April 27, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

It is a joy to report about the labors which so many of you make possible. As our work continued in northwestern Luzon, Mark and I went in different directions on Wednesday, Apirl 22. When we met at night, Mark reported six people were baptized. In the morning Rex Bayaca drove me to the Cacafean church of Christ in the mountains of Marcos, Ilocos Norte where Angel Pascua preaches. The building was full to overflowing including the brethren from the Elizabeth East congregation where Rex preaches. Since many young people attended, I presented the lesson “Young People, Read the Bible” and Gil Caindec translated.

A young man and a young lady appearing to be in their 20’s responded to the gospel call. All of these people are very poor tribal inhabitants. There are ladies who sacrifice to go to these people and teach their children God’s Word. They need some financial help to continue this good goal. Even as little as $50 per month would be a great help. Also it might be possible to give them some teaching aids such as simple Bible story books, pictures, and other teaching aids. Of course, this same need exists throughout the Philippines and I wish I knew how to be more effective in finding help for ladies who teach precious Filipino children. If anyone is able to help, I can put you in touch with reliable Filipino brethren, or you can send teaching aids to my home address and I will pack and send them to the Philippines from time to time.

After a good lunch at the house of Vic Domingo, we traveled to the Santiago congregation where Freddy Pascua labors. There was another overflow audience including members from the Elizabeth West church where Remigio Vicente preaches. Again, so many young people were present I taught the same lesson on the importance of reading the Bible while still young. Rex Bayaca translated. During the invitation an older gentleman came forward and asked to be baptized – we joyfully went to the river again to see him receive salvation.

The weather is so hot that the whole atmosphere is affected. After 30 minutes, the bottled water we carry to sip while teaching becomes hot water. I am drinking fresh coconut water when possible because it does a better job of fighting dehydration than Gatorade. I arrived tonight at the hotel about 8:00 PM totally washed out from the heat and had to shower and rest before going to supper, but the spiritual joys we share with our Filipino brethren far outweigh these minor inconveniences.

Our Thursday our labors started early again and were both full and fruitful. Mark and I again went different directions to cover more ground. He visited churches in the Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces, preaching on such themes as conversion and the second coming of Christ. Five were baptized.

My appointments were in Ilocos Norte. I visited the Caestebanan church at Cabittauran, Nueva Era and spoke again on “Young People, Read the Bible.” The young people are out of school at this time of year which makes it ideal for teaching them God’s Word. Six people of mixed ages answered the call of Christ to obey the gospel. David Abrogena is the local preacher. Our next stop was at the Nalibegon church at Caestebanan Banna where Dexter Manuel preaches. I spoke on “Satan Tempted Jesus,” a textual study of Matthew 4:1-11.

Our final stop was at the Batac Provincial Jail. Hernando Ramos with other brethren has been going there and has baptized several inmates. Recently the jail’s well went dry and water must be brought in from outside. The warden no longer allows baptisms and Hernando is seeking a solution with faith that God will open the way to solve the problem. Today I spoke on “The Prison of Sin” (1 Pet. 3:18-4:11). Two men confessed Christ and asked to be baptized. Hernando also mentioned that his son is named Jim after Jim McDonald and is now preaching the gospel. Efren Ramos continued his good work of translating for me this afternoon. This is necessary when speaking to the poorest people who are not well educated. Actually, most places we can be understood in English without a translation. As you can imagine, translating requires double the time or more, but the audience is always patient during this process.

Mark and I again went different directions Friday. He spent the day working with Mat Sibayan, Jr. and Gil Caindec. (Both Mark and I have appreciated Mat’s safe driving as he has moved us around from place to place during our stay here.) Seven were baptized in the places they visited.

During the morning I went to Binacag Banna, Ilocos Norte and preached to another overflow audience. People sat outside under the trees and under plastic tarpaulins. Efran Ramos is an evangelist working with this church and he translated as I preached “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (we must seek and find the right God, the right Savior, the right gospel, the right baptism, the right church, and the right life). A denominational preacher on the front row took notes and after the sermon warmly thanked me. Six came forward during the invitation to obey the gospel.

