LomaLungelo

LomoLungelo was so sick and malnourished when we first met her. We were so worried about her and wondered if we might lose her.

Your generous support allowed us to provide the food and medical care for LomaLungelo to give her another chance at life. Thank you!

Look at her now. She is dancing and talking and running around. We are so thankful to see God's healing hand in LomaLungelo's little life. Thank you for your continued support. 

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.

Vusile: 2010 and 2015

Remember little Vusile? This picture was taken when we first meet Vusile in 2010. He had vision problems, a dislocated shoulder, crooked legs, was severely malnourished, has HIV, was abandoned by his mother, and often neglected by his father. Our hearts went out to Vusile and we started making sure he received the food and care he needs.  We never thought he would talk, walk, or go to school.

His father remarried, and the new wife started taking good care of Vusile.

Look at Vusile now, five years later. His care has dramatically improved as has his health. He won't stop talking, laughs and runs around constantly. He will be going to school. He still has some vision problems, and some physical struggles, but his HIV is being managed well and he is receiving appropriate nutrition. 

We are so thankful that God used us to intervene in Vusile's life, and used your generous support, to make a huge difference in the life of this vulnerable child. God cares for each of us just like, He cares for Vusile. We are so excited to see how God has worked in Vusile's life. 

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.

An amazing Christmas give-away!

(Warning: lots of pictures of happy kids)

  What can we say?  God is Amazing! Over 220 children heard the Christmas message, sang songs, danced, played games, received gifts, goodies and had a lot of fun at our Christmas give away.  

There was enough donated that we were able to bless three communities Mgldzangcunu, Section 19 and Khomba, even though we said we were only doing Mgldzangcunu, but God had other plans!

After we had given out all of the gifts, Ncamsile, one of the mothers at Section 19, came to us and said “It is the river of God. It flows from our friends in America, through the Stephens and out into the children and we must not stop the river from flowing. You can see it in the children’s faces as they received their gifts and opened them.”

 
    We want to thank you for opening your hearts to provide gifts for over 220 children. Your generous donations put really big smiles on the faces of so many destitute children. We hope you enjoy the pictures, which say more than the words we can express.

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.

New Hope Children's Ministry

New Hope Children’s Ministry is Christian home for orphaned and vulnerable children. Fanzile recently was placed here at this home. As part of their curriculum, the students and teachers visit other schools to evangelize the good news of Jesus through drama, memory verses and songs.

 The children do a great job in their teaching and we were blessed to be invited to their performance at Vuvulane primary school. 

Fanzile is in the second row with the yellow shirt. He is in such a better place at New Hope Children's Ministry and we are thankful that he is out of the abusive situation with his family.

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.

Macetuka and Section 19 Bible studies

I decided to use the self-timer function on the camera to show you two of the bible studies that I am teaching.  This first picture is of the group in Macetuka. 

One of the men took it upon himself to build a structure where we will have our meetings. That way we will be out of the rain/sun. It is encouraging to see how the people are taking initiative and responsibility for the bible studies.  Both of these bible studies are growing in number. We continue to pass out bibles to those who want it (that is always an ongoing need we have, for money so we can purchase more Bibles.)

This group is the one at Section 19. Both groups were so amazed that I can actually have the camera take a picture of the group with me in the picture (and not touching the camera). They enjoyed seeing themselves in the picture when we were finished.

Jenn has started going to Khomba weekly since the people there are so hungry for the word of God. She taught on Matthew 18 about forgiveness to Khomba and the people were really responsive, saying that there is a spirit of disharmony there. However, when she taught the same message at Mgldzangcunu there wasn't a lot of positive feedback. Bongingkosi even said it was too hard of a topic and shouldn't be discussed. Well we share what the Lord has placed on our hearts and we know that He will cause the growth. 

Keep praying that we would be given wisdom and for soft hearts of the people in the communities. 

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.

Anniversary/birthday trip

For our Silver Anniversary and Ian's birthday (they are on the same day) we decided to go up to the Nisela Game Reserve in Southern Swaziland. 

The accommodations were wonderful and we thoroughly enjoyed our time away!

We took our new tablet with us and played with the self-timer for a photo-shoot. 

It is such a blessing to know that God has given us one heart for this ministry and the people of Swaziland and that we can share in this ministry as a team. 

We celebrated our anniversary with a special dinner, pizza under the stars. 

Sibiso was our guide on the trip and we enjoyed talking with him.

