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During meeting a little boy sits with us. 

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Afterwards we went to a braii. Or in anotherwords, their way of saying BBQ. Can you spot the Oregonians?

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Standing outside of a newly built kingdomhall in Timbutini with the lovely Oregon couple I visited- Scott and Liz. They've lived here for 2 years going on 4! Because they just got another 2 year extension.

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My Swazi family brings me the greatest joy in the country. Out at KFC getting ice cream.

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Traditional hut

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How many houses look in the city.

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Horseback riding

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Entry 05: How Many Cows? 🐄

Hello! Right now I am laying in bed at 6 in the morning recalling all my experiences in the last month. At the moment I'm in the town Nhlangano, visiting some friends who also are originally from Oregon. Its funny how seeing furniture made out of pallets, Portland Blazers, and "I love Oregon" or other P.N.W. stickers make me smile thinking of....my family and friends home. See the point? It's wierd how in only a month of living by myself in another country I quickly adapted to remembering Oregon as my original spot...but what place will I call my new home? I haven't been home sick. Rather, I am still eager seeing what new thing I can learn about a different culture is right around the corner. Here were some from just in one month:

1) Keturah seemed to be very difficult to say. I mean I already know the #struggleisreal in America. But, when people are taught their whole life to make certain sounds and emphasis different letters in their language....it becomes harder. Ex: If you had to start making a *click* sound randomly in someones name. Siswati has an alphabet where certain letters make a clicking sound. And the clicks are suppose to sound different too! Eventually someone thought I was introducing myself in a Siswati name, Khetiwe (Ket- Tee- Whey). And when I tried correcting her, she told me "No, this is your Siswati name now. You are Khetiwe." What an honor!! Every name here has a meaning behind it. And what does Khetiwe mean? "The chosen one." Haha A bit awkward to introduce myself as that now here because I feel as if I'd be coming across super prideful. But, they don't take it in that way. Also I made up this personal quest to figure out- "what am I chosen for?"

2. Pick up lines. In Swaziland's traditional culture a man would have to purchase a wife. The "ultimate grand prize" would be a virgin costing 17 COWS. This started having multiple wives as socially acceptable and a way of showing how wealthy you were. So, now days when a man is trying to show an interest in me he would ask someone around me, usually a man or older woman who speaks Siswati- "How many cows?" The responses that my friends would say made me blush. "You can't afford her for how many cows she is worth", "100 Cows!", "She is worth more! She is worth being traded for bears and lions!". I just laugh and love the difference in culture on what makes someone blush and are considered sweet words. Can you imagine in America someone telling their wife/ girlfriend- "Wow, you look beautiful. Like definetly a hundred cow purchase."

3. How has my basic way of life changed? To sum it up. No wifi, no car, no electricity, no water. Don't get me wrong. In a few selected spots there are wifi. Usually it would be at an internet cafe where you would pay, or maybe a friends house. Many people dont have cars. They will take city buses called Khumbis. But, thankfully I have such loving friends who take me along where ever they go. Or I will walk to my gym about 15-20 minutes. Electricity goes off for hours frequently from construction or storms. Meaning my freezer melts and always causes this huge water mess. No water sometimes because of the water pump running out. So I try to shower whenever possible, or save water in containers incase of an emergency. Besides that I keep to what I consider my basic schedule, gym, ministry, hanging with friends, and going to bible meetings. Oh! I almost forgot. I am learning to cook more! But, everytime I do I am mentally prepared that there is a chance I am going to catch myself on fire because I have a gas stove and each time I light a match next to it, it bursts real quick in a big flame before calming down. It is however super helpful when there is no electricity. Still with all this...this is my home as of right now♡

Those are just a few of the cultural differences of living. Next time, I will right about some amazing people I have met in the ministry.

Love you all with all my heart,

Khetiwe aka Keturah

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Entry 04: What's your toilet? I mean..name?

Hey everyone!! So sorry about the long wait. I can't believe I have almost been living in Africa for one month! I feel like it has all just gone by so fast. My schedule is full and busy with many activities. I will re cap what I have done since landing.

While still in Jo.burg, South Africa I was able to visit the Bethel Branch. I had just visited the New York headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses last year in October, and to be able to compare and see the similarities between the two entertained me. I would have never thought that in a year I would have had the opportunity visiting a bethel branch again, ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA! It makes me so proud to be part of a worldwide organization that works in unity together to make and share bible truths to all " those who dwell on the earth, to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. " (Rev.14:6) While we were there we had the opportunity to eat lunch and visit with some bethelites. There I was introduced to couples who were also in the sign language congregations. And first taught that American Sign Language and South African had many differences. One including that, the ASL sign for "name" was their sign for "toilet". Thankfully, everyone is very understanding and helpful while teaching me.

