Another project completed at the Vuvulane Primary School!

As you know, we have been able to help the Vuvulane Primary School with some various projects through donations that we have received. One of the last projects that we funded was the building of a new toilet block for the school children. 

It was exciting to see how fast the workers constructed the buildings. Aero, the principal, has such a vision to improve the school and the education so that the children can receive the most benefit from their time at Vuvulane Primary School. It is a privilege to come along side Aero and help the children.

This is the boys' block. 

This is the girls' block. 

We are thankful for your donations that allow us to help meet the various needs in the communities that we serve. 

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.

New Hope Children's Ministry

New Hope Children’s Ministry is Christian home for orphaned and vulnerable children. Fanzile recently was placed here at this home. As part of their curriculum, the students and teachers visit other schools to evangelize the good news of Jesus through drama, memory verses and songs.

 The children do a great job in their teaching and we were blessed to be invited to their performance at Vuvulane primary school. 

Fanzile is in the second row with the yellow shirt. He is in such a better place at New Hope Children's Ministry and we are thankful that he is out of the abusive situation with his family.

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.

Fanzile needs a new home

(Fanzile is in the second row on the left in  yellow shirt)

Fanzile, happens to be one of our favorite kiddos. We have mentioned him quite a few times here on the blog (you can catch up here). Over the last couple of months since Fanzile's Gogo passed away, Fanzile has been living with his uncle. There has been several times where the aunt has beat Fanzile and not given him food. Fanzile would disappear after school as to not to be at home. It came to the point where we knew we needed to do something about the situation. At first we talked to Fanzile’s teacher, but she did not have any real answers except suggesting he start from grade 1 again.

Fanzile said he was always hungry and only got fed at school. He also said that his aunt would beat him at home. We know that there has been food in the house because we have been giving a monthly supply of food.

The uncle, who is Fanzile's only living blood relative, said that Fanzile lived like a vagabond and was never sure where Fanzile was. The uncle did not really want to take Fanzile and asked us to find a compassionate person to take Fanzile. As we left the uncle's house, a neighbor told us that she thought Fanzile needed refuge.

We had several meetings with Principal Aero and the social welfare department before relocating Fanzile to a temporary home with caring Christian woman. We will be looking for a permanent home for Fanzile, either in a Christian orphanage or if a caring family wanted to take him. The problem we run into is Fanzile's age. He is 10 years old, long past the time most orphanages are willing to take children.

While Fanzile is staying in this temporary home, he has been going to New Hope Children's Ministry.

New Hope Children’s Ministry is Christian home for orphaned and vulnerable children. Part of their curriculum takes the students to visit schools to evangelize the good news of Jesus.

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  The students do this through drama, memory verses and songs. Shortly after we placed Fanzile in his temporary safe home. The children of New Hope came to do a performance at the Vuvulane Primary School. The kids all did a great job in their teaching and we were blessed to be invited to the performance. 

The students at Vuvulane school all enjoyed the performance as well. 

It was great to see Fanzile (Second row in the yellow shirt with the shaved head) and how well he was doing with regular meals and living in a safe place. Fanzile had lots of smiles and jokes again just like the Fanzile we fell in love with several years ago. We are thankful that at the moment Fanzile is no longer in an abusive situation.  However, w are still in the process of looking for a permanent home for Fanzile, would you pray with us about that? 

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.

Getting Ready for Christmas

We have started thinking about Christmas already.  In continuing with our tradition of doing something for some of the kids here, we have decided to pick a settlement and give all the children a toy.  There were some toys left over from last Christmas which is a good start to the needed supplies this year. Last year, we had enough donations come in that we were able to provide all the children in one settlement with a toy and some food. All the adults in that settlement were also able to get some fruit as well.

If you would like to help with this year's Christmas donations you can donate at
www.WorldOutreach.org. Go to Donate and select our name, Stephens, Ian and Jenn SWAZILAND. Then just drop us an email at piggwr4647[at]gmail[dot]com to let us know that your donation is for the Christmas fund. We hope to bless all the children in one settlement again this year. Gathering the toys is almost as much fun as handing them out to the children and seeing their happy faces.

We couldn't do this without your support and we thank you very much! We'll post updates and pictures of when we pass out the gifts.

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.

