Kisses from Katie

Have you ever read a book so good that when you reached the last page, you flipped the book over to the first page and began reading it again?  "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis was that kind of good book for me.

It's the true story of an 18 year old girl, a fresh high school graduate, who leaves her comfortable lifestyle in Tennessee to travel to Uganda to live and work in an orphanage.  She ends up adopting 14 girls, starting a non-profit organization providing food and education to over 1200 children, and writing her first book...all by the age of 22.

It is not the amazing things Katie has accomplished in her young life that inspire me (although they are inspiring).  What is so inspiring to me about the book is Katie's spiritual wisdom and willingness to sacrifice herself for God's kingdom.  So much of what she writes, I have experienced myself and can so easily relate to, yet Katie has a way of putting those thoughts and feelings into words.  Something I find difficult to do at times. 

A person does not have to be young with a call to the mission field to be used of God.  One simply must be willing to follow Jesus anywhere, anytime, at any age.  One must be willing to say "yes" to whatever He asks, no matter what.  In reality, it is the ONLY way to follow Jesus.

Here are a few excerpts from her book:

“It may take place in a foreign land or it may take place in your backyard, but I believe that we were each created to change the world for someone. To serve someone. To love someone the way Christ first loved us, to spread His light. This is the dream, and it is possible.” 

"People often ask if I think my life is dangerous, if I am afraid.  I am more afraid of remaining comfortable.  I am surrounded by things that can destroy the body.  I interact almost daily with people who have deadly diseases.  I am 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." 

"I hadn't realized what a transformation had taken place while I had been in Uganda, the spiritual richness I had experienced in material poverty and the spiritual poverty I felt now in a land of material wealth."

"I want to forsake everything to remain in the center of God's will for my life.  I want to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel.  I believe with all of my heart that nothing is a sacrifice in light of the promise that one day I will get to live with Him forever.  I want to obey.  I want to give my life away."

"The life that I live is full and joyful and wonderful, but it is not easy."

“I have learned along my journey that if I really want to follow Jesus, I will go to the hard places. Being a Christ follower means being acquainted with sorrow. We must know sorrow to be able to fully appreciate joy.”

“I realize that the hard places are good because it is there that I gained more wisdom, and though with wisdom comes sorrow, on the other side of sorrow is joy. And a funny thing happens when I realize this: I want to go to the hard place again. Again and again and again.”

"I was in no way qualified, but I was available. I have learned that something happens when one makes herself available to God: He starts moving in ways no one could imagine. God began doing things in me, around me, and through me as I offered myself to Him." 

“I am blown away that my God, who could do this all by Himself, would choose to let me be a little part of it.”

"When I imagine God creating each one of us and planting a purpose deep in our hearts, I never imagine that purpose being mediocrity.”

"I am just an ordinary person.  An ordinary person serving an extraordinary God."

Waiting on God

There is a song called, "I Don't Mind Waiting on the Lord." Every time I sing it, I feel dishonest. I DO mind waiting.  My birth is proof enough of my impatience as I entered this world two months early.  Even my pastor has told me, "Do you realize that your level of patience is unrealistic at times?"  Yes, I am fully aware of that fact.  I live with my impatient nature every day.  It is hard for me to be still.  I so desperately want to see the hand of God move. I want to see souls saved. I want to see signs, wonders and miracles.  I want to go to India/Bangladesh.  NOW!

My journey to India/Bangladesh is postponed by at least another few months. Some days, it feels like I will never reach the land of my passion and burden.  Sometimes, it feels like my calling will simply die for lack of use.  If I am not careful, my impatience will lead to unrest and fear, certainly not God-like qualities.  The Bible says in Luke 21:19, "In your patience possess ye your souls."

Another powerful scripture is Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God."  I have a tendency to set a goal and then achieve it. I rarely pay attention to the process or enjoy the journey of reaching a goal. Lately, the Lord is slowing me down and stilling my soul. He is postponing my goals, telling me to wait, and teaching me to enjoy the journey. He is showing me how to be still and let Him be God.

I've lived for God long enough to trust that His Timing is perfect and His Will is best.  Recently, He allowed me to peek into some plans He has for me in the near future.  Plans to fulfill a long-lost dream of mine.  Plans I would have totally missed if I went to India on MY timetable instead of HIS.  It humbles me to think He cares so much about the timing of my life.  "My times are in thy hand" Psalms 31:15.  It gives me great peace knowing He is in control and that my times are in His Hand.  And yes, I am thankful for His patience.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."  Psalm 27:14.

Sarah and Her Missionary Daughters

I recently read a book entitled, "Sarah and Her Missionary Daughters" by Bonnie Markham.  It was a rather unique look at 30 United Pentecostal Church missionary ladies.  It was unique in that their stories tell not what they accomplished on the mission field but their lives before they went to the field.  The stories showed that God calls a wide variety of normal women from normal and abnormal backgrounds to work for Him.

Some of the women grew up in the ministry while others came from non-religious homes.  Some of the ladies received their calling as children while others were called later in life.  (One lady received her calling at the age of 61.  More about her in a few minutes.)  Most of the women were married, while a few were single.

These women faced a variety of challenges leaving North America to go and live in a foreign country.  Some had to leave elderly parents.  Others left behind large and close families to go to a country where they did not know a single person.  Some had children and were concerned for their childrens' health, education and overall well-being.  Every mother testified afterwards about how God met their childrens' needs while living in a foreign country.  In fact, many of the children grew up and became missionaries themselves.

One lady's childhood story was similar to mine.  Her story resonated with me because I often wondered if God could use me with all the problems I had as a child and young adult.  This lady's story gave me much hope and encouragement.  It shows that God can use anyone as long as they are repentant and available.

Another lady was a single widow and 61 years old when God called her to Portugal.  The foreign missions board told her she was too old to apply.  She used her own money and went anyway.  She learned two languages, Spanish and Portuguese.  She did a wonderful work for God.  Foreign missions board contacted her and asked her to apply, so she did.  She continued to work on the mission field until her late seventies.  Her spunky story made me laugh.

I have personally met many of these women throughout the years, yet I never stopped to consider their lives before they were missionaries.  This book and its message was a timely and encouraging read for me.

Bangladesh Tidbits

Here are some quick and easy tidbits about Bangladesh.  Did you know that Bangladesh and Pakistan were once part of India?  In 1947, the country of India was divided along religious lines.  The Hindus remained in India while the Muslims located to the newly formed countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh. 

—Highest population density in the world

—One of three poorest nations in the world

—5000 miles of waterways – a very WET country!

—Longest natural beach in the world

—Capital City: Dhaka

—National language: Bengali  (English also spoken)

—Religion:
 —86% Islam
 — 12% Hinduism
—  2% Other (Including Buddhism & Christianity)