Sitting on the Veranda

There's a gentleman who makes bamboo furniture and sells it by the roadside.  He does excellent work and we applaud him for coming up with a creative idea to be gainfully employed and support his family. He is an example in an area where many are unemployed and have no real desire to work with one's hands to provide for one's family. After admiring his work for quite some time, we decided to purchase some veranda furniture. 

Isn't it nicely made? 

We enjoy sitting out on the veranda and having a cup of tea.  

Bonginkosi is telling 'Mammy' (Jenn) what she should be doing. Newman is also in on the fun! We're thankful for both guys and the laughs/conversations we can share. 

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.

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.

Newman's Dismissal

It's with heavy hearts that we've had to dismiss Newman from his job as our gardener this week. Despite multiple chances and warnings, he continued to drink and neglect his responsibilities. There were several instances of behaviors/actions that were specifically against the policies we have in place for our employees and no remorse when we would confront him. 
As part of his dismissal, we had to tell Newman that he was no longer welcome to stay in the house on our property and he and his son Colani would have to leave.  That was a really hard thing to do, especially concerning Colani whom we have grown very fond of and hate to see him suffer for choices his father has made. 

 All along it has been our prayer that we would be able to be used of God to bring Newman to a personal relationship with Him. We will continue to pray that God gets a hold of Newman's heart as well as Colani's. It is also sad to see Newman neglect his responsibilities as a father especially during a time when Colani needs a good strong relationship with his father. 
Please lift them up in prayer and us as well at this difficult time. We are looking for another gardener and pray that God will bring the right person to us. 

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.

Jenn's Reflections

There were/are so many things that I was looking forward to in our return to Swaziland. I am thankful to be home again and to begin to take part of my home church here.  It will be good to see Sifiso and hear how his new job is going, though we’ll miss his nightly visits as our night guard.  It will be good to catch up with Newman and see how he is doing with his drinking. He did well at taking care of the garden in our absence, it looks great.  I can’t wait to go to the different villages with Mary and sharing the Word together, those are always good times of discipleship, and it will be good to spend time with Jabulane. 

It will be a bit strange to be home, though I felt like I was gone way too long. Both Julia and Babe Shwnage won’t be here. Sifiso won’t be dropping by on his nightly rounds (due to his new job). It will be an adjustment re-learning how to deal with all the daily drama that needs to be taken care of quickly.  When we were in the States, all the news from back home weren’t very positive which just reaffirmed that there is so much we still need to do here in Swaziland and our work is far from finished. 

It was nice to have lunch on Mother’s Day in England with my daughter Rebekah and grandsons, Danial and Thomas. It’s amazing to see how all my grandchildren, Megan, Danial, and Thomas have all grown up into young adults and are continuing on with their lives like going to the university.  I was very impressed to see a young pastor in England, Pastor Malc.  He has such a fire and passion to spread the word. There are so many young pastors in England that want to bring revival to the people and it’s really encouraging to see.

It was great to see Jeremy and Charissa and everyone else in AZ. We had a great time meeting Charissa’s grandparents and visiting with them.  Everyone in Arizona was so welcoming and we just felt like we were part of the family which meant a lot. 

The biggest change that I have noticed since being in the States is the technology, it just blows my mind. I do like the convenience of everything in the States but not enough to come back. There is an extremely fast pace of life in the States which is too much for me and I don’t like it one bit.  I much prefer the slower pace of life in Vuvulane.

I enjoyed going to all the churches and seeing people that I knew. But I felt that the churches were lacking a dynamic interest in reaching the lost world with the Gospel, which was sad.  We did go to one church that was really on fire for the Lord and that was encouraging. The Church in America needs revival and needs to become willing to take the Gospel to those who so desperately need it. The time is short and we want to/need to take as many people with us as we can.

I am so thankful for everyone who was involved with my care during surgery, therapy and afterwards.  They were all good listeners, patient, understanding, had a good sense of humor and were very encouraging. According to Pastor Harry I am a blessed and fortunate woman because I’ve recovered from my knee surgery in half the time it would take an ordinary person.  The entire time that I was away, I had a quest to find fresh strawberries and to try a snow cone for the first time. I was able to accomplish both of those goals and now am ready to return home.