Self-Sufficiency

We made a donation to the Vuvulane Primary school for completion of some new toilets, which were badly needed, before school starts again in a few weeks. However, we feel this is the last donation we will give towards renovations at the school but we will continue to be involved in the school and assist Principal Aero with the students as we can. 

We also made a  donation to the chicken project to put an electricity pole in when they have the monies to complete the installation in the building. Again this is the last donation we are giving to the chicken project. We will still be involved as advisers but financially we feel the Lord is saying this is enough. It is time for them to be self sufficient. 

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.

Macetuka and Section 19 Bible studies

I decided to use the self-timer function on the camera to show you two of the bible studies that I am teaching.  This first picture is of the group in Macetuka. 

One of the men took it upon himself to build a structure where we will have our meetings. That way we will be out of the rain/sun. It is encouraging to see how the people are taking initiative and responsibility for the bible studies.  Both of these bible studies are growing in number. We continue to pass out bibles to those who want it (that is always an ongoing need we have, for money so we can purchase more Bibles.)

This group is the one at Section 19. Both groups were so amazed that I can actually have the camera take a picture of the group with me in the picture (and not touching the camera). They enjoyed seeing themselves in the picture when we were finished.

Jenn has started going to Khomba weekly since the people there are so hungry for the word of God. She taught on Matthew 18 about forgiveness to Khomba and the people were really responsive, saying that there is a spirit of disharmony there. However, when she taught the same message at Mgldzangcunu there wasn't a lot of positive feedback. Bongingkosi even said it was too hard of a topic and shouldn't be discussed. Well we share what the Lord has placed on our hearts and we know that He will cause the growth. 

Keep praying that we would be given wisdom and for soft hearts of the people in the communities. 

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.

Anniversary/birthday trip

For our Silver Anniversary and Ian's birthday (they are on the same day) we decided to go up to the Nisela Game Reserve in Southern Swaziland. 

The accommodations were wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away!

We took our new tablet with us and played with the self-timer for a photo-shoot. 

It is such a blessing to know that God has given us one heart for this ministry and the people of Swaziland and that we can share in this ministry as a team. 

We celebrated our anniversary with a special dinner, pizza under the stars. 

Sibiso was our guide on the trip and we enjoyed talking with him.

We saw deer

Ostrich

Zebra

and Giraffe. 

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.

Visiting evangelism team from Kentucky

We are so thankful for the Team from Kentucky who came on the 22^nd of July and spent four days visiting the communities served by Chips.  Rodney, Miles, Peggy, Alvin and Michelle were a real blessing and encouragement to us and we really appreciated their prayers over our ministry and lives.

The gospel was shared with many people hungry to know God in Mgldzangcunu. 

We were refreshed and renewed personally and so glad to see that the "embers were stirred" among the people that we serve.

The team was wonderful to work alongside of as we prayed with adults and children for healing. Some people prayed for Salvation and others for release from abusive situations.

We ask for continued prayer for the Swazi people that they will  receive discipleship and encouragement as they continue to grow spiritually through the different churches and our Bible studies that are in the communities. 

Peggy and Jenn praying for healing at section 19

Michelle and Bonginkhosi praying for children at section 19

So many wonderful things happened when God shows up! Healing miracles take place, people are set free from the bondage of  spiritual darkness and oppression, and lives changed when redemption and salvation come into their lives. Amen to God be the Glory!

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.

Silver Anniversary

Ian surprised me on Sunday with a cake to celebrate our Silver Anniversary. It is always fun to celebrate with our church family.  

We are taking a trip to northern Swaziland for a couple of days to celebrate our anniversary and Ian's birthday which happens to be on the same day.  

We're thankful to the Lord for giving us 25 years together and know that we are an example of a long lasting marriage especially here. May God get all the glory!  

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.

Salt of the World

As you know we have been doing bible studies in several of the communities that we serve. The response has been great, with more people in attendance each week. The people are so hungry for the Word to be planted and watered in their hearts, and keep asking for Bibles that they can have in their own language. (Providing Bibles is an on-going request. If you would like to contribute towards this need, you can follow the instructions at the bottom of the post to donate towards providing Bibles.) We spend a lot of time each week teaching in these various Bible Studies.

Here are the Bible Studies that Ian has been teaching.

Section 19 has just started their Bible Study and meet every two weeks on Wednesday afternoons. They have been covering Acts 1, Acts 2, the early church and Peter's Sermon. About 30 people have come and this group loves to sing! 

