November 1, 2012^th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren and friends,

By God’s grace with your help we continue reaching out to encourage and aid our neighbors who are in need of a helping hand.  Help A Neighbor began in July of 2007 as one means of providing for others what they are unable to provide for themselves in the spirit of Matthew 22:39: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Help A Neighbor exists exclusively for humanitarian and charitable purposes as defined by section 501 (C) 3 of the IRS Code, which is why all donations are legally tax deductible.  This is purely a legal means for individuals to extend aid to individuals.  We do not accept donations from churches because we do not function as an ecclesiastical organization in any sense.

Thanks to the dedication and skill of Thomas and Jacob Keese, Help A Neighbor has an excellent web site at www.HelpANeighbor.net with reports, pictures, and other information about our efforts.

Because I am acquainted with the Philippines and many Christians there, our main focus has been to provide humanitarian help in the Philippines including daily necessities such as food, medical services, funds for the construction or repair of personal homes and church buildings, disaster relief, burial expenses, songbooks, Bibles, and Bible study materials.

Of the nearly $160,000 donated in 2011, well over one-third was used in efforts to construct church buildings ($64,400).  Some of these buildings are constructed using such materials as bamboo, coconut wood, and nippa roofing (dried palm leaves).  Others are built with more substantial materials to withstand typhoons such as small concrete blocks, steel trusses, and roofing of galvanized iron sheets.

These buildings are of various sizes.  This includes smaller meeting places at ten sites: three on Luzon (Santa Catalina, Isabela; Dumabato, Quirino; and San Agustin, Isabela); one on Negros (Manapla, Negros Occidental); and six on Mindanao (New Matina, Davao City; Riverside, General Santos City; Alegreia, Sarangani; Iligan City, Lanao del Norte; Padada, Davao del Sur; and Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental).  Incremental help has been extended for the construction of larger buildings on Luzon (Seaside church, La Union; Cordon, Isabela) and on Mindanao (Lanton, General Santos City).

At the behest of Bobby Holmes and Tom Roberts, we were given the opportunity to help the saints in Bangalore, India purchase property and prepare to start building a meeting house.  In 2011 about $50,000 went toward this project.  It is not finished and donations are welcomed for this purpose.

About $21,000 was distributed to extend a helping hand for all sorts of family and personal needs, for surgeries and medical expenses, and for such things as burying the dead.

The next largest amount was used for disaster relief, including those who suffered from three big typhoons which hit Luzon in the late summer and fall of 2010.  A total of $16,000 was sent to 14 different locations and hundreds of brethren were assisted.

Over $14,000 worth of Bibles and Bible study materials were purchased and distributed to brethren and to visitors.  Some Bibles were in local dialects and some in English.  The study materials are English.  Philippine schools teach English as a second language and many who cannot speak it well can read it.

Various donors provided about $15,000 out of interest in helping with travel expenses for five men who traveled abroad: Ron and David Halbrook to the Philippines, Marc Smith to India, Mike Willis to Germany, and Harry Osborne to the Philippines.

This provides a basic overview of how funds were used in 2011 without detailing all the projects, activities, and needs we have addressed during the year.  For instance, when the recession caused the Guardian of Truth Foundation to consolidate its two stores into one at Athens, AL, two U-haul trucks of  older, slow-moving, and damaged materials were donated to Help A Neighbor rather than transported to Athens.  I rented a large storage unit to protect these materials and am mailing them in large boxes to points scattered all over the Philippines from Luzon to Palawan to Mindoro to the Visayan Islands to Mindanao–about 65 large boxes so far, and plenty more to come!  In addition to storage, each box costs about $120 to ship.

All of this work has continued through 2012 until this very moment, and I hope to give an updated report later. At the present I am preparing for my 48^th trip to the Philippines.  Two brethren going for their first time will join me, and in addition to preaching they will use their special talents to teaching singing classes:  Jim Barnett (Artesia, NM) and Steven Saunders (Clarence, MO).  First-timers generally have enough challenge raising their travel funds, so I do not ask them to share the heavy load of expenses we encounter for venues and related expenses.  Judging from past experiences, I estimate I am currently at least $6,000-$8,000 short for our upcoming trip November 27-December 20.  I have learned not to panic because the Lord provides our needs if we do the work He has given us to do.