It’s been a time when I’ve had to be completely dependent on others, which I have never had to do; previously I’ve only depended on God.  I’ve had to learn how to receive and be grateful. Ian’s been a good coach and together we’ve made it through this time as a team.  It is so good to be home and I am looking forward to getting back into our ‘normal’ (if you can call it that) routine. Please pray that we can transition well back into life here and that my knee would continue to heal.  

Thankfully there was enough money donated towards the reagent shortage that 100 Chips patients can get tested this month.

 
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.

Sometimes it's like a 3-ring circus

It has been a crazy last couple of weeks here in the village above and beyond the work with Chips.

Mary's father had a stroke about a month ago, physically he is doing well but mentally he is very depressed and suicidal. Mary goes to Mozambique as often as she can to care for him. Please pray that he will find the God of all comfort and joy.

A week ago Sifiso had an allergic reaction . He could not breath, his face swollen and he was grey. That resulted in a quick trip to the emergency clinic where they gave him shots and medication. He is doing a whole lot better but after I questioned him at length about what he had eaten etc. he told me raw wild honey. I told him to not to eat any more, he was very frightened. Sifiso is still trying to start up his photography business and still has chickens but now they have fleas. He is also on the lookout for a good Christian wife. Please pray for Sifiso that God will bring a godly wife and that his business ventures will prosper.

Lately Newman has been really struggling with the alcohol addiction. Last Wednesday he showed up for church and we discovered he was as drunk as a skunk.  He did not act out in church but sat right at the back away from everyone. The next day Ian talked to him and then he came to apologize to me. I told him I was upset by his behavior and my heart was sad but I forgave him. If we have any further incidents we are going to suspend him for a week and send him back to Macetuka to think through what he has done. He has shown up to work after drinking once or twice since that incident. Newman is still coming to bible study which is good. Please continue to pray that this spiritual battle would be won and that Newman would come to acknowledge Jesus as his savior and his life would be changed.

Newman's son, Colani, comes and stays with him on the weekends. Colani just turned 16 and we celebrated with chocolate cake. Colani attends church with us when he can.

Nchlachla was very quiet and upset about Newman drinking. He told me that he had forgiven Newman and Newman is the lost sheep and we needed to keep praying and supporting him.  So we prayed and cried together it was a special time for both of us. So now we go on waiting for the lost sheep to come into the fold. Nchlachla went home this weekend, his elder brother died last week and his three year old son, Bongimenzi, needs surgery. Bongimenzi  has a problem with breathing. There is a defect in his nose that needs to be corrected by surgery. The surgery will cost about $200. We will be helping with transport costs to the hospital and have arranged for Nchlachla to see a financial counselor to work out a monthly payment plan. Please pray for Nchlachla and his family during this time of grieving for his brother and for the stress of having to take Bongimenzi into surgery and the costs related to that. We are thankful for Nchlanchla's strong faith in the Lord.

We tried calling Bonginkosi but with no success.The last we heard he was in South Africa but we aren't sure where he is or how he is doing.

Other than that, we have really been enjoying the bible study on Wednesdays at our church. Chips continues to keep us busy. We have been making plans to return to England and the States in the spring. Please continue to pray for us, that we would have strength and wisdom to deal with whatever comes our way every day and that God would continue to use us to minister to those around with His love. 

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.

When the Lord builds a house

We are so thankful for God's provision! Not only did we receive more than enough donations to re-build a home for Mkhulu Shandu, the actual building has progressed really quickly especially in light of how long everything normally takes here in Swaziland to get done.

A beautiful new roof that fits snugly on the walls!

Shandu will have a window in his house for the very first time! 

The inside of the house looks very spacious when compared to the old house. 

