Review: Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis & Beth Clark

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, 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 21, is more than fascinating, she's inspiring, as she has wholeheartedly answered the call to serve.

Pages: 266

Published by: Howard Books (October 4, 2011)

Genre: Autobiography

My rating for Kisses from Katie:

I read a review for this book in which the reviewer talked about the redundancy of Katie's message. Now, I am not slamming this review. The reviewer gave this book 4 stars and loved Katie's story, but I was thinking about her review as I read this book. Tell me: How is a story about a faithful person whose purpose of writing this book is to share her story of how God's plan for her has completely turned her life inside out (in the best way possible) redundant? A story about her struggles in Uganda, the love she feels every day, and living God's way? Life sometimes has redundancy, but there are always lessons to be learned every day. I don't think this book was redundant; I think Katie was trying to show many different examples of how God has never failed her, and no matter how many times she has moments of weakness, she will not give up on him because he always provides and she loves him. Something that struck me most is that Katie is not a great person. She is, of course, beautiful, loving, and caring, but it is God who is great and is doing great things through her. She is a sinner, has her moments of doubt and weakness. She is just like us. But she is giving her whole life to God and is trying to live her life exactly how God wants her to. She isn't perfect and she doesn't try to hide it. If we gave our lives to Jesus, we too could do God's will. A culmination of Fisher Amelie's VAIN, Katie's open and compassionate heart, and God's plan for me has led me to rate this book 5-stars. Starting in 2014, I am going to be sponsoring a child through Amazima Ministries and I am so excited! And one day I will go to Uganda.