Singing schools will be held at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, Metro Manila, at the Cebu City church of Christ on Cebu Island, and at Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province.  Jim and Steven will then return to the U.S. and I will proceed to General Santos City in southern Mindanao for a week of studies with a group of Pentecostal preachers.  Some of them attended a previous class and requested additional studies, to which they are inviting many of their associates.

Here are some ongoing needs as we complete 2012 and look forward to 2013:

1. The upcoming Philippine trip

2. Church buildings in the Philippines and the India project

3. Family & personal needs of Filipinos, including medical needs (an older preacher in Mindanao has needed eye surgery costing $600-$700 for a couple of years)

4. Disaster relief from time to time (brethren were affected by recent flash-flooding in southern Mindanao)

5. Bibles and study materials–including an urgent need for songbooks!!!

Lordy Salunga established and ably edited a gospel paper in the Philippines named Sword & Shield (1999-2009) with financial aid raised by Jim McDonald and then Bill Cavender.  It costs $1,500 per quarter to publish it and it is a very effective teaching tool, but it was discontinued for lack of funds.  Are there brethren interested in helping Lordy restart Sword & Shield?

Also, Filipinos plead for subscriptions to Truth Magazine ($27 per year).  I can provide more information to anyone willing to provide subs.

Occasionally, we do some limited work here in the U.S. when there is a need.  If someone knows of a special need and wants to help, notify us and we will consider it.

Thank you for loving hearts and generous hands extended to those in need who help themselves as best they can. Truly, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35)!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:

http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

http://www.biblework.com

http://www.truthmagazine.com

http://www.truthbooks.net

In Him who saves,  JHUN BAUTISTA AND FAMILY

Dear brethren,

Saving souls begins with equipping brethren to teach and to defend the first “principles of the doctrine of Christ” (Heb. 6:1).  My 47^th preaching trip July 24-August 25 to the Philippines (and Australia) focused on evidences and basic principles of Bible study.  Jim McDonald graciously opened this field of labor to me in 1995 and the harvest is ripe.   No American was able to join me this time but effective Filipino brethren shared the teaching duties.  Not counting their lessons, I taught 63 times.

After arriving in Manila July 25, I flew the next day to Melbourne, Australia and on to Gladstone, Queensland to work with the Central Gladstone church.  In one week we covered 13 lessons in Evidences for God and His Creation. The members are Jamie and Deborah Williams (with Timothy and Seth), Carol and Gabby Zussino, and Emmanuel Boatswain from Trinidad.   The church is now meeting in a rented facility which gives them more public visibility.  Both Sundays we visited the P.M. service of the Rockhampton church of Christ where years ago Robert Turner, Harold Comer, and Jim Sasser spoke, and also David Halbrook earlier this year.  August 5^th I preached for them on establishing Bible authority. The men at both churches share the preaching and teaching duties.

August 6-7 was lost traveling to Manila.  Monsoon rain flooding precluded my visit to preach at the Bilibid Prison where Willie Pastor is incarcerated.  Typhoons and monsoon rains have flooded homes and destroyed crops in several provinces.  Suffering Luzon saints plead for help.

Friday the rains relented and I was able to fly to Dipolog City, provincial capital of Zamboanga del Norte on the island of Mindanao.  Jonathan Carino met me there and Edguardo Parangan guided us to preaching appointments in rural areas on Saturday.  About 25 souls gathered at San Pedro, Polanco where Alex Moravilla preaches.  Their small church building is made of bamboo slats with a roof of G.I. sheets and a dirt floor.  Jonathan translated the lesson on “The Eyes of the Lord Are Over the Righteous” (1 Pet. 3:12), so the service lasted for two hours.  We then visited the church at Upper Gumay, Pinan where Celso Arconila and Juanito Salazar labor.  During the open forum a Jehovah’s Witness said he could see his baptism was not valid.  He is ripe for follow-up studies.

Sunday I preached at the Dipolog City church where Edgardo Parangan preaches.   The service lasted from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.  Jonathan again translated for me, and Cyrus Gesulga also preached.

Monday-Friday about 35 men gathered for the one-week preacher training program taught by Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Cyrus Gesulga, and myself.  Preachers from premillennial churches of Christ were invited and were very receptive.  The theme was “How to Study the Bible” using Cecil Willis’ workbook by that title as a guide for the first three days.  Much of the material we teach undermines the foundations of premillennialism by clarifying God’s use of the Jews to bring the Savior into the world, the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God, and the events surrounding the second coming of Christ.  I also taught a six-part series on “The Authority of Christ.”

