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March 16

Halbrook Report: 53rd Philippine Trip

March 6, 2014th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 53rd PHILIPPINE TRIP

Feb. 18-Mar. 6, 2014

Dear brethren,

By God’s gracious providence my 53rd Philippine trip was completed February 18-March 6. The main focus was to relieve saints suffering from typhoon Yolanda which struck November 8. 10,000 people died, 550,000 homes were destroyed, and it will take five years to fully recover according to Filipino officials. All in all, 38 lessons were taught, 7 were baptized into Christ, and benevolence was distributed to hundreds of brethren on Leyte, Samar, and Negros.

February 20 Elias Cruz met me in Manila to ship benevolence items, Bibles, and study material ahead. Friday I met Cyrus Gesulga and Rody Gumpad to study various aspects of premillennialism. Cyrus lives in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Province, on Mindanao but had come to Manila for a few days. He gave up the premillennial system in 2011 but is still puzzled about a few passages, which we are studying little by little. Saturday the three of us conducted a gospel meeting north of Manila at Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Bulacan Province with 35-40 in attendance. During the open forum which followed questions ranged from the Sabbath Day observance to the proper use of the church treasury.

Atoy Franco took me on the Lord’s Day to Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, where Willie Pastor has been incarcerated since 2010. Trusting God’s providence, he has persistently taught the gospel, baptizing 500. Three churches now meet in the prison and Willie’s brother Kenneth works with them. Willie hopes to be released this summer and return to his wife Kathy and their precious children. They struggle financially in his absence, though compassionate brethren are giving some help. In the afternoon we went to the home of Jimmy Battung, where a church of 15-20 meets. After the lesson, questions about the plan of salvation and our existence in the hadean realm were discussed in an open forum.

February 24-26 was dedicated to benevolence work in the Visayan Islands. Jonathan Carino and I took an early morning ferry Tuesday to Ormoc City, Southern Leyte. We rented a van with the driver for the day to visit area churches. Funds for food were delivered to churches at Baybay, Candadan, Ampihonon Caibu, Mahaplag (two churches), San Vicente, and Ormoc City. The next day we returned to Leyte to bring funds to the saints at Tacloban City, Northern Leyte where brethren from Samar also met us to receive help. I gave a short lesson on “Benevolence” to show it expresses God’s love for us and our love for each other, it meets a temporary emergency, and it tests our honesty in handling church funds.

The devastation caused by Yolanda is startling. Decomposed bodies are still being discovered. An estimated ten million people have been seriously affected by the typhoon. Much of the damage to homes and other buildings still has not been repaired. Construction materials are scarce and expensive for the average Filipino. Electricity is still not generally available. Many school buildings are so severely damaged they cannot be used at all. The mind can hardly comprehend what the eyes see! Most of our brethren are among the poorest peoples and they suffer the most. The brethren who received benevolence expressed their thanksgiving and love again and again to all the saints who donated the funds.

February 27-March 2 I visited churches on Negros Oriental with the help of Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco. Friday-Saturday our circuit included Buenavista, Santa Bangkal, JonobJonob, Escalante City proper, Drier, Old Poblacion, Balintawak, Amparo, Japitan, Bago, Sagay City, Toboso, Tinabuan, Pur. Dalia, Narra, Complex Cadiz City, Minaposok, Kawayanan, Kapisan, and Victorias City. 972 saints on Negros received benevolence. They feel so small and ignored in this world that their spirits are greatly uplifted by our coming to bring help from saints so far away.

Jonathan, Jack, and I flew March 3 to Masbate Island for a gospel meeting March 3-4. Former Baptist preachers Greg Jumao-as and Edgar Diaz invited contacts who were curious to understand why they left the Baptist faith. I presented a series of lessons on “The Authority of Christ.” The open forums were lively especially regarding baptism and instrumental music, but the audience was receptive. One was converted. The great joy of the Philippine work is seeing the hunger of souls to learn God’s Word!

The next day I went to Manila to buy 1,112 Bibles in several dialects to ship throughout the Philippines, especially to brethren affected by the typhoon. Thursday I had a safe trip home to Louisville.

I rejoice for the love of saints who make this work possible and for God’s providence in it all!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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March 7

Ron safely home

Dear family, brethren, & friends,

Under God’s gracious care I arrived home safely from the Philippines about 6:00 PM Thursday. I rushed to eat something, change my clothes, and arrive at the Hebron Lane church of Christ where our gospel meeting is ongoing. I am beginning to rest and to make plans for the next trip. Meanwhile, our dear Filipino brethren and friends are always in our thoughts and prayers. Especially at this time we remember those who are suffering the tragic effects of the super typhoon Yolanda. It is a blessing to see their faith, hope, and love expressed in many sacrifices in serving Christ. My small part in the Philippine work could not succeed without the constant love, talents, and help of Filipino saints! It is a great privilege to work with them.

I apologize for many emails I have not been able to answer because of the hectic schedule and because internet connections were not strong this time as I traveled in the Philippines. I will do my best to answer when time permits, but there will be further delay because I must go to California to preach the funeral service for brother Olen Holderby who passed away on March 4.

Meanwhile, may God bless each and every one of you as you “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14).

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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March 6

Halbrook Philippine Report Feb. 27-Mar. 5, 2014

March 5, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The trip has gone well to the last day, but, I must issue this alert! The end time is near! On February 27, the flight Jonathan Carino and I took from Cebu City to Bacolod City, Negros Oriental left ahead of schedule and landed 30 minutes early! This is a first in all my 53 Philippine trips. It may be a first in Philippine aviation history. Of course, we must factor in the fact that this flight originated in Cebu City and not in Manila which is constantly congested, but this is still a significant milestone. Neither Jonathan Carino nor I could remember ever having had this experience.

Jack Jaco and Shem Tagapan met us at the airport and brought us to the hotel for a good night of rest to prepare for the rigors of another very challenging and rewarding day ahead. And, I was counting just one more week till I can see precious Donna and all our loved ones at home!

