COVID in the Philippines
Dear family, brethren, and friends,
Greetings to all in the royal name of Jesus Christ, Lord of lords and King of kings.
There has been another upsurge of coronavirus infections in the Philippines. Thousands of our brethren are suffering from hunger because of the government enforced lockdown in many areas. Some of you have sent benevolence funds and asked me to serve as your messenger in relaying the benevolence to our brethren, which has been a great blessing, but I cannot begin to scratch the surface of the vast needs.
Some of our brethren feel neglected, not understanding that I have no flowing fund to resolve this ongoing disaster coupled with earthquake victims living in tents, rat infestations destroying crops, flash floods, and typical pleas for medical help, support for evangelists, funds for church buildings, lack of Bibles, etc., etc. It grieves our hearts, but we continue to encourage all of them to trust in God who has many ways to care for His saints when we do not know what to do.
Covid Strikes Gumpad Family
On Sunday, July 4, Rody and Tessie Gumpad tested positive for coronavirus and so did their sons Junior (and his son Thirdy) and Jay. Oxygen was administered to Rody because of his trouble breathing. The government put them in a quarantine facility under lockdown.
On Wednesday Junior was hospitalized suffering with pneumonia, and Jay was also hospitalized. Jay’s wife and two children tested positive on Thursday and were also quarantined. Remdesiver shots are being given to Junior and Jay in the hospital at a cost of $200.00 each shot.
While the recovery rate for the general population has been over 99%, people with underlying illnesses can be in grave danger. Rody has asthma, blood pressure problems, and other ailments as does Tessie. Covid combined with pneumonia can also be very dangerous.
Notes of encouragement can be sent to Rody (rodycg1958@gmail.com), Junior, (ody_junior1980@yahoo.com), and Jay (jayjaygumpad@yahoo.com) via email.
Preacher Training Program Postponed
The Preacher Training Program scheduled for April 2020 in Tuguegarao, Cagayan has been postponed several times during 2020-2021 as the drama of the pandemic has unfolded month after month. We had hoped to conduct it this next month in August, but the latest upsurge will prevent us from entering the Philippines again and creates a host of complications for the Filipinos who will help us teach classes and for the students as well. If we try to conduct the classes sometime during October-December, we run a high risk of being caught in the dangers of the typhoon season. Therefore, Rody, Jonathan Carino, Lordy Salunga, Harry Osborne, Craig Thomas, and myself agreed we will be forced to move the dates to April 2022, which is an ideal time because it is the Philippine vacation season.
Though disappointed by this series of delays, we trust in God’s providence as He fulfills His own good purpose in the unfolding events of human history including this pandemic. We are reminded over and over of Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
Sending Benevolence When Available
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. 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). (Or contact Michael & Donna Glaesemann at michael@butw.org who are also serving as messengers. Those desiring receipts from the Glaesemanns can make checks to “Bread Upon the Waters.” Otherwise, make checks to Michael Glaesemann and mail to 264 CR 2125, Burkeville, TX 75932).
Please keep all of our Filipino brethren in your prayers, remembering James 5:16, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.
https://biblework.
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com