Today I witnessed something that truly made me sick. Maybe I am just over reacting, but you know what y'all, I just can't keep myself from saying anything about it. That is how truly outraged am. I guess I should actually explain what I saw. Today while doing my usual scroll down my Facebook homepage I saw a link to an article with the title "The Four Cutest Ways to Photograph Yourself Hugging A Third-World Child." (Here is the article if you want to see it yourself http://www.reductress.com/cutest-ways-photograph-hugging-third-world-children/) If you know me at all, then I am guessing that you already have a pretty good idea of why this bothered me so much, but wait there is more. On the cover, all blown up, and headlined was a picture of Katie Davis. For those of you who do not know who she is, Katie Davis is simply put an amazing woman as well as one of my biggest role models. Katie moved to Africa straight out of high school and began serving in Uganda. Today she runs a non profit called "Amazima Ministries" and has 14 little girls that call her mom. Her blog kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com is beautiful and I encourage each and everyone of you to read it. Katie truly gave up everything and followed God's calling to Uganda where she selflessly serves every day. And yet here, a young woman close to the age of Katie herself, posted this article belittling everything that Katie and thousands of other missionaries do every day. And that ladies and gentlemen... truly repulses me.
Now I do need to address an issue. There are a lot of people in this world who do their "good deeds" for the wrong reasons. We all know those people who don't give in the name of the father, but instead in the name of receiving earthly praise. The bible warns us about those people. In Matthew 6 the Lord says "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.So
when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the
hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by
others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." But guess what, at the same time it is most definitely not our place to judge these people. I mean there are far worst things that they could be doing. At least they are doing something for the betterment of this world! But again... that is not my point. I understand why people think it may be funny to mock these "women who pose with 3rd world children." As most of you know I have posted many many many pictures from my trip to Uganda this past year. But please let me tell you why.
I love Uganda. I love it's people, it's land, and it's culture. I was the happiest I have ever been while I was there. I post so many pictures from my journey to Africa not because I am searching for praise, but because those pictures are pieces of my HEART, my JOY, and my testament to the GLORY of GOD. Don't get my wrong, it is very easy to get caught up in the praise of going on a mission trip. People do praise you because it is scary and it is hard, but the praise is not what it is about. My constant prayer throughout my journey was that when people heard my story they would not think "what a great thing for her to do" but instead "how great of a God we have." I followed my heart and God's calling to Uganda. I served HIS people in HIS name. And you know what... I took A TON of cute pictures with children that I will cherish in my heart forever.
So now that I have gotten the chance to say my peace I will end with this. Sometimes I wish that I could be so simple minded to post an article like I saw today. That sounds really rude, and I promise I don't mean it to be. Sometimes I really do wish that I didn't know what it felt like to hold an abandoned baby in my arms ( and let me tell you folks... there is nothing "cute" about it.) Sometimes I wish that I didn't feel a hole in my heart everyday from the piece of it I left in Uganda. Sometimes I wish that I didn't miss those sweet Davis girls who showed me pure unconditional love. Sometimes I wish that God didn't call me to something so difficult. But then I remember the joy. I remember how clearly I was able to feel the spirit of the Lord in Uganda. I remember the all the smiling faces. I remember the light of the Lord that was shown through that trip. I remember what it was like to meet people who cling to the Lord, because he is all they have. And so I thank the Lord for calling me to Uganda. I thank the Lord, because although everyone may not get it, I was lucky enough to serve the man who gave his life up for me. For the first time in my life I saw a glimpse of what the Lord has in store for me.
1 Peter 2:15-
"For such is the will of God that by doing what is right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men"
P.S- That article was so wrong.... this is OBVIOUSLY the cutest way to pose with a third world child ;)
XOXO,
Katie
Above is the status I posted on Facebook tonight, and if you guys don't mind I thought I would elaborate a little bit. First off, let me say in no way was I trying to discredit teachers nor was I trying to generalize teachers every where. Being a teacher is a thankless job. People are constantly discrediting them and giving them a hard time. I have the up most respect for teachers everywhere. I personally have been blessed with great teachers, and that is why it breaks my heart when I see children be negatively impacted by the few bad ones. Thankfully there are great teachers around the world who make positive impacts on students' lives every day. Unfortunately though there are those kids out there who are not blessed with loving teachers, and that is why I said what I said.
For years children with disabilities have been looked down upon by society, their peers, and even by teachers. I have had the extreme horror of witnessing a teacher yank a child with Down's Syndrome around and tell them that they are useless. Thankfully that teacher is no longer a teacher at the school I was job shadowing that day, but it opened my eyes to some of the horrors that are out there. It has inspired me to want to make a difference.
On a more personal level, I have seen teachers mistreat a little boy very close to my heart. I have heard teachers say that he is hopeless and unless he is medicated then he has no chance of ever being successful. And let me tell you folks, those words were a knife to the heart. I have not been involved in the world of special needs education for long, but one thing I do know is that such decelerations could not be farther from the truth.This matter is one very near and dear to my heart, and is not one that I take lightly.
Tonight I put my heart out there. I am the kind of person who loves and constantly puts everything there for the world to see. I make myself vulnerable and sometimes I have to pay the price for that. I believe with all my heart that as Christians God has called us to be that light in the darkness and not to be afraid to speak out against the evils of the world. Ephesians 6:10 says "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers
over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the
heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may
be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand
firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having
put on the breastplate of righteousness." Being a follower of God is not an easy task, and neither is standing up for what you believe in. But nothing can change unless issues are addressed.
I just want all of you to know where I was coming from and I why I said the things I did. I really do hope to make a difference in the world of special needs education. My heart has been touched countless times by children with disabilities and learning differences. It is my dream to take the love that those children have shown me and shine it upon the rest of the world.
Thank you to everyone out there who supports me, I could not do it without yall.
XOXO,
Katie
