Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

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Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption

4.4 of 5 stars 4.40 · rating details · 5,851 ratings · 859 reviews

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 Ug...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published October 4th 2011 by Howard Books (first published October 1st 2011)

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Apr 21, 2013 Melissa Miller rated it 3 of 5 stars

Katie is an amazing young women. Adopting and caring for many children as well as providing food and schooling for over 400 children. In her book she provides many life experiences she has struggled with during her ministry in Uganda. Each story is touching and reminds me how blessed my life in America is and how I should seek to meet the needs of others. Maybe I should have given the book 4 stars because I truly enjoyed the book but settled for 3 stars because the writing was very simple. Katie...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Lenae rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kisses from Katie is about a young girl born and raised in the rich neighborhoods of Tennessee. Because Katie is super smart, athletic, friendly, popular and pretty, going to college was not an option for her. However, despite what her family wants for her, she follows her heart to an orphanage in Uganda because she knows God is calling her to help and love others less fortunate. The book is an ideal length and really keeps the audience's attention throughout. Kisses from Katie is a great source...more

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May 20, 2013 Meegan Williams rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Christian novel, Kisses from Kaie written by Katie Davis herself tells her amazing true story of "relentless love and redemption." Katie's purpouse in writing this book is to share her story in following God's plan for her life even if that plan inclues moving to Uganda and adopting fourteen children! The book is written in first person which really helps the reader to connect with Katie personally and helps us understand Katie and her decisions better. Katie even uses Bible scriptures to h...more The Christian novel, Kisses from Kaie written by Katie Davis herself tells her amazing true story of "relentless love and redemption." Katie's purpouse in writing this book is to share her story in following God's plan for her life even if that plan inclues moving to Uganda and adopting fourteen children! The book is written in first person which really helps the reader to connect with Katie personally and helps us understand Katie and her decisions better. Katie even uses Bible scriptures to help suppourt her argument on why she has done what she has done in her life.

I absolutely love this book because it is different than any other book i have ever read. There really is no book I would even begin to compare it to. One thing that is different is that while many writers write of things that only further the plot or theme of thier story, Katie writes in great detail of everyone she meets whether they are in her life for a while or even if they are just passing through. One of Katie's main devices is imagry with these detail.
Another thing that makes this book different is it doesn't just build on one conflict. Instead Katie encounters many different hardships or conflicts. Katie's hardships include feeding the hungry and curing the sick people of Uganda. Also adopting fourteen children by the age of twenty certainly included many adjustments on her part. But she did not turn these people away, instead she delt with these hardships by "saying YES to God".

Katie begins a Ministry in Uganda and this book served as a way to get the word out as well. Katie reassures everyone that they can help the hungry and sick even where they are right now. Katie appeals to our emotions by telling the stories of the people she has helped and how they changed her life more than she changed thiers. Katie even usses an appeal to logic by throwing in statistics of how many people in Uganda suffer from hunger or disease.

One thing that really stands out in the book is that after each chapter the same story is told but it is from Katie's personal journal that she wrote while the events were happening. This was an amazing addition to the book and helped the reader get to a more personal level with the book. Everything about this book is interesting and i would recommend it to anyone. (less)

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May 01, 2013 Nichole rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
Katie Davis takes her reader on her journey of leaving the comfort of her Tennessee home and twenty-two years old, Katie is the founder and director of the children’s ministry, Amazima. As if that was not enough Katie has adopted thirteen beautiful girls! This book is one of those stories that once you pick up, you can’t put it down. I hoped with Katie, cried for her, and cheered alongside her. I couldn’t help but be in awe of Katie’s courage and faith to go on a...more Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
Katie Davis takes her reader on her journey of leaving the comfort of her Tennessee home and twenty-two years old, Katie is the founder and director of the children’s ministry, Amazima. As if that was not enough Katie has adopted thirteen beautiful girls! This book is one of those stories that once you pick up, you can’t put it down. I hoped with Katie, cried for her, and cheered alongside her. I couldn’t help but be in awe of Katie’s courage and faith to go on a journey that is so far from home. This is a beautiful story about trusting Jesus to the extremes and giving all that you are for others.

Here is the blurb:
What would cause an eighteen-year-old old senior class president and homecoming queen from Nashville, Tennessee, to 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.

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Apr 17, 2013 Val rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kisses From Katie has the same message as the Bible, and Katie's inspiration, Jesus Christ. Care for the fatherless, the widowed, and the poor. Do so without reserve, for the glory of God. As Katie points out, for Bible believing Christians, these activities are not optional. They are required.

