Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By the good grace of God my 81^st trip to the Philippines planned for February 1-March 2 is well underway, and I will visit saints in New Zealand and Australia as well, God willing.  When Doug Rush loaded my 7 pieces of luggage and myself Wednesday at 5:15 AM Wednesday, we both nearly slipped and fell on the driveway which was iced over with a wintery mix of freezing rain and snow.  But, like two drunks leaning on each other, we managed to get into the truck without breaking any limbs!

Prayers for safe flights from Louisville to Detroit to Inchon, South Korea and on to Manila were answered. The Louisville and Detroit planes had to be de-iced (spayed with chemicals) before taking off because of the freezing cold air.  Having had only two hours sleep, I napped some on the planes but also worked on the sermon I will preach when I return home and report to the brethren at the Hebron Lane church about this trip.  When we finally landed in Manila Thursday night, I fell into bed at 1:15 PM, ready for a good night’s rest!

Travel restrictions are gradually being relaxed and we were not required to wear masks on the Delta flights, but the airport in South Korea and Korean Airlines still require them (Delta passes us off to Korean Airlines at Inchon, SK).  Before boarding the international flight at Detroit, it was still necessary to show a digital form regarding my covid vaccines and to show my vaccine card.  In Manila I was required to show the digital form in order to enter the country.

The first day (Friday this time) is always set aside for “house keeping” chores such as a visit to the moneychanger, repacking the 6 boxes filled with Bibles and study materials to relay to Filipinos where I will teach (and even some extra places), and visiting the grocery store for a few items.  Elias Cruz has faithfully helped get such things done through the years (I met him in 1995 on the first trip) and James Paet has been a great help in recent years along with several other good men.

Saturday James drove me from Manila to Angeles City, Pampanga Province, which took about three hours.  He returned to Manila to preach for the Edsa-Pasay church Sunday, and then he will return to serve as my driver for the week.

Friday and Saturday nights a full moon was beaming and smiling in order to relay my love to all of you and to relay your smiles to me!  In an effort to regain my stamina, I walked for an hour Saturday just after sunset and the moon was really displaying its beauty over Angeles City. I am staying in a hotel on the former Clark Air Base which was decommissioned in 1991 and was turned over to the Philippine Air Force, but in addition to the military function this huge area serves as a commercial airport and an expanding economic zone.

I need to study my lessons for tomorrow, so will sign off for now with much thanksgiving for God giving me another opportunity to labor for Christ with Filipino saints and for all of the brethren who support this work – may God bless us all as we serve Him.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.hebronlanechurchofchrist.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com