I have been reading a book called Kisses From Katie by Katie Davis. It is a book about a girl (who is about my age), who moved to Uganda after high school to help teach kindergarten at a school. She learned that many Ugandans cannot afford the fees to go to school and buy supplies and uniforms, so she started a ministry called Amazima ("truth" in Luganda) which identifies children that have the greatest need, and sponsors them through people in the States. Katie is an advocate for education as a way to break the cycle of poverty, and as a means to show children that they are loved, not only by other people but by Jesus. She also has adopted fourteen children, and loves being a mom to them.
I have been raving about this book to my friends and family since I started it a few days ago. I think the reason why I have enjoyed it so much is because it really feels like having my heart written out on paper. She describes the conflicting feelings that just about all missionaries experience of wanting to stay close to her family, but also wanting to be obedient to the Lord and to go where He is calling her to go. Her parents were not on board at first, not because they didn't believe in her, but because they wanted her to go to college and secure a safe, comfortable lifestyle. They love her and they want to make sure she is taken care of, and I'm sure any parent feels the same. When Josh and I first told our parents about the Race, it took them a little while to warm up to the idea, but they love us, and they know that that is where our hearts are, and we are just being obedient, because, let's face it: God is waaay smarter than we are, and He knows exactly what is best for us.
Before applying for the World Race, Josh and I were just working, coming home, vegging on the couch, sleeping, and doing it all over again. We have known for years that we are called to international missions in some form, but there was always some kind of roadblock for the avenues we had explored (like needing to pay off half of our $40,000 student loan debt before even finishing the application process). So, that life just seemed so far away, and all there was to do was to do the rat race work cycle (which was going nowhere because Josh worked two part time jobs at minimum wage, and I worked at a not-for-profit animal shelter) to try to pay off some of our school debt. I had heard about the Race about a year before that, when we were being commissioned by our church for a short term trip to Thailand. A girl from our church, Brittany Cox, was leaving for her Race at the same time, and the church was praying for her as well. As they were explaining it, I was thinking to myself, "That sounds SO amazing. But no way would we ever be able to do that. How would we come up with the money?" So, I put it out of my mind, and forgot about the Race. Fast forward almost a year, and I was super excited to read our new issue of Relevant magazine. That particular issue had an article about the World Race, and I was so excited about it that I drove to Barnes and Noble to use the internet, just so I could explore the WR website. The more I looked at it, the more excited I got. I had butterflies in my stomach, a huge grin on my face, and it felt like my heart was going to explode out of my chest. When Josh got home from work that night, I told him about it, and we agreed to pray about it for a few days. A few days later, we talked about it again, and we both felt like we had an absolute yes from God.
Some people have asked me if I am scared about the potential dangers, and honestly, I am not. Here is an excerpt from Katie's book:
"People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid. I am much more afraid of remaining comfortable. Matthew 10:28 tells us not to fear things that can destroy the body but things that can destroy the soul. I am surrounded by things that can destroy the body. I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases, and many times I am the only person who can help them. I live in a country with one of the world's longest-running wars taking place just a few hours away. Uncertainty is everywhere. But I am living in the midst of the uncertainty and risk, amid things that can and do bring physical destruction, because I am running from things that can destroy my soul: complacency, comfort, and ignorance. I am much more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy.
Jesus called his followers to be a lot of things, but I have yet to find where He warned us to be safe. We are not called to be safe, we are simply promised that when we are in danger, God is right there with us. And there is no better place to be than in His hands."
When I read that, I was like, yes! That is exactly it! (And that maybe we aren't the only "crazy" ones after all, haha).
She also talks later on about the inner turmoil she has when she returns to the States for fundraising for the ministry. At this point, she has been in Uganda for close to a year, and has several children. She loves her life there, and has a full house and a full heart. On the other hand, she loves her family and friends in America, and feels like she should feel at home where she grew up. But she doesn't. Her home is with her children, and where although they don't have much materially, they overflow spiritually. It isn't until her next trip to the States that she realizes that part of the frustration is that in Uganda, they rely on God's provision for everything. In America, if you want to eat, it is as simple as driving to the grocery store or drive thru. In Uganda, they take joy in the food they have, and often eat posho (cornflour boiled in water until it is a thick paste), and God has always provided them with another meal. While in the States, and living in a more comfortable, easy lifestyle, she felt far from her Savior. She was very unhappy for a semester while fulfilling her promise to her parents to attend college in the US, because she said it was impossible for her body to live in one country, while her soul lived in another.
I just love the way she is able to express the heart of a missionary so well. She says many times that she is nothing special, just someone who chose to follow the Lord. The material and comfort sacrifices we make are SO worth the joy and fulfillment that comes from being obedient and fulfilling your purpose in life. My heart yearns for the time when we get to live this out.
You know, sometimes I feel like we are the lucky ones. 🙂
P.S. If you would like to know more about Katie's adventures or to donate to Amazima, visit http://www.kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/.
P.P.S. We get to go to Uganda! Most likely we will be working with a different ministry, but I am still looking forward to loving on the Ugandan people.
