Recently, when I was thinking about our upcoming return to the U.S. in November, I thought back to 2003, when Brena and I had to leave the Solomon Islands and return to the U.S. because she was struggling with OCD. I remember thinking at the time we left that it was unlikely we would ever be able to return overseas. It makes me so thankful to God, that after we returned to Solomons in 2005, He has allowed us to serve overseas for another 19 years! It also makes me very thankful for Brena who has persevered in living overseas in spite of the difficulties of dealing with OCD.

Aitape West Interns

This group of six interns are translators in the Aitape West multi-language project (11 languages) in the northwestern part of PNG. In their quarterly reports over the years a few of them have shared prayer requests concerning problems in their communities that have ended up with them and/or their family members being threatened with harm. I have been so impressed with how they have dealt with these issues in a Christlike way (not seeking revenge as many do), so it was a joy for me to be able to work with these men in July when they came to Ukarumpa to receive training in how to check translations for accuracy. Interacting with translators like these is one of the things I will miss greatly when we are no longer living here!

Aitape West Interns

Kakabai Trip

In early August I spent a week in Alotau, a city in the far eastern part of Papua New Guinea, working with the Kakabai language translation team. I had planned to do a consultant check of 1-2 Corinthians, but during my preparation, I found that there were numerous errors. I decided to cancel the check and just go work with the team to help them figure out a way to produce a better quality translation. The time we spent together was very productive and I was pleased to see that they were humble and open to learning better ways to work in the future.

Kakabai Team

Seed Company Pacific Team Meetings

Most of our Seed Company Pacific team was here in Ukarumpa last week for meetings with Jed Carter, new SIL-PNG Director, and some of his team to discuss how we can work together to support translation projects. My boss (and brother-in-law), Pat Andrews, and I have known Jed since he was a teenager, as his parents worked with us in the Solomon Islands. It is great to see the young generation taking leadership positions in Bible translation!

The Seed Company Pacific Team (missing a few who weren’t in Ukarumpa).

A fun evening with Jed and family (minus Katie who had to leave early).

PRAISE GOD WITH US FOR:

• my good interaction with interns and the Kakabai translation team in July and August.
• good progress in our preparations to leave Ukarumpa (and PNG) on November 1^st.
• the profitable meetings our Seed Company Pacific team had with the SIL-PNG directorate team.

PRAY:

• for us as we prepare to return to the U.S. in November. Pray that our remaining time here will go well as we say goodbye to many people we have lived and worked with for years. Also, there are numerous things to do, and it is easy to get overwhelmed, so pray we will have peace and trust that God will be with us each day.
• for me, that I won’t re-injure my wrist (which I found out has a broken bone in it) before we return to the States and I can get surgery on it.
• for me as I prepare for a consultant check of Genesis 1-25 for the Enga language translation.
• for Brena as she does her last few cafés and haircuts and also that there will be someone who will take over after we leave.

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.)