MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Bruner house! Christmas overseas means things are a bit different than Christmas in America. We still set up a tree (with all the ornaments we carry around with us), hang our stockings, and cook/bake the usual things, but we spend the day with friends rather than family. Also, all the offices and the one and only store close for 2 weeks so things are quiet and calm. There’s something wonderful and simple about that, but it can also make us feel a bit lonely and distant from people and traditions back home.

Here’s what’s been going on lately:

• The school year is already half over for the boys!?! Joey and Kairu have been applying for colleges, so please continue to pray for their future direction.
• They have also been cleaning rain tanks and recently went on the Senior Retreat down to the coast (photos below). We’re thankful God kept them safe and that they all had a great time together!
• Kairu is spending the Christmas week with his family in a city about 2 hours from here. Unfortunately on the way there, the bus he was in was held up and his wallet and bag were stolen.
• Luke is starting a car wash business during this 5 week break and spending time with friends.
• I (Brena) have been baking for the Coffee Houses and Teas and generally cooking for us and guests.
• John has been mentoring the PNG men who are training to be translation consultants and also preparing for his trip to Solomon Islands in February when the Fataleka team will do the final read-through of the New Testament. He also just started an online Greek course as a prerequisite to a Master’s program in Bible Translation that he is considering enrolling in.
• Grant is spending Christmas week in Colorado with his girlfriend, Aspen (who we had the pleasure of meeting on our recent trip to the States), and her family. He will spend the rest of his break in South Carolina with John’s brother, Dave, and his family.
• And in a few days we’re driving down to the coastal town of Madang with another family for several days of vacation. We’ll stay at the Wycliffe guesthouse, eat out at restaurants, and swim at the beach. Madang is a lot like Honiara, the capital of the Solomons, so I’m sure it will bring back a lot of memories. And this will be the first time John and I have been back to Madang since 1997 when we attended the Pacific Orientation Course with baby Grant! Please pray that God will keep us safe as we drive and while we’re in the town.

So THANK YOU, dear friends, for being a part of our lives and work here in PNG this past year. We couldn’t be here without your prayers, financial support, and loving friendship. We love you.

class of 2016

the traditional senior photos on the senior trip

wow, does this bring back memories of our years in the Solomons!

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 John and I flew to the States for Seed Company meetings. It was a whirlwind of a trip (a little too busy for our liking) but special and fun in a lot of ways. Here are some of the highlights:

• We were encouraged and inspired through the Seed Co. meetings. We saw a number of old friends and met many new colleagues.
• We got to see Grant 7 days out of the 13 we were in the States! His Ultimate team had a tournament in the city where the meetings were held, and then he was able to spend a few days over the Thanksgiving break with us. It was a special gift from God.
• We were able to spend time with John’s parents, two of John’s brothers and some of their kids, and my sister and family.
• We ate lots of good food and I had a break from cooking. :)
• The boys did great while we were away.

So thank you for praying.  Pray for us now as we settle back in and get back to our jobs.

enjoying time together in Brisbane on the way to the States

a room full of Seed Co. folks hearing what God is doing in Bible translation around the world

Grant (on right) with his grandparents and some of his cousins

we so enjoyed watching Grant (far right) and his team play Ultimate

saying good-bye to my lovely big sister, Beth

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

Trip #1: Luke and eight other band students had the privilege last month of traveling down to Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, to help teach some beginning band students. This band was started by Luke’s teacher, Marlene Schutter. They traveled by van and plane and from all that we heard, they had a really fun and memorable time. Not only did they help teach but they performed several times, ate out at restaurants, and even went to a very western mall! We’re thankful God gave Luke this opportunity and that it was inspiring to the young students who are part of the first band in a PNG school. One of the students, after hearing our kids play, said “I’m going to practice a lot!” :) So thank you for praying!

Marlene Schutter and the beginning band students

Luke out on the town with fellow band members

Trip #2: John and I (Brena) have the very special opportunity to travel to the States (Texas) tomorrow to attend 5 days of Seed Company meetings. This is the first work trip I’ve ever been able to take with John and the fact that we’re heading back to the States so soon after arriving, seems very unreal to me! I’m thanking God that not only will John and I be able to make this trip together, but we’ll be able to see some extended family and our very own Grant over the Thanksgiving holidays! How great is that?!? We’ll be gone 2 ½ weeks. Joey, Luke and Kairu will be staying in different homes, so please pray for them while we’re away. I’m sure they’ll keep busy with school and soccer.

Kairu as Keeper

Joey on left and Luke #15

And thank you for praying for rain. It’s rained a number of times in the last couple of weeks!

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

We thought it would be good to give a summary of the last several months – what God has been doing as a result of your prayers and what we are praying He will do.

~Praise that John’s trip to the Solomon Islands was productive. He and the Fataleka team finished the checking of all the NT books! The final read through will be in February 2016.

~Praise that John is enjoying his job as Intern Coordinator for the PNG men who are training to be translation consultants.

~Praise that we’ve settled in well and are enjoying the different things we’re doing.

~Praise that Grant had a great summer in South Carolina and is now back at John Brown University and doing well.

~John was also able to address the situation that occurred with a couple of the men on the Fataleka team in the Solomons. Pray that these men will be truly repentant and that through the translated Scripture, God will work in their hearts.

~Pray that God will clearly lead Joey and Kairu in their future plans after graduation 2016.

~Pray that the 800 trial editions of the Fataleka scripture will have an impact on the lives of the people who read it.

~Pray that the boys would continue to grow in their relationship with the Lord, follow Him, and know how much they are loved.

~Please pray for rain! It hasn’t rained much at all in several months and predictions are that this drought will continue until early 2016. Because people rely on their gardens for food this has the potential to seriously affect many people.

~Pray for Luke and 8 other band students traveling down to Port Moresby this weekend. They and their band teacher will be helping to teach some students who have just started learning to play their instruments. Pray for safety as they travel by local bus and plane.

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

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