Two days of Bible lectures were scheduled at Rosario in La Union for April 22-23 and Rodel Baagin is the host who made the arrangements.  These studies are designed for preachers, and several of their wives also attended.  The registration for the first day was 74.

Our studies began Monday with an overview of the Bible which I entitled “The Message of the Bible: Salvation in Jesus Christ.”  This laid the foundation for the second study on “The Two Covenants.”  Rody taught a class after lunch and then I followed him with a detailed examination of “The Great Commission” (Matt. 28:18-20).  The final 1 ½ hours were spent on the open form covering a wide range of topics such as how were people saved before the gospel age (by faith in the promise of the coming of Christ), marriage and divorce (remarriage permitted only to the innocent party and only on the grounds of fornication, Matt. 19:9), essentials and incidentals, etc.  It was a full and profitable day of Bible study finishing about 6:00 P.M.

The function room in our rented facility has fans but no air conditioning – I was wet with sweat after teaching this morning and again this afternoon.  I waited till 8:15 P.M. to walk and there was some breeze.  Another four men joined me in walking about five miles, but only one finished the course.  One brother commented this was his first “walkathon” and another said he could not keep up because I move like a diesel-engine-driven vehicle.  There is no moon at the present time, but my thoughts and prayers are with everyone at home and with all who make these trips possible by your financial help.

Our classes continued on Tuesday, but we moved to a function room on the second floor where there are two small air conditioners plus fans.  The air was so hot and humid today that after lunch we also opened all the windows, and still the teachers and students were swimming in sweat and mopping their heads with rags.  And, yet, no one complained and everyone continued to pay attention.  Rody taught first on why Jesus will reject many people on the Judgment Day.  I followed him with a lesson on “True Repentance” and another entitled “Jesus Teaches Total Honesty.”

For lunch I eat only a little fruit with a fruit-and-nut bar packed by Donna, because the heat kills my appetite.  My appetite returns in the evening after my body cools down.

After lunch and a short rest, Rody again took the first study and I concluded with an evangelistic sermon entitled “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God.”  When we sang the invitation song, a man 62 years old and a lady 44 stepped forward to confess their faith in Christ and they were baptized to wash away their sins, “calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

The open forum was again fruitful with questions about man’s outward and inner natures, the meaning of the heart, more clarification on baptism, and many more.  Bibles, books, and tracts which had been shipped ahead were distributed as we completed our two days of study.  The preachers expressed great appreciation along with their wives because this is the first time we have conducted such preacher training classes in Rosario, La Union.  Many came from distant places including Baguio City.  For the first time I met Andrew Gawe’s sister (he is well known for his work in Baguio City but now often resides in California, though he was recently here again–he is 83 and sadly his mind is slipping).

Two brethren joined me for the walkathon tonight – one finished the full five miles.  It is quite dark now without the moon, but some of you will be glad to know I took your advice for nighttime walking and am using a small flashlight (otherwise known as “a torch” in other English speaking nations).  Now, even without the moon, I can still see your faces and feel your love.  The brethren who are receiving spiritual food because of your sacrifices also feel your love – and they have expressed this to me.  Several brethren during the last two days asked that I relay to you their love and gratitude.

I must ask for your prayers as we prepare for a long hard day of travel tomorrow.  We plan to leave Rosario shortly after 6:00 A.M. in hopes of reaching Manila by noon.  After a short stop there, we must travel another four hours to catch the ferryboat from Luzon to Mindoro, another two hours.  Meanwhile, you also are in my prayers as you serve God there.

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