The first time, He says to Nicodemus, "In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven you must be born again, baptised in water and the Spirit." We take this quite seriously and celebrate baptism with joy.
The second time, Jesus is asked the same question by an unnamed rich man. This time His answer is this, "In order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, you must sell everything you have and give it to the poor."
...
We skip this one because it is a bit more difficult.
But what if Jesus WASN'T KIDDING?
Every day I am hit in the face with how over-the-top blessed I am. Yea, you would think after two years or so it would wear off, but it doesn't. Every day I look into the face of Jesus in those people pictured above and my heart breaks. They are hungry. That's right. This means that the Body of Christ, Jesus, my Savior, goes to bed hungry while I sit on my bed with a full stomach. It is unimaginable.
It is easy to look to God and ask, "Why is there so much poverty in the world? Why is there so much hurt, so much inequality and unfairness, so much destituion?" I bet He would ask us the same thing.
Katie. You have NO IDEA the encouragment this has given me. I'm at school in a random hallway fighting the urge to break down because people just DON'T GET IT and it makes me angry but more than that- it makes me just heartbroken. Thank you katie. God bless you sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteI made a trip to Tanzania in October to visit Refugees from the Congo. I am so taken with these people. I was talking with a Refugee friend this morning trying to make sense of the utter lack in the Continent of Africa and what we have here. If you are interested in my trip, it is on my blog under the Label of Africa. I am so hoping to return. Yesterday, I floated the idea of moving there to my husband. He is not ready. I know if it is God's will we will be there.
ReplyDeleteBless you in all that you are doing in the name of Jesus. If you are like me, you are learning so much from them. I never saw such a pure love for God and his Son as I witnessed in Tanzania.
oh, those sweet faces ... I see Jesus in everyone !!! thank you for caring for these precious angels and looking them in the eyes giving them food and saying I care !!!
ReplyDeleteluffa you sister !!!!
I cry e.v.e.r.y.t.i.m.e. i read your blog. I miss my little orphans in Zimbabwe that I got to serve a few months ago. God IS asking us....why do they starve? I burst into tears. Like Gamma 2 Many....i'm desiring to move to that tender and fragile continent. I ask myself everyday...is it possible?
ReplyDeleteI love your photos. Those children and their innocent faces do something to my heart that nothing else has ever done.
Blessings on your ministry...everyday!
Those beautiful faces...makes me long to return to Africa...I sit here and cry out.."I will sell everything"...but what do I sell and whom do I sell it? These are the questions plaguing me today. I will sell everything but don't know how to go about it. We so deeply desire to adopt again, but there it is...how????....when it costs so much....how do I sell my things and who would buy them...I just don't know.
ReplyDeleteYour posts grab at my heart every time I read them...I pray for miracles.
Continuing to pray,
Connie
Precious little faces. Please tell them there are others who love them and are praying for them daily. Thank you, Katie.
ReplyDeleteThank you katie. One of the best posts, ever. Very timely, being Lent and all too. Not that any time for this isn't perfect......
ReplyDeleteJust ow. Thank you for making us all so uncomfortable, for yanking and tugging and pulling on us. Bless you. M
Another amazing post. I'm pretty sure He was indeed serious. I love that quote at the end- I've read it before, but think it is very convicting.
ReplyDeletePress on, you are making a difference in the lives of many and not just those precious faces you see daily!
Wow. That was a VERY eye-opening & powerful post. I needed to hear that.
ReplyDeleteNeeded to see those pictures today. Thanks for sharing and for once again spurring us on to greatness through and for Jesus. Sending you sweet blessings!
ReplyDeleteKatie- love it as always! I have gotten so tired of hearing Christian leaders say "but God could see into his heart and see that HIS god was money." God tells us we prove our god is not money BY giving it away! I love what you wrote and agree wholeheartedly with it!
ReplyDeleteas i read your post, i thought about the second example you gave and reasoned that i might have an "out". his comment to sell everything and give to the poor was directed to the rich, young ruler. oh wait. i'm a rich, young ruler. i live FAR above the standard of the way most of the world lives, yet i often forget how rich i am.
ReplyDeletethanks for the reminder and the challenge not to forget as i live life here in the land of plenty.
i'm saving my tip money to fund a child's year of education, and i'm 2/3rds of the way there! can't wait for suzanne et al to arrive to help you!
Amen, Amen, Amen!! Katie, you are speaking Gods language. My heart hurts for these children and the others that live like this why we do go to bed with our stomachs full.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bring this into the light.
Okay, I read this again and I am more at a loss this time then I was the firt and it has ony been 10 minutes. I have read this to my whole family and it has left in tears and speachless.
ReplyDeleteThis is more than my hearts cry!! My spirit screams, to a world that doensn't hear. Even in my own experience with our orphans, not to many people hear.
We should not have to beg for the lives of orphans from belivers who can feed the nations.
It is not enough to tell a starving person, "Jesus loves you" and leave it at that. God says let your good deeds shine before men, so that he may be glorified!!
I just love you friend!
katie my dear- never met you, but feel as though you are sister... i praise god for you everyday. thank you for what you do. i'm praying for you. what a beautiful walk with the Lord you have. Keep it up girl.
