BIG EVENTS: The day after tomorrow we leave for two very big events – Grant’s college graduation from John Brown University on May 5^th and his wedding on May 6th! We’re thankful for how God has worked in Grant’s life, and especially thankful that we will be adding a daughter to our family, Sara Banter. Since this is a very short trip (we’ll only be in the U.S. ten days), we’re anticipating feeling a bit tired, so we would appreciate your prayers as we pack a lot of events and people into that short time period.

BOYS: We’ve had another boy living with us for a couple of weeks now– Levi Cirre, a classmate of Luke’s. He will be traveling back to America with us to be with his parents who are already there. They will be attending a wedding shower and graduation for two of their other sons. Levi will then fly back to PNG with us and stay another week with us before his parents return. Please pray for Luke and Levi as they will be missing two weeks of school and have a lot of work to make up. But we’re thankful that Luke can make this trip with us as it’s been three years since he’s seen his big brother!

We asked for prayer a while back for Kairu’s visa, enabling him to return to the States with us to be a part of Grant’s wedding (he is a groomsman). God answered and it was granted so he will be making his first trip out of PNG! He will have to travel alone though (long story) so please pray for him.

Levi, Kairu, and Luke

BIBLE TRANSLATION: John has been keeping busy this last month with translation checking and also helping to teach an exegesis class. We were also greatly encouraged when we heard that the Bughotu NT (the one we worked on when we lived in the Solomons) has been having an impact in people’s lives. A colleague of ours who helped with the recording told us it had an impact on the lives of a number of those involved. She said,

One of the women was radically changed saying God convicted her of sin in her life, and she repented and gave up alcohol.”

Please pray that the Bughotu people will continue to read and listen to God’s Word and allow it to change their lives.

John with the other Exegesis teachers and students

THANKS & PRAYER:

• Praise that Kairu’s visa was granted! Pray for the long international travel for him.
• Pray for strength and good health as we pack a lot into our ten days in the States.
• Pray for Grant and Sara as they start their life together.
• Pray for Levi and Luke as they have a lot of make-up work to do.
• Pray that the Bughotu people would allow God’s word to speak to them and change them.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

 

The Bughotu NT is completely recorded and in the final editing phase! Thanks to everyone in the picture who made it happen. Thanks for your prayers.  And thanks to Jesus.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

(*new address) Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

FIRST: Thank you for your prayers for us while we were on our trip to the States (California, Arizona, and South Carolina). It was quite the whirlwind of a trip, which made for short visits with people (sadly), and both John and I were sick for part of the time. But all in all, we’re thankful for the time with family and friends, for the conversations we had, for the things we heard, for good health during the second half of the time, and that Luke did fine here in Ukarumpa with the Voss family. Here are a few pictures of our time (the ones that came out!):

During our stop in CA we were able to share in our main supporting church’s Sunday School class. We have been blessed by their loving support for all of these 20 plus years!

We were also able to spend some time with the Peters side of the family, my dad and step-mom, brother and family (picture), and step-brother and family.

It was special to hang out with my sister, Beth, at the Seed Company meetings we attended in Arizona.

These two picked us up at the airport in Charleston. How wonderful to see them again!

This was only the second time for me to meet Sara Banter, but I love her already and understand why Grant is smitten :)

Some Bruner men :)

 

Luke, with his friends, while we were gone.

We missed two of Luke’s basketball tournaments, but thanks to our friend, Anita McCarthy, we saw them through some great photos.

SECOND: Right now a team of audio recorders are in Sigana, the village where we lived in the Solomons, to record the Epistles in the Bughotu language. Please pray for good progress, health for the team, and that this would end up being a helpful way for the Bughotu people to hear God’s Word and have it impact their lives.

The men in Honiara doing some training for audio recording.

THIRD: John hit the ground running this week. He is preparing for an upcoming consultant check of Mark for the Domung language. After that is done, he’ll be helping to teach an exegesis course in April for national translators. Pray for wisdom.

FOURTH: Continue to pray for our boys that more than anything they would keep Christ first in their lives. Pray for Grant as he is busy finishing up his senior project in mechanical engineering and applying for jobs. Pray for peace and good health. He’s got a busy two months ahead! Pray for safety for Joey as he works (window washing) and  decides on a school/degree. Pray for Luke to continue to work hard in school and for safety in all his activities. And pray for Sara Banter to keep hanging on with school, work, and patience for the big day to arrive!

