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.

Our first announcement in July focused on two pressing needs.  Thanks to your response, sufficient funds have now been given for the education of Hannie Lynn Carpentero. Her mother Linma is the widow of Cipriano, a talented and dedicated gospel preacher who died late in 2005.  Linma has sacrificed everything to help “Honnielyn” finish nursing school so that she can find employment.  Many of you have helped to make this dream possible by your generous gifts.

Church Building for Kapitbahayan Church of Christ in Manila. We told about the saints of the Kapitbahayan Church of Christ, Navotas, Metro Manila meeting for many years in a community chapel used by denominations.  The attendance on Sundays 7:00-9:00 A.M. runs over 120.  Visitors arrived during denominational services thinking they had found our brethren.  Bible classes were held in the homes of brethren Ben Cruz and Jerry Toreja. An elderly sister climbing the steep, narrow stairs going to class fell and died.  Others do not attend for fear of falling.

The brethren finally were able to buy a lot and they began the construction of a meeting house.  I saw it in August when the floor was still dirt and there were no windows or doors. Many of you responded and Ben reported on November 11 that they are now meeting in the unfinished structure.  “The construction continuous little by little because of the lack of fund. The last American brethren donated is through the efforts of Bro. Ron Halbrook of Kentucky…through bank to bank, wired funding, he sent $4,200…last October 19,’07. At present, we are still needing about  Php 300,000 to Php 400,000 to finish the second floor…This is only the rough finished, no division, no accessories, just plain room,” Ben explained.  When it rains, the water runs down the stairs to the first floor.

They can finish the basic construction for about $10,000.  They are sacrificing every possible peso and doing most of the work themselves.  Let’s help them finish the job!

Additional funds you have sent helped with expenses for Bibles and study materials, eye surgery for an aged yet active preacher, vehicle repairs for a preacher, aid to some widows, etc.

Whether you give $500 or $5,000, the tax deduction helps you stretch your money to do more.  All who give will receive a tax receipt and a financial report on the work you are helping to accomplish.