Friday our circuit visiting churches began just after 7:30 A.M. and we arrived back at the hotel at 9:00 P.M., tired but uplifted by the day’s events. The typhoon Yolanda took its toll on hundreds of Christians in Negros Occidental not so much because of damage to houses, though there was some, but more because of damage to sources of income. This region grows sugarcane and many brethren are day laborers in the cane fields. When the crops were destroyed, their source of income was destroyed. Jobs have been lost and workers displaced. Hunger has been their greatest enemy.

The fields now are becoming active again, but our poor brethren can ill afford the income losses they suffered and many remain out of work. They openly rejoiced at our coming with the benevolence representing the love of God and of brethren from afar. They profusely expressed appreciation although the amount given per person was significantly less than what was given on Leyte because the number of people helped was far greater here on Negros. Some people kept coming back and shook my hand 3-4 times, overcome with joy and thanksgiving.

Benevolence was given in the following areas. These are included in the wide geography of Escalante City: 1. Buenavista (24 members; Jessie Isitan, evangelist). 2. Santa Bangkal, JonobJonob (43 members; Addy Sorbeto, evangelist). 3. Escalante City proper (20; Arnold Garcia, evangelist). 4. Drier, Balintawak (25; Danny Alquiza, evanelist). 5. Old Poblacion (29; Roger Eson, evangelist). 6. Balintawak (84; James Berden, evangelist). 7. Amparo, Mabini (87 members; Morito Panadero, evangelist).

Other churches which received benevolence included Japitan (43 members; Arnel Tayactac, evangelist), Bago, Salvador Benedicto (57; Vicente Alquiza, evangelist), Sagay City (63; Jerry De Erio, evangelist), and Toboso (25; Jun Anonas, evangelist).

The total number of saints who received help today was 491. Ten times today I presented the short lesson on “Benevolence” before giving the funds to the churches. Brethren patiently waited for us during the day because it was not possible to schedule our time due to the travel conditions. We left Bacolod City on good roads but as we got into the countryside filled with sugarcane fields the roads quickly deteriorated. Roads are generally poorly built in the Philippines, but their roads here in this area groan under the constant pressure of huge trucks loaded and overloaded with cane. Also the trucks drop so much cane that the roads ride like washboards. In some places we ran out of pavement and drove on dirt roads. At one place the road ended and we got out and walked some distance to the church building.

There was no time to take a lunch break, and if there had been time, I do not know where we would have found food safe to eat. At a couple of places the brethren cut coconuts open and offered us the meat and milk, both of which are tasty. I drank the coconut milk both times because it is far more effective in counteracting dehydration than the Gatorade we normally drink. I survived fine on the snacks Donna packed such as peanut butter crackers and raisins.

Our morning schedule on Saturday, March 1, was delayed while we tried to find MoneyGram and Western Union agents who open before 10:00 A.M. in order to receive additional funds needed for today’s benevolence. We succeeded but service was so slow we still did not get out of town until 10:15. We call this “operating on Filipino time.” This was another busy day as we traversed the large Sagay City region of Negros Occidental. Funds were delivered to the following churches:

1. Tinabuan, Magdalena Extin., Paraiso, Sagay City (Jessie Isitan, evangelist; 34 members). 2. Pur. Dalia, Brgy. Puey, Sagay City (Jordan Cabras, evangelist; 108 members). 3. Narra, Tinampaan, Cadiz City (Jessie Isitan, evangelist; 28 members). 4. Complex Cadiz City (Jessie Isitan, evangelist; 51 members). 5. Minaposok, Calatrava (Jordan Cabras, evangelist; 11 members). 6. Kawayanan, Taloc, Bago City (Shem Tagapan, evangelist; 51 members). 7. Kapisan Village, Vesta Alegre, Bacolod City (Shem Tagapan, evangelist; 26 members).

The distribution made today reaches another 309 saints who are victims of Yolanda. Arrangements are being made to help another 170 saints in the Negros Occidental Province, bringing the total of recipients from this one effort to 972. This provision was made for food. Additional funds will be sent to address needs for repairing houses. All of this is being made possible by the love and sacrifices of saints around the world, especially in the U.S.

Again today I presented my short lesson on “Benevolence” at each place we visited to give the Bible foundation for this kind of work. Jack has given me more insight into the importance of this benevolence work. He says the amount received in each place is not nearly as important as the encouragement the brethren receive just from seeing us come from afar to show the love and concern we have for them. They feel so small and ignored in this world that their spirits are greatly uplifted by our coming to bring benevolence from saints so far away, regardless of the amount.

On Sunday, March 2, our drive to the Vicotrias City church of Christ where Jack Jaco preaches took less than an hour. When I first visited here in 1999 with Steve Curtis, the church met in a small public chapel. As the church has grown through the years, Jack has extended the space in his house to accommodate their services. This morning that extended room overflowed with more than 100 people packed like sardines in a can, with being forced to stand outside.

My lesson was on “The Prison of Sin” (1 Pet. 3:18-4:11). Six visitors responded to the Lord’s invitation and confessed Christ – I missed the baptisms because I had to hurry to the airport. At the end of the service, I gave the short lesson on “Benevolence.” There was again much joy and thanksgiving.

The islands hit by typhoon Yolanda are having many conversions to Christ. This is not due to the occasional benevolence, because brethren do not advertise it, but people in times of suffering are humbled and often begin to seek God during times of disaster. It is sad to know that tragedy forces people to recognize God when we all ought to be so thankful for every moment of life and every blessing of life that it would win us to God in thanksgiving! Especially when we consider that He gave His Son to die for our sins, which we can never earn, deserve, or merit!

Sunday afternoon I flew to Manila to spend a short night. It was necessary to get up at 3:45 A.M. to catch a 5:00 A.M. flight to the island of Masbate where I preached in December. Many denominational preachers have been converted and have been busy baptizing their members into the church of Christ. Now other denominational preachers are willing to study, so I prepared to teach the series of lessons on “The Authority of Christ,” and Jonathan and Jack could help with other basic subjects.

