Sandy

It's been a tough week. We received an email from a friend of Jenn's sister, Sandy, on Tuesday saying that Sandy was very ill with pneumonia and other infections and was in the hospital. Jenn spent the next couple of days on the phone with the doctors and other family members in England. She had to make the difficult decisions about whether the doctors and staff should do drastic measures to save Sandy or to let her pass, since Sandy's son was out of town. Sandy did pass away on Thursday evening.

We've had numerous visitors who have dropped in to bring their condolences, which has been a great help.  Some friends of Sandy's in her bible study have also contacted us to share how much Sandy meant to them and what a blessing she was. That was so encouraging to hear and we're so thankful that Sandy is with God now.  It also looks like God is using Sandy's death to bring some reconciliation within our family.  As much as we'd want to go back for the funeral, we realize that we are not yet fit enough to make the long trip back to England. We do plan on going back at some point to get some closure.  This morning we were sharing some of our favorite memories of Sandy. She had quite the knack for taking us on 'shortcuts', when we were out and about on some excursion. However, her 'shortcuts would result in us getting lost or in adding quite a bit of time to our trip.

It happened so quickly, which was a blessing as Sandy didn't have to suffer long, and we are still reeling and trying to wrap our mind around the fact that she is gone. Please continue to lift us and our family up in your prayers. With our accident and now this, we are ready to be done with 2013. In the midst of our grief we pray that God will use this situation to really draw the rest of our family to knowing Him and bringing about reconciliation.

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.

two more goodbyes

In the last couple of weeks we have had to say goodbye to two more friends, who have succumbed to HIV and TB. It's always sad for us as we watch our friends as their health rapidly declines due to these terrible diseases. We try to do as much as we can, with getting them to the clinic and started on treatment, however sometimes our help comes too late due to denial of any illness and lack of motivation to get treatment. 

Lungile, the rural health motivator from Khomba went home to the Lord on December 10. We have many happy memories of her interacting with the children at Khomba and her favorite song was "Making Melodies in My Heart". We are sure that she is making melodies in heaven for the Lord. Lungile worked hard for Chips and was always willing to serve the sick people in the village.

Vusa went home to the Lord just before Christmas. He was 28 years old with a wife and small baby. Vusa has been very ill with HIV/TB since August. He was a believer but we are sadden by his passing, it serves to remind us what a terrible disease HIV/TB is and how Chips continues to save lives. We continue to believe that one day there will be zero new HIV infections in Swaziland.

  
Please pray for the families of Vusa and Lungile, that through this they would also come to know the Lord. We pray that each death would serve to awaken others to the need to get tested and on treatment sooner rather than later and the willingingness to prevent others from getting infected. We do praise God for these two wondeful lives and how He used Lungile and Vusa to impact others. 

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.

We're going home!

Jenn had her final doctor's appointment this week. Everyone was very impressed at how well Jenn has done with her recovery. Dr. Pruitt said that where Jenn is at, would be the equivalent of 12 weeks out of surgery as compared to the 6 weeks since her surgery.  He gave us the green light to head home. That's right, we're heading home to Swaziland on May 29th, we can't wait! 

We continue to make the rounds to the various churches that have been supporting us to give a brief talk sharing about what God has done. It's been good to catch up with everyone and we're thankful for the continued outpouring of blessings we have been getting from everyone around us. 

Tomorrow, Monday, we'll be up early and heading to Arizona to visit our dear friends there for several days. 

As we prepare in earnest for our trip home, there are still several prayer requests and needs that we have. 

• Our only vehicle in Swaziland is still in the repair shop (and has been the entire time that we have been here) needing parts from Japan. We are praying that it will be ready in time for our arrival. Otherwise, we'll probably have to rent a vehicle until it's fixed. 
• Upon our return, we will be looking for another used vehicle to purchase so we can have a second vehicle which will allow us to minister more effectively covering more ground at the same time. Please pray that the Lord will lead us to a great deal/vehicle. 
• Our monthly support is still lagging by just $250. We are thankful for the many one-time gifts that our faithful supporters have given and are so appreciative! Please pray that our monthly support would be enough to cover all our needs.
• Please pray for travel mercies both to/from Arizona and to Swaziland next week   

The time here has gone so fast. We're thankful for the many friends and supporters we have and for the opportunity to renew friendships and establish new ones. It has been such a blessing to be surrounded by so many people who care so deeply for us. We do ask one more thing, please keep in touch with us when we are home. We love to hear how you are doing and any prayer needs that we can pray for covering your needs. At this time, we don't have any plans to return to the States anytime soon so our newsletters and blog will be our primary means of communication to you (unless you contact us in another way).

Hopefully we will have Skype when we are back home and if so, will let you know our Skype name. You can contact us by email at piggwr4647[at]gmail(dot)com, by mail at PO Box 96, Vuvulane L 310, Swaziland, AFRICA or by phone (from the US) 011-268-2313-1428. 
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.

Broken hearts

Babe Shongwe

We learned this week that Babe Shongwe, an older man in Section 19, has died and it just broke our hearts. Babe Shongwe was left to die alone, no one- not even his own children- was there to care for him at the end. Daran and Teresa found him lying in his own urine, hungry, sick and dying in a dilapidated hut at the beginning of the week. The neighbors (including some of the women that have been involved with the Sewing Project and whom we have mentored) only had excuses why they weren't able to do anything to help Babe Shongwe. A few days later, Babe Shongwe went to be with Jesus. During his life, Babe Shongwe had often talked about Jesus and how he relied on God.

This news upset us greatly as we have known Babe Shongwe since we first came to Vuvulane and he was such a sweet man. It is a hard existence, one of survival, for these people, but it's frustrating to see that so many, who profess to have Jesus in their hearts, aren't willing to care for the elderly who are sick and dying. We regret that we weren't there with Babe Shongwe during his last days here on earth. Daran and Teresa had a good talk with some of the Sewing Project ladies, explaining that we show how Jesus has changed our lives through caring for others. It's our prayer that God's word would transform the hearts of those who profess God; that others around would see God in their actions and be drawn to Him. Our heart breaks for the abandoned, the elderly and children who can't take care of themselves, the sick, and the ones dying alone.  (To read more about Babe Shongwe, here is Daran and Teresa's post about it http://rehmeyers.blogspot.com/2012/05/new-command.html)

This whole time we've been in the UK and the US, we have realized that our home is in Vuvulane, where God has called us to pour out our lives ministering to these people and to train up godly leaders in the community. We pray that God would do a incredible work in these communities where the people are marginalized and have no hope on their own, that this area of Swaziland would be so transformed that it would be a light for the entire nation. Please join us in praying for the people of 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.