Katie Davis' story reminds me that it is possible to give more than I believe is possible, and make more of an impact than I believe is possible through Holy Spirit's power. However, the reviews that I ha...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Taylor Buhr rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the second time I have read this book. Reading it a second time has pointed out different things that I missed the first time I read it. Kisses from Katie is about a young girl who was raised in Tennessee. Katie's family is not a typical family, they are very blessed with money. Katie is a very smart, athletic, friendly, and liked by everyone. The decision she made to not go to college sparked a lot of controversy in her family. Instead of going to college, Katie decided to move across t...more

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Mar 29, 2013 Grace rated it 4 of 5 stars

Children. They are called our world’s most precious resource. But if this resource is so precious, why are hundreds of thousands of them starving and living in abject poverty? Kisses from Katie reveals how one young woman lived and loved radically for her God and Savior, letting herself be used to change lives, one person at a time.

The Story

Katie Davis grew up in the Nashville, Tennessee area. She had a comfortable, happy life, but when she went on a short missions trip with her mom over Chri...more Children. They are called our world’s most precious resource. But if this resource is so precious, why are hundreds of thousands of them starving and living in abject poverty? Kisses from Katie reveals how one young woman lived and loved radically for her God and Savior, letting herself be used to change lives, one person at a time.

The Story

Katie Davis grew up in the Nashville, Tennessee area. She had a comfortable, happy life, but when she went on a short missions trip with her mom over Christmas break of her senior year in high school, her heart was forever changed. As she witnessed the extreme poverty and need in Uganda, Katie fell in love with the country and its people. Returning from the trip, Katie completed her last semester of high school and along the way realized she needed to go back. Once her parents realized she was serious about this desire, they allowed her to return to Uganda for one year to teach kindergarten in a small community outside of the city of Jinja. Once that year was up, the agreement called for her to return to the United States to enroll in college, but as Katie taught and was taught, her heart became irrevocably tied to Uganda.

God called, and Katie said “Yes,” which resulted in her disappointing her parents’ hopes for her to attend college, friends thinking she was crazy to give up her comfortable life in the U.S., and breaking up with her boyfriend, with whom she was in love.

Now Katie is twenty-two, living in Jinja, Uganda, and is in the process of adopting thirteen Ugandan children. She started the ministry Amazima, which feeds hundreds of children as well as sends them to school, all in response to God’s calling on her life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Katie’s story is written as though she were having a conversation with her readers. She shares her struggles over the years as well as the successes, but she always points to God and Jesus Christ for the credit.

The stories Katie shares in the book are at times heart-wrenching, bringing me to tears several times as I read about these poor children. I had to skim over several of the stories, so horrified was I at the conditions these people endure. Katie does not mince words; instead, frankly stating the facts of these children and adults’ appalling sicknesses and living conditions. My heart was stirred to compassion for these people who have so little; for these children of four, five years of age who have to dig through the fields or the trash for food for themselves and their families; for the seven and eight-year-olds who are responsible for taking care of their younger siblings, because their parents have left them or died from AIDS or other diseases.

In Kisses from Katie, Katie again and again states that she isn’t special. She isn’t courageous or extraordinary. What she does have is an extraordinary God who cares so much for these little ones. She just allows herself to be used by saying “yes”, when all the world might be telling her to say “no”. A beautiful picture of faith, Katie challenges her readers to say “yes” to being used by God in whatever capacity He is calling them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kisses from Katie is a book that stirs the heart to compassion, but will that compassion turn to action? This is something I had to think about as I read the book, and I challenge you to as well. My heart hurts for these children, so what am I going to do about it? Neither you nor I need to go all the way to Uganda to be used by God. Though we might be called to go somewhere like that, we can be used right where we are. There are children hurting and in need of our help here in the United States, but the question that is begging to be asked is this: Will you say “yes?” Katie said “yes” to God, and He did extraordinary things in her life. What will your answer be? What will mine be?(less)

