You mean you didn't know? PNG stands for Papua New Guinea. And the sweet potato? I'll get to that later.
Jay and I learned about "PNG" when we met Paul, Kelly and Piper Stewart. This cool little family was just one of many blessings that God put in our path over the past couple of years while we've lived in Charlotte.
Not long after we met Paul, Kelly and newborn Piper in February 2007, they told us about the journey they were about to embark on. They had been planning this for a long time. Kelly taught us another term "MK" - "Missionary Kid." I was a "PK", I guess. Kelly grew up as an MK, and this was the life she had chosen to lead for herself and her own family.
Paul and Kelly are amazing people. They faithfully accept "sacrifices" in their lives - like the latest and greatest of anything material - that most people wouldn't even consider. They have complete faith and trust in God that their needs will be met. It's not even a question - and they have many incredible stories demonstrating how God provides for them.
As of February 2007, they were finishing up lengthy preparation which included training, language study, personal financial management, fund-raising - and "pre-purchasing" everything their baby daughter, Piper, would need over the next two years! They lived in a small apartment in Waxhaw, NC, on the grounds of JAARS, a partner of Wycliffe.
Paul and Kelly are missionaries, but we learned something else from them...there are many ways to be a missionary and they don't all involve being a Bible scholar and preaching the Word in remote places (ex.: urban missionaries). Paul is a pilot! His mission is to transport said Bible scholars - and language, translation and support workers - to the remote areas they are working in.
And there are plenty of places to go! There are over 800 languages spoken in Papua New Guinea. 200 New Testaments have been completed and over 300 are currently in-progress. One key to effective translation is translating not only words, but meaning. To us, Jesus is the "bread of life," but in PNG, where bread is uncommon, Jesus is the "sweet potato of life."
You can read more about Paul and Kelly (and see pictures!) here: http://www.wysite.org/sites/paul_stewart/Homepage
They have one-time and monthly supporters and if you would like to get involved you can do so from their website.
Until they return to Charlotte on furlough, we miss you, Paul, Kelly, Piper and soon-to-be baby Stew #2! You are in our prayers. May God continue to bless you and the work you are doing!
(Source for facts about Papua New Guinea: http://www.wycliffe.org/Explore/WhereWeWork/PacificRegion.aspx)
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