Fun fact: The African Bethel has an amazing and beautiful landscape. They used to house Zebras and peacocks. Now you will see little deer they call "bucks" about the size of a cattle dog. They also have an assortment of birds.

Another thing that was mentioned to me was how segregation against Black and Whites made an impact on society in Jo.burg. I guess I never thought about that subject much or the effect it could have on our world wide brotherhood. There even was a law where blacks and whites could not live under the same roof. So, seperate living quarters had to be made for the brothers and sisters. When the law was removed then the living arrangments changed as well.

The next day Jasmine and I were on our way to Manzini Swaziland! Where my home for the next 3 months would be. Philly drove us 5 hours across the boarder and making sure we safely arrived to the George Hotel where we would be picked up by a sister, Aunty J, whom I am renting from. Aunty J was so sweet to take us to the grocery store and pick up some Swaziland sim cards to be able to txt and call people in the country. Buh bye sweet Verizon service with unlimted everything haha. Hello pre paid MTN, those who are forcing me to have a wifi detox haha. Over here wifi and data seems to be like a luxury. I remember asking a fourteen year old boy- "What do you reccomend I do in Manzini?" He said "I always like going to the internet cafe." (Where you pay for internet usage.) When asking other need greaters what they feel like is the greatest difference from home they reply with my same opinion- "No wifi."

Here is what I mean when referring to a person as a Need greater: An individual who leaves their home/country with a desire to volunteerly become a bible eduactor. Offering free bible studies with those who have not had the opportunity to accept in their area.

Where I live many need greaters are around me. Down the street a couple from germany and a sister from Switzerland just moved to Swaziland to volunteer in the English language. Christiana, who is originally from Switzerland just started learning English this year to broaden her ministry. I was so shocked because to me she is fluent in English!! And in only one year! 

So it has been very fun with all the different languages and accents that I am around. I think the funniest thing to me is how people say that I  am the one with an accent and ask me to pronounce different words. Just for them to see how "different" I pronounce it. I tell them "I'm not the one with an accent all of you have one. Hahaha" Or because of the history with Britain here, the language uses lots of English terms rather than American.

Well, I will continue trying to post. Here is a list of just some small differences of the words used here vs in America.

Love you all with all my heart,

Khetiwe aka Keturah

(I will write about my Siswati name in the next vlog)

American vs. Swaziland

Trunk = Boot

Cookies = Biscuits

Biscuits = Scones

French fries = Chips

Bathroom = The Loo

Gas = Petrol

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Entry Vlog 03: Destination Achieved

Okay, okay. The socks were cute. But, Jehovah really showed me a boost of support at one of the most stressful times. I had just landed in Ethiopia airport when I was immediately hit with more Indian, Turkish, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabian people coming up to me asking questions. I would awkwardly say- "English Only". Which usually just led to more questions on where I came from. It seemed as if all the airplanes had just came in and flights were also taking off. People were running around speaking all sorts of languages confused and stressed looking for their next flight. I tried to stay calm. But after being directed to 3 different gates, going through security, and then being told to leave that area and go to an international office for assistance on my flight- I started feeling worn down. How can people do this? I remembered my mom told me before I left; "Remember the governing body travel all around for Jehovah. He protects them." I'm traveling for God. I will be okay. As I was mentally preparing myself to keep on going- a familiar face stood out to me. Brother Lett from the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses started heading my way. He was wearing a gray suite with a light blue dress shirt, and a pleasant smile on his face. I never talked to him- but I keep that breif interaction close to my heart as I am about to reach my destination.

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Landing in Johaneesburg, South Africa I met up with a sister in my hall. I had openly invited to everyone i knew- "If you want to come visit me while I am in Africa- feel free too!" And Jasmine took the offer. She would be staying with me the first two weeks of my stay. Now, we were looking out for a witness couple I have been in contact with who owned their own transportation service.

Soon, the brother, Philemon picked us up and took us to their house where we also met Poppy, his wife. The ride outside the airport was our first taste of the new continent!!

I didn't have built up expectations of Africa really. The best way I could describe the areas I've seen are- a 2nd World Country? You will have malls playing Justin Beiber and then a couple blocks down-shacks that are barely being held together. As if resembeling a house made of cards. There were hundreds of them with men standing around wearing sun hats and tank tops. When we were driving around that area a man was pushing a wheelbarrow while balancing a queen sized bed frame and mattress. "Welcome to Africa! Where we can do anything!" Philemon said as he pointed.