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Mar 06, 2013 Alivia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kisses from Katie is written by Katie Davis. Kisses from Katie is about a young eighteen-year-old girl from Nashville Tennessee who is willing to follow Jesus wherever He takes her, and in this case, Kate finds herself in Uganda. From the outside, this country looks like any other poverty stricken country-underprivileged and helpless. But, for Katie, this was the place where God was calling her to make a difference in the lives of many people for the better!
Katie left everything her boyfriend,...more Kisses from Katie is written by Katie Davis. Kisses from Katie is about a young eighteen-year-old girl from Nashville Tennessee who is willing to follow Jesus wherever He takes her, and in this case, Kate finds herself in Uganda. From the outside, this country looks like any other poverty stricken country-underprivileged and helpless. But, for Katie, this was the place where God was calling her to make a difference in the lives of many people for the better!
Katie left everything her boyfriend, family, friends, and scholarship because of her love for God and the love for the people of Uganda. Katie Davis was put out of her confront zone to say the least when she was prepared to teach a class of twenty four kids but ended up teaching hundreds. Her faith was put to the test everyday when she felt that she was trying to empty the ocean with a eye dropper and as soon as she felt she had made a difference a large rain would come.
I loved this book. One of the reasons I loved this book so much is that I could relate in some way. I too have parents who have a hard time raping their head around the fact that their "little girl" is going to be on a mission trip taking care of poverty stricken adults, and kids. It's hard for them to imagine their little girl taking care of kids when we ourselves are still kids.
I loved this book because it was told in first person. The book also came with hand written dairies that Davis had written. The dairies made me realize this is somebody's life this isn't just another book or another girl this is real. The people in this story real the stories of these people were real and the struggle they lived with each and every day was real. The things that were happening everyday to her were real she wasn’t trying to win our hearts she was simply telling us what challenges she faced, and that alone won our hearts.
Davis wrote this book to tell others about her everyday experience in Uganda. She also wrote, "Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces, and put it together more beautifully." Davis is proving that God may wreck your plans but only because he has a better plan for you. Davis was also trying to say that though god is plan may involve sacrifice and may challenge you doesn't mean it is not worth it.
I would most definatley recommend this book to anyone it grabs your heart and will humble you when you are feeling sorry for yourself.(less)

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Mar 04, 2013 Melissa T rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction

As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but wonder if there was actually an American teenager this good--she seems to have the wisdom and desires of Mother Theresa, but at the tender age of 19. Katie's story was so inspiring I hardly know where to begin. She not only knows exactly what it is to be a Christian, but lives it. I loved, too, that she was completely open about her faults--she certainly doesn't make herself out to be perfect. She doesn't come across as if she is high above them or...more As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but wonder if there was actually an American teenager this good--she seems to have the wisdom and desires of Mother Theresa, but at the tender age of 19. Katie's story was so inspiring I hardly know where to begin. She not only knows exactly what it is to be a Christian, but lives it. I loved, too, that she was completely open about her faults--she certainly doesn't make herself out to be perfect. She doesn't come across as if she is high above them or any better than they are. It's apparent all throughout the book that she dearly loves these people as Christ does. She certainly inspired me to want to do more.

A few of my favorites quotes from the book, although you could find something inspiring on just about any page you opened up to.

"Sometimes working in a Third Would country makes me feel like I am emptying the ocean with an eyedropper. Today, it often still feels that way. I have learned to be okay with this feeling because I have learned that I will not change the world. Jesus will do that. I can, however, change the world for one person."

"The truth is, I saw myself in those little faces. I looked at them and felt this love that was unimaginable and knew that this is the way God sees me...He blinded me to the filth and disease, and I saw only children hungry for love that I was eager to share with them. I adored them, not because of who I was, because of who He is."

"I didn't believe it was possible to tell a child about the love of Christ without simultaneously showing her that love by feeding her, clothing her, inviting her in. If a child has never known what love is, how can we expect him to accept the love of his Savior until we first make that love tangible?"

"The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth claim to be Christians. The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left."

I agree with Molly--this is a book everyone should read!! Thanks so much for the recommendation.(less)

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Feb 28, 2013 Morgan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Kisses from Katie is about a young eighteen-year-old girl from Nashville Tennessee who is willing to follow Jesus wherever He takes her, and in this case, Kate finds herself in wonderful Uganda. From the outside, this Third-World country looks like any other poverty stricken country-underprivileged and helpless. But, for Katie, this was the place where God Himself was calling her to make a large impact in the lives of many, many Ugandans.

In this book, you discover how much love Katie has for th...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, nonfiction

Katie wasn’t your typical teenager. Coming from a well-off family, she had her choice of colleges after high school graduation. Instead of continuing her privileged life, she decided instead to spend time overseas doing mission work in Uganda. That visit turned into a long-term commitment, where she lives and serves several years later. This girl in her early 20s is also now the mother to over a dozen adopted children.

This was such a good book that I finished it in a night. She’s so real and tra...more

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Jan 17, 2013 Brielle Mcintire rated it 5 of 5 stars

Kisses from Katie
Katie Davis

The Christian novel, Kisses from Kaie written by Katie Davis herself tells her amazing true story of "relentless love and redemption." Katie's purpouse in writing this book is to share her story in following God's plan for her life even if that plan inclues moving to Uganda and adopting fourteen children! The book is written in first person which really helps the reader to connect with Katie personally and helps us understand Katie and her decisions better. Katie eve...more Kisses from Katie
Katie Davis

The Christian novel, Kisses from Kaie written by Katie Davis herself tells her amazing true story of "relentless love and redemption." Katie's purpouse in writing this book is to share her story in following God's plan for her life even if that plan inclues moving to Uganda and adopting fourteen children! The book is written in first person which really helps the reader to connect with Katie personally and helps us understand Katie and her decisions better. Katie even uses Bible scriptures to help suppourt her argument on why she has done what she has done in her life.

