Lent Commitment

We would like to share with you the commitment we made to God after we returned home from our vacation in Zambia. We felt convicted for the first time to do a daily Bible study of the Lent readings and so on Ash Wednesday we started the journey.For the first few weeks we prayed, read the verses out loud and then discussed what we had read but then gradually it became more in depth and we found we had a lot of questions. These questions lead us to do more research for example, who were the 24 elders as mentioned in Revelation 4:4, 11-16 etc.  We read that they could be angels, but angels would not wear crowns of righteousness, or they could be the twelve disciples and twelve leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. This is pure speculation because there is no mention in the Bible who they actually are.As we near the end of our forty days of readings, we have learnt so much and have been reminded of God's faithfulness. No record is kept of our sin and we see anew His mercy, love, compassion and strength. We could write a whole page on the attributes of God! We will continue our daily bible reading study through Holy Week and we prayerful hope that you may be encouraged to do a similar study.

Deuteronomy 32:4

He is the rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.

 A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.

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.

The Significance of Four

I (Ian) have been teaching the Sunday School kids once or twice a month and have really enjoyed my time with them. This month I've taught once already and will teach again on Palm Sunday. Lately, I've been sharing with the kids about the significance of the number four that's found in the Bible, so I thought I would share it with you.

                                 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NUMBER FOUR

When  GOD formed the earth, He gave the earth four points; north, south, east, and west. He also gave four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter. When God flooded the earth it rained for 40 days and nights. When He sent Elijah into the desert it was for 40 days and nights. When Christ was born, we were given 4 gifts of hope, peace, joy and love. Jesus was in the desert for 40 days and nights. GOD then gave us 4 gospels. Matthew, which was written primarily for the Jewish people for Jesus is the Son of David. Mark was written for the Romans for Mark was a Roman. Luke was written to the Greeks. John was written to all people who would believe in Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as the promised Savior. In the book of Mark, Jesus is the powerful Savior.  Luke shows that Jesus is the perfect Savior and in John He is shown as the personal Savior. We may not have seen Christ personally but we believe and receive the blessing of knowing the Father. 

This was a blessing to me to learn all this. Please continue to pray for the kids that I work with, that they would come to a full and growing knowledge of God.

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.

Construction Team

Ian was in Maphiveni with the construction team from the States. 

 We repaired several houses that were in disrepair, by reinforcing the walls with stick, stone, and a mud mixed with concrete.

 

 

The construction team worked in Maphiveni, Section 19 and Macetuka. All of the houses were stick and mud; we reinforced them with cement. 

 

 

Here is a finished house after all our hard work. 

There were 4 guys on the team plus Ian and Jabulani, who all worked very hard. One lady was moved to tears that these strangers from America cared enough to build her a home. 

They guys built 3 houses and left money for another one to be rebuilt. Since the teams returned to the States, there was a donation by one of the supporting churches to build a new home for an elderly lady, who has been homeless since her home collapsed. We are so thankful for this very tangible blessing and are impressed with how much was able to be accomplished in such a short time. Ian became good friends with Nate, one of the guys on the team. Nate plans to set up another team to come out to help in the future. We look forward to his return. 

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.

We're so blessed

We are having an amazing time of being served (and receiving it well). Here are a couple of examples of our recent blessings.  God is so faithful in His provision. 

About a week ago, we stopped in Ezulwini to get some shopping done before we picked up Larry in Mbabane. We met Pastor Ken and Brenda and they treated us to lunch, which was so thoughtful. 

After Larry left, we were taken out for lunch by a friend Tony, whom we have not seen in 3 years. 

Last week on Wednesday and Thursday, we went to a Bed and Breakfast, which is owned by a couple in the church at Simunye. They wanted to serve us by giving us two nights free accommodation, which was very needed! After the hectic week with the team out here, we are really enjoying being served. 

Jenn

Ian, Soloman, and Larry

We were also blessed by Larry and he served us in many ways while here on his visit. The fellowship we shared and the encouragement he gave us was very special. God always knows what we need and we are so thankful 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.

Bucket List

There are some things on our “bucket list” that we have never done. One was ride in a helicopter, so we decided to check this item off and see the Victoria Falls from the air. Ian was a little apprehensive until we took off and then he was fine. It was a spectacular ride as you can see from the pictures  and we cannot wait to try  a longer ride where they go deep down into the canyons!

Here are a couple of sunset pictures in Zambia, it was spectacular! 

We loved the people of Zambia! The hotel staff were wonderful and nothing was too much trouble. By the end of the week, the waiters were calling us mum and dad. Our cab driver, Bison, was punctual and we liked him so much that we had him drive us where ever we went.

The food at the hotel was overwhelming, really too much for us to eat. The local fish was wonderful. Our flights and accommodation in Jo-berg was good. In fact, we really did not do anything as our travel agent here arranged everything and even called the hotel in Zambia to check that everything was OK with us.  The day trips we chose were arranged by the hotel staff and all we had to do was pay  and be in the hotel foyer for transport.  We did a lot of walking and swimming in the Falls. 

The highlight of the trip was the many Zambian people we met and how they shared their faith with us. 

We did go into Zimbabwe, well we walked across the bridge.

Yes, we would go back and do it all over again! 

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.