Dear brethren,

I wanted to update the situation in the Philippines regarding the effects of coronavirus regulations on Christians there.  This nation is near China.  When I was in the Philippines in February, the news hit about the rise of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China and the Philippine President immediately shut down flights coming from that area.  March 16 he put Luzon under a lockdown and soon the whole nation was included.  It was extended to April 30 and now again to May 15.  Though this is a third world country, this aggressive policy of containing the disease has resulted in less than 10,000 cases and only 637 deaths.  Most of our brethren are day laborers, meaning “no work, no eat,” and they have been suffering hunger because they cannot go to their jobs.  There are thousands of Christians scattered throughout the Philippines.

Many of you have already responded to this vast ongoing need, and also to the needs of saints stranded in tent cities in southern Mindanao as a result of 11 earthquakes with over 4,000 aftershocks.  As previously stated, I feel like a pygmy trying to sweep back the ocean with a small toothbrush because these emergency needs are so vast.  Yet, I also trust in God who feeds billions of birds and clothes untold billions of flowers every day (Matt. 6:24-34).  It is a privilege to do what we can and by faith leave all the results in God’s hands.  Your donations have made it possible to relay well over $100,000 to our brethren and help has been distributed to hundreds of congregations with thousands of saints.  Truly, as Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

I have received a flood of messages from Filipino saints requesting that I relay the love and gratitude of the recipients to everyone who has donated funds for this benevolence.  There have been difficulties in relaying funds which reach the Philippines because of the lockdown, but brethren have been resourceful in finding ways to get the benevolence delivered.  For instance, brethren from one community or province will meet at the border of the next one and hand over the benevolence to messengers on the other side because they cannot pass checkpoints.  In most places every family is issued a pass to leave home once a week to get food or other essentials, but some brethren have requested and received authorization to move about based on the fact that they are delivering benevolence so that people will have food.  We are blessed to have dedicated brethren who help overcome these hindrances.

There are still many brethren who have not received any benevolence, and even those who have received it continue to suffer because the amounts provided are insufficient to the ongoing needs.  Yet, they are truly thankful for any help, just as we would be if the situation were reversed.

How can we help during this time of emergency?  First and foremost, our prayers are desperately needed because the Bible teaches that God hears His people.  In spite of cynical remarks by some of our politicians, 1 Peter 3:12 still says, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers.”  Next, anyone who supports a Filipino preacher might add $50, $75, $100, or more when sending the support and request the additional amount be used to buy food for hungry saints.

I will gladly share information about how to send funds directly to Filipinos with anyone who requests it, and I am willing to serve as a messenger to send funds for anyone who requests it. (Or contact Michael & Donna Glaesemann at michael@butw.org who are also serving as messengers.)  Individuals needing a legal tax deduction may write checks to Help A Neighbor.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  For PayPal, the account is Richard Halbrook (or if that snags, use halbrook@twc.com – indicate “send to a friend” not “pay for item or service” – PayPal deducts a charge if the money is drawn from a credit card but not if from a bank account).

May God bless and reward every saint who offers a prayer or a penny on behalf of His saints who are suffering in the Philippines.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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