Dear family, brethren, and friends,

About 4:00 A.M. on Monday, August 7, Jack Jaco, Mario Rubio, and Efren Miraflor left the hotel in Dumaguete City in a van loaded with all of our suitcases and briefcases to drive across the island of Negros by Bacolod City in the province of Negros Occidental.  I flew from Dumaguete City to Cebu City on the island of Cebu and waited 4 ½ hours to catch a connecting flight to Bacolod City.  This provided valuable study time.  These brethren arrived in Bacolod City ahead of me, met me at the airport, and brought me to the hotel where I will stay.

Jack had made preparations to host our classes on The Home and Family in Victorias City where he preaches, about an hour from here.  Our prayers for safe travel were surely answered today.  I spoke with Jonathan Carino by phone while passing through Cebu City and learned he has been released from the hospital, the vomiting has stopped, and he is trying to regain his strength.  These are encouraging signs, the answer to many prayers by many saints in many places.

From my hotel in Bacolod City we drove about an hour each day this week to Victorias City where Jack is hosting classes on The Home & Family.  The series began at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, August 8, with 33 in attendance including a few denominational “pastors” who heard about the classes.  Since Jonathan Carino could not come, Jack and I divided his lessons between us.  Our workbook by L.A. Stauffer is entitled Family Life: A Biblical Perspective.  This is an excellent workbook to study in any country!

My topics today were “Biblical Perspective,” “Design of Marriage,” and “Love Your Wife.”  The men are asked to read passages as we proceed through the study, and then I propose a question for open discussion at the end of each topic.  For instance, “What can we do to restore respect for authority in the home?”  “What can we do to cultivate companionship in marriage/” Their participation was immediate and excellent today.

Our Wednesday classes progressed well and interest continued to grow.  Several men have commented they have never heard such detailed teaching on family relationships.  The attendance was 39 today and some denominational preachers said they will invite others to come.  I discussed “Head of the Wife,” “A Help Meet,” “Train Up a Child,” and “What God Hath Joined Together.”  The ladies preparing food listened when they could and expressed great appreciation also.

I had to walk later because of the press of our work.  I got up before 6:00 A.M. to get to the venue in Victorias City by 8:00 and after concluding the classes arrived back at the hotel at 8:00 P.M.  By the time I ate supper and studied some, it was 10:00.  Then I walked for an hour, studied some more, and crashed at 12:30 P.M. for the remaining hours of the night.  Then, we do it all again!

While walking I sawthe bright beautiful full moon – could you see it too?

Thursday was another very busy and fruitful day in our classes.  Jack and I are teaching the classes originally assigned to Jonathan, so I grab every spare moment to work on these additional lessons even while eating.  Living in a Catholic culture which has no formal divorce laws (but annulment is allowed), the class was very attentive to the study of “Adultery,” even spontaneously asking questions during the presentation.  I also taught on “Selecting a Mate” plus two periods on “Lay Aside the Old Man of Sin.”

After Jack and I finished our regular sessions, I conducted an open forum, knowing there were questions.  My heart was touched by some of the personal family problems revealed and I trust the answers given will be helpful.  A Baptist preacher asked why we need to be baptized if the blood of Christ saves us. I pointed out Jesus shed his blood to provide pardon by his perfect sacrifice, but we must submit to him in water baptism to receive that pardon (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:32).  He seemed satisfied – I ended the day in the hope he would come back.

I took a break and walked at 9:30 tonight and rejoiced to see the big beautiful moon still beaming down on all of us!

The Friday classes could hardly have gone better.  It seems the further we went into the lessons on The Home and Family, the more interested our audience became.  I taught on “Put On the New Man” (Part 3), two sessions on The Sermon on the Mount, and “Respect in the Home.”  The denominational preacher who asked questions yesterday was back and payed close attention all day.

Only half a day of study was scheduled for Saturday to allow the preachers time to go home and prepare for Sunday services.  The theme this morning was “Man’s Leadership in the Home” using outlines I prepared.  Jack taught the first session, then I taught three lessons and conducted the final open forum.  Questions covered such things as teaching our children modest dress and leading them not to participate in the prom.

This truly has been a profitable week.  These men have proven they are hungry to learn.  One preacher who supports himself as a security guard took off the whole week from work to join our studies.  They will now teach what they have learned in their home congregations.

I am keenly aware none of this could have been accomplished without the prayers and financial support of brethren scattered far and wide.  Thank you and may God bless you for being partners in the work of His kingdom!

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