Welcome to the World, Lillian Isabel Bruner!

We are so happy to announce that Grant and Sara had a beautiful baby girl on July 4 at 6:04 a.m. It was such an honor and gift from God that I (Brena) could be there for the labor and then get to hold little Lillian an hour after she was born. A week later, John and I went back down to help out which was also so special. We love being grandparents and will sure miss sweet Lillian when we head back to PNG! As always, click on the pictures to enlarge and/or read the captions.

Road Trip Finished

On June 7^th, John and I arrived back in Dallas after 3 ½ months on the road. While we were happy that the traveling was over, we were so thankful it all went so smoothly and that we were able to see so many friends and family (a small sample of pictures from our final leg is below). We are now staying here on the Wycliffe center in another mobile home until we leave on July 30^th (itinerary below).

Clockwise from top left: Kairu (our PNG “son”) and his lovely bride-to-be, Charlotte Thomas; Phil (and Darlene) Lestmann taught math to John in college; met our new little grandniece, Grace; great to meet up with some of the Nicholson family; my stepbrother, Steve Donley, and his cute little family; the sweet Elliotts

Time in TX

It’s been really nice to have a little bit of downtime since arriving back in Texas. It’s also been fun to see more friends, attend the wedding of Luke’s close friend from PNG, be able to help Grant and Sara move into a house, and have a weekend with my sister.

Clockwise from top left: a quick and fun visit with the Vosses; enjoyed a bit of time with Luke at his friend, Braden’s, wedding; the Myhrs, longtime friends!; Grant and Sara all moved in, just in time to bring Lillian home from the hospital!; Afternoon Tea with my sister, Beth; a fun weekend with the Nachtigals

Heading Back to PNG

Our time in the States is quickly coming to an end! We could really use your prayers for the month ahead:

July 18-21 – John and Grant have their Pacific Team meetings in Galveston, TX and I will stay with Sara and Lillian again.

July 30 – Drive to Tennessee and spend a few days celebrating our 30^th wedding anniversary.

August 5 – Kairu and Charlotte get married in TN! We’re so thankful we will still be in the States for the wedding!

August 6 – Fly to California to spend 1 ½ weeks with my family and attend our main supporting church.

August 16 – Start our flights back to PNG.

August 18 – Arrive at our home at Ukarumpa, the Wycliffe center in PNG.

PRAISE & PRAYER:

• Praise God for the safe arrival of Lillian Isabel! Please pray for Grant and Sara as they adjust to being a family of 3.
• Praise God that Kairu and Charlotte will be getting married! Pray for them as they start their new life together.
• Praise God that He gave us safety in our 3 ½ month road trip and so many wonderful moments with friends and family.
• Praise God that Joey and Moriah have been having fun redoing some of their new house and Joey is now working for a cabinet maker. Luke is down in Charleston for a month this summer window washing. He’ll head back to Liberty University in August for his 2^nd year. Pray for him that God will continue to work in his life and lead him.
• Please pray for these last few weeks in the States as we buy/pack and say our good-byes, our long trip to PNG, and then settling back into life there. We’ll be jumping into work once we arrive, so please pray for that transition as well.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

john_bruner@sil.org

Address during our home assignment: 4807 Ruidoso Dr., Arlington TX 76017

Phone numbers during our home assignment: John (682) 364-4015; Brena (682) 364-4009

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)

VIDEO:

You are welcome to view a short video of our work with Wycliffe. It is located in our About page.