February 25, 2016th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 61th PHILIPPINE TRIP Feb. 9-25, 2016

Dear brethren,

By God’s good providence February 9-25 marks my 61st trip proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ in the Philippines since I first went with Jim McDonald in 1995.  It is a harvest time in that land and Filipino brethren are working hard to save the lost.  When many turned away from Christ, he asked the Apostles if they would also leave him. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn. 6:68-69).  Like Peter, many Filipinos seek the words of eternal life.  I taught 49 times on this trip and 48 souls submitted to Christ in baptism along with one who was restored to Christ..
Continue reading

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Having just reached home tonight, I send greetings and love to all of you.  It is especially good to see Donna, my best friend, companion, and helper!

Though the trip is always long and tiring, it is a small price to pay for the privilege of laboring with faithful Filipino brethren in serving God.  My life has been richly blessed by these brethren for many years.  Their faith, hope, love, sacrifices, and service provide great lessons and inspiration to me.   My part in the work is very small in contrast to all of the good work they are doing day in and day out, but I thank God for allowing me to share with them even in the smallest ways.
Continue reading

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Saturday, February 20, brought us to the Bilibid Prison, the national penitentiary of the Philippines.  It is grossly overcrowded with a total population of over 20,000.  Over 100 men gathered today in a nice facility owned by a Presbyterian group which allowed us to use it.  In fact, Ely Ebuenga, who is an approved religious worker in the prison, is trying to convert the inmate who has authority over the facility.
Continue reading

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

I have not been able to see the moon but only “the twinkle, twinkle little stars,” but I send my greetings and love to all anyway.  The past week has been a whirlwind of work with no time to send reports, but it was a fruitful week.

On Sunday, February 14, Samuel Paet drove me to the Sampaloc church of Christ in Manila where the deaf mute saints have worshiped for many years.  Tonyboy Hornedo has preached for them through the years using sign language because he also is a deaf mute.  It is always an humbling and uplifting experience to worship with these poor saints.  They are very attentive, signing to indicate they understand or do not understand point by point.  They sign to each other, seeking or giving clarifications as the teaching moves along.
Continue reading

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The New Year is moving rapidly as we press forward in our journey toward eternity.  My first Philippine trip for 2016 got underway February 9-10 (Tuesday-Wednesday).  The flights from Louisville to Atlanta to Tokyo, Japan and on to Manila were safe and generally smooth.  After 24 hours travel, I was exhausted and glad to hit the bed at the hotel in Manila.  You can well imagine how freezing cold I was in 78 degree weather! 🙂   It was in the low 20’s when I left Louisville.
Continue reading

December 22, 2015th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 60th PHILIPPINE TRIP Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2015

Dear brethren,

Jim McDonald brought me to the Philippines in 1995 and my 60th trip is now complete by God’s grace.  Jim Barnett who preaches in Hope, NM and  Steven Saunders who preaches in Macon, MO made their second trip concentrating on fundamentals of music and song leading.  Our  great God is worthy of our highest praises.  Heaven and earth ring with praise to Christ saying,  “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).  I taught 31 times on this trip and 46 souls were baptized into Christ.
Continue reading

Tuesday, December 15, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

I hope this report finds everyone well.  Certainly our trip and work here have been going very well, by God’s good grace.

On Thursday, December 10, we flew from Manila to Davao City on Mindanao, 1,000 miles by land, 600 by air.  We drug into town tired in the flesh but joyfully anticipating the classes here.

The classes were scheduled for December 11-15, omitting Sunday the 13th.  It was a joy to see brother Juanito Balbin and his sons Dudley, Sonni, and Connie (or “C.B.”) as the first two days of classes began.  Brethren in this area have been longing for this kind of instruction for a long time.  Friday fifty participants came anxious to learn and were given a study manual and a pocket tone pitch pipe.  Steven and Jim started with the basics and had excellent response and participation.   It is always good to have ladies present to round out the singing and to give the leaders a realistic context in which to learn to lead.
Continue reading

Wednesday, December 9, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

Having finished the first series of classes in Navotas, Metro Manila, we packed up on Saturday the 5th and flew to the Ilocos region in northwestern Luzon for the next series.  Our flight was smooth when we finally got up in the air (almost all flights from Manila are delayed because the airport cannot handle all the traffic – little by little more people are flying in the Philippines than ever before, giving the buses real competition).  After arriving in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, we immediately began preparing for the start of the classes on Monday.
Continue reading

Friday, December 4, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

Monday morning, November 30, I flew from Louisville to Atlanta to meet Steven Saunders (Clarence, MO) and Jim Barnett (Artesia, NM) for our flight to Tokyo and on to Manila.  Our flights were safe by God’s grace.  After 24 hours travel, we were ready to rest, getting to bed about midnight.  Wednesday morning Elias Cruz met us at the hotel to help us separate, box, and ship the teaching materials to be used at various congregations where we are scheduled to teach.
Continue reading

Help  A  Neighbor,  Inc.

3505 Horse Run Ct.

Shepherdsville, KY 40165

(halbrook@twc.com / 502-955-1748)

November 2, 2015th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren and friends,

Help A Neighbor began in July of 2007 to provide for others what they cannot provide for themselves in the spirit of Matthew 22:39: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Help A Neighbor (H.A.N.) exists for humanitarian and charitable purposes as defined by section 501 (C) 3 of the IRS Code.  All donations are legally tax deductible.  This is simply a legal means for individuals to extend aid to individuals.  No church donations are accepted – H.A.N. is not an ecclesiastical organization.
Continue reading