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P.s. Sorry everyone that I haven't posted as often as I would have liked. Took awhile to figure out how to get internet. But keep on the look out! Am writing all about my first 2 weeks here!!

Love you all with all my heart,

Keturah

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First day of pioneering was a success! Early morning service I placed 11 bible tracts alongside many other Witnesses varying from different language congregations. Will soon post about the ending of my arrival.

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Visiting the Lindhaven Congregation in Sesotho language. They thought it was cool I was from America. I told them i thought they were cool-er that's why I came to visit them. ♡

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Clothing shops are everywhere. Similar dresses are even worn by the flight attendants.

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Had an 11 hr layover in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Airport. Wandered around by myself for a bit to look around…

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Entry Vlog 02: Yellow Socks

As of April 2017, I recently joined a crossfit box. One addiction that keeps me in love with the place is not only are you pushing your body to new limits but also your mind. I would by no means describe myself as a high endurance, cordinated, super strong, athletic body build. I often compare my body build with Mowgli from the jungle book hahaha. Without realizing it I guess I had set limits in my mind on my capabilities. Stepping in the gym and looking at the W.O.D. (work out of the day) thinking "No way will I ever be able to do that!" Once the work out starts you feel as if those minutes are the longest and hardest times you have ever pushed yourself. And once you're done you start thinking "Look at what I did?!" This thinking procedure engraves in your mind for any trial that comes your way in life. Run one more mile, a difficult task at work, or in my case a rough airplane ride.

My itinary showed that I would have a couple hours to say good bye to my family and loved ones before leaving on my journey. But, when I checked in it had all changed! Not only would my flight be taking off in an hour, but I also got an extra stop in Ethiopia that includes a 12 hr layover. Causing me to miss my hotel reservations, shuttle schedule, and meeting up with sisters. I quickly rushed my good byes and boarded up.

Next thing I know I am being told that landing in New Jersey will be rough because of turbulance. I tried to imagine I was on a roller coaster. It eased my anxiety. As the winds got worse, causing me to feel sick, a voice with limits started creeping in the back of my mind saying "You can't do this. This is your limit. You can't go further than this." I immidiately thought of every situation where I over came that thinking, grew stronger, and am still alive and now I'm in this new challenge that I will beat. After safely landing I managed to find my next check in spot through the rough Jersey demenere surrounding me. Because I do not handel change very smoothly I think everything finally caught up to me as I was in the food court of the airport. Mixed emotions of frustration from crying to "imma bout to start swinging at someone" ( <- a common Keturah phrase said with a touch of humor). I will beat this. Time for the next check in----

Approaching the check in was very humorous to me. Already a taste of Africa. I felt as though my looks made me stand out like a sore thumb. As if all the people in line were looking at me thinking- "this little white girl must be lost. Is she trying to find the flight to India?" *10 hrs later* Finally boarded on my plane to Africa!! I sit in a row next to a man who speaks very broken english- yet the words he does say are very proper. He likes asking me questions. I guess he is from India and was wondering if I would also be traveling there. He kind of assumed I was also of Indian nationality and that I was a 16-17 year old girl who was attending school in the states. Because of the language barrier I had to explain to him a couple times I had no ties with India- that I am a Mexican/Caucasian mix born in the United States hahaha. I had also prayed right before I boarded to continue displaying a woman of God attitude towards all as a representation for his name. I told the Indian man why I actually was on the flight - for volunteer sign language bible education. Turns out he is a pastor where he comes from and he was so impressed he gave me his email and encouraged me to go visit that area. Offering to even help pick me up from the airport. He had asked which religion I belonged to- me stating I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Which got us talking about the name Jehovah (since he somehow knew very clearly how to say that -which made me happy) Continue sanctifying his name♡

One of the things I am so excited about has been the socks!! I love socks. Soft ones, long ones, ones with funny prints, etc. Before the flight took off the air hostess (who speaks some language that I have no comprehension of and wears this flowy white dress with a colorful wrap) - gave me a care package. Containing: a sleeping mask, ear phones, a tooth brush and paste, and SOCKS!! Even though it may be simple I feel like it was a little trophy from Jehovah saying- "Girl, relax. I got you."

Will let you know how the 2nd part of getting there goes soon.

Love you all with all my heart,

Keturah