Philippine Report August 1-29, 2017
September 2, 2017th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 67th PHILIPPINE TRIP AUGUST 1-29, 2017
Dear brethren,
A merciful God brought me to the Philippines in 1995 with Jim McDonald and my 67th trip, August 1-29, has now been completed by His grace. God proclaimed to John His wrath on the evil Roman Empire for its idolatry and persecution of saints. “The everlasting gospel” brings victory to martyred saints and defeat to their enemies: “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto for them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people” (Rev. 14:6). The everlasting gospel still proclaims divine judgment on Satan’s servants and final victory to faithful saints. On 59 occasions I proclaimed this same gospel, not counting lessons taught by Filipino brethren. Sixteen precious souls submitted to Christ in baptism for the remission of sins.
On August 3 Filipino brethren met me in Manila to help repack boxes and ship them ahead to the places I planned to teach. Thursday a plane took me to Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental where I met Jack Jaco. Saturday we traveled into the mountains to preach at Baslay, Dauin, Negros Oriental with Macario Magabo. Pablo Quimada translated my lessons on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost” and “How Sinners Receive Salvation.” Four were baptized. Sunday we worshiped with the saints at Siaton where Pablo Quimada labors. About 50 attended both places and another three submitted to Christ at Siaton.
Monday brought us to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to teach classes on The Home and Family August 8-12 hosted by Jack Jaco at Victorias City. Diabetic sickness prevented Jonathan Carino from teaching. It was a full and busy week with about 40 men who attended as we studied every lesson in L.A. Stauffer’s workbook on Family Life and in Mike Willis’ book on Harmony in the Home along with other topics. These classes are designed for preachers among our brethren, but some denominational preachers always come when they hear about it. I began fighting an ear infection during this week.
On the Lord’s Day about 80 souls gathered for worship in Victorias City as I addressed the subjects “God Made Us Male and Female” (Gen. 1:27) and “Why Saints Assemble.” In the afternoon it took us an hour to reach Bago City where Shem Tagapan preaches in a good rural congregation.
August 16-25 was dedicated to work in the Cebu City area on Cebu Island with Jonathan Carino. By the time we arrived he was much improved. After resting for two days in fighting an ear infection, I preached on Thursday for the new congregation at Taptap, Cebu City with Mario Rubio. I saw a Cebu doctor again and was required to rest another two days. Jonathan and Jack with other brethren kept the appointment Friday at Mainggit, Toledo City with Nathan Cajigas and Saturday at Bogo City with Gil Suico and Rupert Ramirez. They brought good reports from both places. Six were baptized.
Sunday I preached at Sitio Katanoy Liloan in Cebu City with Roy Matta. Then Monday-Friday Jonathan, Jack, and I taught the preachers’ classes on Revelation and events at the end of time. Diabetic sickness prevented Lordy Salunga from teaching with us. We planned for 25-30 to attend, but 50 came including several “pastors” associated with denominations and independent groups. One was baptized. Not only were brethren better equipped to teach Revelation, but new doors are opening to spread the gospel.
August 26-28 I was back in Manila. Andy Alexander and Keith Greer had been preaching on Luzon and we met for supper Saturday. Sunday I preached at two places in the Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City with Ely Ebuenga. Four inmates were baptized in a barrel. In the afternoon I preached at Paranaque City with the saints meeting in Jaime Battung’s home. It is good to see their progress.
Thanks to the help of many brethren, I was able to buy 324 Bibles in Filipino dialects at the
Philippine Bible Society to be shipped throughout the islands. Andy and Keith did the same thing Saturday.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. Teresa Toreja who has helped me fight an ear infection for over two weeks. With God’s help and an ENT doctor’s help the ear is improving.
I will never find sufficient words to thank God and His saints for making it possible for me to proclaim the gospel in the Philippines, and to be edified by the faith, hope, and love of Filipino saints.
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com