Hello from South Carolina where we are waiting to hear when we can return to Papua New Guinea. A few weeks ago Wycliffe announced that they are not releasing anyone to return overseas until July 31st at the earliest. While we may have to wait longer than that, we are thankful to have been given a fixed date, and one that is pretty close to the time we had originally planned to leave. We are also thankful that we can stay in this missionary house until the end of July.

In the midst of waiting here’s what we’ve been up to:

• John has been doing preparatory work for a consultant check on the book of Hebrews for the Zabana language. It is the next to last book of the New Testament that needs to be checked.
• He has also been getting some routine medical checkups taken care of (in spite of the lock down) and playing tennis with Joey and his brother, Dave.
• I (Brena) have been trying out a new medicine, Gabapentin, for the problem with my legs. It hasn’t completely taken the numbness away, but I’m sleeping much sounder and for longer stretches, for which I’m thankful.
• We’ve been able to spend time with extended family that live locally and with Grant and Sara who live five minutes down the road, celebrating birthdays and Mother’s Day (photos below). We are treasuring these moments together.
• Our three boys have all been able to keep working during the pandemic and Sara has started her last year of pharmacy school.

Sara, Dave, Ceil, John, Grant, and Luke celebrating Joey’s 22nd birthday

The 3 brothers (Dave, Brad, and John) enjoying a weekend of golf in North Carolina

I love being a mom to these kids!

PLEASE PRAY:

• that we’ll be patient as we wait to hear from Wycliffe when we will be able to return to PNG.
• that PNG will continue to be spared from many cases of COVID-19 (so far they have only have 8).
• for Luke as he continues to decide what to do with his future.
• for Joey as he too waits on borders to open so that he can start his year of ministry in India.
• for special “last” times with family before we leave.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

john_bruner@sil.org – 4 Fenwick Drive, Charleston, SC 29407

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

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)