Thanks for your prayers!!

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

(*new address) Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

Have you ever seen someone use a tool, like say a circular saw, without first receiving proper training? The phrase “armed and dangerous” comes to mind. Not a pretty sight is it, when a tool designed to be helpful is turned into something dangerous?!

Well, the main tool for translators is a software program called Paratext, and when someone without proper training uses it, they can cause a lot of damage. As a consultant I’ve seen translations that are in a bad state when I look at them, all because the translators have not adequately learned how to use Paratext. So, when I was asked to spend two weeks training national translators in the Solomon Islands in the use of Paratext it was something I was happy to do.

Last year I went to teach Paratext to 12 translators associated with Island Bible Ministries (IBM) the Bible school started by our friend, Dr. Alpheaus Zobule. This year the number of projects IBM is involved with has grown, so I had 20 students representing 8 different languages! It was encouraging to see all these men committed to translating the Scriptures into their respective languages and eager to receive training so they can be “armed” but not “dangerous”.

THANKS & PRAYER:Thank you for praying for my trip. I remained healthy, but as soon as I got home I came down with a bad cold. Brena and I leave in a few days for the States to attend meetings so pray that Brena doesn’t catch what I had. Pray for safe travels and also for energy as it will be a quick trip (two weeks total) with jet lag. Luke will be staying with a family here at Ukarumpa, so please pray for him while we are away. He’ll continue with school and basketball.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

(*new address) Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

 

 

As is typical of the start of a new year, I (Brena) have been looking back at what I wrote in my calendar last year to remember what happened. Most of it is rather mundane, but some things are exciting. I must admit that it’s easy for me to sometimes fall back into thinking that the quantity and quality of what I do is most important. But I’ve been reminded again that what God wants of me each day is to reflect on and enjoy his unconditional love and because of that live out my life in obedience to him. I want to “cling tightly to God,” as Joshua tells the Israelites (Joshua 23:8), and to treasure Him during 2018.

In the coming months, there are some travels and events in our family (one rather big!) that we’d like to share with you so that you can pray:

1. TRIP TO SOLOMONS: John will be leaving tomorrow for a two-week trip to the Solomons to teach another translation software workshop at the Island Bible Ministries school in Honiara.

Some of these students will be in John’s translation software workshop

2. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Joey, having finished 1 ½ years at East Texas Baptist University, is now in South Carolina and living with his Uncle Dave and Aunt Ceil. He has been accepted at two universities that have construction related majors and hopes to start in the fall of 2018. He is working construction until he starts school. (*note his new address below)

We are thankful for Dave & Ceil’s generous hospitality when our boys have needed a place to stay.

3. SEED CO. MEETINGS IN STATES: John and I will be making a two-week trip to the States for Seed Company meetings in February. Luke will be staying here with another family. We’re looking forward to seeing Joey, Grant, Sara, and other family members during that trip!

4. GRADUATION & WEDDING: Grant will graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from John Brown University on May 5 and the next day get married to Sara Banter! The three of us are making plans now for our trip home (just a short two-week stay because Luke will be missing school). Hopefully Kairu will be able to get a visa and make the trip with us.

Grant and Sara enjoying the snow in Charleston over Christmas break

 5. HONEYMOON: For part of their honeymoon (leaving late May), Grant and Sara plan to make a trip to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea so that Sara can see where Grant grew up. So we’ll get to see them again!

6. JOBS & SCHOOL: John and I will continue our “jobs” here in Papua New Guinea and Luke will finish out grade 11 and start grade 12.

me with other Staff Care friends saying good-bye to a colleague

In all things, we entrust 2018 to God, knowing He is here with us and in control of all things. Thanks to all of you for your support and prayers. We appreciate you!!