Macetuka meet every week on  Tuesday afternoons. The past studies here have included Joseph, the Exodus, Holy week etc. They are currently in a 4 week series of Ruth and will study Acts next. 

Chips devotionals  Ian teaches the devotional Monday and Friday mornings every week and teaches what ever the Lord shows puts on his heart to share. 

Jenn has been teaching at these locations

Khomba is a fairly new Bible study and they meet Thursday afternoons every other week. They have covered Simeon and Anna, and Hannah. Bonginkosi has shared his testimony from a man's point of view about supporting one's wife when she is going through difficult circumstances. There are several people willing to share their testimonies. 

 Chips devotionals on Wednesday mornings every week and teaches what the Lord puts on my heart  such as faith, or walking with God. 

Mgldzangcunu meet Monday afternoons every other week. They have covered Esther, Lot's wife, Hannah, Ruth, and Rahab. One Bible Study at Mgldzangcunu was  titled “Salt of the world" based on Matthew 5:13. We had 22 people who attended the Bible study and they all received an amazing prize of a bag of salt for  having the correct answer! It was a fun afternoon and lots of interaction. 

Attendees with their salt. 

Please continue to pray for us that God will give us wisdom on what to teach about and that He would speak through our words and impact the hearts of those we serve. We have come to see ourselves, not as pastors, but as teachers or shepherds and we know that only God can implant His Word into people's hearts. Pray for the people that they would come to know God in a very personal way and that their lives would be changed.  

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.

Growing spinach and tomatoes!

We were amazed at the progress that had been made at the Vuvulane Primary School in the two weeks that we were in the UK. Take a look for yourself! 

Areo, the principal,and Lindiwe,the secretary, were sharing the garden project progress with us.

The children had been busy hoeing the land  and getting it ready to plant. 

Each child had their own little plot in which they had planted tomatoes and spinach.  

Every day the children were out in the garden watering and weeding and tending their little plants.  

It was amazing to see how much progress had been made since when we had left, this was just a dream/goal that Principal Aero had shared with us.  

The children were so pleased with their garden. The food from these little plots will go to help feed the children who come to school, often with very little food at home. 

Ian led another devotional with the children at the primary school. It is such a blessing to see these sweet faces learning about God and watching them grow.  

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.

Home Sweet Home

We're so glad to be home and have quickly slipped back into life here in Swaziland after our trip to the UK to visit family.  

Clondile, our housekeeper, did such a great job at keeping our house up while we were gone in the UK. It is nice to have a great help and one who is trustworthy.  

Ian jumped right back into teaching Sunday School with the kids at church. He taught about how the best technology that we need is found in the Bible. Just this past weekend, he participated with the kids in a Litter Drive. They went along the main road through Mhumle park and picked up trash to earn money for camp.  

We both have been back to the communities and have done a few Bible Studies. Jenn was teaching on Rahab and had more men show up, it looks like it is now a mixed group Bible study and not just a woman's group. We were given 60 boxes of clothes from the Simunye Church which we have started passing out in the communities.  

Bonginkosi did such a great job with the garden even planting a new flower garden as a surprise for our return. We now have spinach and lettuce in abundance that we can pass out to those who need food. 

We are so thankful to be home and that is what Swaziland has become to us. 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.

Future projects for the Vuvulane Primary School

Principal Aero has told us of several future projects that he wants to tackle to help move the school to being self-sustaining.

This area is being dug out so that the school can have a fish pond. The fish pond would be stocked for free by the government. The students would be taught how to care for the pond as well as how to fish. The fish would be used as food for the students.  

In this field, Aero would like to grow maize and beans. Again the students would have to work the fields, gaining valuable experience and the food would be also used to feed the children. 

This is a water irrigation canal that is being put in to bring water to the field above. 

Another project is to tear down this old kitchen and build a larger one in it's place to better accommodate cooking for more students. There are plans to build more latrines and do some more painting as well. The enrollment has gone up at Vuvulane Primary School since their rates are more reasonable than the other schools in the area. We are so excited about all these plans that Principal Aero has for the school and for the children and to see how God is working through this by providing.

Ian was asked to lead a devotional at the school assembly and was able to fit that in just before we left for the UK. We're looking forward to our return to Swaziland and to see what our role should be with the school. Please keep the principal and the students in your prayers, that God would shine forth out of the Vuvulane Primary school to impact the community. 

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.