Food parcels and Counseling

When we have a surplus of veggies from our garden or have extra funds designated for food parcels, we are able to pass out food to those Chips clients who need it the most. Having the funds to be able to purchase food and being able to give to the hungry is such a ministry that we are a part of, and will impact more and more people in a huge way as the cost of maize meal is going to increase by about 44% in the coming year. That hike will hit these people very hard when they already often struggle to have food daily and maize meal is their main staple. 

Ian is passing out a food parcel to this woman. 

Please join us in praying that the funds, that we are stewards over, would be able to accommodate the basic survival needs of these precious people. If you would like to donate money designated towards food parcels, please donate at the link below (in the PS section of this post) and then email us letting us know your intentions for the donation. A basic food parcel costs about $10 USD. We're so thankful for our supporters and the heart that you have for the Swazi people and that you send us in such a way that we can daily impact their lives, even with something as basic as food for the week. 

Mary is counseling a woman who has HIV and has just become a Chips client and started on ART's. We clear up the myths and misconceptions about HIV/AIDS, emphasize the importance of taking ART's regularly  and consistently, and that the key to living a quality life with HIV is positive living (fidelity to one partner, protection, and taking care of general health etc.) 

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 twins

Constance and Nkosikhona, the 3 month old old twins from Khomba are both doing very well. Praise God! They are growing well and thriving. We tested them in the last couple of weeks and are still awaiting their results. 

Mkhulu Ian is holding Constance and Gogo Jenn is holding Nkosikhona.

Our favorite part of the work we do is getting to snuggle with the twins and love on them. Since moving here to Swaziland we've 'gained' additional kids and grandbabies. As we look into their sweet faces, we know why we have come here to Swaziland. 

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.

Sikhumbuzo Kaumalo

Sikhumbuzo Kaumalo is 34 and a father of 3 children, living in Macetuka. When Sikhumbuzo came into the Chips program April of 201!, he was very sick and unable to provide for his family. At the beginning of May he was initiated on to HAART.

Sikhumbuzo has done very well on the treatments. Now he is stable, feels fit and is in good health. This proud father is eagerly seeking employment to provide for his growing family. Please pray that Sikhumbuzo will continue to regain his health and will find a steady job that will provide for the needs of his family.

Thank you for supporting Chips and people like Sikhumbuzo!

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.

Is it a swing or a smile?

What's made from an old tire and hangs in the tree? 

A Tire Swing! 

Often the simplest things bring great joy and big smiles to these kids. Looks like Mkhulu Ian is having lots of fun too! 

What is something simple in your life that brings you joy like this? We'd like to hear what makes you smile through your comments. When we think of you and your generous support, it brings a smile to our face, Thanks! 

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.

A Reminder to be Thankful

We had good bible study this last week. Dr. Bongi who does not usually say a lot made a plea to the Swazis in the group to become responsible, work hard and then we can send missionaries to America where they are so badly needed. 

God put us here for a reason. The people in the local communities are asking are we really leaving (for the UK and USA in March) and why. They want to know about Chips and mainly if we are coming back. We don’t normally think about that through God we do make an impact on the lives of the people we serve in the village and surrounding communities on a daily basis. Often we get caught up in the busyness of life and we don’t stop just to thank God for the blessing of serving Him here and how He is using us. 

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 back into the swing of things

It has been a busy week! We have a lot of new patients starting on ARV's so first we do a lot of pre-counsel about positive living and explaining HIV. Then after they start medication, we go back to check on how they are doing and to count the pills to make sure they are taking them.  For the first time in about six months we had a baby tested positive for HIV. This baby has just come into the Chips program and the parents and other siblings are also positive. We will need to give the family a lot of counseling especially about mother to child transmission.  We have been blessed this last six months; all the babies born to moms in the program have tested negative for HIV. 

Other news from the three ring circus that we call home, that awaited us upon our return,. Sifiso got a bad burn on his leg and fortunately it is healing. Nchlachla has been having a hard time dealing with his brother's death and is very anxious about his son's surgery. We were able to pray with Nchlachla and that seemed to help. Please continue to pray for him as he faces his son's surgery, for peace, that the surgery would go well with no complications, healing would be quick, and that God would provide the money for it. Ncomsile, the gal who cleans our house and the rural health motivator for Section 19, was all worried about the new sewing project that has been started in Section 19. Apparently it is not going well and she is having problems with money. Teresa and Jenn will have to sort out the issues that have arisen with the sewing project. 

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.

Mission accomplished!

We were blessed to have a friend pay for our stay at the Bed and Breakfast in Mbabane. It was a nice trip, we got to visit with many people most of whom we haven't seen in quite some time. That was good to catch up with everyone. Our time at the Embassy and Government's Immigration Department went very well. We were in and out in 90 minutes which is a great time! Now we just have to return in 3 weeks to get our passports and new resident visas. Thank you so much for lifting that up in prayer!  One night was spent having an enjoyable dinner with Daran and Teresa and their family. We got to hear all the kids' plans and visit with Daran and Teresa. They filled our vehicle to the brim with clothing donations that Daran had brought back, along with medical supplies and books to pass out. That will keep us busy for a couple of weeks.

We have heard that the Brown buildings has been taken off the market for now. It would be nice to be able to purchase those buildings to expand Chips. If it is the will of God, we know that it will happen in the right timing. Please pray for us that we would have faith in what God is doing and will do, and that He will provide abundantly for this huge need to expand Chips and the resources to do so.


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.

Paperwork and Visas

We came to Mbabane yesterday and will be here for a couple of days in order to get our temporary visas and paperwork completed for our trip to the UK and USA in the spring.  It will be nice to get away for a couple of days and stay in a bed and breakfast. We will see Daran and Teresa on Friday and be able to catch up with them.

Please pray that everything goes smoothly with our paperwork and visas and that we are able to complete them in one trip. Also, please pray that we would have a good time of rest and fellowship.


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.

Scholarships make such a difference

January is quickly approaching, which means the start of the new school term. We would like to have the funds available to help sponsor kids who can’t afford the additional fees.  The average annual cost for one student is $200 or $17/month (though the costs increase as students get into high school). Can you help?

   Eric, who is 17 and one of the kids who received a scholarship last year, came to see us in recently. He shared how his Gogo died recently and that he is a double orphan, but that he loves Jesus and has a desire to help people. Eric would love to be involved with building homes for the elderly, providing food for orphans and widows. He has one more year of school left, but would like to transfer to another high school that has IT capabilities and then go to college to become an accountant. After he is finished with college, Eric would like to start his own business.  

   Thankfully, we had just received a notice from a faithful supporter that they had contributed enough money for two scholarships. One of these will be given to Eric so that he can finish his last year of high school.  As you can see, sponsoring a scholarship does make a huge difference in the lives of the recipients and in the lives of those that they will be able to impact upon completion of their education! 


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.