Help A Neighbor began in 2007 in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  This is an avenue for individuals (not churches) to help those who help themselves.  Our main focus is the Philippine Islands. Resources may be used to build church buildings, to extend medical aid, to build or repair domiciles, or to give other forms of humanitarian and charitable aid.  Funds given to H.A.N. are tax deductible under the IRS code. 

My 36^th trip to the Philippines will be October 30-November 22, concentrating on meetings with denominational preachers.  I will make a six-day side trip to Auckland, New Zealand to help a Filipino family start a new congregation.  No sound churches exist in that land, but Ronnie Salunga will gather his family and other contacts to make a start.  This adds expenses to my trip but the urgent need justifies it.

Since the last report, several medical needs of our brethren have been met.  Occasionally, a laptop or a PowerPoint projector is given to a preacher capable of using it effectively, and one projector was given. 

The Lanton church in General Santos City on Mindanao was threatened with the loss of its property and building unless $9,000 was paid to someone the court recognized as holding a deed.  A government sponsored agency had granted Jolly Julom the land for a church building years ago.  Thanks to the help of many brethren, Jolly has this money in escrow with the service of a lawyer. He was waiting for the deed holder to comply with government regulations to secure a clear deed once the money is paid.  The purported owner expressed hot anger at Jolly for using a lawyer to insist on proper procedures.  A few days ago, the deed holder sent the sheriff with an armed mob to demolish the church building and Jolly’s house, and to drive them off the land!  Filipino officials are often bribed.  They will answer to the final Judge who cannot be bribed!  This may have been a scam all along.  Jolly is looking for new property to rebuild.

The church at Cordon, Isabela continues reconstructing their building, which is rotting and crumbling.  Another $2,000 was given toward this effort.  It is a large building and much work remains to be done.  These brethren are sacrificing much in labor and funds–we are helping those who help themselves!

We are trying to raise $4,000 to save the meeting place of the Cypress church of Christ in Baguio City, (independent city within Benguet Province on Luzon Island) where Mark Bayado preaches. $1,000 has been sent and deposited in an account while we try to find the remaining amount.  The brethren there scraped and sacrificed, but the full amount is well beyond their reach.  Mark pleads, “Oh, my heart is aching and the church is crying as we do not know anyone to ask help! Kindly have mercy on us!” 

In 2008 I saw three unfinished buildings in adjoining provinces on Luzon.  We have helped to complete two.  If we find about $3,000, the third at Caba in La Union Province can be completed.

Saints plead for help on church buildings damaged or destroyed by floods and mud slides.

Filipinos love to sing in English and can use our discarded books, but they also need small songbooks in their dialects.  Brethren far and wide are pleading for help to reprint these books. $1,000-1,500 in each of several strategic locations would relieve some of this need.

There is a constant pressing need for Bibles, songbooks, and study materials.  I am struggling with large debts created by providing such books at many places, while also trying to plan for materials I hope to distribute in the Philippines and in New Zealand during the upcoming trip.  Unless I pay this debt down, I must greatly curtail this effort. Urgent: Distributing study materials will bear fruit for years to come!

Donors receive updates and financial reports.  Anyone giving $500 automatically receives a receipt in order to claim a tax deduction (if you give less, you can request this receipt).  Checks should be written to Help A Neighbor and mailed to my home address.  Good news: This investment pays dividends in eternity!