Ashlie & History Link

In our first of Team Introduction Posts, we will highlight Ashlie Watts.

Here's what Ashlie says about herself: I'm originally from Kansas City, Missouri but has lived all over. Currently, I'm living back, (yes back :), in Los Angeles. My full-time job now is doing budget consulting for associations as well as timeshares and resorts so I travel quite frequently. I also dip into some other jobs such as teaching yoga and dance. I love being active and can be seen frequently dancing, hiking, running, cooking, at the beach, etc. I'm involved in my church, Mosaic, in Los Angeles and use dance as my ministry platform. A few words that describe me would be adventurous, altruistic, audacious, spicy, disciplined, tenacious, thrill seeker, wild/fun, random, silly. If you know what Strength Finders is mine are Woo, Communication, Discipline, Belief, & Input.

I have a huge heart for the Aids cause especially with Aids kids in South Africa. So I currently contribute, volunteer, or support things that help this cause now anyway that I can. I have actually been praying to go to this specific area of South Africa doing what we're doing for 5 years, and finally the Lord said "Yes!" My life goal is to radically impact someones life positively to cause a spark to positively change the world. I hope in my short time there that I can plant some seeds and help foster them in the future to see the world changed one person at a time.

Another cool fact is that Ashlie played Volleyball and taught it to inner-city youth in college. So she brings that expertise to our Kid's Sports time.


As we prepare one thing it might be good to do is brush up on our history of South Africa. History gives us good insight in the understanding the people we will be ministering to. There are a lot of good movies you can watch or good books to read out there. I am currently reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography. One of my favorite memories is watching Cry Freedom in a crowded theatre in Kisumu Kenya 20 years ago. I was very aware of my whiteness.

You can read a short history on-line.