Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Jan. 31 – Feb. 25, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and the help of His saints I completed my 41^st Philippine trip January 31-February 25. Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). On the first trip with Jim McDonald in 1995 it was impossible to envision what a great door was opening or how many adversaries might arise–41 trips have fortified my faith in God’s providence. This open door has now led me to New Zealand four times. It was my privilege to present 72 lessons and nine were baptized as “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Most of the time was devoted to preacher training. January 27-30 was spent working with Olen Holderby at the Alameda, CA church of Christ. In an effort to reach biblically illiterate Asians here, we emphasized the Bible as “God’s Only True Word,” and “Only One True God” in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Over 900 fliers were distributed, yet none came. We must keep trying in the U.S. but the door is open wider in the Philippines.

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Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Nov. 29 – Dec 20, 2010

January 6, 2011^th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 40^th PHILIPPINE TRIP Nov. 29-Dec. 20, 2010

Dear brethren,

As Jonah grieved for his shade vine, God grieved for the wayward Ninevites. As God sent Jonah to save them from destruction, He sent us to save a lost world destined for eternal torment in hell. God opened a door for me to preach in the Philippines when Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995, and now I have safely returned from my 40^th trip (Nov. 29-Dec. 20). Steve Wallace (St. Leon, IN Church of Christ) and Travis Pyle (Ashley Heights Church of Christ, Charleston, SC) were able companions as we joined hands with many Filipino saints. I presented 52 lessons. Travis’ labors with Rody Gumpad on Luzon yielded 44 baptisms, and 40 were baptized and 6 restored as Steve and I labored on Mindanao.

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Construction for Camaman-an Church of Christ

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Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip July 22-Aug 25, 2010

Dear brethren,

Jeremiah lamented Judah’s fall, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22) Many Filipinos accept God’s balm for sin-sick souls. By God’s grace, my 39^th Philippine trip was safely completed July 22-August 25. I worked with Phil Martin (Jere Whitson Road Church of Christ, Cookeville, TN) August 6-19 and Harry Osborne (84^th St. Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, OK) the 18^th -24^th. Thank God, Jim McDonald of Lufkin, TX introduced me to the Philippine work in 1995! I presented 97 lessons on this trip. Several souls were restored and 64 baptized as God gave the increase.

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36th Phillipine Trip

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.

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Brethren at Lanton

Our Savior’s life perfectly exemplifies his wonderful words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). In learning to be unselfish like our Lord we become a greater blessing to the world and we experience greater meaning, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life. There are many ways for us to experience this blessing and Help A Neighbor is just one avenue by which individuals can extend a helping hand to our fellowman. Donations are tax deductible because the I.R.S. classifies H.A.N. as a charitable organization for tax purposes. We do not solicit or accept donations from churches.

I am thankful to report that generous giving has greatly increased our ability to help those who help themselves. When I visited General Santos City in southern Mindanao in the Philippines last August, I learned that the Lanton church was in danger of losing its building. An agency sponsored by the government had granted land to Jolly Julom for the building in the 1990’s, but now the courts recognize a deed held by a woman claiming the land as her property. Our brethren were served an eviction notice.

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Church Building Needs

“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Eccl. 11:1). Planting seed or starting a business involves work and sacrifice to be rewarded when profits are reaped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. People who donate funds to Help A Neighbor join hands in work and sacrifice, but the rewards are great when we help saints who are in need–saints who also help themselves.

Individual donations to Help A Neighbor are tax deductible because we engage in charitable purposes as defined by the IRS. We do not solicit or accept donations from churches.

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Updates

July 31-August 22 marks my 31^st preaching trip to the Philippines. This is harvest time there as occurred in the book of Acts and in the U.S. in the 1800’s. In addition to proclaiming the gospel with Filipino preachers, I am spending much time teaching classes to upgrade preachers’ knowledge and skills. The gospel can thrive in poverty as in prosperity, but our prosperity equips us to aid the saints in poverty in their work. We do not want to create dependence, but we want to help those who help themselves. This we do 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.”

Help A Neighbor provides an opportunity for individual efforts not for local church action. Individuals giving $500 or more may legally claim a tax deduction because Help A Neighbor functions for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS.

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Carpentero and Kapitbahayan Updates

God willing, later today I will start my 30^th trip to the Philippines (Mar. 27-May 4). It is 2:00 A.M. but I am determined to get this encouraging information out before leaving town. Help A Neighbor is a useful avenue for individuals to provide poor Filipinos some things beyond their reach in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” A gift of $500 or more toward such efforts is tax deductible: Help A Neighbor acts for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS Code section 501(C) 3. Honnielyn Carpentero to Graduate from Nursing School. One of our first goals was to aid a widow named Linma Carpentero in helping her daughter Hannie Lynn (“Honnielyn”) finish nursing school. Cipriano–faithful husband, father, and preacher–died an untimely death in late 2005. Generous gifts amounting to $6,640 have been given and we hope soon to announce Honnielyn’s graduation!

Church Building for Kapitbahayan Church of Christ in Manila Nearing Completion. In July 2007 we started gathering funds to help the saints of the Kapitbahayan church to pursue their plan in constructing a meeting house. They met for many years in a borrowed facility used by denominational groups, but had outgrown this facility. Visitors sometimes attended the denominational groups thinking they had found the church of Christ. For the past year I have watched this project progress. On February 4, 2008 I preached two lessons on the history and translation of the Bible to 100 people gathered on the first floor and soon thereafter it was finished. Brethren from Manila and surrounding regions were invited to attend an all-day gospel meeting on February 29. An overflow crowd attended, six were baptized, others were restored, and there was great rejoicing by all! The second floor and some finishing work can be completed for $2,000-$3,000. To see the new building go to www.hebronlanechurch.com, click on “Sermons,” and open at “Mar. 2, 2008, Ron Halbrook, Bringing In Filipino Sheaves.”

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Overwhelming Response

I am often amazed at the providence of God. I am very surprised to be able to report that the response of brethren wanting to participate in Help A Neighbor has been overwhelming! This new effort began in July as one means of providing for others what they are unable to provide for themselves in the spirit of Matthew 22:39: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Individual Christians who are friends of Philippine saints and work have trusted us to act as a source of reliable information and to deliver needed resources.

Help A Neighbor facilitates efforts to provide resources desperately needed in the Philippines by brethren wishing to give $500 or more. Resources may be used to build church buildings, to extend medical aid, or to meet such needs as building or repairing domiciles. Help A Neighbor exists exclusively for charitable purposes as defined and approved by section 501 (C) 3 of the IRS Code. Funds given for this purpose are tax deductible. To satisfy legal requirements, family members joined me in this endeavor: Donna, Jonathan, and David.

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