Halbrook Philippine Report July 26-August 25, 2016
September 3, 2016th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 63nd PHILIPPINE TRIP July 26-Aug. 25, 2016
Dear brethren,
After my first preaching in the Philippines with Jim McDonald in 1995, God has now blessed the 63rd trip with completion. Satan is waging all-out war to doom as many souls as possible to hell. God’s love calls soldiers of the cross to pass the torch of salvation around the world: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). This time 77 lessons were presented and 62 souls submitted to Christ in baptism.
The morning after my July 27 arrival in Manila, Elias Cruz, Sammy Paet, and Ely Ebuenga helped repack study materials to be sent ahead via air cargo. Friday I flew to General Santos City in southern Mindanao. The next day’s work began with Rosalito Nardo at San Filipe, South Cotabao and Sammy Facun at Tantangan. Institutional brethren Rosalito invited gladly heard teaching on the issue. Meanwhile, Jack Jaco preached to T’boli people in the mountains and six were baptized. Sunday Jack preached at Lake Sebu in the mountains. I joined Samson Castillon at San Isidro in the Sarangani Province, then Johnny Julom at the Riverside church, Apopong, General Santos City. I preached on “The Resurrection of Christ” and “The Prison of Sin” to attentive audiences.
August 1-5 Jack, Jonathan Carino, and I conducted all-day classes for over 70 men on Revelation using Dan King’s workbook and on Then Comes the End by Mike Willis. About half of them got materials and the others took notes. Revelation taught early Christians persecuted by Rome to have the martyr’s faith – we too need the same commitment. Such errors as premillennialism and the A.D. 70 doctrine were refuted.
Saturday en route to Davao City we preached a half day at Kitakal, Malungon, Sarangani. It was good to see Sel Sandoval and other saints there upholding the banner of Christ. In view of the long drought I taught on “God’s Weather Forecast” showing God not man controls the weather, and “When Good People Suffer Bad Things.” 177 attended and 22 were baptized.
Sunday I preached morning and evening at New Matina in Davao City where Juanito Balbin has labored for 40 years. The church has elders and regular training classes for preachers. Monday we went to Padada, Davao del Sur where Ben Canada helped establish a new work several years ago and Julie Notarte and his sons have continued to edify these saints. In the afternoon and during Tuesday I preached at Digos City where Julie Notarte has labored through the years. Over 200 attended and 12 obeyed Christ in baptism. Wednesday found us at Santo Thomas, Davao del Norte working with Joel Perigo and the next day at Luna Sur Makilala, North Cotabato with Ben Canada. We met in a Church of God denomination and Ben had follow up discussions with them. He had already baptized some of them before I came and the group has subsequently decided become to a church of Christ – the sign will change as soon as they have the funds.
Our appointment at the Lake Agco church of Christ in Kidapawan City was cancelled because of concern over possible violence by the New Peoples Army communist rebels. Better safe than sorry.
August 13 was a travel day bringing us to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Sunday I preached at the YMCA church on “Two Attitudes Toward God’s Word: Conservative and Liberal.” In the afternoon we visited the Bago City church where Shem Tagapan preaches. Several from the YMCA church attended the preacher training classes August 15-19 and decided the so-called “anti’s” teach the truth. About half of the 50 participants were denominational preachers and four obeyed the gospel – others are near!
August 20-24 was spent in Manila. Rody and Tessie Gumpad arrived from the U.S. Friday and I preached at the Edsa-Pasay church Sunday morning. They joined me for home studies with the Atoy Franco family (he died April 20) and at Jimmy Battung’s home. Monday three lessons on the inspiration, authority, and history of the Bible were presented at Kapitbahayan where Elias Cruz preaches. Tuesday was spent in Teresa Toreja’s clinic taking IV’s for dehydration and laryngitis. I could only whisper Wednesday but kept my appointment at the Philippine Bible Society to buy 1,301 Filipino Bibles, thanks to generous donors.
The faith, hope, love, zeal, and sacrifice of Filipino saints continue to grow as they harvest many souls for Christ. Thank you to all who love them and help make these trips possible to encourage them!
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com