caring for vulnerable children and families in Uganda.

Key milestones in Katie's journey:

• Short-term mission trip at 18
• Decision to stay in Uganda and teach
• Founding of Amazima Ministries
• Adoption of 13 daughters
• Expansion of ministry to serve thousands

2. Adopting 13 daughters and founding Amazima Ministries

"I am Mommy when I gather the girls into a large circle for a family meeting and when I watch them all run and play in the local swimming pool or picnic beside the Nile River."

Building an unconventional family. Katie's heart for orphaned and vulnerable children led her to adopt 13 daughters over time. Each adoption story is unique, often arising from urgent needs or desperate situations. Katie embraced motherhood at a young age, creating a loving home for girls who had experienced trauma, neglect, and loss.

Creating lasting impact. Alongside her growing family, Katie founded Amazima Ministries to address the broader needs of the community. The organization focuses on education, nutrition, and spiritual development. Amazima's programs include:

• School sponsorship for hundreds of children
• Daily meals for thousands in the community
• Vocational training for women
• Medical care and support for families affected by HIV/AIDS

Katie's personal commitment to her daughters and the wider community through Amazima demonstrates the power of compassion and faith in action.

3. Overcoming cultural barriers and personal doubts

"I struggled to come up with the money to pay for the children's treatments, pay the people who were helping me, and feed all of us. It was difficult. But it is in the brilliantly, gloriously, wonderfully difficult seasons that God seems to show Himself all-powerful and in control."

Facing challenges head-on. Katie encountered numerous obstacles as she adjusted to life in Uganda. Language barriers, cultural differences, and the overwhelming needs of those around her often left her feeling inadequate and overwhelmed. However, these challenges became opportunities for growth and deepened reliance on her faith.

Learning through experience. Katie's journey involved a steep learning curve, from figuring out how to cook local foods to navigating the complexities of cross-cultural adoption. She learned to:

• Embrace local customs and ways of life
• Develop creative solutions to resource limitations
• Build relationships across cultural divides
• Trust in God's provision during times of scarcity

Through these experiences, Katie developed resilience and a deeper understanding of the community she served, allowing her to become more effective in her ministry and personal life.

4. The power of small acts of love and compassion

"I want to give my life away for Christ. I want to exemplify Him in my every day. I want to live an open and expansive life, giving myself freely to all those around me for His glory."

Making a difference one person at a time. Katie's approach to ministry emphasizes the importance of individual relationships and small acts of kindness. She believes that transformative love is expressed through everyday interactions and meeting practical needs.

The ripple effect of compassion. Through her experiences, Katie demonstrates how seemingly small actions can have far-reaching impacts:

• Providing a meal for a hungry child
• Offering medical care to the sick
• Showing love to those who feel abandoned
• Educating children who otherwise wouldn't attend school

These acts of love not only meet immediate needs but also inspire hope and create lasting change in the community. Katie's story encourages readers to recognize the value of small acts of kindness in their own lives and communities.

5. Balancing faith, family, and service in challenging conditions

"I have absolutely no desire to write a book about myself. This is a book about Christ. This is a book about a Christ who is alive today and not only knows but cares about every hair on my head. Yours too."

Living out faith in action. Katie's life in Uganda is a testament to her deep faith and commitment to following Christ's teachings. She strives to balance her roles as a mother, missionary, and ministry leader while navigating the challenges of life in a developing country.

Practical faith in daily life. Katie's story illustrates how faith intersects with everyday realities:

• Trusting God for provision in times of scarcity
• Finding strength to care for sick children and community members
• Maintaining hope in the face of overwhelming poverty and need
• Balancing personal relationships with broader ministry goals

Through her experiences, Katie demonstrates that living out one's faith often involves difficult choices and sacrifices, but also brings deep fulfillment and purpose.

6. Embracing God's call despite personal sacrifices

"I believe that God totally, absolutely, intentionally gives us more than we can handle. Because this is when we surrender to Him and He takes over, proving Himself by doing the impossible in our lives."

Counting the cost. Katie's decision to remain in Uganda and dedicate her life to ministry involved significant personal sacrifices. She gave up the comforts of her American life, including close relationships with family and friends, to follow what she believed was God's calling for her life.

Finding fulfillment in obedience. Despite the challenges, Katie found deep joy and purpose in her work in Uganda. Her story illustrates the biblical principle of finding one's life by losing it for Christ's sake. Key sacrifices and rewards:

Sacrifices:

• Separation from family and friends
• Giving up material comforts
• Facing health risks and personal danger
  Rewards:
• Deep sense of purpose and fulfillment
• Joy of seeing lives transformed
• Experiencing God's provision and faithfulness

Katie's journey challenges readers to consider their own willingness to embrace sacrificial living for a greater purpose.

7. Transforming lives through education and community development

"Education is the key to a better life here and now is education. Children must learn to read and write, to add and subtract and multiply. They must learn about science and social studies and everything else school offers in order to be productive citizens in the future."

Education as a catalyst for change. Katie recognized the transformative power of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Through Amazima Ministries, she established programs to provide educational opportunities for children who would otherwise be unable to attend school.

Holistic community development. Katie's approach goes beyond just providing education, addressing multiple aspects of community needs:

Educational initiatives:

• School sponsorship program
• Vocational training for women
  Health and nutrition:
• Daily meal program for students and community members
• Medical care and support for families
  Spiritual development:
• Bible studies and mentoring programs
• Church partnerships

By addressing these interconnected needs, Katie and Amazima Ministries work to create sustainable change and empower individuals and families to build better futures.

8. Finding joy and purpose in unexpected circumstances

"I am willing to bet this is how our heavenly Father feels each time we whisper His name, each time we shout it with joy or cry out in pain, every time we tell Him exactly what we need or feel."

Embracing the unexpected. Katie's life took many unexpected turns, from becoming a mother at 19 to founding a ministry that serves thousands. Through these experiences, she discovered deep joy and purpose in following God's leading, even when it led her into challenging and unfamiliar territory.

Joy in the midst of hardship. Katie's story is filled with examples of finding joy and beauty in difficult circumstances:

• Celebrating small victories in children's health and development
• Finding humor and love in the chaos of a large, multicultural family
• Experiencing God's presence in moments of extreme need
• Witnessing transformations in individuals and communities

Her experiences challenge readers to look for purpose and joy in their own lives, especially in unexpected or difficult situations. Katie's story demonstrates that a life of service and faith can bring profound fulfillment, even amidst challenges and sacrifices.

Last updated: October 24, 2024