The 18^th was spent traveling via Manila to Davao City in southern Mindanao.  Sunday I spoke at the Boulevard church where Johnny Espinosa labors.  That evening I preached at the New Matina church where Juanito Balbin has labored for years.  He is suffering from failing health and lacks funds to buy the medicines he needs.  I was able to help only a small amount, but he is pleading for someone to help him maintain his medicines monthly.  August 20-24 Cyrus Gesulga, Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, and myself repeated in Davao City the same classes we taught at Dipolog City, again for brethren from the premillennial background.  We were very well received.

Rudy Tampon reported that as a result of similar classes we taught at General Santos City in May, Pentecostal pastors who attended now say they are convinced we taught the truth.  They urge me to return for follow-up studies and they hope to bring their ten Pentecostal churches to the truth!  When can I go?!

I thank God for making this work possible through the loving help of Donna and the prayers and financial support of so many wonderful saints!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

Beloved brother Ron Halbrook,

New Year greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I Thanking all of you for your serving for the Lord’s people in some of Nations.Lord will bless you all as your sacrificing for His Throne.

Brethren,

I am George from India working a Gospel preacher in my surrounding Villages Cherukumpalem and Madipadu Churches of Christ since 1995.I have Converted from Liberalism when i listen the Truth by our Loving Brother Bobby Holmes on 2004 at Kurnool Study meetings.Until then i am Preaching the truth and encouraging some of Liberal and Denominational people of my surrounding.Our brethren at Waxahachie Church of Christ is supporting me since the Year 2004.so i thanking all of our brethren there.

Brethren,

i would like to Requesting beside(for) the Lord’s people at Madipadu Church of Christ where i working and living Village.we are meeting to worship the Lord’s day and to Bible study’s, Gospel meetings etc..nearly 35 people.but we have No place to meet.we are gathering since 2003 to the worship in my father’s home where i living.it is very small and have grate problem what my own brothers are talking too much against me and the congregation why it is that not my own profit.it is my father’s profit so they have legal right to ask their share from their father’s profit.And the place is not sufficient to meet,so some people sitting besides of water Tub,Oven of wood sticks.The reflection of these things some people do not showing interest to meet and attend to the congregation.so we were requested a relative who able to help a place for build a building he donated(signed on Legal Documents) some place from his own land to the Madipadu Church of Christ namely Chityala Paul Raj.

Then on 2009 we have committed to collect some fund from our familes for build a building to worship.so we are collected 15,000 Rs (Fifteen thousend Rupees).And The President of my village was visited us and understand our state,he was recommended for some Government fund.so They has been granted 50,000 Rs (Fifty Thousend Rupees).

Regarding plane of the Construction,Actually we started this work on 2009 which is a Engineer plane and Estimation but have desided change the plane and estimated concern Roof only Rcc slab to Cement sheets because he was estimated 3,33,000-00 in 2007. we feel that is over cost to our financial position and to who show interest to help to the construction..And metirial cost was raised overly today.

The Cost is to complete the work 2,20,000-00 (Two Lakh and twenty thousend Rupees).if we have spent to completed work to Basement level.And pillrs has been completed until needy height 11.6 inches.

Totall cost of the Construction 2,20,000-00

spent ammount to cmpleated work 65,000-00

Remining cost for remining work 1,55,000-00

(One Lakh and fifty five thousend Rupees)

in US Dollors may be 3,100 (Three thousends and one hundred).

Brethren,

We need to complete the Remining work 1,55,000 in $3,100.we are humbly requesting all of you please share this grate need for the Lord’s people in India as your possibility,we are all depended on our Labor woking.

I have attched Document copy’s of the Building plane and Estimation with photos of Building state.

Brethren,

i hope you understand my words and my request for the Lord and His Kingdom in India.

My position is very criticle I’m in lot of Debts was expended more money to the Church building at Cherukumpalem nearly 2,50,000 (Two Lakh and fifty thousend Rupees)by my support money and my own income from my work.

Please pray for open doors for us in Madipadu Church of Christ in India,i shall pray for you and your work for the Lord in concentrated Philippines.

Your Brother in Christ,

George.Ch

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