3:45 A.M. came in a hurry on Monday, but Jonathan, Jack, and I made it to Masbate by 6:00 A.M. Greg Jumao-as, a preacher converted from the Baptists last year, met us and guided us to a church where he had helped to convert a friend, Edgar Diaz. This new brother was also a former Baptist and he had invited contacts who were curious to understand why he had left the Baptist faith. We traveled on asphalt paved roads, concrete roads, and dirt and gravel roads to reach Dimasalang and begin preaching about 10:00 A.M.

My first lesson was a detailed study of “The Great Commission” as recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. There were 70 in attendance representing all ages – a group of young people sat near the front and paid close attention. Building on the same passage, I began teaching “The Authority of Christ.” This material was entirely new to our audience, but it was clear that many were absorbing the point as various applications were made.

After two of these lessons, the floor was opened to questions. The questions clarified that the collection should be every Sunday but not every time there is a meeting during the week, and God does not bind tithing today. As always, several questions focused on baptism, whether it is essential for salvation, and whether people baptized into a denomination should be baptized again.

One “pastor” was quite defensive of the doctrine of salvation by faith alone, but when we dismissed he said he learned new things today and he would definitely return the next day. His wife and children are with him. A man from Belgium married to a Filipina attended in December and was here today for the whole day. He brought 15 people in his pickup truck. He has no particular religion though he received Catholic sprinkling as an infant, but his face showed the gospel is touching his heart. The great joy of the Philippine work is seeing the hunger of souls to learn God’s Word!

On Tuesday, March 4, we again traveled an hour and a half to reach Dimasalang. The day began with two lessons contrasting the doctrine of Christ with the faith and practices of the Roman Catholic religion and the Protestant denominations. These lesson include historical information on how these religious groups developed as a result of departures from the authority of Christ. In the afternoon I spoke on the restoration plea and its proper application. Jonathan preached on “Obedience” and on “Baptism.”

The open forum included questions about tithing, the two covenants, and especially instrumental music. Jack Jaco exhorted the audience to obey the gospel, and one precious soul did! There will certainly be others to follow, but we do not expect large numbers of baptisms when most of the audience have been saturated in denominationalism for many years, and then they hear the original gospel for the first time. We will patiently trust in the power of the gospel to do its work in the souls of men who open their minds and hearts to hear it.

The Belgium man was back again for the full day. He has become very attentive. During lunch I discussed his doubts that the Bible has been accurately preserved which seemed to help him. One of the “pastors” who fought us on baptism yesterday and on instrumental music today is pleading for me to let him gather many other “pastors” who are his friends to hear what we are teaching. Truly, the fields are white unto harvest!

Today, Wednesday, at last we have reached our last day of work on this trip. We got up at 5:15 A.M. to catch our flight to Manila. When we arrived, I thanked Jonathan and Jack for their great help and we parted company. Jimmy Battung brought Terry Parchman to the hotel and I studied with him for an hour. Terry moved from the U.S. to Manila. His background is in the church of Christ, among liberals, but he has graduated to the ecumenical denominational concept of Christians in all denominations and he works with an interdenominational group. He had begun circulating among our brethren in Manila, saying he was a member of the church of Christ.

I started with Mark 16:15-16 to show Jesus teaches that only people who first believe the gospel and then submit to Christ in baptism receive salvation or forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ. People in denominations have not submitted to this plan of salvation and are therefore lost. Terry said that Jesus did not mean in this passage that men must be baptized to be saved, but we erroneously read it that way! Terry explains it can also mean a person who believes is saved and can be baptized later. It is clear we do not believe and practice the same thing, but the discussion was held in a healthy manner.

As soon as this study was finished, we left to go downtown to the Philippine Bible Society where I purchased 1,112 Bibles in several dialects. These will be shipped to the waiting hands of saints on Luzon, on Mindanao, and especially in the Visayas where typhoon Yolanda swept away Bibles and church buildings, not to mention almost 10,000 lives. Many who read these reports made this order possible by the grace of God and by generous giving. It is by far the largest number of Bibles I have ever bought. Only God knows how gratefully they will be received and how effectively they will work in the hearts and lives of people who will use them.

As this trip now ends, my heart overflows with thanksgiving for God’s providence in making it possible and for all the prayers and financial contributions of the saints of God.

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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March 5

Halbrook Philippine Report Feb. 24-26, 2014

February 27, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

God continues to bless our efforts with safety and success. On Monday, February 24, I had a safe flight from Manila to Cebu City, Cebu, preparing to do benevolence work in the Visayan Islands.

When Jonathan Carino met me at the airport, a pleasant surprise was waiting: His parents were here finishing a short vacation. It is always encouraging to see brother and sister Ramon Carino. Brother Ramon is still mentally sharp and very active at 89, though he cannot travel widely as he did in past years. The church in Pagadian City, Misamis Oriental, on Mindanao where he preaches has made a major stride after many years: They are constructing a church building on their lot little by little as funds become available.

A few minutes past 4:00 A.M. Tuesday, I arose from sleep so that we could go to the dock to catch the SuperCat fastcraft to Ormoc City, Southern Leyte. (Ferryboats of all kinds are common in countries with many islands. SuperCat is a word formed by joining “super” and “catamaran,” which is a vessel with two parallel hulls. This design results in less drag and therefore faster speed.) After nearly three hours travel, our fastcraft arrived safely in Ormoc City. It was instantly obvious that recovery from Yolanda is painfully slow. We rented a van with the driver for the whole day, ate breakfast, and then began traveling to visit area churches.

Benevolence funds for food were delivered to churches at Baybay, Candadan, Ampihonon Caibu, Mahaplag (two churches), San Vicente, and Ormoc City. On three occasions I presented a short lesson on “Benevolence” to show that it expresses God’s love for us and our love for each other, it meets a temporary emergency, and it tests our honesty in handling funds from church treasuries. We returned to Ormoc City about 5:30 P.M. to catch the 7:00 P.M. SuperCat back to Cebu City. It was late, so we arrived back in Cebu about 11:00 P.M.

