Report on February Trip to London-Paris-Philippines
March 21, 2019th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 73rd PHILIPPINE TRIP Jan. 28-Mar. 1, 2019
Dear brethren,
With much thanksgiving to God and brethren, I completed my 73rd Philippine trip since first going with Jim McDonald in 1995. This trip covered January 28-March 1, leaving a day early because of a winter storm and returning a day late because of an overbooked flight. For the first time stops in London and Paris were included on the itinerary. Jesus proclaimed, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (Jn. 7:37-38). Rivers of salvation flow around the world with the help of Filipino saints!
I taught 56 lessons and 15 precious souls submitted to Christ in baptism to wash away their sins.
January 29-February 4 found me in London, England where I rented a hotel function room and studied with residents and Filipino immigrants Teddy and Bing Gumpad (she is pregnant!). Not only was I able to put Filipino brethren in touch with the church at Brighton, but also it was a privilege to meet Constant Coulibaly, Kenneth Peters, Adrian Limb, and other British brethren. We studied a series on “The Authority of Christ” as well as other topics. February 5-10 it was my privilege to work with Edwin Cortez and the saints worshiping with him in a suburb of Paris, France. Sessions ran three hours with high interest and wide-ranging discussions, especially on the work of the church. Lyca Bernardo was baptized in a bathtub. We visited typical Paris sites including basilicas and cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris.
I flew from Paris to Bangkok, Thailand and on to Manila on February 5. Wednesday brought me to the Phase 6 church in Caloocan City, Metro Manila where Andrew Romero preaches, then after lunch to Sapan Palay, Bulacan where Vicente Cay labors (1 baptized). Both places the lesson was entitled “Fear Not, Neither Be Dismayed” (Deut. 31:8). My Friday flight to Tuguegarao, Cagayan was cancelled, but James Paet and Junior Gumpad drove me almost 12 hours to reach Santiago City, Isabela, and Willie Pastor took me to Cabarroguis, Quirino. Saturday I preached at Cordon, Isabela with Domie and Frankie Jacob (6 baptized) and also to about 100 souls at San Pascual, Diffun, Quirino where Roel Arcalas labors. The Lord’s Day appointments were at the Gundaway church in Cabarroguis with Willie (4 baptized) and at Burgos, Cabarroguis with Edgar Espiritu (2 baptized).
February 18-20 Jack Jaco, Rody Gumpad, and I conducted preacher training classes on the theme “The Bible Is the Word of God” in a Diffun community center. These studies show the Bible was given by the divine inspiration of God, resulting in 66 books protected and preserved to our time. 75 attended and the open forums were fruitful. Jack came from Negros to teach because Lordy Salunga was sick.
The next day I flew to Manila, then taught the book of Revelation to the deaf mute saints meeting at the Sampoloc church on Friday through Sunday. Rody Gumpad, Jr. and James Paet drove me to the venue and Elias Cruz met us there to help. Elias had helped them find a new place to rent for worship. We commented after the studies that it is inspiring to see how closely these saints pay attention and how they communicate with each other by sign language as the lessons unfold.
Monday was a 12 hour day as James Paet and Junior Gumpad took me to San Pablo, Laguna Province to preach in a small congregation Ely Ebuenga has helped for 13 years. The next stop was at Calamba City where we met with 43 people. The local preacher is Edwin de Pedro. To my surprise Marietta Ashton from the White Rock church in British Columbia, Canada was there visiting brethren with whom she has corresponded. Tuesday was another long day as we traveled to the church at Bicas, Caloocan City where Ely Ebuenga preaches (1 baptized). The final appointment was with the church in Sta. Maria, Bulacan where Alex Estoy labors. This church began 13 years ago after a man lost in the darkness of denominationalism searched for the truth on the internet and contacted U.S. brethren.
My visit to the Philippine Bible Society to buy 530 Bibles in Filipino dialects was on Wednesday. I am now receiving messages from brethren who have received their shipments, asking me to relay their expressions of gratitude to all the saints who sacrificed funds to purchase these Bibles.
Likewise, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all who make these trips possible. God bless you all!
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