hookers & the making of men...I have seen South Africa!

Exodus 4:12
" Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

Back row (girls): Ntombovuyo, Mandisa, Nandipha, Amanda, Siyamthanda
Front row (boys): Khanya, Aphiwe, Simphiwe, Siya

Beautiful picture. Beautiful kids. Seriously, I had a great day.

Thursday was my first day as Miss Watson, the substitute for the 3rd & 4th grade class at the farm school. It was quite a day, and I can't explain it in any other way than to say it was a blessing. I say that word a lot, but to be honest it's (to me) a very descriptive word for my life. School started at 8:15 am, and we began our day with an explanation of who I am and where I came from. Then we went on and I had them tell me their names and their age, and what their favorite subject was. The majority (7 out of 9) loved Math. So we did Math... for a long time. They were AMAZING! Division and multiplication, these kids were crazy about that subject! We moved on with the day and worked through English, I taught them what a noun was, and I felt like I accomplished something, yay! We did about an hour of reading, and the kids actually really enjoyed reading aloud... even the ones that were a bit slower, it was very impressive!! We didn't really touch on the science subject much because they didn't have good materials for that area...but we managed to learn a little about energy, and where it comes from... another great accomplishment. My day at the school at 2:00. What a great experience it was. I totally believe it was a God thing that I was there too. The right day, and the perfect experience... what an awesome God.

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So, about the girl that sits at the corner, she has become very friendly, and has grown to enjoy our company. Her name is Siphokazi. I found out (mom & dad, this is your answer) that she speaks Xhosa, so Unakho and I went to talk to her and figure out a little more about her and why she sits at the corner all day. We came prepared too, we had oranges for her & her mother and sisters. We discovered that she sits there because her mother tells her to. She also said that she will be starting school next year at the farm school, which was an odd discovery, since she looks old enough to be a student. We took a picture of her and I, and we went on our way back home. (I'll post that picture a little later, I don't have it ready right now.)

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Today was another trip to Motherwell. We trotted in the bright yellow Beetle to Mdengentonga, and Mfumisikuma. Those of you world travelers from March, those were two of the schools we did our HIV/AIDS training at. Anyways, I stopped by to give them photo albums full of pictures from the March trip and they were very thankful for us remembering them, and actually coming back. It was a fulfilling experience. I really think those kids in Motherwell are beautiful. I hope that doesn't sound creepy at all, but I think they are all special, and I wish I could spend more time in that town, soaking into just maybe one family, and seeing their hearts. I'm just blabbing now.

After we visited the schools we began looking for things to do, and Daniel decided it would be cool for Brooke & I to see the making of men. What I mean by that is, here there is a cultural tradition for boys, when they turn 18 for them to get circumcised. When that is over, they have to live in bushes for about 30 days (a month). They are not allowed to talk to girls, and they have to be painted in funky colors, and they just live in the bushes. No joke, but we failed to find boys living in the bushes...so they can become men. Kristi claims it's a very funny experience, to see one of them, but I missed out. Bummer.

On with the day...we went to the beach, and on the corner of the road we ran into Kristi's hooker friends. There were only three of them but Brooke and I approached them and they were very friendly. They told us their hooker names...? They were Vivian, Rosie, and Cynthia. Great names. So anyways, we began to explain who we are and we gave them oranges and we talked to them for a little while. Vivian told me that I must give her all my old clothes, and I told her that I don't live here, but I would hopefully come to visit her once more before I fly home to America. They were very sweet. Brooke and I got a rundown of a normal day for them. They charge R100 a round, which to convert to dollars you divide by seven. That's not much, but that's more than the normal pay for a laborer per day...R70, or $10...that's not a lot at all. Wow, we take so much for granted.

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We made two more beach runs recently, and it's much too cold to hop in the water, but the Oceans kids don't hesitate. They are brave. Brr.
I have spent more time at Oceans, and it has been fun. On Tuesday night we went to the movies with the older kids and saw Hairspray...amazing movie!! Seriously, watch it! That was totally awesome spending time with them doing that.

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Update: Wednesday with the Motherwell visit...it was perfect. It ran so smooth, and it was amazing to see people get their food, and have it paid for. They were so ready for their months supply of food. I was very happy to experience a little more of the Child Sponsorship program.

One mother & father in the Child Sponsorship Program with their whole cart full of food.

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--Traci Johnson, I met the mother of your family! She was so happy to get the goodies you had for her, and her kids. She was a very sweet lady, and has an awesome smile. The kids were in school so I wasn't able to get a picture of the whole family, but the mother was more than happy to have a picture taken, so I have that for you.

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Although I'm having an amazing experience out here in South Africa, I miss home, Kansas, and my cozy bed. It is so cold out here at night, I feel like I'm going to freeze to death. Also, I can hardly sleep with the mixture of noises made by all the animals that dwell outside the house. It's irritating, I miss my peaceful sleep (even though dad, you make lots of noise in the garage while I'm sleeping at home). I will be excited to be home on Thursday.

Thanks for taking so much time to read my blog, and to be so amazing in my life. All of you are great and I miss you. I will look forward to seeing those of you I can see when I get home. :)

I love you mom, and dad, and Ember!
Continue to pray for me during these last four days here, and also for a safe flight home! I'm not ready for the grueling 15 hour flight...by myself. eek!

Love you all,
Destiny Faith B. Watson

on charging elephants & knowing God will provide

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."
-Philippians 4:6

Okay- I am actually really bad at posting on this blog, so apologies for my poor updating abilities.

