How am I (Brena) doing?

Coming back to Papua New Guinea this time has been harder than previous returns. Maybe it’s because I felt tired when we left on furlough a year ago and our time in the U.S. was so busy? Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, and transitions are getting harder? Or maybe it’s just a season I’m going through?

Whatever the reason, to alleviate some of this tiredness I have given up a few smaller Staff Care jobs that I was doing before; dinners for 8, fellowship family coordinator, and village ladies’ teas. The two ministries I’ve kept that seem to be a bigger felt need here and what I can handle at the moment are cutting hair and the bi-monthly Saturday Cafés. I also occasionally do End of Term debriefs when I have some extra time. So, after being back for three months I’m finally feeling like I’m in a slightly better place. The days aren’t as dreary and my outlook on life is a little bit better.

It was encouraging to listen to a Timothy Keller sermon recently where he was talking about dark times, specifically from Psalm 88. As believers we can go through long periods of time when things seem really dark – externally with circumstances in our lives or internally in our soul. It doesn’t mean God is not there, that I’m a weak person or Christian, or that I have to try harder and just put on a smile. It’s just part of living in a sinful world. I’m thankful that even in this more difficult season of my life, God is still present and there for me to talk to. It also helps to have a super understanding and caring husband! 😊

What else do I do?

Besides my official jobs with Staff Care, we occasionally have people over for meals since colleagues are continually coming and going and there are no quick meals or restaurants to take them to. I enjoy that. We also try to do video calls regularly with family back in the States. I also enjoy reading, going on runs, playing tennis with John, and watching TV shows on the computer.

Here are a few photos of life in Ukarumpa for me lately (and where I spend time):

The Staff Care Department (a couple people unfortunately weren’t present for the photo). We all do different things on center to encourage our colleagues and help keep them from burning out; debriefing traumatic events, putting together videos for partnership development, administration, keeping track of finances, counseling, putting on retreats, helping with medevacs, or just listening.

The room under our house where I cut hair

Time around our dinner table with colleagues. Bob Noble taught our 3 boys (computer class) and he just recently retired and returned to England for good. We are thankful for his many years in Ukarumpa!

A sample of what we offer at the Elim Cafés

A Café all ready for customers

The yard at our house is so pretty that I like to sit outside and enjoy the beauty, read, or drink coffee

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• I’m thankful that my outlook on life is getting better, that I’m finding a good balance of work and rest, and that I have new volunteers to help me with the Cafés. Continue to pray for me that I would keep my eyes on Jesus when things are hard or when I’m worried or concerned about family back home. I’m so thankful that Jesus is in control and is working in all of our lives.
• Please pray for John as he continues with his work mentoring the PNG translation consultant trainees and as he prepares for consultant checks.
• Please pray for our kids and parents back home. Pray that God will be close to all of them.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

john_bruner@sil.org

Permanent Address: 4807 Ruidoso Dr., Arlington TX 76017

Overseas Address: PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

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 32862-8200 (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.