THANKS & PRAYER:

• We are thankful that John’s visa has arrived. Please pray that mine will be granted before our trip to the States in February.
• Pray for all the trips planned; safety, good health, good things accomplished, and for God to be glorified.
• Pray that Kairu would get the visa he needs to make the wedding trip with us. Grant asked him to be a groomsman and it would be so special for him to go with us.
• Pray for Luke as he stays here in February. Pray that he will continue to work hard in school, be able to make up all the missed work from the wedding trip, and that he’ll continue to know how much God loves him.
• Pray that Joey would have peace and wisdom as he decides which college he should attend in the fall. Pray for safety as he works construction.
• Pray for Grant and Sara as they are in different states attending school. Pray that they will be able to focus on their studies, that they will continue to grow in their love for each other, and that all the details of their wedding will come together.
• And finally, please pray for strength and wisdom as we carry out our work here in PNG.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

(*new address) Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

 

 

 

 

 

In our updates we don’t often talk about specific people here on the mission center where we live,  but we’d like to highlight a few friends we think are pretty fine:

May Kirkham. When we first arrived here in 2010, Luke was in grade 4. Being pretty shy, this was a big transition for him. When we walked Luke to his class before school started we met his 4^th grade teacher, May Kirkham. She was so friendly and interested in our life in the Solomons and our work in translation. And her interest in our lives has continued to this day. She finished her work here a couple of years ago and retired back in her home country, New Zealand. But recently she came back to fill in as a “substitute” kindergarten teacher for a semester while the regular teacher was on furlough. It was such a pleasure to see her again and catch up. What a lovely Christian lady and we are so thankful for her encouragement in our lives.

The Guys. On the weekends (and sometimes after work during the week) John enjoys several different community sports here on our center – tennis, basketball, soccer, running, and volleyball. These men in the picture are John’s friends and ones he plays sports with. Recently they had a competitive volleyball afternoon as a farewell to one of the guys going on furlough. Each of these men play an important part in the Bible translation work here. A few of them are teachers at the high school, a couple of them are Bible translators, one works with the construction department, one works with the computer department and one is a pilot. It takes all kinds to get the work done and it is nice they can have fun together outside of work.

And maybe in another update we’ll highlight some more fine people! :)

THANKS AND PRAYER:

• We’re thankful all three boys finished their semesters and now have a break. Grant is in Arkansas with his fiance’s (Sara) family. Joey will be in South Carolina and North Carolina with family and friends, and Luke is here with us.
  
• We’re also thankful that John’s check of Galatians for the Kaluli language went well.
• Please pray that our PNG visas will be granted soon. John needs his before he leaves for the Solomons on January 19th and I (Brena) need mine before we go to the U.S. for Seed Co. meetings in mid February.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, c/o Dave & Ceil Bruner, 206 Forest Trail, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 – joeydbruner@gmail.com

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

As one who has just in the last couple years learned how to use a smart phone, I (John) have been surprised by the number of people in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands who have them. There are good cell phone networks so it is quite common to see people in extremely remote areas with them.

Fortunately, there are people involved in Bible translation who are not technological dinosaurs like myself and they have developed a program which creates an app that makes translated Scriptures and audio accessible on smart phones. One really nice feature of the app is that it highlights the line of text that is being read so it is a great way for people to learn how to read!

I recently received a note from the Solomon Island director asking me if I had created an app for the Bughotu New Testament (the one we worked on which was dedicated in 2009) as there was a Bughotu person they knew who wanted it for their phone. After following very good instructions, I finally managed to create an app for it (picture below) and I have sent it on to the Solomons.

I am making a trip to the Solomons in January and I hope to let other Bughotu speakers know about this app so they have another way to access God’s Word in their own language. We would appreciate your prayers that it will be a help to many of them.

Highlighted text: This talk starts with Ebraham and goes to Deved:

PLEASE PRAY TOO:

• as I consultant check the book of Galatians this week for a language group here in PNG.
• for Grant, Joey, and Luke as they finish up their semesters at John Brown, East Texas Baptist, and Ukarumpa International High School.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, ETBU Box 6-331, One Marshall Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 – joseph_bruner@etbu.edu

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

 

Greetings from PNG!

Ashleigh Mills and Kairu Tumae (our almost kids) joined us around the table this year. We missed Grant and Joey but are thankful they were with people that love them.

We are so grateful for each of you who pray, give, write, and encourage us. We couldn’t be here without you. Thanks for helping to bring God’s Word to those who don’t have it.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, ETBU Box 6-331, One Marshall Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 – joseph_bruner@etbu.edu

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

 

 

What a blessing to have had my (Brena’s) dad and step-mom here for almost a month. It meant so much that they flew all this way to be able to see us and the place where we live and work.

Not only did we spend a lot of time visiting and catching up, but they were also a BIG help to us. My dad spent hours working on our bathroom – building a linen closet, putting up trim, and helping John install the shower. Jane helped me tremendously in the kitchen – baking for events, cooking meals and washing dishes. She also hung out a million loads of laundry. And then she helped me put on a Village Ladies Tea, Café, and Coffee House!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of their visit!