Having first witnessed conditions in the Visayas last December, it still is startling to see the devastation caused by the Super Typhoon Yolanda which hit Leyte on November 8, 2013. The body count is now about 8,000 with nearly 2,000 still missing. Decomposed bodies are still being discovered especially in remote areas. An estimated ten million people have been seriously affected by the typhoon. Much of the damage to homes and other buildings still has not been repaired. 550,000 homes were destroyed! Construction materials are scarce and expensive for the average Filipino. Electricity is still not generally available because hundreds of power lines and poles were destroyed. People with sufficient prosperity to purchase a generator have power, but the average citizen does not.

We passed school after school which suffered such severe damage that many buildings cannot be used at all.

The mind can hardly comprehend what the eyes see!

Most of our brethren are among the poorest peoples and they suffer the most. At our last stop I saw the little house of a widow which would have easily fit into our living room but which had been demolished to the ground. It was located in extremely cramped quarters surrounded on every side by squalor. How in the world do I have the gumption to complain about physical and material problems? Ever! Because of the generosity of saints back home, I was able to leave 1,000 pesos ($20) to help her start rebuilding. Most of the money I have with me is being used to provide food.

At this last stop I cautioned brethren about the danger of fire when using candles and lamps. Some parts of Ormoc City proper have power but there was a brownout while we were waiting in the ferry terminal. The reason was soon apparent. A huge building near the terminal became engulfed in flames which angrily shot up well above the city skyline. I went outside to take a picture and could feel the heat though we were a short block away. Destruction and sorrows do not end after such a terrible typhoon passes.

On Wednesday, February 26, after three hours sleep, it was time to get up about 4:15 A.M. to go to the airport for a 35 minute flight to Tacloban City, Nortern Leyte, but, alas, the flight was cancelled at the last minute. We rushed to the SuperCat ferry dock for another three hour trip to Ormoc City, where we got a ticket to ride a public van for almost three hours crossing Leyte to Tacloban City. So, a 35 minute trip became a six hour adventure, typical for Philippine life. But, again, how dare I complain when my situation is contrasted to the situation of the poor saints affected by Yolanda!

As we traveled across Leyte the devastation is still pronounced everywhere, but clean-up efforts are progressing. As an example of how serious the devastation is, consider that hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of coconut trees were so severely damaged in the storm’s path they will never bear fruit again. In many cases the tops where all the branches grow were literally cut off and blown away, and in many cases the trees were flattened to the ground like so many toothpicks thrown on the floor. This affects people who made a living directly and indirectly from this major Filipino crop: the branches, the shell, the meat, the milk, and the oil all produce income. Newly planted trees take 7-10 years to begin producing mature coconuts! The Philippine government sets the poverty line at $120 per month, and in such poverty every peso counts!

Nilo Zabala met us and guided us to his place where several brethren gathered representing congregations in need which we could not reach (and there are yet many more we have not been able to reach). The membership lists were reviewed and funds were divided in hopes of providing food for about three to four months. Churches receiving benevolence in the province of Northern Leyte included the Scandinavian Village church in Tacloban City and the Abuyog church. Churches receiving benevolence from the province of Western Samar on the island of Samar included San Voaquin, Binaliw, and Cagnipa, all in the Calbayog City region.

After my short lesson on “Benevolence,” we hurried to our taxi to go to the airport, hoping the afternoon flight to and from Cebu City was not cancelled. As we entered Tacloban City, traffic was snarled and we had a long wait. The streets have been mostly cleared but debris and rubble from destroyed houses and businesses are still being cleared away. I saw 5-6 body bags at the side of the road – cadavers are regularly being discovered in the clearing process. No one paid attention to these bags filled with human remains, awaiting to be picked up by the proper authorities.

We began to wonder if we could reach the airport at all when the police appeared leading a United Nations relief agency convoy. Since the way was opened for the convoy, our taxi joined the convoy which was headed to the airport – we made it with 10-15 minutes to spare!

The brethren who are receiving benevolence express their thanksgiving and love again and again to all the saints who donated these funds. And we are reminded again and again, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

There was no time to eat today under the constrains of time, but I would not want to eat in the environment of Tacloban City anyway. Fortunately, my sweet wife packs snack foods so I nibbled on peanut butter crackers and raisins until getting to supper in Cebu City. All is well that ends well.

We fly to Bacolod City in the province of Negros Occidental on Negros Island in a couple of hours to distribute benevolence there.

My words are not adequate to thank all of you who are praying for us – and watching the moon, too.

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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February 24

Halbrook Philippine Report Feb. 18-23, 2014

February 23, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By God’s good grace the trip from Louisville to Manila went smoothly on Tuesday, arriving Wednesday about 10:30 PM (Feb. 18-19). By the time I passed through customs, got to the hotel, and got to bed it was 2:30 AM on the 20th. The nice thing about being exhausted is the good sleep that follows!

I brought four additional boxes filled with Bibles and study materials, clothes, food, and personal items. Elias Cruz met me at the hotel to repack the contents to send the boxes ahead via air cargo, which is much cheaper than checked bags. He left here at 3:00 PM, so I ate a late lunch, studied, and exercised in an effort to offset the exhaustion created by the 12 hour time difference.

Friday I met Cyrus Gesulga and his wife for an all-day study. Rody Gumpad joined me. Cyrus lives in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental Province, on Mindanao but had come to Manila for a few days. For years he was a leading preacher among premillennial churches of Christ but came to hear me preach in December 2010. In the months which followed we had an extensive study via email reviewing passages he thought taught the premillennial system. He repented in August 2011 for helping to create and perpetuate a faction among God’s people. The Guardian of Truth Foundation later published a tract by Cyrus affirming the simple Bible doctrine of Christ’s return, the resurrection, and the Final Judgment.

Our studies today further confirmed his faith and better equipped him to teach about 70 preachers who have been associated with him. We discussed plans for me to teach on the book of Revelation and to present more detailed lessons on errors of premillennialism. He is anxious for me to do that. It was a very profitable day.

