Freedom with a great sendoff!

Ian went back to the Doctor on the 4th and was cleared to be able go around to a couple communities close by. Hopefully at the next appointment, he will be cleared to be able to drive around. Jenn went to see her Doctor on the 5th and her cast from her ankle and wrist were both removed. She is able to walk without her walker and without the crutch/cane. Her wrist is still pretty stiff with a very limited range of motion at the moment. Jenn has started physical therapy and her therapist is a Christian. All the nurses were glad to see both of us when we went back for our checkup.
There is still more recovery that needs to happen but we trust in God as our healer. We'll be taking it slow for a while but we are very thankful for the good reports.

We went out (finally!) into the communities this week for a couple short trips. Newman and Bonginkosi gave us a royal sendoff! We were so glad to be let out of the house, it felt like the Freedom Train! It was good to be out and about and we ran into so many people who were so glad to see us.

Please continue to pray for all of us at Chips as there are a lot of transitions and changes in the works, that God would be the one to guide and direct us and that it would be His will that would be done.

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 World Is Mine

This poem was printed in our church's newsletter and it meant a lot to me. I wanted to share it with you.  Ian

                                                                         THE WORLD IS MINE

Today, upon a bus, I saw a beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful.

When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and wore a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile.

Oh, GOD, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.The lad who sold it had such charm.

I talked with him ,he seemed so glad. If I were late, it’d do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me, “I thank you, you've been so kind.

It’s nice to talk with folks like you. You see”, he said, “ I’m blind.”

Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew.

 He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said “why don’t you join them dear?”

He looked ahead without a word. I forgot , he couldn't hear.

Oh, GOD , forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I go.. With eyes to see the sunset glow.

With ears to hear what I’d know. Oh, GOD forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

If this poem makes you feel thankful, just share it with your friends

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.

Continued Thanksgiving and God at work

Here's more additions to our list of God-things and things we are thankful for.

• Mbabane Chapel praying for us. Several members came to see us when we were in the hospital. 
• Prayers and encouragement from our supporters. 
• Jenn is feeling God's presence and God is showing her various things. 
• Jenn feels the need to be more involved with the Simunye Church  and to get to know the congregation on a deeper level. 
• Ian is listening more to Jenn and is being patient with her. 
• Jenn is able to share on a more personal and deep level with Ian. 
• The Rotary grant application accepted the proposal for a new Chips khombi and Chips will be able to get it in the next few months. 
• There has been funding that has come into Chips which will allow us to expand. Chips will be able to hire a full time nurse and a couple more counselors. We will be able to have the equipment to test for CD4 levels in the field and be able to prescribe medicines in the field. Additionally we will be able to go into new communities and provide services for them. 
• Jabulane has shown a lot of difference over the last month in his car for others. 
• Jenn has been convicted about judging others on areas in her own life that need to be worked on. 
• God's people at work in our life and the community's which is amazing!
• People from the church continued to bring food all the way up until this last week when we told them to stop. 
• We're learning to be dependent on others. 
• Each day is a gift. 
• Ian is very supportive of Jenn.
• God has spared us for a reason. 
• We're learning to receive abundantly from others. 
• We can see the effect that we are having on those around us. 
• There have been numerous opportunities through out this whole time where we have been able to witness and share with others. 
• Ian continues to feel better and regain his strength. 
• Ian is able to get out and about for short times. 
• Ian got a good Dr's report this week and most restrictions were lifted. 
• Everyone around us has been fantastic. 
• The Chicken Project has been in operation for 6 months and is now turning a profit!
• The study about community, that we were in the middle of at the Simunye church at the time of the accident has really impacted a lot of people. We are on the receiving end of a true community gathered around us. 

At times it has been difficult with everyone taking over for us and that we are unable to do what we want to do when we want to do it. However, when we look at this list, we are able to see that God has a purpose for this (though we don't know exactly what yet) and He is working through the accident and the recovery time. 

We expect all the changes with Chips to be implemented  about the same time that we are able to get back to work. Maybe we needed a time of rest before all these changes come about. 

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.

Thankful list

The last six weeks have been difficult at times, dealing with the frustrations and limitations of our injuries.  In order to keep our perspective on what God is doing, we have started a list of things we are thankful for and ways we see God at work.

• ·       Jabulane-sees the value of community and wants to join the Simunye Church
• ·       Getting a loaner crutch
• ·       Bonginkosi wants to join the Simunye Church
• ·       Mary sees a true community in action.
• ·       Umpopoli’s visits with lots of tears and prayers to the Lord for saving us, his prayers for our healing (he’s a non-believer)
• ·       Simunye Church-brought the service to us, with a total of 16 people in our living room. 
• ·       More communication between us and realizing we need each other.
• ·       Being able to talk with and get wisdom from Pastor Dana, as well as prayer  and support
• ·       Thembili- taking over the household duties and coming more often
• ·       Many people praying for us around the world.
• ·       Gogo in tears about our situation
• ·       Cops praying for us and stopping Jabulane and Mary to pass on messages for us 
• ·       Ian-physical progress
• ·       Forgiveness toward the truck driver
• ·       People in the community are touched by our example and they really care for us
• ·       Food from the church
• ·       Martha cooking different types foods
•        John and Kay West- greater friendship and help with many things
• ·       Realize how much we need each other
• ·       The blessing of Charissa-more than our own children
• ·       Time and strength to deal with things from the past
• ·       Daran bringing cheese
• ·       Teresa’s visits
• ·       A good surgeon for Jenn and being able to minister to him
• ·       Prayer and support and friendship when we are unable to continue.
• ·        A great OT who has been able to come to the 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.