I absolutely love this book because it is different than any other book i have ever read. There really is no book I would even begin to compare it to. One thing that is different is that while many writers write of things that only further the plot or theme of thier story, Katie writes in great detail of everyone she meets whether they are in her life for a while or even if they are just passing through. One of Katie's main devices is imagry with these detail.
Another thing that makes this book different is it doesn't just build on one conflict. Instead Katie encounters many different hardships or conflicts. Katie's hardships include feeding the hungry and curing the sick people of Uganda. Also adopting fourteen children by the age of twenty certainly included many adjustments on her part. But she did not turn these people away, instead she delt with these hardships by "saying YES to God".

Katie begins a Ministry in Uganda and this book served as a way to get the word out as well. Katie reassures everyone that they can help the hungry and sick even where they are right now. Katie appeals to our emotions by telling the stories of the people she has helped and how they changed her life more than she changed thiers. Katie even usses an appeal to logic by throwing in statistics of how many people in Uganda suffer from hunger or disease.

One thing that really stands out in the book is that after each chapter the same story is told but it is from Katie's personal journal that she wrote while the events were happening. This was an amazing addition to the book and helped the reader get to a more personal level with the book. Everything about this book is interesting and i would recommend it to anyone. (less)

1 like · like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Berkeley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Katie Davis grew up living the American dream. She was the top of her class, homecoming queen, and class president. She had a mom, a dad, a little brother, a boyfriend, a sports car, a big house, and lots of good friends. Her parents were willing to pay for her tuition for any college she wanted. But how did a rich eighteen year old from the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee end up a nineteen year old in an Ugandan slum? In her own words Katie said, "Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces,...more Katie Davis grew up living the American dream. She was the top of her class, homecoming queen, and class president. She had a mom, a dad, a little brother, a boyfriend, a sports car, a big house, and lots of good friends. Her parents were willing to pay for her tuition for any college she wanted. But how did a rich eighteen year old from the suburbs of Nashville, Tennessee end up a nineteen year old in an Ugandan slum? In her own words Katie said, "Jesus wrecked my life, shattered it to pieces, and put it together more beautifully." Katie's African journey began when she felt the Lord prompting her to spend a year doing mission work after she finished high school. She searched the Internet looking for orphanages until she found a babies home in Uganda that needed volunteers. Although her parents were hesitant about the idea, they allowed her to go. She spent three weeks at the home during her senior year winter break, and she couldn't wait to return after she graduated. Her opportunity came when a pastor she had met in Uganda asked her to be a kindergarten teacher. Even though she had no previous teaching experience, and couldn't speak Luganda, she agreed to teach a class of 138 students. Before her year was up she had bought a house, started adopting 14 girls, founded Amazima ministries, and had a pet monkey. Amazima ministries provides an education for hundreds of slum children, gives hungry students a meal during the school week, Bible studies, and medical care. "I am by no means living my plan. Sometimes I want to spend hours with my best friends talking about boys and fashion and school and life. I want to be a normal young woman living in America, sometimes. But I want other things more. All the time. I want to give my life away, to serve the Lord with each breath. At the end of the day, no matter how hard, I want to be right here in Uganda."

Katie's autobiography is organized and written very well. I loved how she included journal entries and made her writing sound like she was having a conversation. Nobody could have done a better job because her transparency and honesty about the joys and sorrows of her life help the reader to personally connect with her story. "My life, especially my emotions-hung in the balance between absolutely loving my new life in Uganda and battling severe loneliness." The book far-exceeded my expectations. The most striking feature of Katie's book is that her tone is always hopeful and joy-filled, even when she is talking about the rat in her bathroom, the bats in her shower, or her simple bean dinner. Not only does she make the mundane and disgusting things of
life seem wonderful, she also encourages the reader that they to can make a difference, if they just love the person in front of them. Since Kisses from Katie is an autobiography, it is obviously about Katie's own view about her life experiences. However, her co-author Beth Clark wrote a moving forward providing insight into Katie's character, "To drive through Masese is to witness one gut-wrenching scene after another, and Katie absolutely loves it because she loves the people who live there. There are no statistics in Katie's world. There are only people, and every life matters."(less)

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Dec 24, 2012 Joyce rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction, set-in-locations-outside-usa

Kisses for Katie by Katie J. Davis is the incredible true story of her work in Uganda ministering to both children and adults, providing food, medical care, shelter and education. What started out as a mission trip to Uganda during Christmas break of her senior year in high school turned into a full-time life for her when she returned to Uganda after graduating from high school. She goes on to adopt 14 Ugandan girls and organizing a program providing sponsorship to approximately 400 children for...more