On February 22, Saturday, I left my hotel about 7:00 AM to join Cyrus and Rody to travel two hours north to Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Bulacan Province, where Cyrus has contacts for a day of preaching. Our audience numbered about 35-40 for this gospel meeting. My first lesson was on “The Purpose of Our Lives.” Rody then gave an overview of Bible history and of the one true church. After lunch my topic was “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God (Rom. 1:16-17).” During the open forum which followed questions ranged from the Sabbath Day observance to the proper use of the church treasury.

Atoy Franco picked me up on the Lord’s Day to travel to Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. This is the national prison where Willie Pastor has been incarcerated since 2010. He has trusted God’s providence in these difficult circumstances like Joseph and has persistently taught the gospel, resulting in some 500 baptisms. Inmates are rotated from Willie’s sector where they first arrive to other sectors and there are now three separate congregations meeting in the prison. Willie’s brother Kenneth held services for the other two today, so I did not get to see him.

My topic today was “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost,” which I broke into two lessons in order to explain basic concepts in more detail for these unlearned men and also to give Willie time to translate the lesson. There were 65 present and over 30 of them have already been baptized. They paid excellent attention and expressed appreciation for the studies.

The Philippine President has been very strict and hesitant about giving pardons or early releases because of past abuses in the system. Willie is qualified on both grounds, but it appears he will serve out his minimum sentence and be allowed to go home in July or August. His wife Kathy and their precious children continue to struggle financially in Willie’s absence, though compassionate brethren are giving some help.

In the afternoon Atoy took me to the home of Jimmy Battung. His garage has been converted as a meeting place and a church of 15-20 meets here. After presenting the lesson “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost,” I conducted an open forum where we discussed at length the plan of salvation for the sake of an attentive visitor, and questions about our existence in the hadean realm.

The next segment of my trip is in the Visayan Islands where the super-typhoon Yolanda hit.

I saw the moon and remembered that loved ones back in the U.S. are looking at the same moon. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and financial help which makes these trips possible.

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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February 1

Halbrook Philippine Report 52nd Philippine Trip December 2-20, 2013

December 26, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God blessed my life in 1995 by permitting me to preach with Jim McDonald in the Philippines. By God’s grace my 52nd trip is now complete. The original itinerary for December 2-20 was revised after the worst typhoon in recorded history hit the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines killing well over 6,000. Keith Greer from the Harrodsburg, KY church of Christ joined me for this three week trip and did his part well in spite of being sick during the latter part of the trip.

It was our privilege to work alongside faithful Filipino preachers as 79 precious souls confessed Christ and requested baptism. In addition to lessons presented by Keith and Filipinos, I presented 20 lessons in spite of missing three days with sickness. We also delivered benevolence, knowing “the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God” (2 Cor. 9:12). Truly, there were “many thanksgivings unto God!”

Our flight into Manila arrived so late we got to sleep in the wee hours of December 4. That same day we flew to the island of Masbate in the Visayas where Jonathan Carino guided us to Del Carmen to work with Gregg and Ronnel Jumao-as. These former Baptist preachers were converted in recent months and are patiently teaching their Baptist members the true and original gospel of Christ. I began by giving a short historical sketch of how Christ and his apostles proclaimed the original gospel, how Catholicism introduced many changes, how denominationalism produced another series of changes, and how our challenge is to find the original gospel. This provided a simple framework on the blackboard for all the other lessons Keith and I presented for the next two days. Twelve were baptized into Christ.

On Saturday the 7th a morning flight took us to the island of Cebu where we spent the afternoon preaching in a denominational building at Talamban, Cebu City with Ahl Bufral. This brother is another recent convert from denominationalism who is gradually teaching his former members the true gospel. Eight more of them were baptized that night in a swimming pool where we paid a fee for each of them.

These first two opportunities are the result of ongoing work at Bogo City on northern Cebu, which is almost three hours north of Cebu City. Gil Suico has done hard work for several years laying the groundwork in that area and this year much fruit has been borne reaching even to Masbate. On Sunday the 8th a van took us to Bogo City to do follow-up work with the growing number of saints there. Nine more were baptized. Martin “Rhupert” Ramirez is one of the recently baptized preachers helping us.

December 9-13 was set aside for preacher training classes in Cebu City with Jonathan Carino hosting. Classes were conducted daily from 8 AM to 7 PM

covering four workbooks by Robert Harkrider on Basic Bible Doctrine in addition to sessions on using a Bible concordance, a Bible Dictionary, and a reference study Bible. I missed 3 days teaching with an infected toe, Keith missed 2 days with an upper respiratory infection and severe symptoms of contaminated water, but we had solid help from Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, and Rody Gumpad. We had books for 24 men but 77 attended.

On November 8 typhoon Yolanda hit the central Visayan Islands with 175 mph sustained winds, 225 mph gusts, and a 20 ft. sea surge. Over 6,000 died and 1,800 are still missing. December 14-16 was set aside to deliver benevolence to five Leyte churches, then three churches in the Bogo City, Cebu area. The devastation we witnessed defies description and even pictures cannot do it justice. Our brethren were filled with joy and thanksgiving as they received funds sufficient for 2-3 weeks food. There is still no electricity on Leyte. Follow-up help will be sent to repair and rebuild homes of brethren. Serious damage was done to other islands we were not able to reach. More aid is being sent as news arrives.

We returned to Manila on the 17th where I preached the next day at Bilibid Prison with Atoy Franco and Ely Ebuenga. Willie Pastor continues converting inmates and 46 confessed Christ this time. Our last day we bought about 800 Bibles in Filipino dialects for shipping to several places (many go to typhoon victims). We also visited Rody Gumpad at the Edsa-Pasay church of Christ meeting at a new location: 4th Floor, J & B Building, 641 EDSA Corner Rodriquez Street extension, Malibay, Pasay City.

Words cannot express my gratitude to God and to fellow saints who make these trips possible!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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December 21

Home From the Philippines

December 20, 2013

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

By the good grace of God Keith Greer and I landed at the Louisville, KY airport this afternoon about 1:30 PM, thus completing our three week trip to the Philippines. We know many prayers have been offered on our behalf since we left and especially after we both had some health problems, but we are better in every way and thankful to be home!

