Checking Seqa in Solomon Islands

Whenever I (John) work with translation teams in Solomon Islands or Papua New Guinea, it is always a good reminder to me of the sacrifice that people are willing to make to get the Scriptures into their own language.  I recently returned from Solomon Islands where I spent 2 weeks checking the book of Numbers in the Seqa (pronounced, “Senga”) language located on the island of Choiseul. Choiseul is the island farthest west in Solomon Islands, very close to the border of Papua New Guinea. And to give you an idea of how remote it is, it took less time for me to fly the 7300 miles from the U.S. to Honiara (the capital) than it took for the Seqa translators to travel the 250 miles from Choiseul to Honiara! And I can assure you that my trip was much more comfortable than theirs!

During the two weeks I worked with the Seqa team, we were able to get 19 chapters of the book of Numbers checked and also have time for me to give instruction to Fred and Daniel, two of the Seqa translators, on how to apply translation principles so they can improve the quality of their drafts. I hope to be able to interact with them by Zoom in the coming months (if they can get their satellite internet working) so I can continue to help them.

The two Seqa translators I worked with, Daniel (L) and Fred

Kids and Camping

While I was in the Solomons, Brena was able to fly to South Carolina to say a final good-bye to Joey and Moriah before they left to go overseas. It was a special time for her and she also had a wonderful (and unexpected) day with Luke and Kate, who also came to say good-bye.

Brena has always enjoyed tent camping, but we hadn’t gone for almost 20 years since we were living overseas (where camping isn’t a thing to do). She had been really looking forward to a chance to go, so recently we drove up to a state park in Arkansas to camp for a few days. We had a really good time and we’re already talking about when and where to go camping in the future.

Praise:

• that my trip to Solomon Islands to work with the Seqa translation team went well.
• that Brena was able to travel to South Carolina to see Joey and Moriah before they left to go overseas.

Pray:

• that the Seqa translation team will be able to get their satellite internet working so I can help them by Zoom.
• that I will have wisdom in preparing the next part of the translation principles workshop which should happen in February 2026.
• that God will lead Brena in finding a ministry (she has explored some opportunities but nothing so far has been a good fit for her gifts).

TO BE IN TOUCH:

903 Pontiac Ct., Arlington TX 76013

John: john_bruner@wycliffe.org (personal); john_bruner@tsco.org (work)

Brena: brena_bruner@wycliffe.org

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”.)