Until we have our own stories to share about God's work in PNG I think I'll post a few that really reach me.
One of our neighbors living here in Waxhaw, North Carolina, have lived in PNG for 3 years, and are going back there, so they will be neighbors there too! Something they did was they held sunday school for the national children each week as a way to minister to the national community.
One young boy really melded well into their family and became like a brother to their young son. He responded quickly to the Gospel and became a Christian through the experience, learning more and more about Christ each day.
The family had him in their home and really welcomed him open armed as their own son. One day they received a notice that his father was going to visit. What they didn't know because the son used a different last name, was that his father was a well known criminal, as were his uncles.
Through one little act of having this boy in their home and sharing Christ with him, they had unknowingly been placed in a position of involvement in this family of crime. Their response was crucial. Instead of withdrawing they trusted that God was in control.
The son ministered to the father. The father was thankful that someone would love his son enough to do what they had done. That they were the only people who cared enough about his son, given his reputation, and he was very touched by that.
Soon the father came to learn of the Gospel and accepted Christ, as did the brothers.
An entire family turned to Christ through one small act of service and love.
This is but one way in which God has used the support staff He's picked out for PNG. This family is a pilot family, and the husband is often flying government officials from place to place.
You never know what God has in mind, but we know that as support staff to the translation work, that there are many ways we can minister to the community around us!
