October | 2022 | johnandbrena

What is Home Assignment? We leave in about a week for our Home Assignment, which we often refer to as “furlough.” The purpose of home assignment is to reconnect with supporters and family, raise additional support (if needed), get restored physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and also continue to do some work.

Where will you be living during Home Assignment? For the first few months we’ll be based in Dallas, Texas, so that I (John) can attend meetings and work on preparing a check for my trip to the Solomons in January. After that we will be traveling around America visiting supporters and family. Hopefully we can connect with you! (*Make note of NEW address below.)

Will you have a car? Yes! There is a ministry in North Dakota that rents cars to missionaries at a very reasonable price. Brena and her sister will fly there to pick up the car and then drive it down to Texas.

Do you like Home Assignment? That would be both “Yes” and “No.” It is really nice to have a break from the stresses of living overseas, see family and friends, eat out, etc. But home assignment also has its stresses: living in a new house and neighborhood, adjusting back to American culture and technology, finding a church to attend, etc. And a stress this furlough is that we will be traveling for nearly 6 months without a “home.”

What are you specifically looking forward to on Home Assignment? Me: seeing our kids and extended family and friends, driving and running on smooth roads. Brena: spending time with our kids and extended family, getting a break from her work, going out to eat, going on road trips with me, going on an initial road trip with her sister.

What will you miss about PNG? Me: interacting with the Papua New Guinean interns I manage, motorbike rides in beautiful surroundings. Brena: the slow simple life, being in one place/not having to move, the pleasant weather, only 1 store to shop at.

Will someone stay in your house here in PNG? We’re not sure. It will be available to rent, but because there are so many empty houses on our center, it’s hard to know if ours will be rented.

When will you return to PNG? The end of July 2023, Lord willing.

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A somewhat old picture, but can’t wait to see these 5!

TO BE IN TOUCH:

john_bruner@sil.org

*NEW ADDRESS: c/o Andrews, 4807 Ruidoso Dr., Arlington TX 76017

WEB ADDRESS FOR PARTNERSHIP:

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

MAILING ADDRESS FOR PARTNERSHIP:

send gifts to: Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 (The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators and include a note that says preference for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

Solomons Trip (by John):

After nearly three years since my last trip to the Solomon Islands, it was good to be able to return in September to check the book of Exodus for the Luqa language. After speaking only Papua New Guinea Pidgin for the last few years, I was a bit worried that I would struggle to speak Solomon Pidgin again, but thankfully I found within a few days it felt completely normal. Unfortunately, I got sick twice during the three weeks I was there and the head Luqa translator got sick as well. We missed a few days of checking, but we were able to check 20 chapters of Exodus and I plan to return in January 2023 to complete it.

Katena and Altruicia Tarakabu (below right) are training to be Translation Consultants and they both spent several days observing and practicing checking under my supervision. When they complete their requirements, they will be a great help in covering consultant checking needs in the Solomons.

The Luqu Translation Team (L) Katena and Altruicia Tarakabu (R)

One highlight for me during my time in Solomons was being able to spend some time with Edward Goha. Edward had helped us at times when we worked on the Bughotu New Testament, and then drafted a number of Old Testament books after Brena and I came to PNG in 2010. After a number of years of inactivity, it is looking like the work on the Old Testament translation might continue. I got to talk with Edward about how I could help.

Handovers (by Brena):

We are very close to leaving on our 9-month home assignment (furlough) in the States, so I have been doing all my “lasts”; last Cafe, last haircuts, etc. I have also been documenting all my work as well so that I can hand my jobs over to others. I was wondering if anyone would offer to take on some of the things I do, and thankfully several people have! Krista Fox and Joel Neudorf (below left) have offered to keep the Cafes going while I’m away. Do you notice I’m “handing” over a coffee cup and a cupcake? 😊 Krista is a mother of 5 and her husband is a pilot. Joel works in the computer department. I’m so thankful they’re willing to give it a go. Melina (below right) has offered to take over my Fellowship Family Coordinator job. The coordinator finds families who live on the mission center who are willing to welcome and give orientation to people who have just arrived here. Melina is a mother of 5 as well and her husband teaches music at the school. I’m thankful for Melina!

Krista Fox & Joel Neudorf (L) Melina Blake (R)

PRAYER:

We will send out another update very soon explaining a bit more about our home assignment – the purpose, where we’ll be, and what we’ll be doing. Until then, we would appreciate your prayers as we finish up here. There’s always a LOT to do to get your house ready for possible renters and tying up loose ends.