In mid-September we heard the good news that eight Wycliffe members who work with us in Papua New Guinea (PNG) were able to make it back! Most of them had made a number of unsuccessful attempts to return since June, so it was great that they finally made it. Since they were the first ones to make it back since March, it is understandable that the other missionaries at the Wycliffe translation center in Ukarumpa were thrilled to see them arrive. (photo below)

Our colleagues were able to make it back on a World Food Program flight from Malaysia to PNG and we have heard that these flights will hopefully happen once a month. We have decided we will try to get on one in November, but we won’t know for sure until sometime in mid-October if it is indeed going. Then we will need to find tickets to get to Malaysia to catch the flight. The list of steps to take and forms to fill out for returning to PNG is pretty daunting so we would greatly appreciate your prayers.

Before we could prepare to return to PNG we had to get medical clearance from the Wycliffe clinic there. After what seemed like innumerable medical exams, we recently received approval. While all those exams weren’t exactly fun, it is good to know that, at least according to the doctors, we don’t have any major medical issues.

I (John) had mentioned in our last update that I was going to be doing preparatory work for the book of Revelation for the Zabana language in Solomon Islands. I subsequently found out it was not ready for me to check and the team is currently working on getting it ready. They are hoping to have it ready in the next week or two.

We’ve enjoyed our time up here in Waxhaw getting together with friends and supporters, a visit from Brena’s sister and husband, and a weekend in the mountains with our kids. (photos below)

Please Pray:

• that we will be able to successfully navigate the complicated process for returning to PNG
• that God will give us wisdom as we plan what to do during the time we have left in the U.S.. (The coronavirus makes it more challenging than it normally would be.)
• that our remaining time with family and friends will be special. We are grateful for the connections we have already been able to have since coming to Waxhaw and look forward to more.
• that the Zabana translation team will be able to complete work on the book of Revelation so I can begin doing preparatory checking on it in October.

To Be In Touch:

john_bruner@sil.org

*New Address – PO Box 248, Waxhaw, NC 28173

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)