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.

World AIDS Day Celebration

The World AIDS Day celebration was a cool and cloudy day in Vuvulane.

 

About 300 people came out to take part in the celebration, it wasn't as many as we had hoped, but still a good turnout. 

 

There were many organizations represented who help in the fight against AIDS. 

Ian and Jabulane are manning the booth.

For the first time, Chips was asked to be a part of the celebration as an organization on the ground in this area. This was an honor to be included. We had information at our booth about what Chips does in the fight against AIDS, including HIV testing/follow-up, education about Parent 2 Child transmission of HIV(and how to minimize that), and positive living strategies.  

 

While the partnering organizations may have a different approach, we are all united in our desire to have no new HIV infections here in Swaziland by the year 2030. 

 

The people are waiting the start of the ceremony. There were speeches, drama groups, and traditional dancers telling the story of HIV through their dance. 

We pray that the message of HIV and the seriousness of it would continue to impact the community at large and that we would be able to see an AIDS Free Generation by the year 2030. While there is a lot of progress that has been made in the fight against AIDS, there is still much more to be done. 

So, for now, we will get up again tomorrow and continue our work in the community. Please continue to pray for us and the people that we serve. Wisdom, direction and provision for us; coming to know God, positive lifestyle changes and the common goal to see no new infections for the Swazi people. 

 
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.

World AIDS Day

 World AIDS Day December 1^st

It has been 25 years since HIV/AIDS was first reported in Swaziland and so on the 1^st December we will commemorate what the country has achieved in the fight against this disease:  free ARVs (antiretroviral treatments), declining Mother to Child transmission, and greater awareness.  The statement for this year is the goal of no new infections by 2030 and greater disclosure from the HIV positive people, many who fear spousal abuse and discrimination which hinders their willingness to get tested and know/share their status. 

This year the regional day will be held in Vuvulane and for the first time Chips has been asked to partner with other aid organizations by attending the event to explain what CHIPS does. We will have a table in the information tent where we will have the opportunity to explain to people why Chips is so unique here in Swaziland and what services we offer including HIV testing, initiation on ARV’s, and positive living. 

We are asking for prayer, as there could be 5000 people who may attend the event, that through the speakers and drama groups many seeds will sown to bring about behavioral changes.  Also, we pray that the men would come participate in large numbers.  Often most of the events related to HIV perhaps two men will attend and forty women.  Instead of Mother to Child transmission, Chips is now calling it Parent to Child transmission to show the men have as much as a role to play as the women in protecting a new generation from being infected.

 
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.