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Dec 10, 2012 Quinn Bytheway rated it 3 of 5 stars

THIS MESSAGE IS FOR KATIE DAVIS.I AM IMPRESSED WITH YOUR ZEAL TO HELP THOSE LESS UNFORTUNATE THEN YOURSELF. IT'S OBVIOUS YOU ARE A VERY LOVING PERSON. I REALLY HOPE YOU TAKE TIME TO READ YOUR BOOK REVIEWS, BECAUSE YOU NEED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHAT THE THEME OF THE BIBLE IS. IT'S WHAT JESUS SPOKE ABOUT WHILE ON EARTH WHICH WAS HIS FATHER'S KINGDOM WHICH IS A REAL GOVERNMENT. JESUS IS RULING IN HEAVEN NOW AND WHEN HE COMES BACK TO BRING RELIEF TO US HE WILL GET RID OF ALL SUFFERING...more

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Nov 14, 2012 Leighann Wolle added it

Kisses from Katie is a book filled with joy, pain, and miracles. Katie Davis was writing to express her feelings and open people's eyes to the life in Uganda. Davis, living in Uganda for 4 years now, continually wrote in her journal and blogged about the life she lived in the village of Jinja, Uganda. Not one day is like another. One day she will be rushing a child to the hospital, and the next, she will be holding a prayer circle in the slum of Masese. She wanted
people to see that a normal gir...more
Kisses from Katie is a book filled with joy, pain, and miracles. Katie Davis was writing to express her feelings and open people's eyes to the life in Uganda. Davis, living in Uganda for 4 years now, continually wrote in her journal and blogged about the life she lived in the village of Jinja, Uganda. Not one day is like another. One day she will be rushing a child to the hospital, and the next, she will be holding a prayer circle in the slum of Masese. She wanted
people to see that a normal girl could do extraordinary things through faith in God.

Davis constantly emphasized the power of faith in God. She says in a journal entry that the children she sees every day have a blind faith, never questioning God's unfailing love. She worked so hard to set an example, but will admit that she learned more from the children than they learned from her. She must have had a great faith to adopt thirteen daughters, trusting God to meet each of her needs. She must have had faith to know God would keep her safe when helping diseased people with unimaginable illnesses. Her whole life living in Uganda, a place of war and fear, has to be filled with God's unending, unfailing faith.

The descriptive style used to write this book was very effective. She used words to explain the unexplainable. I personally have spent ten days in a slum in Nairobi, Kenya. I've written a number of articles outlining this experience but nothing seemed to be able to do it justice. She did an incredible job. She explains feeling, action, and thoughts. Her style and wording work great in this novel.

I really enjoyed this book. Wanting to go into missions myself, this gives me a realistic vision of what I could be doing. I loved how she talked about more than the type of work she does and touches on a little bit of everything. The only thing I would change is putting her personal journal entry's before the chapter as opposed to after the chapter. I would definitely suggest this book to others who are interested in knowing what life as a missionary is like.
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Nov 12, 2012 Georgia Herod rated it 5 of 5 stars

The subtitle of this book, "A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption," sums up the story of Katie Davis' life. As a teenager, God planted in her heart a desire to go to Uganda. That might not seem so odd--until you understand that Katie comes from an upper middleclass family in Tennessee. When Katie finished high school she went to Uganda--and lost her heart to the people, especially the children and women. After negotiating with her parents who had been adamant about Katie going to college, Ka...more

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Oct 11, 2012 NCPL Teenzone rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christianity, culture, non-fiction

During high school Katie was your typical teenager. Living with her family in a spacious house in a nice Tennessee neighborhood, driving a nice car (probably given to her by her parents), eating three meals a day, going shopping whenever she pleased. But something changed. She began to desire and dream about moving to a foreign country to do mission work. Her parents weren't on board. They wanted Katie to finish high school, go to college, start a career, get married and have a family. But Katie...more

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Oct 01, 2012 123read! rated it 5 of 5 stars

A friend told me about Katie's blog and mentioned this good a few days before we left for a trip to Uganda. Our trip was pleasure based---safari, gorilla and chimp trekking. On our 1st day there we we headed to the Jinga area and attempted to find Katie. Our schedule didn't allow us the time needed for this search and we were also there on a Sunday. So we did not find Katie. But, this search was eye opening and did lead us down some back roads. The level of poverty and difference between our sta...more

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Sep 12, 2012 Chelsea added it

Shelves: christanity, memoir, absolute-favorite

This was the first book I ‘checked out’ through the employee loaner program at the book store I just got a job at – and I’m so glad I did! I’m going to talk about religion in this post, which is something I’ve never really done before on the blog, but in the interest of being honest for myself in the future (man do I go back and read my own blog posts way too much!), this book came along at just the right time in my spiritual life, which is perhaps the thing I love most about it.