They made it!! (but they were exhausted!)

John and my dad spent hours sawing and measuring and hammering….

The beautiful linen closet my dad made for us

Silly Grandpa — and at every meal exclaiming how much food Luke could eat! :)

Jane, my kitchen help-mate!

Jane quickly learned how many times you can take off and on the laundry in one afternoon because of the rain showers!

Jane helped me put on a Village Ladies Tea

and a Cafe!

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, ETBU Box 6-331, One Marshall Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 – joseph_bruner@etbu.edu

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)

Praise God! The Fataleka NT has been dedicated! Thank you so much for your prayers and support which have helped to make this possible. It was so special to be there with John and to feel like I was back home.

Hope these photos allow you a little glimpse into our trip.

PORT MORESBY– John and I spent two nights in the capital city of Papua New Guinea, Port Moresby. We enjoyed eating out, drinking good coffee, watching tennis and movies, and lounging by the pool (we didn’t enjoy getting really sun burnt, though!)

Celebrating 24 years of marriage at a nice restaurant

relaxing beside this beautiful swimming pool

HONIARA – We then flew to the Solomon Islands where we walked along the familiar streets and saw many familiar stores (but also some new and very nice coffee shops), sweated, reconnected with colleagues, slept under a fan, and sweated some more! It felt like home – but strangely different without the boys with us.

Visiting with our old time friends, Alpheaus and Siani Zobule. We met them before we each had children and now our oldest sons are in college! John will be helping Alpheaus at his translation school in the future.

Enjoying a good cup of coffee!

The beautiful view of the wharf from the Wycliffe houses

The Chinese restaurant that used to be our favorite

Buying some produce at the market

We enjoyed visiting with some Bughotu ladies who work at the main hardware store in Honiara (my Bughotu came back- what a surprise!)

John opening up the box of Fataleka NT Bibles

Take a look!

THE DEDICATION ON MALAITA – After four days in Honiara we flew to the island of Malaita where the dedication was taking place. We spent two nights there. There were about 20 guests/missionaries who attended with us.

The plane that we flew in to Malaita

Riding in the small bus to the village where the dedication took place

A group of translation committee members met us and we walked slowly behind them up the road

Further up the road we stopped and a group of men dressed as traditional warriors came out to greet us

After walking farther, we stopped again where a decorated canoe was being held up by three girls in traditional dress. Inside the canoe was the Fataleka NT.

Men danced in front of the canoe as we proceeded to the church

 

The children in white knelt down as the Fataleka NT passed by them

And then they entered the church

The Bishop of Malaita blessed and dedicated the Bible

Then there was the customary feast for the people from Gwantafu village; rice, fish, and sweet potato

Then the feast for the guests; rice, chicken, sausage, fruit, and juice

The children sang and danced for us

John and a few other people gave speeches

They gave us gifts

The Bibles were sold and later will be distributed in all the other villages

The lady in green on the left is the wife of Joseph Gofi, the translator who died last year

John and I with three members of the translation team. Pastor Sam Fito’e couldn’t get to the dedication because of the poor condition of the road from the east side of Malaita.

The day after the dedication we were able to visit Jonathan Hicks and family. Jonathan came to our village for a month in 2003 as a Discovery student, and now is back in the Solomon Islands teaching at an Anglican Bible school. It was so special to see him again and meet his family.

We hope you enjoyed the photo tour. Thank you for all you’ve done to make it possible for the Fataleka people to have God’s Word in their language – the language they can truly understand. Please pray for the Fataleka people that they would buy the Bibles, read them every day, and then live out its message.

TO BE IN TOUCH:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea – john_bruner@sil.org

Grant Bruner, PO Box 2159, John Brown University, Siloam Springs, AR 72761 – brunerg@jbu.edu

Joey Bruner, ETBU Box 6-331, One Marshall Drive, Marshall, TX 75670 – joseph_bruner@etbu.edu

TO GIVE ONLINE:

https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/Bruners

TO GIVE BY MAIL:

send gifts to:
Wycliffe Bible Translators
P.O. Box 628200
Orlando, FL 32862

(The check should be made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators – include a note that says it is for the ministry of John and Brena Bruner)