We saw deer

Ostrich

Zebra

and Giraffe. 

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.

Visiting evangelism team from Kentucky

We are so thankful for the Team from Kentucky who came on the 22^nd of July and spent four days visiting the communities served by Chips.  Rodney, Miles, Peggy, Alvin and Michelle were a real blessing and encouragement to us and we really appreciated their prayers over our ministry and lives.

The gospel was shared with many people hungry to know God in Mgldzangcunu. 

We were refreshed and renewed personally and so glad to see that the "embers were stirred" among the people that we serve.

The team was wonderful to work alongside of as we prayed with adults and children for healing. Some people prayed for Salvation and others for release from abusive situations.

We ask for continued prayer for the Swazi people that they will  receive discipleship and encouragement as they continue to grow spiritually through the different churches and our Bible studies that are in the communities. 

Peggy and Jenn praying for healing at section 19

Michelle and Bonginkhosi praying for children at section 19

So many wonderful things happened when God shows up! Healing miracles take place, people are set free from the bondage of  spiritual darkness and oppression, and lives changed when redemption and salvation come into their lives. Amen to God be the Glory!

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.

Silver Anniversary

Ian surprised me on Sunday with a cake to celebrate our Silver Anniversary. It is always fun to celebrate with our church family.  

We are taking a trip to northern Swaziland for a couple of days to celebrate our anniversary and Ian's birthday which happens to be on the same day.  

We're thankful to the Lord for giving us 25 years together and know that we are an example of a long lasting marriage especially here. May God get all the glory!  

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.

Salt of the World

As you know we have been doing bible studies in several of the communities that we serve. The response has been great, with more people in attendance each week. The people are so hungry for the Word to be planted and watered in their hearts, and keep asking for Bibles that they can have in their own language. (Providing Bibles is an on-going request. If you would like to contribute towards this need, you can follow the instructions at the bottom of the post to donate towards providing Bibles.) We spend a lot of time each week teaching in these various Bible Studies.

Here are the Bible Studies that Ian has been teaching.

Section 19 has just started their Bible Study and meet every two weeks on Wednesday afternoons. They have been covering Acts 1, Acts 2, the early church and Peter's Sermon. About 30 people have come and this group loves to sing! 

Macetuka meet every week on  Tuesday afternoons. The past studies here have included Joseph, the Exodus, Holy week etc. They are currently in a 4 week series of Ruth and will study Acts next. 

Chips devotionals  Ian teaches the devotional Monday and Friday mornings every week and teaches what ever the Lord shows puts on his heart to share. 

Jenn has been teaching at these locations

Khomba is a fairly new Bible study and they meet Thursday afternoons every other week. They have covered Simeon and Anna, and Hannah. Bonginkosi has shared his testimony from a man's point of view about supporting one's wife when she is going through difficult circumstances. There are several people willing to share their testimonies. 

 Chips devotionals on Wednesday mornings every week and teaches what the Lord puts on my heart  such as faith, or walking with God. 

Mgldzangcunu meet Monday afternoons every other week. They have covered Esther, Lot's wife, Hannah, Ruth, and Rahab. One Bible Study at Mgldzangcunu was  titled “Salt of the world" based on Matthew 5:13. We had 22 people who attended the Bible study and they all received an amazing prize of a bag of salt for  having the correct answer! It was a fun afternoon and lots of interaction. 

Attendees with their salt. 

Please continue to pray for us that God will give us wisdom on what to teach about and that He would speak through our words and impact the hearts of those we serve. We have come to see ourselves, not as pastors, but as teachers or shepherds and we know that only God can implant His Word into people's hearts. Pray for the people that they would come to know God in a very personal way and that their lives would be changed.  

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.

Growing spinach and tomatoes!

We were amazed at the progress that had been made at the Vuvulane Primary School in the two weeks that we were in the UK. Take a look for yourself! 

Areo, the principal,and Lindiwe,the secretary, were sharing the garden project progress with us.

The children had been busy hoeing the land  and getting it ready to plant. 

Each child had their own little plot in which they had planted tomatoes and spinach.  

Every day the children were out in the garden watering and weeding and tending their little plants.  

It was amazing to see how much progress had been made since when we had left, this was just a dream/goal that Principal Aero had shared with us.  

The children were so pleased with their garden. The food from these little plots will go to help feed the children who come to school, often with very little food at home. 

Ian led another devotional with the children at the primary school. It is such a blessing to see these sweet faces learning about God and watching them grow.  

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.