(photo credit: Susan Frey)
Merry Christmas from the highlands of Papua New Guinea! We are so thankful for Jesus, who came to earth as a man to die for us. The forgiveness of our sins and a life together with Him while on this earth and after we die – what a gift!
As we look back on this year, it’s been one of great highs and great lows. We’re thankful that He has been with us through it all. The year’s highs included Grant and Sara’s wedding, trips taken and work accomplished, direction for Joey, a job for Grant, and spending time with good friends. But we’ve also gone through the sadness that came when our dear niece Libby passed away.
And as we look towards the new year we are grateful that God will be with us in all the changes that will take place – transitioning back to America for our furlough year, watching our youngest son graduate and find his way in the world, deciding how empty-nesting will affect our place of work. Lots of unknowns, but we are trusting that God will continue to lead us.
We hope you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the gift of Jesus.
Brena & John
Some December happenings…
I (Brena) put on some Staff Care events, one being a Christmas party for the Village Ladies. Here’s a group shot of some wonderful women serving God in many different villages here in Papua New Guinea.
After several years of fund raising, the seniors were able to go on their “Senior Trip” down to the coast for five days. Pray for the them that God would guide them in their future plans and that they would desire to keep Jesus first in their lives.
Our good friends from our 1997 Pacific Orientation Course, the Owens, were up here in Ukarumpa for a few weeks. They work on the coast with Pioneer Bible Translators. It was so great to catch up with them and to go on some walks with Angela. Who knows when we’ll see them again!?!
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
johnandbrena 
Loved the photos and the letter too! Luke looks great as do the two of you! Have a blessed Christmas, realizing that next year you’ll be stateside enjoying a totally different kind. We love you!
Mom and Dad
LikeLike
Merry Christmas! Thank you for your great letters and pictures! It makes us feel like we are still in your lives. :) I am hoping to do a “New Year’s Letter as Christmas is only a few days away! LOL
Love you guys!
Angie
LikeLike
HI Brena– it seems it has been a fine full year fo you all. And it will be good to see what God has fo you ahead… I’m wondering when you are starting furlough– and will you be this way?? If you have a bit of time it would be wonderful to take you to lunch. (I know you probably have so many people wanting to do just that!). Praying for you as your transition and see what is next for you and John. Hoping you have a blessed Christmas! xo
LikeLike
Dear John & Brena,
Thanks so much for your December newsletter. I love the photo of the Village Ladies’ Christmas Party, I was trying to remember names of so many familiar faces. There are also many new ones we will have the honour of getting to know. You do such a wonderful job of catering and blessing people! Just like with the Regional Centre Managers gathering all those years ago…
We hope you have a most blessed Christmas, and look forward to seeing you before too long.
In Christ Jesus,
Lorene and for Mark
LikeLike
Hi Brena and John,
Hope you guys had a blessed Christmas!
You guys are always on my thoughts and prayers. Everytime I read about you guys and find out that you guys are working so hard to achieve your goal, it always gives me a sense of hope and motivation to work hard and pray. Thank you, guys!
I can’t wait and really hope to see you guys next year!
Love,
Yuka
LikeLike
Hey, Brena,
Thanks so much for the update! Praise the Lord for all the wonderful things He did in your life this past year, and for what He’s going to do! We’ll be praying for you as you transition back here to the States and for becoming empty-nesters. On a random note, I thought of going to ETBU at one point (I saw your shirt in the bottom picture). God bless, Rachel
LikeLike
John and Brena,
Thank you for keeping us on your email update list. I love hearing how you all are doing. Can’t believe you are almost empty-nesters. Well, it has been an interesting experience for me, with Joshua going away to college this fall. Attached is our annual letter for 2018.
Sheryl
>
LikeLike