January 30 – February 20, 2018 trip to The Philippines & Australia
January 13, 2018th Year of Our Lord
Dear brethren,
Plans are made for my 69th preaching trip to the Philippines and my 7th trip to Australia January 30–February 20. I thank God for Jim McDonald first bringing me to the Philippines in 1995. We press forward in this work, knowing God’s purpose in Jesus who died and rose for our salvation: “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-11, NIV). Every creature in heaven and earth, now living or dead, will bow the knee to Jesus Christ in this life or on Judgment Day. Some do so willingly and receive the reward of heaven, while a host of sinners will do so reluctantly when they receive their righteous judgment to hell. We must call men to salvation before it is too late!
The flights on January 30-31 will bring me to Manila in the Philippines. The next day Filipino brethren will meet me to re-pack six boxes of Bibles and study materials for distribution at various venues.
February 2-6 will find me laboring with Jhun Bautista and Lordy Salunga at Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija where we plan to visit churches at Cabanatuan, San Jose, and Rizal. Through the good efforts of Abner Salanguit and Raymond Banting of Whakatane in New Zealand, a door is open in Cabanatuan City to teach Raymond’s relatives and other contacts previously associated with the International Churches of Christ (the old Crossroads and Boston movement).
In July of 2011 Jamie and Deborah (Halbrook) Williams moved with their two sons to Gladstone, Queensland, Australia with his work for ConocoPhillips, which ended in May 2017. Visiting and teaching in Gladstone, I became acquainted with the good brethren at Rockhampton and have preached there on five occasions. February 7-12 will be devoted to travel between Manila and Rockhampton to preach a series on The Inspiration and Canon of Scripture. It will be a joy to work with Daryl Johnson and other saints in Rockhampton. I also hope to see Carol Zussino whom we learned to know and love in Gladstone.
After my return to Manila, Rody Gumpad will bring me to Binan, Laguna on the 14th where Ferdie Ong labors as an evangelist. Then the next day we are scheduled to preach at the City of Trece Martires, Cavite where Junie Samontina labors in the gospel. Junie is a diligent and faithful young preacher.
In December sickness caused me to fall behind on some of my lessons on How to Study the Bible at the deaf mute church meeting in Sampaloc, Metro Manila where Tony Boy Hornedo has preached for many years. I will return to these brethren February 16-17 and complete our series with some added lessons. We will use PowerPoint charts with a white board at the side where we can add some explanation and someone will help with sign language.
Then on Sunday Ely Ebuenga will accompany us to enter the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa City. We will visit again the congregation meeting in Medium Security. That afternoon I will travel to the City of Paranaque, Metro Manila to worship with the saints meeting at Jaimy Battung’s house.
The usual visit to the Philippine Bible Society is scheduled for Monday so that Bibles in Filipino dialects can be ordered and shipped to various places around the islands. That is always a highlight!
Thank you in advance for making all this work possible! Individuals writing checks to Help A Neighbor can get a legal tax deduction. Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail them to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954. Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21). God bless you all!
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.