February and March were full months for us. Here’s a bit of what we’ve been up to, and thank you for praying!

JOHN:

A Check of Exodus: I returned to Papua New Guinea on March 8th after spending three weeks in Solomon Islands checking Exodus for the Zabana language. It was the second time I have checked Exodus in the last year. While I can’t say that going over the details of the translation of the construction of the tabernacle and making of the priestly clothing was much easier this time, it was encouraging to go over again how God rescued the Israelites from Egypt and showed them his faithfulness even in their unfaithfulness.

This consultant checking was a bit different in that I was supervising a fellow Seed Company colleague, John Miller (below right), who is training to be a translation consultant. John originally came to Papua New Guinea to do translation, but his family had to end up leaving because of medical issues. As his mentor, it was good for me to observe John, assess how he is doing, and let him know what areas he needs to focus on in his future training.

On the last day of checking, Isaac (below, second from right) expressed how his team tries their best to produce a good translation, but that it is difficult because they base their translation on English versions which are hard for them to understand. He said that the consultant check is something they appreciate very much as it helps them to correct the places where they have not understood the English well. It was a good reminder to me that translation is a team effort and people with different sets of skills are needed and also that it is important that people have the Scriptures in their own language.

BRENA:

Valentine’s Café: I, Brena, was able to put on a special Valentine’s Evening Café for 34 couples last month. It was extra work because we (Catherine & Max, below left) transformed the Staff Care building (with 11 rooms and space outside) into cozy spaces for all of these couples, but it was fun. One couple told me how wonderful it was to have this to go to after having just come back from the village. Finding a way to have a date here is often difficult, so I was thankful that it all came together and that God kept the heavy rain away so that those sitting outside stayed dry (photo on right).

Village Ladies’ Tea: Because the biennial Branch Conference was happening this month many ladies who live much of the time in villages were here at the mission center. So I put on an Afternoon Tea for them to eat cake and talk about the joys and difficulties in their programs and lives this past year.

A Week With Grant: While John was in the Solomons for three weeks, our son, Grant, came and stayed with me for one of those weeks. He needed to interact with translation projects he oversees plus do a presentation at one of the meetings for translation teams. It was special to have time together, although he didn’t enjoy the last half of his week as he came down with the stomach flu.

Fun Run: We also put on another Fun Run for the community. It put a smile on our faces to see 120 people, ages 3 to 70, come out to walk or run!

PLEASE PRAY:

• Thank you for praying for John’s consultant checking in the Solomons and for me while he was away. God answered!
• John will be doing another check in early April here at Ukarumpa. He will be checking the book of Esther for the Domung language. I also have two cafés coming up in the next month and weekly haircuts. Please pray for strength and wisdom.
• There has been a fuel shortage in PNG and it is affecting how many flights the aviation department can do. Please pray for resolution to the problem so needed flights can go ahead.

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.)