Dear brethren in the Philippines, in Africa, in India, and around the world,

Greetings in the holy name of Christ!

Christians around the world are struggling with many trials because of the coronavirus pandemic — worship assemblies are interrupted, saints have died, saints cannot go to their work and do not know how to pay their bills, saints are suffering hunger, and other trials also.  In all of our trials, we cannot forget the precious and powerful promise of Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:20, “lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”  God holds the universe in His hands and He holds our lives in His hands.

Donna and I are well along with our brethren by God’s good grace.  I hope you, your family, and our brethren there are also safe from coronavirus infection.

These are trying times when we must learn more and more the meaning of Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”  The government forced the close of most businesses in the U.S.  Our nation now has more cases of the coronavirus than any other nation:  almost 450,000 infected people and almost 16,000 deaths. The saints here are just meeting in our homes at this time to comply with the government effort to stop the spread of the virus.  I know thousands of brethren in the Philippines are suffering hunger because they cannot work and government officials do not allow citizens to go out.  Your nation is on total lock down in this crisis.  Others countries are having the same experience.
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Dear brethren,

Rody and Tessie Gumpad started laboring in the gospel in the Cagayan Province in northern Luzon in 1984.  Through their efforts in cooperation with other faithful brethren, there are over 100 local churches within driving distance of Tuguegarao.

In past years I participated many times in teaching intensive preacher training classes arranged by Rody at Tuguegarao.  About 30 students of mixed ages were enrolled each year in a one-month program and sit-in students joined us every year.  As a result the gospel spread rapidly in this province and surrounding provinces.  These classes were extremely effective.  Numerous other American brethren joined us in teaching these classes from year to year until they were closed.

The classes were dropped about 10 years ago because of changing economic conditions plus the loss of a substantial financial supporter of the classes.  We greatly regretted the end of these classes and have often discussed the need to renew them.
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Dear brethren,

How do you express the importance and the joy of providing Bibles!  One of the highlights of sharing with Filipinos in the cause of Christ is providing Bibles for them to put into the hands of souls longing to know more about God’s Word.

I have just returned from the Philippine Bible Society where I ordered 830 Bibles in various dialects to be shipped throughout the Philippines.  Why such a large order?  The gospel continues to spread here and most of the people being converted live in poverty, struggling to feed their families.  In addition, the series of five earthquakes with over 3,000 aftershocks in southern Mindanao during October-December 2019 destroyed many homes and church buildings including their contents.  Thousands of people including many of our brethren are still struggling to recover.  In the wake of these disasters, our brethren continue spreading the gospel and again hundreds of precious souls are being converted to Christ.  A large percentage of these Bibles will go to Mindanao.
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Dear brethren,

Rody and Tessie Gumpad started laboring in the gospel in the Cagayan Province in northern Luzon in 1984.  Through their efforts in cooperation with other faithful brethren, there are over 100 local churches within driving distance of Tuguegarao.

In past years I participated many times in teaching intensive preacher training classes arranged by Rody at Tuguegarao.  About 30 students of mixed ages were enrolled each year in a one-month program and sit-in students joined us every year.  As a result the gospel spread rapidly in this province and surrounding provinces.  These classes were extremely effective.  Numerous other American brethren joined us in teaching these classes from year to year until they were closed.

The classes were dropped about 10 years ago because of changing economic conditions plus the loss of a substantial financial supporter of the classes.  We greatly regretted the end of these classes and have often discussed the need to renew them.

As a new generation arises and new souls are being converted to Christ, Rody decided it is critical that we should conduct these classes again.  They will be held April 20-May15.  Craig Thomas, evangelist for the Westside church of Christ in Bloomington, IN, will join me to teach during the first two weeks.  Harry Osborne and Lordy Salunga will teach during the second two weeks.  Among early enrollees are a 16 year old and also a 72 year old former Pentecostal preacher. Available slots are already filling up as word gets out.

Classes will include how to study the Bible, survey of every book in the Bible, basic Bible doctrine, the New Testament church, the life and work of a preacher, church history, issues which have divided churches, Bible geography, preparation and delivery of sermons, and learning to use Bible study tools (a reference Bible, a Bible concordance, and a Bible dictionary).  Time will be devoted each day to prayer and memorization of Bible passages.

Rody estimates he will need about $14,000 for his expenses in housing the men and providing their needs for one month.  Imagine the challenge of Tessie and her helpers getting up at 4:00 A.M. every day to prepare three simple meals for these students!  Providing Bibles and study materials will cost at least an additional $3,500.  By the time travel and hotel expenses are included, we will need close to $20,000.

Is it worth the time and money to be invested?  All of us who have taught in past classes and observed the results answer with a resounding, “Yes!  It is worth every effort, every moment, and every penny.”  Of course, only God can measure the eternal consequences of our labors in the gospel.  As Paul said, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase….For we are labourers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:6, 9).

Here are ways to make a donation:

(1) If no tax deduction is needed, send a check made out to Ron Halbrook and designate “preacher training program.”  Mail it Ron Halbrook, 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville KY 40165-6954.

(2) Individuals needing a legal tax deduction should make a check to Help A Neighbor, designate “preacher training program,”  and mail it to Ron Halbrook, 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville KY 40165-6954.

(3) Send a donation by PayPal to halbrook@twc.com (the account is Richard Halbrook) and be sure to indicate “sending to a friend” NOT “pay for item or service.” Include a note indicating the money is for “preacher training program.”  If a tax deduction is needed, state “Help A Neighbor, for preaching training program.”

