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It has been a crazy last couple of weeks here in the village above and beyond the work with Chips.
Mary's father had a stroke about a month ago, physically he is doing well but mentally he is very depressed and suicidal. Mary goes to Mozambique as often as she can to care for him. Please pray that he will find the God of all comfort and joy.
A week ago Sifiso had an allergic reaction . He could not breath, his face swollen and he was grey. That resulted in a quick trip to the emergency clinic where they gave him shots and medication. He is doing a whole lot better but after I questioned him at length about what he had eaten etc. he told me raw wild honey. I told him to not to eat any more, he was very frightened. Sifiso is still trying to start up his photography business and still has chickens but now they have fleas. He is also on the lookout for a good Christian wife. Please pray for Sifiso that God will bring a godly wife and that his business ventures will prosper.
Lately Newman has been really struggling with the alcohol addiction. Last Wednesday he showed up for church and we discovered he was as drunk as a skunk. He did not act out in church but sat right at the back away from everyone. The next day Ian talked to him and then he came to apologize to me. I told him I was upset by his behavior and my heart was sad but I forgave him. If we have any further incidents we are going to suspend him for a week and send him back to Macetuka to think through what he has done. He has shown up to work after drinking once or twice since that incident. Newman is still coming to bible study which is good. Please continue to pray that this spiritual battle would be won and that Newman would come to acknowledge Jesus as his savior and his life would be changed.
Newman's son, Colani, comes and stays with him on the weekends. Colani just turned 16 and we celebrated with chocolate cake. Colani attends church with us when he can.
Mary's father had a stroke about a month ago, physically he is doing well but mentally he is very depressed and suicidal. Mary goes to Mozambique as often as she can to care for him. Please pray that he will find the God of all comfort and joy.
A week ago Sifiso had an allergic reaction . He could not breath, his face swollen and he was grey. That resulted in a quick trip to the emergency clinic where they gave him shots and medication. He is doing a whole lot better but after I questioned him at length about what he had eaten etc. he told me raw wild honey. I told him to not to eat any more, he was very frightened. Sifiso is still trying to start up his photography business and still has chickens but now they have fleas. He is also on the lookout for a good Christian wife. Please pray for Sifiso that God will bring a godly wife and that his business ventures will prosper.
Lately Newman has been really struggling with the alcohol addiction. Last Wednesday he showed up for church and we discovered he was as drunk as a skunk. He did not act out in church but sat right at the back away from everyone. The next day Ian talked to him and then he came to apologize to me. I told him I was upset by his behavior and my heart was sad but I forgave him. If we have any further incidents we are going to suspend him for a week and send him back to Macetuka to think through what he has done. He has shown up to work after drinking once or twice since that incident. Newman is still coming to bible study which is good. Please continue to pray that this spiritual battle would be won and that Newman would come to acknowledge Jesus as his savior and his life would be changed.
Newman's son, Colani, comes and stays with him on the weekends. Colani just turned 16 and we celebrated with chocolate cake. Colani attends church with us when he can.
Nchlachla was very quiet and upset about Newman drinking. He told me that he had forgiven Newman and Newman is the lost sheep and we needed to keep praying and supporting him. So we prayed and cried together it was a special time for both of us. So now we go on waiting for the lost sheep to come into the fold. Nchlachla went home this weekend, his elder brother died last week and his three year old son, Bongimenzi, needs surgery. Bongimenzi has a problem with breathing. There is a defect in his nose that needs to be corrected by surgery. The surgery will cost about $200. We will be helping with transport costs to the hospital and have arranged for Nchlachla to see a financial counselor to work out a monthly payment plan. Please pray for Nchlachla and his family during this time of grieving for his brother and for the stress of having to take Bongimenzi into surgery and the costs related to that. We are thankful for Nchlanchla's strong faith in the Lord.
We tried calling Bonginkosi but with no success.The last we heard he was in South Africa but we aren't sure where he is or how he is doing.
Other than that, we have really been enjoying the bible study on Wednesdays at our church. Chips continues to keep us busy. We have been making plans to return to England and the States in the spring. Please continue to pray for us, that we would have strength and wisdom to deal with whatever comes our way every day and that God would continue to use us to minister to those around with His love.
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.
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