This book came i...more This was the first book I ‘checked out’ through the employee loaner program at the book store I just got a job at – and I’m so glad I did! I’m going to talk about religion in this post, which is something I’ve never really done before on the blog, but in the interest of being honest for myself in the future (man do I go back and read my own blog posts way too much!), this book came along at just the right time in my spiritual life, which is perhaps the thing I love most about it.

This book came in to my life at a time when I was again thirsting for Christ – stronger for ever before – and this book just put fuel on the fire. It’s Katie’s memoir about giving up everything good she had as a thin, white, pretty, smart American girl in order to move to Uganda, adopting 12 young orphan girls, and starting multiple branches of a not for profit organization that serves some of the poorest children of the community with food, education, and faith. Katie adopts not only these young girls, but also the belief that, in order for “the least of these” (as Jesus calls them) to know what Jesus’ love is like, they have to know what love is like – what it’s like to have a parent, someone bandaging your ouchies and keeping the nightmares away and laughing with you and telling you you matter. That’s what God does for us. That’s what Katie believes, and I’m overjoyed to be able to say it to you all that I believe that, too. And I don’t judge you if you don’t. I don’t condemn you if you don’t. I pray for you and I love you and I hope there’s a way I might be able to help you see what I see. That’s why it was so awesome to read Katie’s book. She see’s it. She helped show it to me.

I find Katie inspirational – and her book uplifting – because it’s an example of what can happen if you get up every day and just ask “What can I do for You and Your people today, God?”. Katie founded Amazima, sponsoring over 500 Ugandan children in providing their education and school supplies, raising money for local medical treatment, and while she say’s it’s never easy, it’s truly easy to be jealous of the happiness and joy that shines from her eyes in every picture you see. I don’t know yet if my calling is to leave my life and journey to a location like Africa. I don’t think it is. But I know that my calling – all of our calling, really – is to show love. And I can do that right here in the life I’m living.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Katie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

This was an incredible book that really captured my attention and my heart. Initially, I had my doubts about this young girl moving to a foreign country, adopting a housefull of orphans, and deciding against finishing university in the States. I wondered how responsible the decisions were and how mature she was. However, as I read the book, I realized that my objections to her and this life she had chosen were all objections filtered through an American, twenty-first century worldview. Maybe her...more

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Jul 13, 2012 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommendations

I found out about this book after working with my church on an adoption/foster/child sponsorship initiative. Someone recommended that I read it, and a co-worker even lent it to me. I didn't get around to reading it though until this past week while on a mission trip. I didn't bring a book other than my Bible and daily devotional to read, and a friend happened to have the book with her. I read through it this week and am so glad I was able to do so while doing ministry in another country (the Dom...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

When I picked this up at the library, I had honestly never heard of the book or its author. I had my daughter, Katie with me at the time and picked it up to show her the title. As I glanced at the cover, I thought that it sounded mildly interesting. I took it home, read the other books from that trip, then ran out of time. The book was due and it was time for another trip to the library. Honestly, I really wasn't in the mood to read it. But as a last minute decision, I held on to the book. And I...more

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May 25, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, operationactuallybooks