During the afternoon we drove two hours to reach Poblacion Burgos, Ilocos Norte where Redentor Nonato preaches. This church is in the early stages of building a meeting house, so I stood on a floor of loose gravel preaching amidst the sounds of squealing pigs, all sorts of vehicles passing by, and construction work at a house just a few yards from us. Everyone was attentive to my study of “Signs of Spiritual Growth” in Acts 2:42-47. One man stepped forward in answer to the gospel call.

In the late afternoon we drove about 45 minutes to Pagudpud to reach a small group of brethren far off the beaten path who are from an institutional background. They took a stand for the truth earlier this week when Mark preached there. Actually, they have been faithfully meeting in this isolated place for several years without having contact with any other brethren. We were warmly received tonight as we visited for over an hour. Mark and I then delivered short admonitions of encouragement from Scripture. They said God’s providence brought us there and they were delighted to meet brethren from the area who can help them to grow. Our brethren are already making plans to return and to edify these brethren who are so hungry to hear the truth!

Mark and I used Saturday to work on reports, rest, and prepare for our preaching in Manila. Our flight from Laoag City reached Manila about 8:30 PM. By the time we got to our hotel rooms and ate supper, it was 10:15.

Before sleeping I reviewed my requests for Bibles from around the Philippines and was shocked to see a total of some 1,300 Bibles would be needed. I could see the cost would be in the neighborhood of $10,000. Mark and I would have to fulfill our Sunday commitments before knowing how much money might remain, but I knew it would not be anything close to that amount. The last thing I did before going to bed was to send out a request for financial aid in the hope we could get enough money to buy at least half of the orders.

I woke up on the Lord’s Day just after 5:30 AM to dress and eat breakfast in order to leave at 6:30 for the 7:30 service at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ in Navotas, Metro Manila where Elias Cruz preaches. Mark left a little later to preach at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila in the morning and at the house of Jimmy Battung in the afternoon. Mark reported that two confessed Christ and requested baptism at the prison, and another granddaughter of Jimmy Battung was also baptized.

It was good to see the elders at the Kapitbahayan church (Jerry Toreja and Fred Gonzales) along with all the other brethren. The building was nearly full as I spoke on “Young People, Read the Bible” and “The Prison of Sin.” Later the men and ladies split into separate classes and I conducted an open forum with the men, fielding questions on everything from dinosaurs to instrumental musical in worship.

The Meycauayan church where Jimmy Bobis preaches meets at 5:30 PM. I traveled there to speak on the same to topics. Our attendance was about 60.

If I was shocked yesterday to learn how many Bibles had been requested, I was even more shocked to learn today that I will be able to buy all the requested Bibles due to the generosity of saints from the U.S. to Australia! At times it seems God opens the windows of heaven! Thank you, to all who sacrificed to donate these funds!

Most of Monday was used going to the Philippine Bible Society to purchase 1,324 Bibles in various Filipino dialects. If Mark and I had relied only on the funds we have in hand, we could not have bought a third of the Bibles requested by brethren. Thanks to the swift response of saints to the appeal I sent out late last night, we were able to buy all the number requested! Atoy Franco freely gave of his time to take us there and Rody Gumpad, Ely Ebuenga, and Andrew Romeo joined us there. Mrs. Vicky Franco at the P.B.S. is always very gracious to help us. She also served Ben Cruz and Jim McDonald in past years. We had a good discussion of Bible topics with her over lunch.

For supper we met with Jerry and Teresa Toreja who brought a dear sister wanting to discuss the proper application of Scripture to some important decisions in life. She listened well and we prayed for God to give her wisdom and strength.

This last report is being prepared late Monday night. By the time some of you read it tomorrow, Mark and I will be in the air headed home, God willing. This has been a demanding but productive trip in many ways. There were 61 who confessed Christ and asked to be baptized into him. All of the fruit borne abounds to the accounts of churches and individuals who provided financial fellowship – and all abounds to the glory of God!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com