Looks like it’s my turn this week!

• It took some time, but I (Brena) finally feel like I’m back into the swing of life here. My main job is keeping my family fed and so far, for the most part, I haven’t been dreading my time in the kitchen. I think a year of easy cooking and going out to eat helped a lot!
• I’ve enjoyed catching up with friends. What a difference it was coming back this time. When we first arrived in PNG in 2010, we knew no one and had to start over with making friends and building a new life here. But now we feel at home and know people. That has been so nice.
• I’m giving some of my time to the Staff Care Department. I’m thankful God has allowed me to use my gifts in a way that makes me happy and encourages others at the same time. I’m putting on a Coffee House once a month for the community and also doing Teas for ladies who spend time out in the villages. I also bake something for the Saturday “Coffee House” time at the Staff Care building.
• I attended a week long Missionary Care course in September, led by former missionaries, Stephen & Jocelyn Head. It was a very helpful week learning how to better understand and care for fellow missionaries and friends.
• Besides those things I run or do Zumba, watch DVDs, read, watch the boys play sports, help with the boys’ class activities, have people over for meals, and go to the one store here on center. A fairly simple life, but that’s just fine with me. I’m thankful we can be here and that I can support John in the Bible translation work he is doing!

my main stomping ground, the kitchen – baking for the Coffee House and cooking dinner

my second stomping ground – Elim Haus, the Staff Care building

inside Elim Haus – a Village Tea

again inside Elim Haus – some customers at the Coffee House

having company – this time it was some of the boys’ friends and two Seed Co. men – Harrison and Pat (my brother-in-law!)

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYERS. It seemed at first that I (John) was facing the possibility of a week or two in Australia in order to get my passport renewed, but I’m actually already back home in Ukarumpa! I flew down to Sydney and the U.S. embassy there was able to get me an emergency passport (good for 1 year) in just 24 hours. On Tuesday I flew back to Brisbane, and then to PNG on Wednesday morning. A couple hours later I got a flight on one of our mission’s planes to Ukarumpa. It is great to be back home with the family after being gone for nearly four weeks! One thing I noticed upon my return is how brown it is here as there has been almost no rain since I left. We would appreciate your continued prayers that we would get some rain so that people’s gardens don’t die and that we would have an adequate supply of drinking water.

While in Sydney I enjoyed doing some sightseeing

our brown yard

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

THE PLAN SEEMED STRAIGHTFORWARD. Travel to Solomon Islands and work with the Fataleka team for 3 weeks doing the checking of the final books of the New Testament and then head back to Papua New Guinea. The plan was going well and all that remained was boarding a flight in Brisbane, Australia for a 3 hour flight back to PNG on Friday. Well, you can probably imagine my shock when I (John) went to check in for my flight and was told I wouldn’t be allowed to board because I had only 5 months eligibility remaining on my passport and PNG requires 6 months! So, I write this from Brisbane where I’m awaiting a flight this afternoon to Sydney so I can go to the U.S. Embassy tomorrow (Monday) for help in getting this straightened out. Thankfully there is a Wycliffe office in Brisbane and they have helped me with arrangements and finding me a place to stay while I’m here. I would appreciate your prayers that this situation with my passport will be able to be resolved quickly and I can get back to PNG and my family there – who thankfully are all doing fine without me. :)

My time in the Solomons went well and it was great to be able to finish checking the remaining books of the Fataleka New Testament. There was one difficult issue that needed resolving and I’m pleased to say that we were able to work our way through that, though I must say it did put a bit of a damper on the celebration of finishing the checking. I appreciate your prayers as I know many of you were praying for a good resolution of this situation. We had printed 800 copies of a trial edition containing Mark and a few epistles and the men were able to take those back to their communities for distribution. Please pray that these copies will reach many people and be a help to them in their spiritual lives.

When I’m able to get back to PNG, I will be continuing to work with the 12 Papua New Guinean interns and also doing some checks of the Fataleka NT in preparation for the final read through which is scheduled for late February next year.

Brena and I are very thankful for your partnership with us as we continue to work to bring God’s Word to people in a language they understand.

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

This week it’s Kairu’s turn!

• It’s been great having Kairu live with us this year. He brings a very happy atmosphere to our home!
• He is the youngest of five brothers and he has been going to UIS (Ukarumpa International School) since he was in kindergarten. His parents are from two different language groups. His dad is a dentist and his mom grows produce to sell at the market
• Kairu is quite the artist and was asked to design the senior hoodies this year!
• He loves playing the guitar and helps lead the youth worship times.
• He played volleyball as the libero (defensive specialist) and will play goalie for the soccer team this next term.
• Besides all that, Kairu often rides his motorbike with friends, cleans water tanks with Joey, and works at the teen-run Hamburger Nights as the “buyer” (orders ingredients from the store and goes to the produce market).

It’s wonderful to see him following God. Please pray for him as he decides what to do after high school.

On a side note, continue to pray for John as he has one more week left in the Solomons. Thanks!

(Kairu and Joey wearing their “Kairu designed” senior hoodies)

(Kairu and friend, Amaechi, practicing the guitar)

(Kairu, front and center, with the A Volleyball team)

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

 

John is featured today! :)

• John is really enjoying his new job as Intern Coordinator for the 12 Papua New Guineans who are training to be translation consultants. He feels like he’s meeting a need in helping to mentor them, and he is also enjoying his interaction with them.
• He’s also been checking the Fataleka translation and attending Seed Co. meetings.
• For the last several weeks John took on the job of coaching the B Volleyball team for the high school, since there wasn’t anyone else to do it. He loves coaching and working with the teens, so since he could fit it in, he said yes.
• In his spare time he’s been enjoying tennis, volleyball, running, and motorbike riding with Luke.
• JOHN LEFT TODAY for a 3 week stay in the Solomon Islands. He’ll be working with the Fataleka translation team, hoping to finish checking the remaining books in the New Testament. Please pray for good health for the whole team. There is also a problem that needs addressing so please pray for wisdom as John (and Pat Andrews) talk with the men about this issue. Pray also that things would go smoothly for me and the boys here in Ukarumpa.

