Ron & Donna Halbrook

3505 Horse Run Ct.

Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954

PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES!

November 2, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God willing, November 30-December 21 I will labor for the Master in the Philippines, my 60th trip since Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995.  Jim Barnett who labors with the saints in Hope, NM and  Steven Saunders who preaches in Macon, MO will be making their second trip with me.  These men are not only competent evangelists but also excellent song leaders who can teach singing.  Through the gospel God tunes our hearts to join the angels in praising His Son:  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).
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Ron & Donna Halbrook
3505 Horse Run Ct.
Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954

PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES!
May 19, 2015th Year of Our Lord
                                                            
Dear brethren,

My 59th preaching trip to the Philippines and 5th trip to Australia is set for July 28-August 26, since my first Philippine trip with Jim McDonald in 1995.  Keith Greer, faithful evangelist at the Harrodsburg, KY church of Christ, will make his 10th trip with me.  Grayson Key, a faithful Christian here in Louisville, will join us for his first trip.  Though not a preacher, he is a capable teacher.  We must be busy preparing men for Christ’s return.  Christ said, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jn. 5:28-29).
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October 31, 2014^th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God opened a door for me to preach in the Philippines first with Jim McDonald in 1995, and now my 56^th trip is planned for December 1-19 by His marvelous grace.  Paul urged Christians at Corinth to meet challenges both from within and without the church: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). My trip will echo this stirring call in the Philippines and New Zealand.

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Dear family, brethren, and friends, I appreciate your prayers for safety
and success in these labors.  Be sure to look up at the moon so that I’ll
know you are still there!  May God bless each one of you till we meet
again. In Christian love, Ron

PHILIPPINE TRIP ITINERARY JULY 29-AUGUST 28, 2014

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PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES!

July 3, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God’s good providence involved me in the Philippine work when Jim McDonald took me in 1995, and now my 55th trip is set for July 29-August 28.  In Luke 5:1-11 Jesus told Peter to launch his boat into the deep waters of the Sea of Galilee and drop his nets.  Though he had fished all night and caught nothing,  Peter said, “At thy word I will let down the net.”  It took two ships to bring in the tremendous catch of fish!  Jesus then promised to teach Peter to “catch men.”  McGarvey commented, “Disciples are fishers, human souls are fish, the world is the sea, the gospel is the net, and eternal life is the shore whither the catch is drawn.”  At Christ’s word we still cast the gospel net, catching souls for eternal life.

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March 15, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

With God’s help plans are in place for my 54th preaching trip to the Philippines April 1-May 1, after the first trip in 1995 with Jim McDonald.  The gospel is veiled to the lost who close their eyes “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them,” but many Filipinos are seeking that very light (2 Cor. 4:4).  Lessons are planned to shine the gospel light into the hearts of souls who have never heard the truth and into the hearts of saints to strengthen their faith.

Many doors are open in Metro Manila and I plan to spend the first five days there (Apr. 3-7).  This will include a visit to Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to preach to the inmates Willie Pastor is teaching.

On Tuesday, April 7, I plan to fly to Masbate Island to follow up on the new breakthroughs which have been made there.  We were there in December and again March 3-4.  Several denominational preachers have been converted in recent months such as Gregg and Ronnel Jumao-as at Del Carmen, where I will preach again on this trip.  Their members as well as denominational “pastors” will hear the pure and original gospel of Christ.  Rex Maga, “pastor” of a Fundamental Baptist Church, wants to gather men to hear.

Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte is scheduled for April 13-19.  After attending the series on “The Home and Family,” Edgardo Parangan requested these lessons be taught in Dipolog City for the sake of the young people as well as other members.  Several preachers will attend as well. Studies on the home are needed because Philippine culture is saturated with corruption, fornication, and adultery.

After finishing the classes at Dipolog City, I will travel east across northern Mindanao April 20-22 to preach in one-day gospel meetings at Oroquieta City, Ozamiz City, and Pan-ay, Clarin, all in the province of Misamis Occidental.  Lessons will be presented to increase the faith of the saved and to save sinners.

April 23-25 I will travel all day to reach Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental, and then spend one day working with Jhun Carpentero and one day with Cyrus Gesulga there.

Next, I plan to visit Laoag City, capital of Ilocos Norte on Luzon during April 26-29.  On Sunday I will work with Efren Ramos to encourage the good progress in the work at Nueva Era.  A visit is also planned with Mat Sibayan and his son Junior at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail, because many souls are being saved here.  Monday-Tuesday I hope to present a series of lessons on the theme “God’s Plan for Unity When Issues Divide Brethren,” gathering preachers in the area at the Laoag City church of Christ.

