When I was nine I was sitting in the pew at church with my parents. After a message from our pastor I felt this overwhelming need to go down and tell the pastor I wanted to be saved. Honestly, I could not tell you what the message was about, but I can tell you I remember how strong my desire was to receive what Brother David was offering. Even though, being a shy person walking down that aisle in front of everyone was no small deal, not much changed after that walk. My lifestyle didn’t change, I did not make an effort to seek after God. Although I was never at peace with saying I was a Christian I did not purse it further because that meant putting in effort and stepping outside of my comfort zone.
College was a game changer for me. When I joined a ministry on campus, I joined a community of girls who were just as hard headed as I was. That meant being willing to take criticism and shove my pride. I had to choose: stop seeking a shallow relationship or stop pretending there was more then a shallow relationship. Turns out I couldn’t shake Him. (2 Corinthians 12:9; Exodus 14:14)
After that God sent me to spend a summer in the inner City of Chicago. Being able to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds was like getting to know a little piece of God. The way each culture celebrated family and life was so unique to each person. It showed me that God was bigger then just my point of view and world. Getting a glimpse of these different communities and lifestyles was life changing. I loved being a part of each one.
When I heard of the World Race I was blown away at the opportunity to live in the community of believers who wanted to work with so many different kinds of people. To me, this opportunity meant seeing more pieces of God. I may not be the best at speaking and reciting scripture, but I do have a passion to serve and love on people. I just want to be able show the love that I now know and learn how to do it better.
After I graduated from UTC this past December I decided to stay in Chattanooga. I got a job working at a preschool five days a week and I continued working at Taziki’s (a Greek restaurant) two nights a week. At school I have kissed countless bruises and scrapes, braided hundreds of Elsa braids, gotten into power struggles between two year olds who do not want to sleep, or walk, or use their “gentle” hands or words. They have taught me so much and it is heartbreaking to leave. But I am excited for this next step in my relationship with God and where He is taking me.
In January I am leaving for Thailand! And then to Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Latvia, Ukraine, Romania, Bosnia, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa over the next 11 months. Where my team and I will be serving in orphanages, working with youth, building relationships with people in these communities, and learning how to communicate the love of Christ in a bold way. I leave in two months!! And I am stoked to see how God will show up.
“I Will not change the world, Jesus will do that.
But I can Change the world for one person.
So I will keep loving, one person at a time.”
-Katie Davis, Amazima Ministries
