I enrolled at BI for the London University Diploma of Theology in 1966.  I enjoyed the stimulating lecturers, although I gave up Hebrew after a sort time, but also enjoyed interacting with my fellow students.

But what was God preparing me for? Acting as an assistant missioner in Fulle Hall women’s resident in 1967 revealed to me that God’s calling for me was not as an SCA Travelling Secretary, nor did I sense a calling into the mission field.

Instead I came under conviction that I was to become a high school teacher using my BSc as well as my BI training.  God open the door in wonderful ways.  Murdo Gordon said I could work on my own in the BI library from February 1968 and that the lecturers would provide me with all their Dip Th lecture notes.  I would then write my Dip Th examinations in June 1968.  BI’s graciousness overwhelmed me.  UCT regulations for students doing their Secondary Teachers Diploma (STD) were not allowed to be involved in any other studies while doing their STD.  The STD course started in March 1968.  The Dean of Education told me to enrol for STD.  When I said the London and UCT could clash, he again told me to enrol.  The examinations did clash but UCT did the unthinkable.  I wrote the Dip Th examinations in the morning and the UCT examinations in the afternoon, though the other students had written them earlier that same morning.  My results confirmed the correctness of the decisions taken.

I stated teaching at Pinelands High School in 1969 as Head of Biology and of Scripture.  The Biology syllabus was a new one with no textbooks, so each day I wrote a lesson for the following day for both standards 9 and 10.  One of my standard 9 classes was small with very special pupils.  One day when they were writing a test for me I used the BI protocol of praying, telling them I was trusting them while I went to make copies of their notes.  They were to leave their test books on the front desk at the end of the lesson.  Many years later one of these pupils told me of the impact this had made on them.  No-one had taken advantage and cheated.  I also had opportunities of sharing my faith during Biology,  eg. God’s miracle of implanting all our DNA in one small fertilised egg cell. One pupil told me she envied my faith.

Scripture teaching also opened some doors.  The Bible Education Inspector used me in seminars for Scripture Teachers.

God remained in control of my career.  I was asked by my Principal and the Inspector to apply for a principal’s post after only 8 years of teaching in South Africa.  Regulations required 10 years experience, so the Education Department recognised my 1½ years teaching in England.
I was principal of Observatory Girl’s High from January 1977 to March 1978 and of Sans Souci Girl’s School from April 1978 to March 1997.
Principalship is challenging but also fulfilling.  In this position I also continued and thanked God for this provision and also His enabling in putting a Christian stamp on the schools.
I married in December 1980 having met my husband to be on a pilgrimage to Oberammergau in July 1980.  It was a marriage richly blessed by God and I was privileged and blessed to be reading the Bible and praying over him when he died in July 2006.
God provided service opportunities for me at Rosebank Methodist and later at St. Johns Anglican Church where I served on the Pastorate.  I initiated cell groups for which I wrote study booklets.  I also wrote Scripture Union’s ‘Closer to God’ Bible reading notes from 2002 to 2012.
Now retired and with limited vision due to macular degeneration, which keeps me from reading or driving, God is still my Provider.  He is opening doors as I humble myself to ask for assistance when looking for things at my supermarket.  This has led to testifying to and praying for people I meet.

GOD IS GOOD.

Fiona Watson (nee Stewart)