For several years I have asked Jonathan Carino to go with me in the Visayas and Mindanao because his skills are very valuable to the work I am doing.  Even now he is helping make preparations behind the scenes as usual but will not travel with me so much on this trip or future trips for a time, though he is able and willing. The Lord’s work on Cebu and nearby places has made quantum leaps in the past year, requiring his constant attention.  He holds weekly classes for newly converted preachers to ground them in the faith.  Also, he plans to start a part-time business to meet some debts.  Since we cannot break him into two or three pieces, he must concentrate on duties closer to home.  We will continue in close communication.

Jonathan will visit Leyte again March 15-22 to distribute benevolence entrusted to him.  I am still sending funds entrusted to me.  I have sufficient funds in hand at this time and am forwarding them portion by portion rather than all at once, so as to provide food.  Some is being forwarded for the repair of homes.  Sending all the funds at once creates dangers of temptation and waste.

Prayers and funds from churches and individuals will make this trip possible!  Individuals giving for church buildings and similar needs may write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

January 31, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God’s providence opened a door through Jim McDonald for me to preach in the Philippines in 1995.  My 53rd trip is now scheduled for February 18-March 6.  This is the shortest trip I’ve ever made because of its nature.  I will spend only 14 actual days laboring, much of the time involving the distribution of benevolence which is more tedious and exhausting than teaching.  Paul said, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints” (Rom. 15:25).  Facing difficult challenges, he asked the Romans to earnestly pray for him (vv. 30-31).  I request your prayers for the same reason.

The first few days (Feb. 20-23) will be spent teaching in Manila. On Sunday I will visit Willie Pastor and other saints meeting in the prison.  Willie may be released soon, but the prison work must go forward.

Monday the 24th I fly to the Visayas to visit again areas hit on November 8, 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, the worst typhoon in recorded history.  The latest update lists 6,190 dead with 1,785 missing, 28,626 injured, 4,000,000 displaced from their homes, and about 16,000,000 affected in significant ways.  On December 14 I traveled to Leyte and will never forget the horrific devastation.  Trees, beams, and vehicles were twisted like pretzels.  Virtually every building was damaged or destroyed.  Many saints are among the victims.

Not only were homes and personal belongings swept away by this monster storm but also the means to make a meager living.  Animals were killed, coconut groves flattened, and shops and businesses crushed.

Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco will guide me to brethren who are suffering.  During my December trip, funds were left with several congregations to provide food for about three weeks.  Harry Osborne has just returned from doing the same thing.  I can deliver funds again for food.  We are addressing the need to repair or reconstruct houses.  Churches and individuals asked me to act as a messenger in delivering funds, but all the funds could not be delivered instantly.  In a culture of poverty large amounts of money arriving all at once can create temptations for misuse.  Also, government and relief organizations buy up materials. I consult Filipino brethren and send bank wires, MoneyGrams, and Western Union wires as funds can be used.

Before sending additional donations, it is better for churches to wait for further notice until the funds on hand are delivered.  Individual donations are more flexible and can be used for damaged or destroyed church buildings, so they are fine.  Bibles in dialects are gradually being bought and distributed (about $6,000 worth in Dec.; more are needed).  I am packing large boxes with clothes, English Bibles, food items, personal care items, and songbooks to ship for about $125 per box.  Filipinos are always crying for songbooks, and now in the Visayas this need is especially critical-new or used, in virtually any condition (they patch them with duck tape).

News about Yolanda overshadowed needs created by storm damage on Luzon just ahead of Yolanda and on Mindanao just after it.  If previous donors will give permission for part of the funds on hand to meet some of these needs, or if anyone wishes to donate for such needs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Saints have reached out from the Philippines, U.S., Canada, Australia, Italy, and Nigeria to help the typhoon victims!  Some preachers who have relayed funds include Jim McDonald, Craig Thomas, Glendol McClure, Keith Greer, Harry Osborne, Steve Lee, and Filipinos such as Rody Gumpad, Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Edgar Samodal, Cyrus Gesulga, and others.  No one church is “the sponsor” and no preacher “the coordinator.”  Churches and individuals are simply choosing their own messengers and getting the job done.  God’s plan works if we work God’s plan!

Prayers and financial help from churches and individuals will make this trip possible!  Individuals giving for church buildings and similar needs may write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).   “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Prov. 11:25).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

E-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.