Life in Swaziland: Vuvulane

Here are just a few pictures in and around Vuvulane. 

This man is waiting for the Vuvulane clinic to open so he can go in for his appointment.

These kids look like they are up to something. Can't you imagine them thinking, 'If we sit here all nice and quiet on our best behavior, they might give us some candy!'

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org
Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.

Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.

Bonginkosi is back!

Bonginkosi has been back in Swaziland for a while now. He found a new security job in a town called Congo which is about five miles away from where we live. This new job includes free housing, electricity, and water. The pay and conditions seem to be a lot better for Bonginkosi and he's happier now than when he was working in the coal mines in South Africa. We are happy to have him close by and praise God for His provision. 

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org
Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.

Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.

Searching for love

*Post contains sensitive information, please use caution in allowing children to read it. 


There is a young 18 year old girl, Phumzile, who is in the Chips program but she hides from us and the care we offer. She has suffered incredible abuse and rejection, all of which has greatly affected her mentally. Phumzile was raped at 11 years old and had her first baby at 12 years old. That baby died as did her next two children. Her family has disowned her and she is living with Auntie Rose at Section 19. She wanders all over the area searching for love and safety and often is seen at the cane cutter camps.  Please pray for God's protection over this vulnerable girl and that her heart would be opened to come to know the love and healing that God has to offer her. It is a very sad situation. 

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org
Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.
Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.

A new choral group with bright faces

We enjoyed having visitors from USA to meet the people and see the work that we do with Chips. 

The children of Mambweni sang for the visitors.

It was a happy day for the children as they received gifts and candy.  They also like being photographed! 

This baby wasn't too sure about the knitted doll and all the new faces. Make (mum) was there with safe arms. 

It was a sad day for our visitors, though, as they saw first hand the extreme poverty that the people of Mambweni live in every day.  

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org

Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.

Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.

Red tape and complications

A couple days ago, we mentioned that Chips had received enough money for the deposit on the Brown buildings. That's still the case, however, the money is in the States under the control of African Leadership Partners (ALP), the organization that has sent our supervisors here. Only one member out of the 6 board members is willing to release the money so that the deposit can be paid to Mrs. Brown. All along, Mrs. Brown has been patient and gracious with us as we try and come up with the funds, but she is in desperate need of the money. Additionally, there have been several other offers made on the buildings since ours was accepted.

Would you join us in praying that God will continue to do amazing things like only He can do and work in the hearts of the board members to release the funds? We know that God has big plans for the people in and around Maphiveni as evident by how He has worked in the past and we know that He is the God of the impossible. We are trusting in Him to come through despite all these roadblocks that we see. Of course from His perspective they aren't even the slightest hindrance in accomplishing His ultimate plan. Please pray that we would continue see these situations through God's perspective.
Thank you for your continued prayer support!

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org
Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.
Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.

HIV affects Thuli's brain

Thuli, a woman in her 40's, has been in the Chips program for a while since she has HIV. She had been employed at a care point as a preschool teacher but was dismissed in January due to budget cuts. The HIV has been affecting her brain causing her to wander around Maphiveni half-dressed, filthy, and malnourished. A couple of weeks ago, she made several trips to the river to try and kill herself. Fortunately, each time she was prevented from doing so. After a Chips meeting, we were able to get her family and the church involved with her care and brought her back to her family's homestead. 

It is such a sad situation. We know that Thuli is a believer. The only thing we can do when we feel so powerless to help is lean on the Lord Jesus to work out the situation.  Please pray for Thuli, that God would continue to protect her, heal her and be her strength and comfort. 

We are seeing that HIV affecting the patient(s) mentally is an increasing problem in Swaziland and there just aren't the facilities to deal with this problem. Please continue to pray for wisdom and guidance for us as we deal with these patients. 

P.S. - If you want to support our ministry, the fastest way is to make an Online Donation via www.WorldOutreach.org
Go to "Donate" and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. The system can process USA and International cards.
Or simply mail your gift to World Outreach Ministries, PO Box B, Marietta, GA 30061 and designate for Ian and Jenn, Fund Code #97.