(4) Of if you prefer to communicate with Rody directly about making a donation, feel free to contact him at rodycg1958@gmail.com and he will be glad to correspond with you.

Please include this effort in your prayers.  “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (Ja. 5:16).

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The devastation caused by the 5 earthquakes plus over 3,000 aftershocks in southern Mindanao since October is staggering, but God’s love and mercy is being poured out through the sacrifices of His saints in many places who are sending benevolence funds to relieve the suffering of the saints.  Two reports are reproduced below which you may have time to scan.  Faithful Filipino brethren are still relaying the benevolence to our brethren who are in need of help.

Meanwhile, Filipino evangelists also continue to utilize opportunities to preach the pure and simple gospel of Christ.  Poverty and suffering often humble people and cause them to seek God and salvation.  The result is that many have submitted to Christ in baptism for the remission of their sins through the blood of Christ.
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Dear brethren,

Brethren and news agencies are reporting another severe earthquake hit the same area of Mindanao again Sunday.

“A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck parts of Mindanao at 2:11 p.m. Sunday, the strongest of the series of powerful quakes in the last two months.”

“It was the fifth quake above Magnitude 6 that jolted Mindanao between October 16 and December 15: Magnitude 6.3 on October 16; 6.6 and 6.1 on October 29; 6.5 on October 31 and 6.9 on December 15” (mindanews.com/top-stories/2019/12/6-9-quake-hits-mindanao-shoppers-employees-feared-trapped-as-shopping-center-in-padada-collapses/).
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Dear brethren,

Since October 16 multiple earthquakes and over 2,000 aftershocks have hit the same general area on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.  According to the November 8 report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, “As of 07:00 AM Philippine Standard Time (PST) of 08 November 2019 (Friday), the total number of earthquakes recorded since the 29 October 2019 Magnitude 6.6 earthquake event is now 2226, with 917 plotted and 161 felt at various intensities” (https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/update-october-2019-cotabato-fault-system-earthquake-series; site accessed by Ron Halbrook 11/27/2019).  In other words, these figures include several successive major earthquakes and ongoing aftershocks. As I have shared information about this disaster with hundreds of churches and individuals, many donations have been sent to me and the donors have requested me to serve as a messenger to relay these funds to Christians who are victims of the earthquakes.

The intensities of the major quakes have measured 6-7.  Tremors have been felt hundreds of miles from the center, but this disaster is concentrated in south central Mindanao, especially in the Cotabato Province and surrounding provinces.  The town of Kidapawan has been very hard hit.  Thousands of poor Filipinos are displace as a result of fleeing areas where there are open cracks and crevices in the land and mountainous regions, resulting in landslides.  The government gathers these people in tent cities which afford little protection from the elements.  People cannot return to their farms and houses which are destroyed.  There is lack of food, medicine, and often even clean drinking water.  Some who have attempted to return to their homes find them utterly destroyed or so unstable that they end up camping away from the ruins for safety.
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Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On Wednesday, October 16, an earthquake measured at 6.4 to 7 magnitude hit southern Mindanao in the Philippines where there are many faithful Christians.  There have been hundreds of aftershocks including another earthquake on Sunday the 20^th measuring 4.7.  Many homes and church buildings of our brethren were destroyed and a sister in Christ with her infant were killed by a landslide resulting from the quake.  Multiple reports have arrived from the brethren who  are affected asking for funds for food, clothing, medicines, and the repair of damaged and destroyed homes and church buildings.  Many have been evacuated from their farms and homes and have not been allowed to return.  Help is needed ASAP and information about how to send funds will be found at the end of this message.

Here is a typical report sent by Julie Notarte from Digos City, capital of the province of Davao del Sur:

THERE WAS A STRONG EARTHQUAKE INTENSITY 6.3 HERE IN DIGOS CITY & IN KIDAPAWAN CITY INTENSITY 7. ALMOST ALL OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN DIGOS CITY EVACUATED TO HIGHER PLACE BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THERE MIGHT BE A TSUNAME. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO SLEEP THE WHOLE NIGHT BECAUSE WE RECEIVE COUNTLESS CALLS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES – TOWNS, PROVINCES & CITIES PLEADING FOR HELP BECAUSE THE HOUSES & CHURCH BUILDINGS OF OUR BRETHREN WERE DESTROYED BY STRONG EARTHQUAKE. TWO BRETHREN DIED DUE TO THEIR HOUSE COVERED BY LANDSLIDE DUE TO EARTHQUAKE. THEY ARE MEMBERS OF MALAWANIT CHURCH OF CHRIST, MALAWANIT, MAGSAYSAY, DAVAO DEL SUR.
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Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Please read and circulate the information provided below.  Much of the Philippines has been suffering from a drought since October of 2018.  Imagine getting no significant rainfall for eight months!  I traveled and preached in the Philippines April 9-May 7, 2019 and saw the parched land and dry river beds.  Large numbers of our brethren work at the lower end of the economic scale, for instance, working in agriculture.  Many work for large plantation owners or work their own small farms.  The drought deprives them of their income in addition to driving up the prices of food.

I am receiving many requests from reliable brethren for benevolence.  A sample message from Jack Jaco is provided below.

I am willing to serve as a messenger to deliver funds to affected congregations.  If we do not know the character of an individual asking for benevolence, we are foolish to put funds in his hands.  I am willing to share what I know about various individuals requesting funds, or I will find out from Filipino saints on the scene.  Integrity must be the hallmark for both givers and receivers.
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