The Stuckys [Testimony]

John and Patty have lived in La Esperanza, Paraguay, since late July 1998. La Esperanza, which is located in the Chaco of Paraguay, is in a primitive area of the country. Their electricity is produced by solar panels and they do not have telephone service.

John is translating portions of the Bible into the Sanapana language. His most recent project is the translation of the book of Genesis. They serve with New Tribes Mission.

The Sanapana language is closely related to the Angaite, the language John worked to translate for 16 years, making a joint translation effort of Sanapana and Angaite very feasible. The Sanapana at La Esperanze speak their tribal language freely all the time making it a better location to continue the translation work.

The Sanapana people themselves lead the church. John and Patty attend and teach when they are asked and as they are able.

John and Patty have three children: Matt and his wife, Erika, graduated from New Tribes Bible Institute in May 2001. Melissa and her husband, Joel, farm in Kansas. Mark attends the Asuncion Christian Academy in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Testimony:
John and Patty have served in Paraguay with New Tribes Mission since 1981. They lived for 16 years among the Angaité tribe where John learned the tribal language. Along with various other responsibilities at various times (such as helping an Angaité man to oversee the community store), John also worked on Scripture and lesson translation in the Angaité language. In July of 1998 the Stuckys moved in among the Sanapaná tribe to continue the translation work. Sanapaná and Angaité are closely related languages, being over 90% mutually intelligible. The Sanapaná people where Stuckys presently live speak their own tribal language all the time making it easier to learn this complex language. Over the years, many of the Angaité have moved to using the national language of Guarani.

The translation work continues. Recently (Oct. 2010) the final consultant check for the first 14 chapters of the book of Acts in Sanapaná was completed.  The final check for the last half of the book of Acts is scheduled for June 2011. Presently at the printers is the book that contains all the Sanapaná Scripture completed to this point.

John and Patty also continue in the quest of learning more about the Sanapaná people and their culture. They thank the Lord for the relationships that continue to grow. Building bridges of love and trust cross culturally is not a simple process, but it is a vitally important one.

The Stuckys are privileged to have three children, who are all presently living in Kansas. The oldest two are married, and the youngest is working full time, and attending school part time. The Lord has also blessed John and Patty with three precious grandchildren.

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