It was a privilege to work alongside many faithful Filipino saints again and to have opportunities to see their faith, hope, and love demonstrated in many ways. It was also a privilege to act as messengers for saints here in the U.S. and in other countries to deliver benevolence to brethren suffering from the devastation of typhoon Haiyan (named Yolanda in the Philippines). We visited suffering saints in Leyte and in northern Cebu. They are pressing forward by faith in God. It should be noted that Filipino brethren also sent benevolence to the affected areas.

Please forgive me if I am slow in corresponding because in addition to a mountain of work waiting for attention, next week I will spend time with my family. Later I plan to send a full report about the trip.

May God bless you all to have a happy holiday season with your loved ones and a very Happy New Year!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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December 21

Halbrook Philippine Report Dec 9-19, 2013

Dec. 19, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family and friends,

Since my report on the 8th, this trip has kept me so busy there has been no time to send additional reports. A preacher training class was scheduled for December 9-13 (Monday-Friday) in Cebu City on the island of Cebu in the central Philippines. The previous Saturday I consulted with Dr. Teresa Toreja about an incision on my left big toe which had become infected and she insisted I come to Manila for treatment. By God’s providence, Rody Gumpad was coming to Cebu for three days and he had taught the lessons we were using, Robert Harkrider’s Basic Bible Doctrine. He agreed to replace me in teaching alongside Keith Greer, Lordy Salunga, Jack Jaco, and Jonathan Carino.

Teresa worked for half an hour without using anesthesia because it doesn’t take effect on an inflamed wound. That was such a fun pedicure I got enough to last a lifetime in one sitting, but it got my toe to gradually healing with the help of some medications. I was able to return on the 11th and resumed teaching the next day. The classes did just fine without me but I missed being there. Over 90 attended the first day even though we had Bibles and workbooks for only 24 men! The number settled in at 75 participants who stayed for the week. The class is for our own brethren but denominational “pastors” heard about it and signed up.

After teaching on Wednesday, Rody left and I stepped in the next day, but Keith got sick the previous night and was not able to teach the last two days. Jonathan, Jack, and Lordy divided his lessons and we kept our stride. My lessons were on the Holy Spirit and on biblical vs. Calvinistic predestination, and an evening session on using the Bible concordance and Bible dictionary. Friday was a full day for me with four lessons on premillennialism, another on the deity of Christ vs. Jehovah’s Witnesses error, another session with the concordance, and a closing lesson on how to use the center column reference Bible we distributed.

Because of our visitors, we extended an invitation which resulted in four being baptized into Christ. Before the participants go home we always distribute a variety of Bible study materials for them to take home and continue their studies. There were many expressions of appreciation for the class and the materials.

I got back to the hotel in time to eat a bowl of soup for supper about 10:00 PM and fell into the bed exhausted at midnight. A wake-up call came at 4:00 AM as we headed to the port for a Saturday fastcraft ferry to Ormoc City, Leyte. Keith was too sick to join us, but Jonathan, Jack, and I arrived in Ormoc City at 8:30 AM. From there we traveled almost three hours by van to Tacloban City to visit victims of Haiyan (Yolanda), the worst typhoon in recorded history. Sustained winds of 175 miles per hour with gusts over 200 miles per hour created a sea surge twenty feet high which slammed into Leyte like a tsunami wiping out everything in its path.

Imagine driving almost three hours viewing devastation all the way, yet realizing the storm reached much, much further-to Samar, to northern Cebu, to Negros, to Panay, and even as far away as northern Palawan. One measure of the typhoon’s power is the fact that it lifted huge ships and deposited them inland, one sitting squarely on a main street of Tacloban! Not boats, ships! One was a half mile inland.

In Tacloban we met Nilo Zabala and the church for which he preaches to distribute benevolence. Each family received enough money to provide food for two-three weeks. Some lost their homes and others suffered great damage. We hope to address these needs as funds permit. The brethren were so very happy and thankful for the aid they received.

Words fail me to describe what I have seen today. Trees twisted, beams twisted, and vehicles twisted like pretzels. Smells I do not know and do not want to know. Virtually every building in sight damaged or destroyed. Piles and piles and piles of rubble filled with every imaginable article common to normal life but now reduced to unrecognizable rubble. People along the road holding out their hands to solicit aid.

People living in small lean-to’s covered by plastic, in small tents, and in tent cities provided by relief organizations. The Red Cross, the Red Crescent (the Muslim equivalent of the Red Cross), the United Nations, and numerous relief agencies.

Handmade signs asking for help. Handmade signs expressing appreciation for help given.

No electricity still after five weeks, only gas generators for those few who can afford them.

Facilities set up by various countries from around the world extending aid. Trucks delivering rice guarded by armed soldiers. American flags flying to express appreciation for our nation’s help-the arrival of our troops had given the first semblance of stability after the chaos created in the aftermath of the storm.

Entire coconut groves flattened.

Reports of fishermen finding multiple human bodies when they pulled up their ocean nets. The death toll now tops 6,000 with almost 1,800 officially listed missing. Mass graves. Bodies found in such a state of decomposition as to be unrecognizable.

Our eyes could not take in what we saw hour after hour and mile after mile. Our minds could not adequately comprehend all the personal tragedies, horrors, and heartaches these people have experienced. But, one shovel full at a time and one nail at a time, they are cleaning the streets and countryside, and rebuilding. The Philippine government estimates it will take four to five years to fully recover. May God have mercy on them!

This is a Catholic culture with basilicas and cathedrals dotting the landscape. Not only are these church buildings filled with images, the images are in businesses, in homes, in schools, in government offices, along streets and highways-in all places public and private! It has been interesting to observe that these revered images did not protect the Philippine nation and people from harm. In fact, I saw images broken and fallen down. In some cases the images are still standing, but their surroundings are demolished. A miracle? Hardly, how could it be a divine sign for the image to save itself while not saving the people praying to it?! Idolatry does not bless or protect people but corrupts their faith in God. Perhaps the typhoon and its aftermath will cause people to reflect and to see the need to abandon their useless images and search for the true and living God!

