Dear brethren,

By God’s grace April 7-May 20 I completed my 42^nd Philippine preaching trip, which focused on teaching young people.  As Timothy learned “the holy scriptures” from childhood, it is imperative that we sow the seed of the kingdom in the hearts of young Filipinos (2 Tim. 3:14-15).  A total of 90 lessons were taught and 25 people were baptized (another 15-20 young people obeyed the gospel as a result of follow-up studies).  I thank God that Jim McDonald invited for me to join him for my first trip in 1995, and for all  saints who have provided financial help for these trips through the years.

April 9-10 I taught in the Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, once to a small group with Willie Pastor in the Receiving and Diagnostic Center and once to saints in Medium Security converted by Willie.  The latter venue was in a compound where prisons cook over small open flames, listen to the blare of all sorts of music, visit relatives, join denominational services, or assemble with the saints.  About 12 saints met amidst this din to study and worship.  Saturday afternoon we used an open-air gym to preach to 50-60 souls in the Muntinlupa Relocation Project.  Some of the visitors joined our Sunday worship in the small home of Lucio Centeno at the Southville 3 church.  One man was baptized.

On April 11 Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Cipriano Carpentero, Jr., Juanito Balbin and I converged on the Island of Mindanao at Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte. After an all-day gospel meeting at nearby Lopez Jaena, Misamis Occidental Province, we joined 300 attendees in Dipolog City for three days at the 29th annual lectureship of brethren advocating premillennialism.  Cyrus Gesulga helps plan the lectures and invited me to speak.  My lessons dealt with liberalism, the one-container faction, God’s kingdom and Matthew 24-25 vs. millennial concepts, and the Great Commission.  We were warmly received.  The men who accompanied me made contacts for follow-up studies. Cyrus and I continue having a very cordial and fruitful correspondence searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).

The Davao City area in southern Mindanao was the center of activities April 17-22. On Sunday I preached for the new church at Padada, Davao del Sur Province, where 80 attended and three were baptized. For the next three days Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco worked with Ben Canada teaching new groups at Kiblawan, Davao del Sur Province and Luna Sur, Makilala, North Cotabato Province.

VBS classes for teenagers were scheduled at five places, starting at Davao. I used 350 copies of the workbook by Cecil Willis, “How to Study the Bible,” and distributed 400 New Testaments because most young people have no Bible.  Lordy and I taught 60-70 youth at the Davao City New Matina church where Juanito Balbin labors. On April 21 we drove for 2 ½ hours to reach Luna Sur where Ben, Jonathan, and Jack labored the previous day.  An arbor across the road from a Philippine army camp sheltered us from the sun and torrential rain. 14 were baptized in this remote area infested with communists.  Friday six were baptized at Malasila, Makilala, North Cotabato Province as we worked with Hafley Caa.

Our next VBS was conducted April 24-26 at Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province where Rody Gumpad preaches.  After we preached on Sunday to 124, about 120 youth and adults attended the classes.  It was sad to learn that Ricky Ramirez left his wife and the church at Tumauini, Isabela Province. Next we worked with Domie Jacob at Cordon, Isabela in a one-day lectureship and two-day VBS with 50-60 youth under an arbor covered with plastic and palm branches next to Domie’s house.  May 1-3 was spent at Angeles City, Pampanga where Lordy Salunga preaches.  Some students arrived at 2:00 AM the first day lest they should be late and miss the first lessons!  The last VBS was held at Laoag City, Ilocos Norte where Mat Sibayan, Sr. labors.  Jonathan Carino shared in teaching duties.  160 attended including adults, so a ladies class was taught on the first floor of the church building.

May 8 I preached at the Southville 3 church, Muntinlupa City, and at the Bilibid Prison.  Monday I presented four lessons on God’s kingdom at Kapitbahayan, Navotas with Ben and Elias Cruz.

The youth were elated at the VBS classes everywhere and asked for more such studies!  Thank you, dear brethren, for making this trip possible!  May God continue to open doors for young Filipinos!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook