Isaac

Just before I, John, left for Solomon Islands at the end of May, I had asked for prayer for Isaac Matezama, the head Zabana translator. He was having pain in his legs and wasn’t sure if he’d make it to the check in Honiara.

On the day we were to start checking Joshua and Judges I walked to the house where we were meeting and when I saw him I assumed that prayers had been answered and he was fine. I was quite surprised then when he told me that the previous week, just after he arrived in Honiara, he lost sight in his left eye. When he went to the hospital they told him he had a detached retina. And because Isaac had lost his sight in his right eye when he was young, he was essentially blind!

Isaac explained to me that they were not able to do retinal surgery in Solomons so he would have to travel to another country for treatment. I told Isaac that we would have more than enough time to finish the check because the translation was very good, so figuring out a way to get him somewhere for treatment was the priority. I ended up going to several doctor appointments with him and just before I left on June 13^th, it was arranged for him to travel to Fiji where two Solomon eye doctors who work there agreed to do the surgery for him for whatever he could afford to pay!

Isaac finally had surgery yesterday but it will be a while before we know the results. Please pray that if it is God’s will Isaac will recover his sight. While it was hard for me to see Isaac suffering, I was greatly encouraged by his attitude and strong belief that whatever the outcome, God is in control and cares for him.

Isaac (right) said it was quite difficult for him during the check to only be able to listen to the translation and not read it on his computer. Bruce (left) did a good job taking on things that Isaac always did in the past.

Try Again for Bughotu Translation

While in Solomons I was able to meet with the three Bughotu translators to find out if they were ready to submit a proposal for funding to Seed Company. They had recently made a trip to meet with the Translation Committee to discuss plans for the Old Testament translation. Unfortunately, the committee had not been notified they were coming so it proved to be a fruitless trip. Please pray that they will be able to organize another trip to meet with the committee and that the Bughotu language community will demonstrate they are supportive of translating the Old Testament.

The three Bughotu translators (from L to R) Edward, Lise, and Esther

A Week In Chattanooga (by Brena)

Immediately after John’s return from Solomons, John and I drove to Chattanooga, TN, to see where Luke and Kate moved to a year ago. They just celebrated their 2nd anniversary and are happy to be living near Kate’s extended family. Luke is starting his own window washing business (“Glint Cleaning Chattagnooga”) and Kate is a nurse at a hospital. We were also able to see Kairu and Charlotte. Kairu is an auto mechanic and finishing diesel mechanic school. Charlotte is preparing for their new baby girl, expected to arrive in September! We so enjoyed our time with them.

Charlotte, Kairu, Kate, and Luke

THANK GOD:

• that Isaac Matezama was able to travel to Fiji and doctors there were willing to do the surgery on his eye
• that the checking of Joshua and Judges for the Zabana translation went well and was completed
• that we were able to visit Luke and Kate and Kairu and Charlotte in Chattanooga TN

PRAY:

• that Isaac will regain sight in his left eye
• that the Bughotu translation team will be able to organize another meeting with the translation committee soon and that the community will show support of the OT translation
• for our trip to Southern California starting July 13th (see our previous update). We have about 50 prayer and financial supporters in that area and hope to see many of them. Please pray for safety while driving and good visits with everyone. We return to TX on August 5th.

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”.)