We showed up at the Maphiveni care point just in time to join the children for breakfast. Jenn is trying sour porridge. Sour porridge is a basic Swazi breakfast, maize meal is soaked in water overnight and it starts to ferment and then in the morning it is cooked.  It is a very thin porridge and it was different but I (Jenn) could get used to it. The sugar did help, but I don't think I will make it on a regular basis. 

Both Nchlachla and Newman have been joining us for Bible Study on Wednesday's. Nchlachla is such a good role model for Newman and patiently explains the things of God to Newman. Newman is seriously contemplating the gospel and has expressed an interest in going to church. Please pray for Newman at this time, that his heart would be drawn to knowing the One true God and that God would completely deliver him from the addiction of alcohol. Jabulane and Mary have also expressed interest in joining us on Wednesday nights. Pretty soon we will have to load up the khombi and will be bringing half the group!

Ian and Jabulani took the khombi to Manzini this week to get it checked out and were able to pick up the Rav which had been in the shop for repairs. They returned with the Rav but had to leave the khombi for a week to get fixed! It seems like we just switch the vehicles in the shop every week.

Another ministry partner, Corrine, is providing an income opportunity for some of the ladies in Section 19. They had their first meeting on Thursday of this week and will be sewing hand bags to sell. We ask that this venture would be blessed and that it would open up many doors for the women of Section 19.

The rains have come and we will soon be planting maize. The rest of the crops are all doing well. We recently have heard from several of our ministry partners back in the States and have been blessed and encouraged by the correspondence. Living here in Vuvulane can be quite isolated at times and we struggle with feeling isolated, lonely and disconnected from those we love.

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.

Newman: growing in health and hope

Newman would often see the Chips kombi at Macetuka and ask to be tested, but he was always drunk and we refused to do testing on him. One day in September 2010, he showed up at the testing site sober and we tested him for HIV.  The results came back that Newman was  positive. His wife had died many years ago from AIDS and he had a fourteen year old son Colani.  After the testing, Newman was counseled many times about how dangerous alcohol usage was while being on ART.  He has made significant progress since then. Newman is employed as our gardener and has a home of his own; his CD4 count is increasing and he is putting on weight. Newman continues to battle his addiction to alcohol.

Newman

Chips transports him to Good Shepherd  hospital for his refills and doctor visits.  He continues to receive counseling. At this point in time Newman refuses to attend church and talk about God but we believe with  prayer, encouragement and love that his life will continue to significantly improve. Newman has been a blessing to us and it's under his hands that our garden has produced as much surplus that it has.

Newman and Colani
Colani has been visiting Newman over the last couple of weeks since there was first a school break and then now the teachers are on strike.  We took Colani to church with us today. Both Newman and Nchlancha (our day security guard) have expressed interested in attending our church with us at some point and we continue to pray that would come about in God's timing. It has been very good to see Colani work alongside his dad and hear the laughter and friendly bantering over games coming from Newman's house. 

Nchlancha just turned 28 and went home to his homestead to celebrate with his wife and son. Sifiso is at a revivial for the weekend. It's quite without the two guys around and we are looking forward to their return. 

The foundation has been laid for Shandu's house. Please pray that everything is delivered and the construction goes along in a timely manner, without being impeded by the coming rains. 

Daran, Chips Director, is in the States raising money for the purchase of the Brown buildings. They haven't sold since Chips had to retract the initial offer. Please pray that God would provide the complete finances to purchase these buildings and to maintain/operate them after the purchase. After seeing the outpouring of support for Shandu's house, we know that God can certainly provide in the same manner in this request.

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.

Incredible Provision

Thank you to those who responded to our request about Mxolisi and Eric. Your generous donations were enough to cover both of the two boys school fees so that they can return to school this week. It's amazing to see God work through His people to meet specific needs.
 
We are so thankful to God that He provides for us through our faithful suppporters. There might be some confusion about the finances and why it is that we often make requests for additional support. The financial support given to us has two different purposes. First of all, our personal monthly support which enables us to be here in Swaziland and to be used to minister to those around us. Our needs are faithfully being met every month by you and we are so grateful for that.
 
