Ian's Reflections

Why did the Lord send us back to the States when He did? Well initially, we wanted to make good on our promise to come back in three years, knowing we’d be going back to Swaziland indefinitely at the end of the short three months.  There was so much more God had in store for us then we could have ever thought! 

Another question that came up was why did God give us a house in Conway when all of our friends were 30 miles away in Little Rock?  Being in Conway, we were able to get to know the people of the new Conway Mosaic campus to renew friendships with those who had moved from Little Rock and to make many more friends.  We had to learn how to receive as the people in Conway just poured into us over the last couple months.  This was a difficult lesson to learn.  Another reason we were placed in Conway was the Home therapy staff–we ministered to them by telling them our story and the Conway Therapy clinic staff received great joy from serving us and we from them.

The past two months have been a period of receiving.  The Lord taught us how to receive and be gracious about it, which was very difficult to do because we have always given to others and been independent. 

I’ve noticed that a lot of Americans, even Christian Americans, aren’t focused on God every day. They know He is there but don’t look to Him for daily provision.  This really saddens me because we have learned to depend on God for our every need daily in Swaziland. This is something that America needs to refocus on that God is the ultimate power and we should depend on Him for everything and acknowledge everything that He gives to us.  There’s the tendency to overlook the blessings God gives because of the hustle and bustle of life here in the States instead of acknowledging every simple things that God provides every day. 

We were able to come to Arizona to visit friends. It means a lot to see how much our friends have been there for us, looked after us, prayed for us and there was several opportunities to meet new friends.  The impact that we have made on the lives of new friends by sharing our story is pretty amazing. We continue to give God the glory for all of this, though it doesn’t feel like it is enough.

Though the time in the States that we weren’t with our friends in Swaziland, we knew that God was walking with us every day and we could feel His presence every day. He continues to bless us by providing answers to needs/prayer requests and still showing us that He is the ultimate power (our car was complete ready upon our return and cost less than expected!). 

It’s amazing how God provides for even simple requests. Being busy with therapy and doctor’s appointments we didn’t have a chance to see everyone that we wanted to see. One of the last Sundays in Arkansas we had gone out to lunch with a couple that had been a major support over the last couple of months. As we were leaving the restaurant we saw another couple, one whom we hadn’t seen but had wanted to contact, and were able to spend some good time visiting and catching up with them. We recognized it as a God-encounter where He brought the four of us to the same restaurant at the same time and are thankful that we were able to see our friends. 

We just thank God that He gave us the chance to visit with so many old friends and to meet new friends during our time in the UK and the States. What can I say about looking forward to returning to Swaziland? I just can’t wait! We know that our work isn’t finished there and want to carry-on where we left off three months ago.  Swaziland has become our home. 

Thankfully we made it back to Vuvulane safe and sound on May 31st and we are so glad to be home!

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.