Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By the grace of God, I have the assistance of Mark Wallace on this trip.  He is an elder at the  Oldham Woods church in La Grange, Kentucky.  Our flight from Louisville to Detroit was delayed Monday morning because the extremely cold air forced them to de-ice the plane, i.e., to spray it with chemicals to remove any ice and to prevent ice forming which might cause the plane to crash.  There was time in Detroit to grab a short breakfast and board our next flight to Seoul, South Korea, from where we flew straight to Manila. Because of weather and wind, the flight to Seoul required 14½ hours.  After arriving in Manila at 10:30 PM on Tuesday, we immediately knew we were no longer in the land of ice and snow but in the land of heat and humidity.  After checking in at the hotel, I went to the exercise room for 45 minutes in order to gain more strength and stamina for the next day.  

Some Filipino brethren met us Wednesay and helped us sort packages in six boxes we brought as checked baggage.  These packages of Bibles and study materials were sent ahead for distribution at the places we are scheduled to preach.  James Paet took Mark and me to buy some sundry items we will use for the next three weeks.

Thursday our preaching began at Pasig in a rented venue arranged by Jhun Abueva.  There was a good turnout with 47 present.  My first sermon affirmed “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God,” followed by a requested study of how “Discipline Purifies the Church.”  Mark then presented a detailed examination of “The Temple of God” to show how Christians are that temple today.  My final lesson was “Finish the Race.”

The open forum covered a range of questions, several related to discipline in the church.  If a husband is withdrawn from, should the wife continue to fulfill her role as a wife to her husband?  Yes, because discipline is not designed to sever the family relationship and duties.  If a person is withdrawn from and asks to be received as a member of another congregation, what should be done?  It is appropriate to hear that person’s story and to hear the explanation of the congregation which took the action.  Then, the local church must decide whether or not to receive him similar to what was done in Acts 9:26-28.  

Someone asked if the book of Enoch is real, based on Jude 14-15.  Jude quotes a prophecy given by Enoch of God’s judgment against evil men but does not say he is quoting a book of Enoch.  Jude was accurate because he spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  False teachers in ancient times wrote books under the names of Bible characters such as Enoch in an effort to give themselves credibility, but they were no different from Joseph Smith, Ellen G. White, Mary Baker Eddy, and other false prophets of modern times.  

Friday Mark and I flew to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.  I fell sick that morning and entered the hospital with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration but was released Sunday about noon.  Rolly Salvador took Mark to Allasitan, Pamplona to preach in the place of Daniel and Dante Tiongson where 200 or more souls attended on Saturday.  I regret not being able to join them, but all went well.  Brethren who had been alienated from us and our work are now opening their hearts again.

On the Lord’s Day Mark worked with Rolly in three congregations as I continued recuperating at the hotel.  He started at the Calayab church in Laoag City with Edmar De Pedro and Rolly.  Next, he was brought to preach at the Paratong church in Paoay with Rolly and Edmar .  The final appointment was at the Baoa church in Batac City with Rolly.  All of these places are in the Province of Ilocos Norte.  After Mark preached, Rody Gumpad summarized the lessons in the Ilocano dialect and they were well received.

Monday we traveled south from Ilocos Norte as Rolly brought us first to Cabugao, Ilocos Sur to visit for about an hour with Egdon and Faith Sabio with whom I have worked for many years.  Other dear brethren I have known for years joined us.  We were able to see the new church building there, one of the finest facilities in the Philippines.  We traveled further south next to Vigan City to visit with Daniel Tiongson and his family and some friends since I was not able to see them on Sunday.  

Daniel brought us to visit Rolando Azurin whom I have not seen for many years.  He preaches in Vigan City but was helping downtown with an organization called The Right Way which provides educational services to children.  It was conducting a 15 year anniversary and adding a new service to provide Bibles and religious reading materials for the young.   After our tour of their facilities, the staff and visitors were gathered and I was asked to lead a prayer for God to bless their services and activities.  This is a common practice for businesses and service organizations in Philippine culture. 

We left Vegan City going further south and reached Candon City, Ilocos Sur before dark by the grace of God.

Thank you to all who are praying for our safety in travel, for our health, and for the success of our efforts to teach God’s Holy Word.  We thank God for your love, moral support, and encouragement!

In Christian love, 

Ron Halbrook