Secondly, in order to help meet immediate needs of the Swazis, we have established a general fund. These financial gifts are above and beyond our monthly support needs and are used to help a variety of people, including Mxolisi, as the needs arise. We continue to pray for direction on what the best use of these funds would be and that they would make a difference and bring blessing into people's lives. If a desperate need arises and there isn't enough money in the general fund there are times where we have dipped into our personal account to help provide a solution.

Ncomsile and her son Thabiso

Recently, monies in the General Fund have been used to help Ncomsile, our househelp and Section 19 Rural Health motivator, to start a candle business. It is time to cut the sugar cane and there are a lot of seasonal workers who come to Section 19. She is planning to use the funds to pay for her children's school fees.
 

Newman harvesting maize to distrubute in the communities

Newman has also been the receipiant of gifts from the General fund. We were able to give enough money to buy him a bicycle so that he won't have to walk 40 minutes to work one way and so he can visit his son who lives in a different village without having to pay the bus fare. In the near future, we hope to outfit the small quarters on our land with furnature and dishes so that we can offer Newman a place to live. It's our hopes to surround Newman with positive role models, Sifiso, Nchlachla(Lucky) and Ian, to help Newman overcome his alcohol addiction.

These are a few examples of how your gifts to the general fund are spent, but our primary focus is to take care of medicine and food needs for children and the elderly. As you can imagine, the requests for assistance are never ending. Please pray that God would give us wisdom on how to handle these needs and to make the most of the generous gifts in our general fund. Also please pray that God would continue to meet all these needs as they come up.  If you would like to be a part of meeting these needs, you can donate by following the information in the PS section of this post.

We do greatly appreciate your generous monthly support and the additional gifts desginated for helping the Swazi people. 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 http://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.

Stepping out on Faith

The offer on the Brown buildings was turned down. Chips has made another increased offer on the buildings and we are waiting to hear back from the lawyers. We did find out from Pastor Dana, the pastor of the church we attend in Simonye, that in the past quite a few offers have been made to purchase these buildings but the Brown family has always turned them down. If you would continue to join us in prayer about this, that would be very appreciated. It will be a large step of faith for Chips if the offer is accepted but we know that God is the God of the impossible and provides for all our needs.

The Brown Buildings

Pastor Dana and his wife Astrid have become very interested in Chips and have come out with us on some community visits so that they can get a good idea of how the Simonye church can come alongside Chips with support. A couple ideas are food and warm clothing boxes. Praise the Lord for that extra support especially since we are heading into winter.

Sifiso was baptized recently and loves Jesus. There are a few requests on his behalf. The new security company (that employed Sifiso as our night guard) is very strict on their rules and will fire someone for any infraction including something as simple as wearing the wrong color shirt to work or a shirt that is too long. This is quite the daily challenge for the employees. For a long time Sifiso has been wanting to start his own business of taking pictures and raising chickens and is weighing the option of breaking off from the security company at this time in order to do that. Please pray for Sifiso that he would have wisdom as to what direction God would have him go at this time and that while he is still employed at the security company he would be able to obey the rules easily.

Bonginkosi called us last week from South Africa. He is very unhappy at his new jobs in the coal mines there in South Africa and sounded very lonely. Please keep him in your prayers that God would encourage him and help him to view his job as a blessing and a ministry opportunity.

Newman is struggling with the desire for alcohol again and we are praying about how to best help and support him in this time. Please pray that he would get a special touch from Jesus and that the desire for alcohol would be removed completely from his 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.

It's Planting Time

This is a hanging garden often seen here in Swaziland as most of the people don't have any land to have a real garden. They use old soda bottles for their containers and the plants also help to bring a little beauty to their home. 

This is one of our friend's garden. Not only does this garden supply food for her household, but also is a way to bless others. Our friend will often share the abundance from her garden with new mothers and those who are in need.