ReplyDeleteKatie, this reminds me so much of a comment I read in "Mountains Beyond Mountains" (which, by the way, is an excellent book) that says something to the effect of "God gives but He doesn't share." It's a Haitian saying that basically means that God gave humanity everything we all need to be well cared for, healthy, nourished, loved, etc. But He didn't dole it out evenly, He gave it, but WE have to share it! You keep on sister! And I'll keep praying and being inspired.
ReplyDeleteOndrea
Wow Katie. I pop over every once in a while to see how things are going. Love this post...and so very,very true.
ReplyDeleteamazing photos and post
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this post! Thank you for reminding me of all that I have. Praying for you and your children, and all of the children you are serving.
ReplyDeleteKatie, You are right. I think over here in America we have "Americanized" our religion. Some how we have gotten off track and think we deserve a house with a white picket fence 2 cars and 2.5 children and a dog. There is a very uncomfortable sense of entitlement. I am praying for you and your wonderful ministry. God Bless you sweetie.
ReplyDeleteElaine
Wow. Your words have cut deep into my heart. It does not matter where I live or what those around me are doing...God has called me to take His love to all people...wow...so convicted. Thank you. God bless you and keep you, may His face shine upon you and give you peace.
ReplyDeleteKatie, we go to Strong Tower in Franklin. We were honored to hear you speak. So my question is... will you marry my son and take him away from all this? :)
ReplyDeleteyou go katie! HE is SO frighteningly serious!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Katie! I got your name from my aunt and uncle, Jummy and Lisa Allen in Brentwood, TN. My name is Cassie Allen and I am 21 from Knoxville. One of my passions is missions to children and when I was reading your blogs I really couldn't stop. I just want to know more and more. It really sounds amazing what you are doing and I thank God that there are people in the world with your heart. How did you get involved in what you are doing at such a young age? That is such an amazong opportunity. What exactly do you do with these kids? Did you adopt them? Also, do you have an email address or is this the only way to contact you?
ReplyDeleteWow! To see the face of Christ. Thank you for reminding us,
ReplyDeleteRobbie
Thank you, thank you, for your love for these precious and beautiful people, for your love for God and for your great desire to see Him glorified. He is worthy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sarah
Hi, my name is Emily and I am 17 years old. We have never met, but I have been reading your blog for some time now, and now I can't even remember how I came across it. Each day I read your blog I feel like what you are doing is something I dream of doing. I have always dreamt of lving my life essentially the way you are, and for as long as I can remember, I know it has been my calling. I was able to spend about a month in Tanzania last summer, and even in just those 4 weeks, I knew that that is where I am meant to be, and i cannot wait to go back!
ReplyDeleteYou have amazing faith katie... I am praying for you and all your dear sweet children. If ever you get tired, which I'm sure happens, sing these beautiful words: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
ReplyDeleterhouston@joycemeyer.org
robbie.houston@gmail.com
I have a photo for you. If you would like it just email me and I will send it. God Bless, and Barakuwa!
I just was given your blog through a friend and have had the most wonderful hour while my children are napping. We adopted two from Ethiopia this past year and have two biological children. I am so thankful for people like you; I am on your page 100%! Martha Cook, Atlanta, GA
ReplyDeleteWow katie... as usually a very convicting post and so true.... why do we not do as Jesus said and sell all we have?
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for you - grace and all the children there .....
God is using you in mighty ways.
praise His name!
gloria
I love your perspective...it's both refreshing and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to be on the end of "doing" without people understanding so that others will eventually go and "do"...
God will reap a harvest!! :)
Katie, what an encouragement you are. Thank you for being Christ in flesh to the children and people of Uganda. My soul is challenged each time I read your blog, know we are praying for you and your children!
ReplyDeleteOnce again, tears while reading your post, and then the last paragraph - Wow! But then I read all the comments, and I cried even more when I read Drea's comment: "We should not have to beg for the lives of orphans from belivers who can feed the nations." I have been begging, as I have opportunities to speak to small groups and individuals, and I am amazed and heartbroken at how few people actually respond with anything more than words. And then I have to ask, what about me? I still have so much! And I know so much more about the reality of the plight of the orphans than so many I speak to. God will hold us - that includes me - responsible for what we know! Please pray for me, Katie, as I try to figure out just what God is asking of me.
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, we've been following your blog for a little over a month now, and you're in our prayers often. This post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes that I love/hate if you know what I mean:
ReplyDeleteOver time, having seen the suffering of the innocent and the crushing of the weak all around the world, my plea has changed. More and more I find myself asking not, "Where is God?" but, "Where are God's people?" (Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission)
I pray that you will be surrounded by people who will not offer worldly/pragmatic wisdom as to the impossibility of the task, but will support you in Spirit led intercession and encouragement. Mostly, I pray that you will know Him deeply and see His resources abundantly.
We love you even though we've never met.
Doug & Stephanie Tait
I have been thinking about this post. When I lay in bed at night I see these faces. Thank you for making me uncomfortable in my comfortable world. You are an inspiration, God Bless you and the children. I am praying for you.
ReplyDeletethis is sooo inspiring.
ReplyDeleteThanks for ministering to me today. Your entries are very powerful and speak right to me. Please know that you and your children are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteWow - that last statement was powerful Katie. Powerful!
ReplyDeleteI am going to use that as my facebook status today (and link back to your blog of course! :)
I just can't get enough! So thankful that Christ has a soldier like you in the battle :) Thank you for rallying the troops!! We love you so much!