Ian and Jenn Stephens are missionaries working with C.H.I.P.S, Children HIV Intervention Programme in Swaziland, to help the orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic in Swaziland, Africa. Their home base is in Vuvulane and they travel around to various communities testing for HIV, assessing medical needs and treatment options, teaching job skills, providing workshops, and occasionally conducting Crossroads training (character building/positive living/HIV & abstinence). Ian and Jenn's main desire is to share the love of Jesus for each of these precious children while working towards fulfilling the vision of a HIV free Swaziland.

CHIPS Video

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Trip to the big city!

Trip to the big city of Manzini.
Jabulane and Mary came along with us when we went to Manzini with two goals: get the supplies for the Vaseline Project so that the Ladies Group of Maphiveni can start production and to gather enough food to make up 10 food parcels to hand out (each food parcel will feed a family of 4-5 for a month). It was a hot day and we went to several shops to compare the prices for the best deal. We finally found what we needed and headed back.
 
Ian and Jabulane are bringing the supplies to the khombi.
 
Jabulane is loading the supplies for the Vaseline Project. This project will provide an income earning option for the ladies of Maphiveni. Often, women here in Swaziland don't have many honest opportunities to earn an income to support their family. It is the desire of Chips to use the readily available resources of Swaziland and to train the women, especially, marketable skills which will empower them and change the course of their family.  Quite a bit of the profits will be paid to the ladies, with a portion going to Chips and the remainder going towards purchasing more supplies.

 Mineral spirits are used in the production of Vaseline. Unfortunately, Bethusile, the coordinator of the Ladies Group at Maphiveni, is out of town this week and we'll have to wait for her to return to start up the Vaseline Project.
 Mary is unloading the maize meal which will be separated into the food parcels which we'll pass out to those who are in most desperate need for food and nutrition.    

Thanks to your generous support, the Vaseline Project will be able to start helping several women provide for their families and several food parcels will be given to the hungry. If you would like to help with either of these projects/needs you can donate at www.WorldOutreach.org into our account. Please drop us a note to tell us how you want your donation to be applied. 


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.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

New Babies and 'Dying Henry'


We visited with Bongsile this week. She is expecting twins and due any day. Bongsile was in the Rav when it was totaled and we are thankful that God protected her and the babies during the accident. 

We check often on our pregnant mums throughout their pregnancy to make sure that they are doing the right things and eating well. It is our hope to educate the mothers about healthy prenatal care as well as the risks of and ways to prevent mother to child (M2C) transmission of HIV.  For this reason, we try and monitor the expectant mums closely especially near their due date so that we can transport them to the hospital for the birth.  

Our efforts at educating the mums has been very successful. M2C transmission of HIV was 10% in 2008 and this year, 2012, the transmission rate is a mere 2.5%. This is such a huge praise report and we will continue to strive for 0% and an HIV free generation.

Please pray for Bongsile as she prepares to bring two babies into the world, that the delivery will go well and that she will know the Father who gave His only Son on her behalf. 

Recently, we were getting ready to go out into the settlements to do home visits for some of the folks who have just been initiated on ARV's when Mary kept getting frantic phone calls from Henry, a new patient. We thought he was dying and decided to make a quick hike through the cane fields to check on him (the khombi wasn't starting). It was 100' or more that day and when we arrived at the homestead, Henry was up walking around-just a little queasy. 
Thankfully the visit wasn't a complete wash as Henry is Thembi's brother and we had a nice visit with Thembi. Thembi is the lady who had had the stroke and is now up and walking around, getting stronger daily.  Afterwards, we had to make the return hike. Apparently we need to teach the true meaning of 'Emergency'!

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.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Housing for Elderly: Mkhulu Phineos

Mkhulu Phineos is an elderly gentleman whose house we are rebuilding thanks to the donations to the Housing for Elderly project.

It took a while for the builders to gather all the logs needed to frame the house.
The wooden frames are then filled in with rocks carefully placed together and held with wire. This makes a very sturdy wall and protection from the elements.
Our builder Moses is inspecting the work that has been done. He has been working on Phineus's home and another home with a great sense of urgency and purpose. We see God's hand at work in Moses's life as well.
Phineus and Moses
The roof is now on, but they weren't able to cover it with plaster (a mud and cement mix) before it started raining. It's been raining non-stop since Thursday. We'll have to wait a few days after the rains subside so that the house can dry out enough to be plastered. 

Mkhulu Phineus was moved to tears that people in America care enough about him to rebuild his house.
 
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.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Crippled Vehicles

The Chips khombi (bus) continues to be in and out of the shop being fixed. The latest problem is the suspension. Last week, when the khombi was in the shop getting fixed, Jabulane had to drive the Rav (the other Chips vehicle) to take patients to the hospital for check-ups. Jabulane and his pasengers were in an accident that totaled the Rav. Thankfully everyone is ok, but now we are down a vehicle completely and still don't have use of the khombi, which seats 13.   This puts a great strain on us as there are still patients that need to get to the hospital for check-ups or emergency care and we have to use our personal vehicles at this point for transport. There is 3-5 hospital runs per week since we have so many clients.   We at Chips desperately need another khombi that is in top shape in order to continue the constant transport of patients.   We are joining with Daran and Teresa in asking our faithful supporters to share with your circle of connections this great need that Chips is facing. A good vehicle/khombi will probably cost about $50,000 USD. It is costly up front but in the long run it will save us money and time as it won't have to be constantly repaired.   Having the second khombi (that's reliable) and the first as a back up will allow us to continue to serve the needs of our many clients and get them to the care that they so despartely need.  We have to continue with transporting patients to/from the hospital several times a week until God opens the door so we can have our own clinic in the Maphiveni area. Please pray with us that God would provide our immediate need of a vehicle and also that He would provide a way for the bigger need of having a Chips clinic/community center.   If you would like to help with this need, 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.

Once you donate, please drop us a line to let us know the intent of your gift.

Speaking of gifts, we still have the matching gift challenge for the Chicken Project going on, would you like to help?

We couldn't do any of this without your continued prayers and support and we appreciate you very much. Thanks for joining with us in petitioning our God who supplies all our needs.

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Section 19 Woman's Support Group Floor Polish Micro-Industry