 Newman, our gardener, is about ready to start the spring plantings in the several gardens around our home. He doesn't have much experience but makes up for the lack with plenty of enthusiasm. We were able to surround our home (pictured) above with approximately an acre worth of gardens which have been great as we are able to bless those in need with fresh produce. Please pray that the plantings go well and that the Lord brings plenty of rains and a good harvest. We know that God does a bit of gardening Himself and has brought us to Swaziland to plant the seeds of the Gospel and to work the harvest of people who are coming to know God personally. Please pray that this planting and harvest goes well according to His plan and that we would be faithful workers. 

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.

Guards and gardens

We've employed Newman full time as our gardener. He will be very busy over the next few weeks as it is the best time to plant veggies. We will have to go to the nursery in Vuvulane to get some more seedlings.

Our new day guard, Nchlachla, is a Christian and has been very pleasant to work with. 

The other day, Newman and Nchlachla found a spitting cobra in the flower beds. They were able to quickly dispatch the snake. We just have to be careful as it is the height of snake season. 

Bonginkosi was able to get a job working in the coal mines in South Africa. He has to report on March 21st, but will come visit us before he leaves. We didn't think that we would miss having him around as much as we do, but we are thankful that God has provided another job for him. 

Our night guard, Sifso now has a girlfriend. We're thankful for all these men who are a great help to us and continue to pray that God would draw them ever closer to Himself, and that they would be godly examples in the community. 

Scholarships for needy children

The education system here in Swaziland is very interesting.  Recently, the government had made the lower levels of school free. However, we came to find out that 'free' just includes the actual classroom experience and doesn't account for any of the supplies or the uniforms; the costs varying at each school level. Also, the higher grades do have a tuition fee implimented. 

The costs for the supplies and uniforms along are enough to prevent a rural family from being able to send their child(ren) to school. Additionally, if the children are orphans or in a vulnerable situation school isn't an option when faced with the struggle of simple survival.

It is our desire to use some of the 'Orphan Fund' monies to be able to sponsor some of the most needy children and help put them through school. Without education it is hard to overcome all of the issues relating to extreme poverty.

As you read in some of our more recent posts, we were able to get Popodvo into school with some monies in the fund. At his grade level, the books, tuition, and supplies are all free but we had to pay $80 for a uniform which included new shoes.

Newman, our gardener, wanted his son Colani, to be able to go to school but couldn't afford the costs. We were able to talk to Pastor Dlamini who is overseeing the Hope School students and found out that one student wasn't attending school. Fortunately, we were able to transfer the support over to Colani. Since Colani is in grade 5 his fees were $100 and his uniform was $100 for the year. (All of our Hope School students that we had worked with before moving to Vulvulane have been receiving generous sponsorship for them to attend school).

Newman and Colani

The costs will continue to increase up to $1,000 for the last year high school (high school form 5). Between January and the end of February is the only time that new students are allowed to enroll into school.  Then we will continue to ask for sponsorships that can be collected through the year so that at the next enrollement period we have the money to pay the fees for additional children to go to school.

We are sharing this need because there are many more children like Popodvo and Colani in the settlements that we serve who would greatly benefit from receiving a sponsorship to go to school. We've estimated the average cost to attend a lower grade is $200/year/student.

If God lays it on your heart to help, we would greatly appreciate it. You can click on this secured link to donate to TEAM and
Either sign in if you have an account or click on the 'Give Now' button on the left.


Open the drop down menu under 'Missionaries and Projects'

select 'Missionaries and Staff'
then on the next drop down menu select 'Stephens, Ian and Jenny'


Contributions can also be sent to:
TEAM

PO Box 969
Wheaton, IL 60187-0969

Memo line of check: Stephens Orphan Fund Swaziland

Many Faces of Chips

Newman (on the left). We have recently employed him as our part-time gardener. He has a serious alcohol problem and just started on ARV's. We are praying that Ian and Bonginkosi (our security guard) will be the positive role models that he needs; teaching him about life, gardening, and Jesu. 

*In the three weeks that he has been in our employment, Newman hasn't had a drink! Praise God!

Rose is another Chips patient. She loves to crochet!

Make, she employs Rose. 

Swazi's use the word 'Make' which means 'mother' as a term of respect.