This area from Tacloban City to Ormoc City is at the epicenter of the devastation, and yet severe devastation reached out in all directions. Electric wires and poles are down in all directions. There is no electricity on the whole island of Leyte and no one knows when there will be.

After returning to Ormoc City, a ferryboat took us back to Cebu City where I slept for 3 hours, then got up again at 4:00 AM Sunday to meet Jonathan and Jack at 4:30. Our ferry arrived again at Ormoc City at 8:30 AM. We spent the day visiting four far-flung congregations to deliver benevolence: Abuyog, Cagang Mahablad, Babybay, and Candadan Brandy Island. It is frustrating to know limited time and limited funds prevent us from reaching all of our brethren who are in need. Some are far off the beaten path and it is not now safe for us to go to such places. The U.S. State Dept. does not recommend Americans to go to Leyte at all.

There was not sufficient time to preach at most places because we had to complete our circuit and get back to Ormoc City to catch the fastcraft back to Cebu. I did present a short lesson on “The Great Commission” at Abuyog. The distribution was accompanied with expressions of appreciation for the gifts of love delivered from fellow saints and with prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God. Some of the brethren wiped away tears and others returned to shake our hands and thank us again and again. Our return to Cebu was safe if late, and I got to bed at 1:00 AM.

Monday the 16th we drove to Bogo City, almost three hours north of Cebu City. Three congregations in that area have been growing all year. It was too risky for us to visit each place, but the brethren met us in Bogo at a hotel where distribution was made to each congregation and in turn to its members. Again there was much rejoicing and thanksgiving.

Before returning to Cebu, we drove to the nearby house of brother Gil Suico, our faithful laborer in Bogo for several years. His house was severely damaged. In fact, the largest coconut tree I believe I have ever seen fell during the storm and was only deflected by striking another huge tree so that both were uprooted and crashed to the ground right next to the house. I earlier sent Gil funds to buy a chainsaw and he is cutting the coconut tree up and making rough lumber to use for repairs to his house and the meeting place. It is a joy to help those who help themselves. Other brethren are using the saw as well.

Martin “Rhupert” Ramirez is a preacher converted from denominationalism in recent months. He continues teaching and baptizing the members of his former group. Other denominational preachers are opposing him, but he is zealous and militant in fighting the good fight of faith. He shared some of these trials but rejoiced to suffer for Christ. He is not ashamed of the gospel.

On Wednesday our faithful brethren Atoy Franco, Elijah Sikat, and Ely Ebuenga accompanied me to the Bilibid Prison to visit Willie Pastor and to preach to inmates he gathered. 140 heard my lesson on “The Prison of Sin” (1 Pet. 3:18-4:11). I explained that all men are in the prison of sin, but Christ can set us free, teach us not to go back, and lead us to live a new fruitful life in fellowship with God. I discussed how Satan entices us and then holds us in a prison we did not expect and from which we cannot escape. It was clear many understood because they responded in answering my questions even before Willie gave the translation. When he extended the invitation, 46 made the good confession and requested to be baptized into Christ.

Willie wishes to express his love for all the deeds of kindness shown to his wife and four children by many U.S. saints from time to time. They continue to struggle financially and in every other way in his absence. The work he has done in the prison is truly amazing-he is a modern day Joseph!

Today, the 19th, Atoy Franco took Keith and me to the Philippine Bible Society where we ordered almost 800 Bibles in Filipino dialects to be shipped to various areas. Most will go to the Visayan Islands which were devastated by the typhoon. It is good to see Keith finally recovering from his respiratory infection and symptoms of contaminated water.

After completing these orders, we visited Rody and Tessie Gumpad at the large room now rented for worship for the Edsa-Pasay church of Christ. Sunday their attendance was a record 60 and the old rented room is no longer sufficient to hold the people. It is a joy to see the progress of this thriving work in the city of Manila where there are 12,000,000 people! There are also other good congregations scattered throughout Metro Manila. The fields are truly white unto harvest!

Within a few hours Keith and I will board the Delta flight from Manila to Japan to Detroit and then on to Louisville to rejoin our families and loved ones. This has been an arduous but rewarding trip. Thank you to one and all who have donated funds and prayed for our efforts. May God be glorified in all our efforts to serve Him!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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December 13

Halbrook Philippine Report Dec 2-8, 2013

Dec. 11, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Keith Greer and I were blessed with a safe trip December 2-4 flying from Louisville, KY to Nagoya, Japan, and into Manila about 1:15 A.M. (late because of technical delay in Japan). This 27 hour trip left us exhausted as we fell into our beds at the hotel afer 3:00 A.M. Wednesday Elias Cruz met us for a few minutes before our next flight from Manila to Cebu City, so that five large boxes we brought could be shipped ahead by air cargo to Cebu City.

First Time to Visit Masbate

After arriving in Cebu City on the 4th, where we met Jonathan Carino, we prepared for the next flight on Thursday the 5th into Masbate City on the island of Masbate. In addition to this heavy travel schedule, we are enduring the rigors of Philippine winter with temperatures ranging from the high 70’s to the mid 80’s! Do you pity us? 🙂 Actually, it feels uncomfortably hot because of the 40 degree jump above temperatures back home. We will soon adjust.

After being invited many times to visit Masbate, I was finally able to work it into the schedule. There are 7,000 islands in the Philippines and 70 of them have a substantial population, so it is entirely possible I will not live to visit them all! As a result of our preaching and many conversions in Bogo City, Cebu, this year, a few denominational preachers from Masbate Island who joined those studies have obeyed the gospel in recent months. This involved constant hard work by Filipino preachers with only occasional visits by Americans. These newly converted preachers have been laboring to teach their members in the denominations the true gospel and many have responded by obedient faith. Jonathan Carino brought Harry Osborne here last month and their lessons were well received.

