Myself with Isaac, Miriam and Allison during the Zabana consultant check

Even though I have worked with people for years now who haven’t had the opportunity to read the Scriptures in a language they understand well, I find I still somehow expect that they will understand what it teaches. So, I usually find myself surprised when someone tells me during a consultant check that they are understanding things for the first time in their life. I had that experience again recently when I was in Solomon Islands checking Romans and 1 Corinthians for the Zabana language. We had just finished going through all of Paul’s teaching on marriage in 1 Corinthians 7, when Allison, one of two ladies there to help with the checking, said,

“I have never understood any of this teaching before.” Then with a smile she continued, “And if I had I think I would have followed Paul’s advice and never gotten married!”

On a more serious note, both ladies said that they are involved with women’s ministries in their church and that the things they learned from Romans and 1 Corinthians would help them know how to advise women they work with. I’m always thankful for the times I’m able to see how the translated Scriptures have a positive impact on people’s lives!

Dr Zobule, myself, and Pat Andrews with the three interns (left to right): Solomon, Isaac and Wilson

Island Bible Ministries (IBM) in the Solomon Islands is overseeing five translation projects now, and in order to build capacity in individuals involved in those projects, three men involved have started three-year internships to become Exegetical Facilitators. Isaac, Solomon and Wilson will work alongside translation teams from different languages to help them improve the quality and accuracy of their drafts. Isaac is the main translator for the Zabana project and I enjoyed being able to work with him during the consultant check, helping him learn some things about the process of checking a translation to determine if it is accurate and clear.

The Village Ladies Lunch

Brena and Luke managed alright while I was away. Brena kept busy with a Village Ladies Lunch and weekly Cafes. One lady told Brena recently that the Cafes every Saturday have been her way of caring for herself this term.  She eagerly looks forward to them to have a chance to get some treats and visit with a friend.

Thank you for being a part of bringing God’s Word to the people of PNG and Solomon Islands!

John and Brena

PRAISE AND PRAYER:

• Pray for Brena and Luke as I take another trip in a couple of weeks – this time to the States for meetings. Pray for encouragement and good health.
• Grant is doing well at his new job and his arm is slowly healing.
• Continue to pray for Luke and Joey as they make decisions regarding their futures.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org,

Grant and Sara Bruner, 700 Daniel Ellis Dr., Apt 10105, Charleston, SC 29412

Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862