Review: Kisses from Katie

Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

About the Book:

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 by the people and children of Uganda that she knew her calling was to return and care for them. She has given up a relatively comfortable life—at a young age—to care for the less fortunate of this world. She was so moved by the need she witnessed, she's centered her life around meeting that need. Katie, a charismatic and articulate young woman, is in the process of adopting 13 children in Uganda, and she completely trusts God for daily provision for her and her family. 

Despite the rough conditions in which Katie lives, she has found a life of service to God to be one of great joy. Katie's children bring constant delight and help her help others by welcoming whoever comes to their door. As the challenges grow, so does Katie's faith and her certainty that what she's doing in Uganda, one person at a time, will have far-reaching rewards. It isn't the life she planned, but it is the life she loves.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 of 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.
My Comments:
Despite anything negative I may have to say about this book, let me assure you that Katie herself gets an A++ 100++ in my book. She is a remarkable young woman who has answered God's call in her life and realized the true joy that comes from self-sacrifice and obedience to the will of God.

That being said, the book, while enjoyable, got a bit preachy and repetitive at times. However, she said a lot of things that bear repeating, so I'm going to quote one, realizing that what I read was a NetGalley, and that the final copy may not be the same.

From the forward:  

People who really want to make a difference in the world usually do it in one way or another, and I've noticed a something about people who make a difference in the world:  They hold the unshakable conviction that individuals are extremely important, and that every life matters....They are willing to feed one stomach, educate one mind, and treat one wound.  They aren't determined to revolutionize the world all at once; they're satisfied with small changes.  Over time, though, the small changes add up. 

They don't do anything to call attention to themselves, they simply pay attention to the everyday needs of others, even if it's only one person.  

The book takes us with Katie as she heads to Uganda for the first time, to when she returns there instead of going to college.  We follow her back the US for a year of college and then home to her adopted children in Uganda.  You can get a feeling for her writing style at Katie's blog.  

Ok, maybe the writing shouldn't earn this book an A, but I'll give it one anyway.