Dare I say it? This is one of the best, best, best, best books I've ever read, at least in its genre. While Kisses From Katie may not be a theological book, a book about doctrines that unite and/or divide, a book strictly about the gospel--what it is, what it isn't--it is a book that celebrates and illustrates the gospel. It is a book that celebrates and honors Jesus Christ. Kisses From Katie is a memoir or a biography, I suppose. It tells the story of a young woman, a young teen when the book f...more Dare I say it? This is one of the best, best, best, best books I've ever read, at least in its genre. While Kisses From Katie may not be a theological book, a book about doctrines that unite and/or divide, a book strictly about the gospel--what it is, what it isn't--it is a book that celebrates and illustrates the gospel. It is a book that celebrates and honors Jesus Christ. Kisses From Katie is a memoir or a biography, I suppose. It tells the story of a young woman, a young teen when the book first begins, who felt led by God to go on a mission trip. After spending three weeks or so in Uganda, she wasn't content to let that be enough. She wanted more, needed more. As crazy as it probably sounded to everyone in her life, she fell in love with a country, with a people. She felt sure, felt convicted, felt blessed, to make Uganda hers. At first, perhaps to please her parents, please her boyfriend, she committed to one year, just one year, of serving in Uganda. Of living and loving a community, of working as a teacher, of working with orphans and other children who needed her, who welcomed her. But within months, she had a new family. Literally. For she felt called to adopt, what began with one or two or three within the course of a year or two became fourteen. But her welcome, her care, her love and support, didn't just stay small. It grew and grew and grew and grew. She started a non-profit organization, started widening her ministry. A ministry that kept Jesus at its center, but a very, very practical ministry as well. One that saw to feeding and clothing and providing medical care and attention, one that met every need possible. The book is about her life. In a way, a small way, I suppose you could argue it was about her beliefs as well. But. I would say that it was more about how her beliefs led her to live the life she lives. How her beliefs have defined and shaped her. What's the difference? Well, a person can argue or reason doctrine; a person can state a creed, recite a creed. Not every person who does so actually lives out that doctrine on a day-to-day basis. In a way that marks them, in a way that clearly, undeniably speaks of Christ. Not that Katie ever claimed to be the most perfect person in the world, she doesn't ever make the claim that she's better than anyone else. I didn't get the impression even once that she was showing off or boasting about her good works. What I got from the book was love, love, love, this is all about love. It was inspiring, challenging, encouraging, convicting all at the same time.
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May 22, 2012 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Katie Davis- there are many words that can be used to describe her but the one that I find most fitting is: inspiring. Kisses from Katie is a real eye-opener that challenges you to become all that you aspire to be and go above and beyond any expectations that have been set before you. Her story is one that will leave you in awe and with a desire for a deeper meaning of life.

The journey that she embarked on was down the red dirt roads of Uganda. The newly graduated high school student gave up he...more

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Mar 03, 2012 Katie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am delighted today to feature a guest post from my sister, Sarah. Sarah is truly a one-in-a-million kind of woman - one of the most joyful, optimistic, adventure-seeking, fun-loving people I know. Several years ago she introduced me to my all time favorite author of non-fiction: Shauna Niequist. This past winter break, she was completely and utterly absorbed in another book: Kisses from Katie. To be honest, I initially thought the title was a little ridiculous for an adult book. Actually, I st...more I am delighted today to feature a guest post from my sister, Sarah. Sarah is truly a one-in-a-million kind of woman - one of the most joyful, optimistic, adventure-seeking, fun-loving people I know. Several years ago she introduced me to my all time favorite author of non-fiction: Shauna Niequist. This past winter break, she was completely and utterly absorbed in another book: Kisses from Katie. To be honest, I initially thought the title was a little ridiculous for an adult book. Actually, I still do. Had it not been for Sarah's boundless enthusiasm for the story, I never would have picked it up. Thank goodness that girl knows how to book talk!

Because Sarah was the one who introduced me to Katie Davis and her children, I wanted her to introduce you all as well. Nope, this is not a YA book per se - although the author, along with pretty much everyone in it, is a young adult. And it is largely a book about faith, and I know that will deter many, but please do not let that deter you. If you are still reading, Bravo! You will not be disappointed.

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Two days ago as I wandering the aisles of Barnes and Noble, I spotted this book on a shelf. I recognized it from the blog Kisses From Katie that a friend had shown me months ago. I picked it up and couldn't put it down. I had to get it. Two days later I've finished reading the story of Katie and her girls.

At the age of 16 Katie felt that God was calling her to do something big with her life. She first visited Uganda as a Senior for three weeks and then returned after graduation. With only a few visits back to the States, Uganda has become her permanent home.

God has taken care of her and opened doors for her life as she went from teaching kindergarten to over 100 children, to starting a non-profit organization Amazima that sponsors children's school fees and feeds them daily, to moving her into a large house that she didn't know what to do with until God filled it with people; children and adults that come to her for medicine and food, hundreds of the kids that are sponsored through Amazima that come to eat and worship together, and her fourteen adopted daughters.

Yes. She is 21 years old and a mother to 14 girls. From different families and tribes they were chosen by Christ to become part of Katie's family.

I know. This sounds insane. But you've got to read this book. I love that this story is real. What Christ is doing for these people in villages and slums in Uganda is real. Katie doing all of this and saying "yes" to Christ because she knows that his unfailing love and grace and truth is real. You won't be able to put this book down. It will change your heart and the way you think about serving Christ where you are.

"July 20, 2010 I am twenty years old and have fourteen children and four hundred more who all depend on me for their care. Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me. The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, it is always pure joy. There is a common misconception that I am courageous. I will be the first to tell you that this is actually not true. Most of the time, I am not brave. I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not. Most mornings, before I even get out of bed, I am overwhelmed with His goodness, with His plan for my life; I stand in awe of the fact that he could entrust me with so much...
I don't always know where this life is going. I can't see the end of the road, but here is the great part. Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step. It is about Peter getting out of the boat, stepping out onto the water with complete faith that Jesus will not let him drown." -Katie Davis

This is a book that you need to read.
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Feb 08, 2012 Mark Gilroy rated it 5 of 5 stars

We moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, in January 2006. My youngest daughter, Caroline, was a junior in high school. You can imagine how nervous we were as parents on how the move would go for an almost-senior (and for the two other kids still in the house). Within days Caroline met two Katies who welcomed her to Ravenwood High School and made her feel as if she had grown up in their circle of friends. I'm still sighing with relief.

