Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Dondon drove us from the hotel in Pagadian City out into the country on Saturday to meet with the church at Lower Sambulawan, Ramon Magsaysay where Ernie Collado has established a new congregation during the last couple of years.  About 30 souls were assembled in their building as I taught the lesson “Work While It Is Day (Jn. 9:4).”  After greeting everyone, taking pictures, and having a short visit, we proceeded to the church at Lower Pulacan, Labangan where Ernie lives and has preached for many years.  A study of Jesus as “The Bread of Life” in John 6 was presented to about 35 people who were most attentive.  Ernie provided a very fine lunch in his house.

Then we drove to the church at Manga where James Armada continues the good work of his father Leo who passed away a couple of years ago. After preaching to 25 souls on “Work While It Is Day,” I was requested to bring an additional lesson – I preached “The Bread of Life.”

In the open forum, a brother asked what can we do when a person professes to be a Christian but does not grow.  Such people must be considered on a case by case basis.  First, we should continue teaching subjects that may help them grow.  Second, we should consider that a person who lacks growth in one area of his life may actually be working on other areas and progressing, which gives hope they will eventually mature in areas where they are presently weak.  In some cases their lack of grow may involve stubbornness and rebellion, which will need to be addressed in the disciplinary process.

This has been another busy and tiring day, but also a very encouraging and rewarding day.  It has been several years since I was able to visit the Pagadian City area and there are hundreds of dear brethren here.  James Armada and I were able to spend a few minutes at his parents’ grave remembering and reflecting on their faithful years of service to Christ.  We offered to God a prayer of thanksgiving.  Then Jonathan and I did the same thing at his parents’ grave when we returned to town.  The lives of godly saints touch us for good forever!

As I have walked the last couple of nights, it has been a joy to see the half moon smiling down on the earth, and reminding us that God smiles down on us a thousand ways day and night!

The Lord’s Day was spent with the saints at Camanga Dumalinao about an hour from our hotel in Pagadian City.  I preached to some of these people and baptized them in a pool years ago.  They have been growing and have erected their own meetinghouse.  About 40 souls met with us as I taught on “From Wretched Man to More Than Conquerors,” “The Bread of Life,” and “Modest Dress through the Ages.”  When the floor was opened for questions, they said all the lessons were perfectly clear and they had no questions.  This church has a good mix of age groups and includes several professionals such as teachers.  I could not have asked for a more attentive audience.

The last two days scheduled for teaching I conducted a lectureship on the theme “Marriage and Morals” at the Bogo church in Pagadian City where Ezekiel Carino serves as an evangelist. There was an excellent turnout with over 60 people who attended on Monday including preachers from the area and some who traveled great distances to come.  The first subject was “Marriage: God’s Gift to Man and Woman,” followed by “Marriage: Joined by God.”

After lunch Jonathan Carino spoke on God’s second law of pardon.  I then addressed “The Truth about Abortion” and “The Truth about Homosexuality.”  The open forum ran until about 6:00 P.M. with an interesting mix of questions.  We discussed whether believers should marry unbelievers (not wise but not sin), the legal challenges faced by Filipinos regarding divorce and remarriage under their laws, and whether contraception is right (yes, but not abortifacients).

One question really touched my heart.  A preacher asked about the case of a man from Japan who was converted in the Philippines from the transgender lifestyle.  He had undergone surgeries attempting to transition his body to the female gender before his conversion to Christ.  Yes, such a person can be saved if his repentance includes readjusting to the male gender with which he was created by God.  We can hardly imagine the tortured life into which Satan has cast many people in their bondage to sin, but we can rejoice for the power of the gospel to save all sinners from all of their sins!

Tuesday was our second day in the lectureship and the first topic was “The Truth about Transgender.”  Next, a two-part sermon addressed “The Threat of Pornography:  Making Sex an Idol.”  The last study was about “Preserving Unity in Christ.”

During the open forum there were good questions about different cases of baptism.  For instance, is a baptism valid if performed by a preacher from a premillennial or instrumental church of Christ?  Yes, if the steps of gospel obedience are clearly understood by the person who is baptized including faith in Christ, repentance from sin, confession of Christ, and immersion for remission of sins (Jn. 3:16; Acts 2:38; 8:37; Rom. 10:10; Acts 22:16).  Christ adds this person to his universal church (Acts 2:47).  The problem is not with the baptism but with the person then becoming a member of a local church which teaches and practices false doctrines.  This person must be taught the truth about these errors so that he can repent and escape from them (Ja. 5:19-20).
Our final session concluded with our singing “God Be with You Till We Meet Again,” and a closing prayer.  This has been a very fruitful two days.

A beautiful full moon greeted me tonight while I took my walk, reminding me of God’s love and your love in many places where dear brethren will be reading this report.

Every day has brought hard ran, but we have prayed for no rain to come Wednesday morning because the airport runway has no lights and planes cannot land during these rain storms.  By God’s good grace this morning was a good day for flying.  I flew with Jonathan and Nanette Carino to Cebu City.  We said our goodbyes there in joyful anticipation of their trip to the U.S. planned for November-December when we hope to meet again.  They have two children working in the U.S.

My Manila flight was late landing because of weather conditions caused by a typhoon which hit the northern part of Luzon and only skirted this area.  There were high winds and remnants of rain showers when we finally landed and deplaned.

My body is reminding me I am at this trip’s end, but my spirt was lifted by the opportunity to share supper with Dr. Teresa Toreja, Elias Cruz, Rody and Tessie Gumpad, James Paet, Tess James, Andy Alexander, and Keith Greer (Andy & Keith have just completed a preaching trip on Luzon and southern Mindanao). No one will have to rock me to sleep tonight and I do not plan to wake up with the dawn.  Mr. Moon was relaying greetings from all of you as he broke through the clouds tonight – what a beautiful sight!

I woke up shortly before 8:00 A.M. Thursday to a notice on my phone warning about rough rainy weather in Manila.  It seems the typhoon north of us has a wide reach and two days of continuing rain are expected here.  As I write this report in the evening, the skies are cloudy and overcast, but the rain has lightened, so hopefully the flights tomorrow will not be affected for Rody’s and Tessie’s return to Tuguegarao and for Andy’s, Keith’s, and my flights back to the U.S.

Today was a wonderful day because we had the exalted privilege to go the Philippine Bible Society to buy Bibles in various Filipino dialects to send to many preachers to be distributed to our brethren who cannot afford them.  By God’s grace through the donations many of you have made, I purchased 784 Bibles.  May God bless every saint who donated every penny for those Bibles!

In keeping with my tradition, after leaving the P.B.S. this afternoon, James Paet drove us to the Pancake House so that I could savor their blueberry pancakes again.  When I finish the pancakes, it is officially time to go home.

I am now at the hotel completing the email notices to the recipients of the Bibles and getting things organized to go to the airport in the morning.  By the time some of you read this report Friday (or Thursday on U.S. time), I should be high in the sky making my way back to Donna, my beautiful and patient wife, and to the dear saints at the Hebron Lane church who help make these trips possible.  God willing, I will arrive home late Friday night after about 24 hours of travel.

Thank you to everyone for your prayers which have continued since I left home on July 26 until now and which will help to bring me safely home.  May God be glorified in all that we have done together in serving Him on this trip to Kenya and the Philippines.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.hebronlanechurchofchrist.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com