December 21, 2024^th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 88^th PHILIPPINE TRIP DECEMBER 1-21, 2024

Dear brethren,                               

By the mercies of God, Jim McDonald brought me to the Philippines in 1995 and now my 88^th trip is complete, December 1-21. God blessed this trip with the labors of Mark Mayberry and Chris Reeves. In addition to lessons for sinners, classes and lectureships for preachers and other saints, and private studies, 13 souls were baptized during this phase of the war between God and Satan!

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5).  We press forward to victory in Christ!

December 1-4 was used for travel, errands, and preparation to begin classes taught by the three of us on “The Challenge of Gospel Preaching” at the Kapitbahayn church of Christ in Navotas where Elias Cruz labors.  54 souls heard my lesson on “The Heart of the Preacher,” Mark’s on unity among God’s people, and Chris’ on challenges faced by Old and New Testament preachers.  The open forum was very fruitful with questions about how to distinguish doctrinal truth from personal opinions and scruples of conscience, the process of appointing elders, and other topics.

December 5 Mark and I planned to travel to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia to work with Nick Rowe, but complications arose which prevented Mark from going.  I went ahead while he stayed in Manila working with Chris and then he flew to Tuguegarao, Cagayan to work with Rody Gumpad.  Chris went to Cebu Island to preach for the remainder of the trip.  In Malaysia December 6-9 I presented a series entitled “The Bible Is the Word of God.”  The largest attendance was 24 on Sunday because of people’s work schedules, but we had profitable studies with good open forums.  I conducted a home study with a man Nick has been working with.

I returned to Manila on the 10^th and Mark with James Paet joined me as we traveled to Kidapawan City, Cotabato on Mindanao to teach “How to Study the Bible” December 12-13 to 110 people gathered by Danny Angeles.  A large part of the audience were denominational preachers who were very attentive.  The open forums were fruitful because the questions were seeking more information, not resisting the truth.  When we first arrived we conducted a study in the home of a medical doctor who is a 7^th Day Adventist befriended by Danny.  Sunday after preaching to the saints, Mark and I preached the gospel in two independent Pentecostal type churches.  We were well received.  Danny will follow up.  Nine souls submitted to Christ.

On 16^th James Paet and I returned to Luzon and Mark went to Cebu to work with Chris.  A lectureship was planned for Angeles City, Pampanga with Lordy Salunga on “Marriage and Morals” for December 17-18.  Lordy had emergency surgery and Archie Alarcon saved the day by arranging for us to rent a suitable venue in nearby Santo Tomas.  80 souls gathered as we studied “Marriage: God’s Gift to Man and Woman,” “Marriage: Joined by God,” “The Truth about Abortion,” and “The Truth about Homosexuality.”  The next day addressed “Pornography: Making Sex an Idol,” “The Truth about Transgender,” and “Preserving Unity in Christ.”  Each day the open forum generated about 30 questions on the topics covered, especially marriage.

Philippine culture is Roman Catholic and the government makes no provision for divorce, not even for fornication.  In recent years, brethren have become better acquainted with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9.  As they have come to understand that Jesus allows divorce and remarriage for the innocent party in cases of divorce for fornication, they have begun to explore deeper the Bible teaching on marriage in general.  For instance, there were repeated questions about when God actually binds or joins two people in marriage – how do legal requirements, various customs, and witnesses play into the picture?  God joins us when there is intent to marry, agreement to marry, and vows of marriage (Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:14-16; Eccl. 4:4-5).  Other incidental factors should be respected so that the marriage will be recognized and accepted in society.

Friday 805 Bibles in Filipino dialects were purchased at the Philippine Bible Society.

Saturday brought us home to our loved ones. Thank God for all the saints who pray for and support the cause of Christ in 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