*John and PNG translation consultant intern, Korry Ruben

*John really enjoys working with the other Seed Co. guy in Ukarumpa, Josh Kitchen

*John on the sidelines coaching the B Team

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT’S DRY SEASON here in Ukarumpa and we have gone over two weeks with no rain. While our rain tank is still half full a number of people’s tanks are drying up, which is a concern since everyone here depends on rain for drinking water. Please pray that God will bring some rain. This is also the time Papua New Guineans around the valley burn areas in which to plant their gardens and the kids also burn dry grass (“just for fun”, says Kairu). So when this burning happens very near our center, it makes for VERY smoky days. Here are a couple of pictures from last week to show you the air quality.

*looking at the high school

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

 

Here is a little bit about Joey:

• Joey is very happy to be back in Ukarumpa, mainly because of his gang of good friends. They have a LOT of fun together but also go a bit deeper with their weekly Bible Study and prayer partners. We’re thankful he has a group of friends like he does and that he is choosing to follow God.
• He doesn’t have a big load of studies since he’s in grade 12 (which he’s happy about). And speaking of studies, please pray that God would lead Joey as he makes a decision about his future after graduation in June 2015.
• In his spare time he’s been riding motorbikes and painting his locker door, which all the seniors can do. We weren’t a bit surprised with his design. :)
• To make a little money Joey works at Teen Center. About four times per school term, the teens put on a Hamburger Night for the community. They run the whole shebang by themselves, with the oversight of two adults. It’s a great ministry for the community since there are no restaurants around and it gives the moms a break from cooking. Not only does Joey works at the Hamburger Nights but he also brings the towels and rags home and washes and hangs them to earn a little extra money.
• He and Kairu are starting a rain tank cleaning business.

*the front of his locker door

*the back of it

*lining up to order our burgers and fries!

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

In the next few posts, I thought I’d give you a glimpse into the life of each one of us, now that we’re back in Ukarumpa. First off, Luke!

• Luke started 9^th grade on July 22nd. There are only six boys in his class!
• He and the other five boys are in a community group that meets Wednesday nights, led by two of the dads. The dads want the boys over the course of the year to learn how to study the Bible and to discover how great it is to love Christ. Yes!
• Luke has learned to ride our motorbike. He and John have gone off center several times now for long rides – through mud AND beautiful scenery. Thankfully no major mishaps yet.
• Luke is playing on the school’s volleyball team with his two brothers, Joey and Kairu. We think the tennis he plays has helped him with the skill of serving and spiking a volleyball.

Please pray for Luke to continue to follow God, to deepen his friendships, and know how much he is loved. Thanks!

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS as we made the journey back to Papua New Guinea. After several flights (about 20 hours total), sitting in airports and a two night layover in Australia, we arrived back July 10th. Besides seeing friends and reuniting with Joey, the adjustment to being back here has not been easy. Cleaning, getting personal things out of storage, figuring out the house’s unique pipe system for clean and unclean water, starting the process of cooking three meals a day, hanging laundry, etc. are some of the things we’ve been experiencing.

Please PRAY for us as we continue to settle and get into a routine. John has started back to the translation desk getting ready for his trip to Solomon Islands at the end of August. The boys start school on Wednesday. Luke is starting grade 9, Joey grade 12, and Kairu grade 12. Yes, you read that right. Kairu is living with us for the upcoming year while his parents live in another town. We’re glad he’s part of our family again!

*The owners of our house just went on furlough so we can live here for a year. We have the use of a little beater of a car which is nice when it rains! The boys have named it the Zucchini Mobile :).

*the side view of our house – you can see our rain tanks which we use for drinking. The toilets, shower, hot water, and washing machine all run off the not-so-clean river water.

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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

 

TONIGHT WE LEAVE on our journey back to Papua New Guinea. We would appreciate your prayers:

• for safety as we fly
• and as we get set up again in another rental house, unpack, stock up the kitchen, and then get into a routine of work and school. The first couple of weeks back are not ones I (Brena) look forward to, so please pray for me especially that I would take one day/minute at a time.

We’ve had a great two weeks here in California catching up with supporters, friends, and family members. We’ve met the newest member of the family, my step-niece, Audrey Donley. We’ve also been able to share in three group settings about our work in Papua Guinea. I wish I could post every single picture of every single person we saw, but of course that would be a little bit over the top :). Here are just a few.

(our good friends, the Burtons)

(a surprise visit to my teacher from junior high days, Yolanda and Chris Osborne)

(John and Luke catching a wave. Luke has been a good sport with all the visiting we’ve been doing. A fun day for him was boogie boarding with our friends, Keith and Lois Anderson, and his cousin, Kenzie)

(Cousin time – Luke and Kenzie Peters, both 14 years old)

(Catching up with three high school friends, John and Sheri (Smith) Valadez and Heather Holt)

(An afternoon with my dear Aunt Judi (my mom’s sister), cousin Kimberly and family, my brother and family, and my parents)

(My step-mom, Jane, and baby Audrey)

We appreciate you all!!

To Be In Touch:

PO Box 1 (134), Ukarumpa EHP 444, Papua New Guinea

john_bruner@sil.org

To Give:

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