As typically happens in preparing for a Philippine trip, completing all the last minutes details requires working all night before going to the airport (you knew I was slooow, but you did not know how slooow).  Tuesday night I got 45 minutes sleep before leaving home at 4:00 A.M. Wednesday with Kevin Stilts, but, by God’s grace, our flights from Louisville to Atlanta to Tokyo to Manila were uneventful.  In addition to catching a few naps, I studied and prepared some charts while flying.  After about 30 hours travel, Kevin and I checked in at our hotel about 10:15 P.M. Wednesday (Philippine time is 13 hours ahead of U.S. daylight savings time).  I exercised 40 minutes, answered a few emails, and then slept 7 hours. Kevin likewise had no trouble sleeping.

Thursday morning a good crew of Filipino brethren including Elias Cruz, Andrew Romero, Ely Ebuenga, Jhun Gumpad, and James Paet joined us to repack 10 boxes of Bibles and study materials brought on the plane to be used in our work.  Actually, 5 boxes went to Tuguegarao, Cagayan in preparation for a preacher training class to be conducted April 20-May 15, God willing.

Otherwise, today was used to rest, exercise, study, visit the moneychanger, and complete other preparations to travel to Negros and begin teaching God’s Word in cooperation with Filipino preachers.  Every such opportunity is a precious gift from God to be used to save the lost and edify the saints to His glory.  This is my 77th trip and Kevin’s first, and we both are thankful to God and to our brethren who are making this work possible!

It is winter in the Philippines – which means the temperature reached only 88 degrees F. here in Manila today!

Our flight on Friday from Manila to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental was only 20 minutes late leaving Manila, which is excellent for its overloaded airport.  Jack Jaco and Shem Tapagan were waiting to welcome us when we arrived about 1:30 P.M.  Jonathan and Nanette Carino were not on hand because rainstorms in Cebu City held them at their airport from 11:00 P.M. Thursday until about 5:30 P.M. Friday when they finally arrived.

Kevin and I had a late lunch at the Pancake House where I introduced him to the best blueberry pancakes in the world!

About 8:00 P.M. I went to a large park with lighted walks in front of the provincial capital building to take my evening walk.  I need to make 10 laps to cover about 3 miles, but halfway around the first lap a sudden downpour trapped me.  All I could do was take cover by standing against a large tree trunk on the side opposite from the wind for 30-40 minutes – time to relax, reflect, and pray.  I got damp but not drenched, so I completed my walk and made it back to the hotel.

Saturday morning Jack, Jonathan, Nanette, Kevin, and I drove two hours to Escalante City for a full day of preaching with James Berden, a long time faithful evangelist.  Our attendance was 220 including brethren and visitors with six sessions of proclaiming God’s Word.  My sermons were “God Created All Things,” “The Purpose of Our Lives,” and “When Peter Confessed Christ.”  Kevin’s lessons emphasized the hope of heaven and how to prepare for a home in heaven.  Jonathan’s sermon focused on the necessity of obeying God’s conditions to receive the free gift of forgiveness of sins. Three precious souls for whom Christ died submitted to him in water baptism for remission of their sins in the blood of the Lamb.

Kevin and I had a private visit with several of the preachers who discussed the hardships of their work which are increased by the lack of financial support and their determination to press forward in their work in spite of all trials.  Kevin led a prayer for these men and the dedicated work they are doing to save the lost and to edify the saved.

Our day was extended so that we could make short visits at three other congregations to acknowledge and encourage their work.  We arrived back at the hotel at 8:00 P.M., physically tired but spiritual refreshed and uplifted by this wonderful day laboring with the saints of God.

And there is an added blessing: I have seen the moon 3-4 times since arriving in the Philippines – I hope you are seeing it too!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com