After our early flight to Masbate City, we took a van to the rural community of Del Carmen. Gregg Jumao-as and his son Ronnel had gathered 50-60 souls, filling the nice church building. I preached a short lesson explaining our purpose in coming was to preach God’s Word and why. After the original Savior, gospel, and church came for man’s salvation, many changes were made resulting in the formation of Catholicism and later in denominationalism. We did not come to start a new religion or denomination but to teach men to follow the original Savior and gospel.

Then I proceeded to a study of “The Message of the Bible: Salvation in Christ.” Keith taught on God’s dealing with men in the three dispensations: the patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the Christian ages. Time was given to answer questions. After lunch I preached “The Two Covenants (Gal. 4:24)” and Keith taught an important lesson on godly living. More questions were again addressed regarding such things as inherited sin, instrumental music in worship, and how obeying the gospel often leads to persecution. Many expressed appreciation for today’s preaching.

The moon cannot be seen here because of the all-day rains which are continuing tonight-steady but not monsoon storms, thank God.

Friday a van took us from Masbate City back to Del Carmen. The Jumao-as family was converted from the Baptist faith to New Testament Christianity and the father and a son have been converting their former Baptist members. Keith began the day with a study of receiving salvation by God’s grace, and I followed with “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God.” After Keith’s next message on counting the cost to become a follower of Christ, I finished the day by focusing on “The Purpose of Our Lives.” No one asked any questions but 12 obeyed the gospel, men and woman, young and old.

The members here at Del Carmen almost surely will be driven out of their church building by Baptist authorities who hold the deed to the property.

One of the Filipino ladies brought her husband Mark Klynen (Mark_Klynen@yahoo.com ) who is from Belgium in western Europe but has lived here for six years. He stayed all day and was very attentive. Mark speaks Dutch and asked for help in finding a Dutch translation in current rather than archaic language. Can anyone reading this report offer any clues?

Preaching on Cebu Island

On Saturday, December 7, our early morning flight from Masbate to Cebu City allowed us to arrive for a short rest, and then we went to the suburb of Talamban. A former denominational preacher named Alejandro “Ahl” Bufral is teaching and baptizing the remaining members, though some who could not endure sound doctrine left. Several who stayed held onto their denominational baptism as equivalent to the one baptism of the gospel. I preached on “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” which includes a section contrasting the one baptism with denominational error. Keith followed with a good lesson on godly lesson. Eight responded to the gospel and were baptized in a pool nearby (we had to pay a fee for each one who entered the water). Four former deaconesses previously holding onto their old baptism were in this group.

On the 8th it was necessary to leave Cebu City at 7:00 A.M. and travel almost three hours to meet with the saints in the Bogo City area. This part of Cebu Island was hit hard by typhoon Haiyan (or Yolanda). As we drew near, the devastation was evident roofless, collapsed, or blown away. Trees were blown over and rooted up one after another. We rented a function room in a hotel that was structurally sound in Bobo City. The assembly numbered 77 including saints and sinners. Because of the devastation Keith addressed why we live in a world of suffering, then I spoke on “The Resurrection of Christ,” a verse by verse study of Mark 16. Nine responded to the gospel call and were baptized into Christ. Gil Suico continues his steady sound work in this area, helping three congregations.

A brother in the area named Felix Cantulan has disappointed us and returned to his former denominational group called “The Church,” a sect formed by a Chinese man named Watchman Nee in 1922. Felix has been driving a van for this group and he even invited some of our brethren to get onboard, but they declined. We pity him and pray he will be like Simon in Acts 8:22-24 by repenting and returning to the Lord and to the truth. Such tragedies occur wherever the gospel goes because Satan launches a counterattack every time a precious soul escapes his captivity.

Because we spent over five hours in round trip travel, we were not able to make side trips to see the damaged and destroyed houses of saints, but we saw one of their homes near the highway totally demolished. We will be teaching preacher training classes August 9-13 in Cebu City. One reason this central location was chosen is that brethren from the devastated areas can come to report more details about the ongoing needs. Then when the classes end, the benevolence we have in hand can be delivered to the respective congregations according to the needs in the Bogo City area, on Leyte, on Negros, or elsewhere.

Side Trip to Manila to Dr. Toreja’s Clinic

Though this report is being sent on Wednesday the 11th, unfortunately I cannot give a report on the classes in Cebu City until later. Saturday night the 7th I consulted with Dr. Teresa Toreja in Manila by phone about a procedure done November 14 on my big left toe to resolve an ingrown nail problem. It was not healing properly and after her asking some questions she insisted I come to see her ASAP because she was sure there was serious infection. I did not want to miss the scheduled classes, but no one is indispensable and wisdom dictated I should listen to the good doctor.

By God’s providence Rody Gumpad was arriving in Cebu Monday to deliver some benevolence to the men gathered from areas hard hit by the typhoon. He had previously taught the books we were to use as a guide, Basic Bible Doctrine by Robert Harkrider. Rody agreed to take my classes and I forwarded my charts to him. He arrived Monday in Cebu City just in time to join Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Keith Greer, and Lordy Salunga for the classes.

I flew from Cebu City to Manila arriving at Dr. Toreja’s clinic late Monday afternoon. I waited until she finished seeing her patients. She then worked on the toe for 30-40 minutes without anesthesia (which I learned is not effective on an inflamed wound)-now that was real sho’nuff fun! Fortunately, she did not amputate and I survived! She put me on some medications to promote healing and fight infection. Teresa was satisfied with the incision’s progress on Tuesday and released me to return to Cebu City the next day so I could teach on Thursday.

It has been such a blessing to have Teresa near when traveling in the Philippines and encountering several health problems through the years. She is knowledgeable, sacrificial, and compassionate in her medical practice. In addition she uses every possible opportunity to teach her patients the gospel.

Rody had to leave Wednesday afternoon. Meanwhile, I learned the classes were doing just fine without me! Over 90 attended the first day even though we have Bibles and workbooks for only 24 men!

I have not panicked in all this because the skies cleared and I could see the moon a couple of nights, reminding me of the love and prayers of so many brethren and loved ones. May God bless you all.

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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