I am way late to the Katie Davis Majors party. I am embarrassed to admit that I haven’t even read Kisses from Katie. It was on the New York Times Best Seller List for 31 weeks. I’m the only woman I know who hasn’t read it.  And I’m definitely the only female missionary I know who hasn’t bought it and loaned it a dozen times over. When it was first published I was living in Asia and my girls were ages 4, 6, 8, and 14, so I have a good excuse. But I’m sorry I didn’t get to know this woman sooner.

Because I haven’t read Katie’s books, I don’t know her like many of my friends “know” her. I’ve heard her stories here and there, but that’s it. So when I heard her speak tonight at a nearby church I was probably more pleasantly surprised than anyone in the room. I kept thinking to myself, “This woman is legit. She is using her platform to preach Christ. I love it!” I wanted to shout, “Amen!” multiple times (but didn’t). It just thrills me to hear from strong women who shine the light on Jesus, who trust him, who live out their faith, who treasure the Word of God. 

Katie magnified the Lord in all that she shared. She spoke about the bold naivety that took her to Uganda and God’s goodness through Ugandans that kept her there. She spoke of hard days and hard seasons and ultimately surrendering to him. She told us that she would never wish some of her valleys on anyone else, but she’d never rewrite them either, as she knows Jesus more deeply for them. Her perspective and ministry seem excellent—not patriarchal, or colonial, or when-helping-hurts.  Rather the work of Amazima (the organization, which she founded) seems slow, careful, driven by local leadership, relationship focused, and—most importantly—Christ centered.  

I’m so glad a friend and I drove the hour and half to hear Katie. We took our kids along and I pray that seeds were planted in their hearts, as they admired this sister. I can’t wait to read both of her books. Her new one, Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful, is just out.