One of the wonderful Katies - Katie Davis - took a different path aft...more We moved to Brentwood, Tennessee, in January 2006. My youngest daughter, Caroline, was a junior in high school. You can imagine how nervous we were as parents on how the move would go for an almost-senior (and for the two other kids still in the house). Within days Caroline met two Katies who welcomed her to Ravenwood High School and made her feel as if she had grown up in their circle of friends. I'm still sighing with relief.

One of the wonderful Katies - Katie Davis - took a different path after graduation to say the least. She is now the unmarried mother of 14 young girls. Is that even possible? Is this one of those stories about youth gone bad?

I need to give a warning to any potential readers at this point. Do not pick up Kisses from Katie if you live a comfortable life and don't want anything or anyone messing up your comfort zone.

Katie's story is a story of youth gone good. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking - and in reading it you will never be satisfied with a status quo lifestyle again. If you have never felt a gentle nudge from God that you have something beyond yourself to accomplish in this world - or if you have suppressed and ignored the nudge - this book serves as a loud, clanging, blaring wakeup call to hear and embrace your call.

"Kids" can be idealists - and when Caroline told me Katie was going to do a yearlong mission project before attending college, I thought that sounded great - that it would be good for her. Little did I know ... I did know Katie's parents were quite nervous when she said the project would be serving in an orphanage in Uganda. After surveying the situation in Africa carefully, her dad reluctantly gave his permission for her to go - with the condition that she promise to come back and enroll in college and move on with her life. She was true to her word - but even as she attended classes the fall of her return, she was miserable, thinking only of her "girls" back in Uganda.

Katie - high school homecoming queen and student body president and honor student and girlfriend to a handsome, committed, spiritual, star athlete - had every reason to "come home." But her heart was back in Uganda with the motherless children she had fallen in love with. Is it any wonder that the name she has been given by the people of her village is "Mommy." Katie's ongoing adventures in Uganda are amazing and fit the adage that truth is stranger than fiction. In her case, it is not stranger, but more incredible.

My family has been blessed by the Katie who befriended the "new kid" at school. We've been privileged to meet two of her daughters, Patricia and Grace. Most of all we have been inspired to step out of our comfort zone and to look around to see what God is doing in the world that we need to take part in.

I can't recommend Kisses from Katie highly enough for the spiritual blessings you will experience reading this story of relentless love and redemption.(less)

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Dec 16, 2011 Iamthird rated it 5 of 5 stars

pg 132 "I was learning that the powerless, broken, dependent place was actually the place where the Lord was closest to me."

pg 224 "Help me to hurt, not just a little, but the way you hurt when your children are overlooked and perishing. Help me to never be too busy or too comfortable to remember the people who suffer. Help me to never stop desiring to do something about it. Lord, help us to remember that as the body of Christ, this is our responsibility. Thank you for loving us, even when we fo...more

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Oct 17, 2011 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Wow! This book created very very mixed feelings within me. I understand the author's (Katie) desire to be in the perfect will of God, to be exactly where He has called you to be, and doing what He has called you to do. However as the mom of an eighteen year old, I struggled with this book, I would not want my child in a foreign country, doing the work Katie has done. Just being totally honest here. Thus my view of that made this book very difficult to review.

As a person who is always seeking wh...more

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Oct 12, 2011 Ruth rated it 4 of 5 stars

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 NetGalle...more

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About Katie J. Davis

Katie Davis is a young woman with a passion to serve Jesus. Now twenty-two, Katie lives in Uganda, where she is in the process of adopting thirteen little girls and is the founder and director of Amazima, a ministry that reaches hundreds of other children in Uganda. Katie is orginally fomr Nashville, Tennessee, where her parents and brother live. This is her first book. You can read her blog at
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Quotes from Kisses from Katie: A S...

“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.” — 43 people liked it

“The truth is that the 143 million orphaned children and the 11 million who starve to death or die from preventable diseases and the 8.5 million who work as child slaves, prostitutes, or under other horrific conditions and the 2.3 million who live with HIV add up to 164.8 million needy children. And though at first glance that looks like a big number, 2.1 billion people on this earth proclaim to be Christians. The truth is that if only 8 percent of the Christians would care for one more child, there would not be any statistics left.” — 37 people liked it

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