Jenn's Reflections

There were/are so many things that I was looking forward to in our return to Swaziland. I am thankful to be home again and to begin to take part of my home church here.  It will be good to see Sifiso and hear how his new job is going, though we’ll miss his nightly visits as our night guard.  It will be good to catch up with Newman and see how he is doing with his drinking. He did well at taking care of the garden in our absence, it looks great.  I can’t wait to go to the different villages with Mary and sharing the Word together, those are always good times of discipleship, and it will be good to spend time with Jabulane. 

It will be a bit strange to be home, though I felt like I was gone way too long. Both Julia and Babe Shwnage won’t be here. Sifiso won’t be dropping by on his nightly rounds (due to his new job). It will be an adjustment re-learning how to deal with all the daily drama that needs to be taken care of quickly.  When we were in the States, all the news from back home weren’t very positive which just reaffirmed that there is so much we still need to do here in Swaziland and our work is far from finished. 

It was nice to have lunch on Mother’s Day in England with my daughter Rebekah and grandsons, Danial and Thomas. It’s amazing to see how all my grandchildren, Megan, Danial, and Thomas have all grown up into young adults and are continuing on with their lives like going to the university.  I was very impressed to see a young pastor in England, Pastor Malc.  He has such a fire and passion to spread the word. There are so many young pastors in England that want to bring revival to the people and it’s really encouraging to see.

It was great to see Jeremy and Charissa and everyone else in AZ. We had a great time meeting Charissa’s grandparents and visiting with them.  Everyone in Arizona was so welcoming and we just felt like we were part of the family which meant a lot. 

The biggest change that I have noticed since being in the States is the technology, it just blows my mind. I do like the convenience of everything in the States but not enough to come back. There is an extremely fast pace of life in the States which is too much for me and I don’t like it one bit.  I much prefer the slower pace of life in Vuvulane.

I enjoyed going to all the churches and seeing people that I knew. But I felt that the churches were lacking a dynamic interest in reaching the lost world with the Gospel, which was sad.  We did go to one church that was really on fire for the Lord and that was encouraging. The Church in America needs revival and needs to become willing to take the Gospel to those who so desperately need it. The time is short and we want to/need to take as many people with us as we can.

I am so thankful for everyone who was involved with my care during surgery, therapy and afterwards.  They were all good listeners, patient, understanding, had a good sense of humor and were very encouraging. According to Pastor Harry I am a blessed and fortunate woman because I’ve recovered from my knee surgery in half the time it would take an ordinary person.  The entire time that I was away, I had a quest to find fresh strawberries and to try a snow cone for the first time. I was able to accomplish both of those goals and now am ready to return home.

It’s been a time when I’ve had to be completely dependent on others, which I have never had to do; previously I’ve only depended on God.  I’ve had to learn how to receive and be grateful. Ian’s been a good coach and together we’ve made it through this time as a team.  It is so good to be home and I am looking forward to getting back into our ‘normal’ (if you can call it that) routine. Please pray that we can transition well back into life here and that my knee would continue to heal.  

Thankfully there was enough money donated towards the reagent shortage that 100 Chips patients can get tested this month.

 
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.