Newman: growing in health and hope

Newman would often see the Chips kombi at Macetuka and ask to be tested, but he was always drunk and we refused to do testing on him. One day in September 2010, he showed up at the testing site sober and we tested him for HIV.  The results came back that Newman was  positive. His wife had died many years ago from AIDS and he had a fourteen year old son Colani.  After the testing, Newman was counseled many times about how dangerous alcohol usage was while being on ART.  He has made significant progress since then. Newman is employed as our gardener and has a home of his own; his CD4 count is increasing and he is putting on weight. Newman continues to battle his addiction to alcohol.

Newman

Chips transports him to Good Shepherd  hospital for his refills and doctor visits.  He continues to receive counseling. At this point in time Newman refuses to attend church and talk about God but we believe with  prayer, encouragement and love that his life will continue to significantly improve. Newman has been a blessing to us and it's under his hands that our garden has produced as much surplus that it has.

Newman and Colani
Colani has been visiting Newman over the last couple of weeks since there was first a school break and then now the teachers are on strike.  We took Colani to church with us today. Both Newman and Nchlancha (our day security guard) have expressed interested in attending our church with us at some point and we continue to pray that would come about in God's timing. It has been very good to see Colani work alongside his dad and hear the laughter and friendly bantering over games coming from Newman's house. 

Nchlancha just turned 28 and went home to his homestead to celebrate with his wife and son. Sifiso is at a revivial for the weekend. It's quite without the two guys around and we are looking forward to their return. 

The foundation has been laid for Shandu's house. Please pray that everything is delivered and the construction goes along in a timely manner, without being impeded by the coming rains. 

Daran, Chips Director, is in the States raising money for the purchase of the Brown buildings. They haven't sold since Chips had to retract the initial offer. Please pray that God would provide the complete finances to purchase these buildings and to maintain/operate them after the purchase. After seeing the outpouring of support for Shandu's house, we know that God can certainly provide in the same manner in this request.

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.