Dear brethren,

Plans for a 44^th preaching trip to the Philippines are well underway, scheduled for November 29-December 19, 2011.  In Matthew 13:44-46 Jesus spoke of men who learn the great value of the kingdom of God sacrificing everything in order to enter or obtain it:

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. – Mat. 13:44-46

Jim McDonald invited me to preach the kingdom of God with him in the Philippines in 1995.  Seeing so many precious souls seeking the kingdom and making great sacrifices to enter it so changed my life that I have been compelled to return again and again.  Steven Deaton, with whom I labor here at the Hebron Lane church of Christ, will join me along with Jesse Flowers of the Pruett & Lobit St. church in Baytown, TX.

The first week of August was devoted to a preacher training class for 30 preachers selected by Cyrus Gesulga, a leading premillennial preacher among Filipino brethren.  The class was held at Cagayan de Oro, Misamis Oriental where Cipriano Carpentero preaches.  Cyrus had attended our preaching there in December of 2010, resulting in extensive correspondence.  At the end of the August class he openly expressed regret that premillennialism had divided our brethren, corrected his errors on Matthew 24 and Revelation 20, and pledged to spend his remaining days trying to heal the division.  As he wept with us, we prayed for God to forgive him and to strengthen him in his new commitment to preach the truth.  Many of his fellow preachers requested that we visit their areas and provide the same teaching.

We must give this need priority and strike while the iron is hot.  One of the close co-workers with Cyrus has insisted we come to the area where he has labored for many years:  Plaridel in the Misamis Occidental Province on Mindanao.  He used to head up a Bible school maintained by these brethren and therefore has a wide influence as a result of training so many young preachers who are now in the fields.

After finishing this work, Steven and Jesse will spend some time in northern Luzon with Rody Gumpad at Tuguegarao.  I will go to Auckland, New Zealand to work with the new church which began in November 2009.  The Ronnie Salunga and Randy Cabrilla families are Filipinos meeting in the Salunga’s home.  They not only meet on Sundays for worship but also hold Bible classes during the week in an effort to strengthen their own faith and to introduce their friends to the gospel of Christ.  Gochi Punzalan and his family meet in their home on a dairy farm about four hours away at Mangakino, and these brethren stay in contact with each other.  I plan to teach classes on evidences of Christianity to better equip these saints to preach and defend the gospel in a Western style culture characterized by materialism.

I will spend the last several days in Manila with the Kapitbahayan church where Ben Cruz has labored for many years.  On the last Sunday I will visit and work with Willie Pastor in the Bilibid Prison where well over 100 souls have been converted by his labors.  Please pray for Willie and his family.

These trips in which we share with Filipino brethren in a great harvest of souls are made possible by the grace of God and the generous help of many saints.  The economic recession makes funds tight, but we must press forward as best we can when so many souls are groping in darkness and seeking salvation in the kingdom of God.   Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook.  Send all donations to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).  Please pray for Donna my wife who sacrifices much for this work!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook