November 1, 2017th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren and friends,

Help A Neighbor began in July of 2007 to provide for others what they cannot provide for themselves in the spirit of Matthew 22:39:
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Help A Neighbor (H.A.N.) exists for humanitarian and charitable purposes
as defined by section 501 (C) 3 of the IRS Code.  All donations are legally tax deductible.  This is simply a legal means
for individuals to extend aid to individuals.  No church donations are accepted – H.A.N. is not an ecclesiastical organization.

This annual report covering November 1, 2016-November 1, 2017 is made in the interest of integrity and transparency.
Our main focus is helping Christians in the Philippine Islands, but occasional help is extended to Christians in other parts of the world
including the U.S.  Our aim is to help people who demonstrate their willingness to help themselves.  During this time period
donations amounted to $283,710.00.  Most donations are modest amounts with occasional larger gifts.

Bibles and Bible study literature distributed on my trips or shipped to various places amounted to $19,990.14.
In addition to English Bibles obtained here in the U.S., hundreds of Bibles in various local dialects have been purchased
at a discount in Manila and shipped throughout the Philippines.  As the gospel spreads throughout the Philippines,
there is a rising chorus of pleas for songbooks.  Since Filipinos commonly speak English as a second language, they can sing
with our books.  Used English songbooks are constantly being located, donated, and shipped to the Philippines.

The generous gifts of brethren made it possible to repair or construct many church buildings and make a few payments for lots.
This includes sites on the islands of Luzon in the north, Mindanao in the south, and the Visayan Islands in-between.
It is very hard to find funds for church buildings, but as the churches continue to grow a meeting place is very vital.
A total of $10,400.00 was used for church buildings.

Appeals for benevolence were answered to aid brethren suffering all sorts of injuries, health issues, and medical problems.
Some were given as little as $50 or $100.  At times brethren need simple over-the-counter medicines and at times emergency surgeries.
Dr. Teresa Toreja has a small clinic in Navotas, Metro Manila where she serves the needs of very poor saints and other citizens.
Funds were provided to her to help in some of the most serious cases of our brethren.  Dr. Cathy Forelo who lives in Tuguegarao,
Cagayan Province on Luzon likewise often serves the needs of saints and funds were provided to her for such cases.

In numerous cases brethren struggling with all sorts of personal and families problems were given aid.  Damaged homes were repaired.
Motorcycles and other vehicles desperately needed repairs or registration renewal.  There are times Filipino brethren can eat only twice a day
and children are crying from hunger.  Preachers often need fares to reach their appointments and lack money to buy food for their families
while they are out preaching.  The needs are so vast and so varied it is mind-numbing. Filipino saints often lack the most basic things we take
for granted.

In several cases limited help was extended to aid brethren serving the needs of saints in Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and the U.S.  In a few cases
benevolence was provided to saints in the U.S. facing difficult circumstances.  The amount used for all these various needs is $136,967.00.

Special emergencies involving mostly typhoons are addressed whenever possible, but also donations were made this year for the victims
of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana. The total funds sent for such special emergencies amounted to $54,737.24 during the past year.

Various special requests and needs are addressed at times involving funeral expenses, a few laptops and projectors when possible, vehicle expenses
(an occasional donor helps a preacher purchase a vehicle), and the like.  The total expenses for special requests were $40,987.94.

Funds used for my travel and related expenses on preaching trips to the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia added up
to $9,164.93.

Miscellaneous expenses during this time period were $9,217.13.  Most of this is the cost of wire fees and of shipping huge boxes
filled with songbooks, Bibles, study materials, food, clothing, and personal items.  As brethren have learned I can ship door-to-door boxes
loaded with all these items for about $125, they have sent me hundreds of used songbooks which I continue to ship to the Philippines.

As of November 1, the bank account showed a balance of $1,745.13.  That amount was soon used as well.  There is virtually no overhead
because I work out of my office here at home and no compensation is taken.  A CPA firm files the necessary forms with the I.R.S. to verify
our non-profit charitable status.  This allows donors to take a legal tax deduction.

God willing, I will make my 68th trip to the Philippines and my 8th trip to New Zealand November 28-December 19.
Two congregations are now thriving in New Zealand, one in Auckland and another at Ohope, Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty Region.
When I return to the Philippines from N.Z., Lordy Salunga will help me teach the deaf-mute saints and their visitors “How to Study the Bible”
for two days in Metro Manila.   I also plan to preach for a new congregation at Malabon, for the national prison, for the Edsa-Pasay church,
and for the church meeting with Jaime Battung in the City of Parañaque.  My last day will be reserved to go to the Philippine Bible Society
to order Bibles in Filipino dialects.

In addition to financial needs for my upcoming trip, additional donations can be applied to many other needs such as the following:

(1) FILIPINO BIBLES.  I will continue to visit the Philippine Bible Society in Manila to purchase Bibles in Filipino dialects at a discount
which will be shipped directly to the brethren.

(2) SHIP SUPPLIES.  Shipping companies load cargo ships with truck-size containers, including door-to-door deliveries of special boxes
which ship for about $125 regardless of weight.  I have shipped about 300 large boxes filled with Bibles, songbooks, study materials,
clothes, food, and other needs.  I have a golden opportunity to send study materials because Truth Publications has donated outdated
and damaged materials including perfectly good books which simply did not sell, as did Religious Supply Center when it closed.
These materials include everything from topical books to commentaries to class books.  They are stored at three sites.  As funds permit,
I will ship them all over the Philippines!

(3) SONGBOOKS IN FILIPINO DIALECTS.  Filipinos love to sing the praises of God using English songbooks, but English
is their second language and they also want to sing in their own dialects.  The cost is $2.00-$4.00 per small paperback book
if printed in quantities.  Pleas for these books come to me repeatedly.  A few donors provided Filipino congregations the new songbook
entitled Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs produced by Sumphonia Productions. These churches are thrilled beyond words!

Many other needs such as church buildings, medical treatments, and vehicle repairs continue.

H.A.N. is a labor of love. No one takes compensation for this service.  Every penny donated goes to needs we have identified
in some way as reflected in this report.  Thank you to all who make it possible by your donations.  Checks should be written to
Help A Neighbor and mailed to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donations made before January 1
can be deducted on 2017 taxes even if mailed after that date.  At the year’s end we provide receipts which can be filed with tax forms.

Visit www.HelpANeighbor.net to read reports and learn more (thanks to Jacob Keese).  Truly, as Jesus said,
“it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook
(halbrook@twc.com)

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