It's beautiful here! The weather is just amazing & I am continuing to have an awesome time here in South Africa. We have been very busy...all the time! Since my last update I have spent amazing hours hanging out with the kids at Oceans, and spent a good amount of time just relaxing and focusing on talking to God about plans for my future.

This past weekend Kristi, Dan, and I went to Addo Elephant National Park...that was AWESOME! I will upload some pictures here soon from that trip. An elephant actually charged at us...it was insane & actually scared us all to death!! It was just a beautiful trip. :)

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Down the road a little from Dan & Kristi's house there is a little girl, about 10 years old that just sits at a corner on the side of the road all day. We will drive by, and almost every time she is just sitting there. In a way it breaks my heart. She doesn't speak any English; one time Kristi and I stopped to see her because she waved us down, and we started talking to her, and all she would say is "Me not know English, me know Afrikaans." Okay, so there is a language barrier, but she is a very special girl, and I hope to somehow have God help me get to know her. There is something there.

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Today is supposed to be the day Kristi & I visit the Farm School. I will update after that trip with any news.

Also, tomorrow is a visit to Motherwell for the Child Sponsorship program, which I am very excited about, hopefully all will run smoothly with that.

All of the Oceans kids say hello... or "MOLO"! ;)

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Thanks again for everything, I love you all.
Please tell me anything about what's going on back home-- I feel out of the loop!!

a South African birthday

James 1:27- Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.




To be here in Africa is a dream come true. I have come so far. and that has so many meanings.

How exactly do I put into words how I feel with everything I have experienced thus far? It's nearly impossible. God is so good.

Brooke and I got into Port Elizabeth 5 days ago, and since then have been going non stop doing various things. It's awesome. Dan and Kristi have been nothing short of amazing while we have been here, and I'm so thankful for their hospitality. We have been so busy on this trip, but it has been something that has already within, 5 days changed my life. I love saying that.

On the first day here (Thursday) we toured around Port Elizabeth just learning where important places are, and it was most definitely cool just to have a cool down day and see what is around. In the evening we hung with the orphans, and it was amazing to see all the beautiful new babies at Oceans. They steal your heart, all of them... new and old.



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On Friday we spent the day in Motherwell working with the Child Sponsorship Program. It was amazing to see all the children lined up waiting for their picture to be taken, and a sweetie (candy). What a day. I made several friends, that wished I would visit them more often. Left me speechless. People in Motherwell are awesome. I can't explain how that day made me feel.


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Saturday was my birthday, yay!! It was the best birthday I have ever had, being in South Africa. It was definitely a low key birthday, but it was just amazing. I drove!! It was insane, but turned out to be much easier than I expected. Saturday night we went to the beach! Dan and Kristi made dinner, and I got a birthday picnic dinner and cake on the beach! It was cold but beautiful, made my day, and year.

*****

...& that brings me to today. The best and most memorable day by far. We went to the Motherwell cemetery, and I can't even begin to put into words how that experience made me feel. Being here in March, and hearing about the number of deaths per week here is brain rattling. There are so many questions that arise when you see what I saw. I was heartbroken. It's definitely something that I will never forget.

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That brings my post to a close. I hope everyone is doing great back home. I miss you all, but I want you all to know how amazing this place is to me. I have been doing some amazing things, and will continue to do so for several more days, and I'm so ready. I am not sure what the days ahead will bring, but I am so ready for what God will do in the upcoming days. He has been so good to me. I am so blessed.

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I would love your continuing prayer in support while I am here. It means a ton, and I want you to know you are making a difference in my life. Thank you.


my buddy so far on this trip, Lisakanya.

Siphokaze, Kristi, and the awesome yellow car!

Philisande, wearing my sunglasses.

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I love everyone!!
COMMENT ME!!!

unworthy, but blessed.

mark 9:37- Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.

Here I am with less than 24 hours until I will be beginning my long and awaited journey to South Africa. I don't really know how to put into words exaclty how I am feeling. I have spent many nights in prayer and thought, preparing my heart and listening to God's instructions for this trip, and my life- what a blessing.

I feel unworthy but very blessed. I desire to be filled with the love of God (agape love) and the grace of His spirit as I set out on this incredible journey. I wish to come back wanting more, feeling God's power and direction for my life. I am so thankful for every one of you in my life. I wanted to keep you posted with all my updates with my trip. I hope to have internet enough to keep posting updates. I love you all so much, and I want to all to know how thankful I am for your prayer and support for me over the last several months, they have truley made an imact and there is no way I could set out on this journey without what you all have done for me. God is faithful and will continue to be, and I know in the upcoming month His face will be glorified...and His love will be unconditional.

Tomorrow morning we will head to Washington D.C. and shortly after we will depart and will begin the long journey to Johannesburg South Africa, then hop on another plane and head for the final destination- Port Elizabeth South Africa. We will be in South Africa on Wednesday, Aug. 29th around 6:45 pm, but with the time change it will be roughly 10:45 am back home.


I am ready for this.
An experience of a lifetime.

LOVE YOU ALL!

a gracious God

You've reached the blog site! (for Destiny at least)
Go you! I leave shortly & will continue to use this for you all to know about things I will be doing while in Africa. Also, if you decide you come back and check my blog for new posts, (I promise I will post as often as possible!) you will read about awesome things God is doing, and using me for when I'm down in Africa. & don't forget to leave comments, because I am going to LOVE hearing from you also!

God has been gracious to me, and really put this on my heart as an amazing thing, but something to take very seriously, He has me nervous!

Psalm 103:8.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, & abounding in Love.



11 days, but whose counting?