March 11

Halbrook Report: Philippine Trip Feb. 7-27, 2012

Dear brethren,

God blessed the work of Donna, David, Starla, and me with Filipino saints February 7-27. Long ago Jeremiah pled, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16). Jim McDonald took me to the Philippines in 1995 because many Filipinos seek the old paths. After 45 trips I still see that spirit. I taught 42 times not counting the work of David, Donna, and Starla. We saw 24 respond to the gospel call.

Shortly after Donna and I arrived in Manila on the 8th, David and Starla arrived from their work in New Zealand and Australia. On Friday about 70 souls attended classes at the Kapitbahayan church in Navotas, Metro Manila where Elias Cruz continues the work of his deceased father Ben. David started with a study of Saul’s conversion and I presented a series on “Man’s Leadership in the Home.” The ladies greatly appreciated Starla’s and Donna’s sessions on the woman’s role and on children’s classes. It was a joy for Donna to meet at last Ben’s widow and their daughter Dr. Teresa Toreja.

Saturday we arrived by air at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in northeastern Luzon to work with Rody Gumpad and many other good brethren. Shortly we joined 25 guests at the home of Mrs. Celia Lim, a wealthy widow. Short lessons were given by Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat. I spoke on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost.” David spoke on Matthew 7:13-14, and Rody on Revelation 21:1-8. Guests included a vice-mayor, a denominational preacher, and other friends of Cilia.

On Sunday the 12th we worshiped at the Metro church of Christ with Rody. David’s lesson on steadfastness in the truth was followed by mine on “The Resurrection of Christ.” This church has elders and deacons and about 150 people attended. After lunch I went with Rody to the Palca church, Cagayan Province, where Mark Daquioag preaches. Rody summarized my lesson in the local dialect. Attendance was 25-30. David preached at Alibago and two requested baptism. We met back at the Metro church to witness their new birth. Monday we drove to Tabuk, Kalinga to work with Ben Vistro and other good men. 150 souls filled the hotel function room. David emphasized knowing who Jesus is and I spoke on “The Gospel of Christ Makes Us Right with God.” Rody summarized our lessons in the native dialect. David then preached on the new creation in Christ and my topic was “New Beginnings in Christ.” After Rody extended the invitation, eight precious souls responded.

A lectureship for preachers with classes for their wives was held on Tuesday at the Metro church in Tuguegarao. Over 100 men met in the auditorium and about 100 ladies met upstairs. David and I presented lessons on premillennialism, God’s pattern, holy living, and sermon preparation. The 15th we went to Manaring, Ilagan City, Isabela Province to work with Santos Basilio and other good men. Well over 200 souls were gathered. David preached on the plan of salvation and I addressed the topic “Walk in the Spirit Not the Flesh” (Gal. 5:16-26). After our P.M. sermons 12 people were baptized in the Arcon River.

We flew to Cebu City, Cebu to work with Jonathan Carino at the Cebu City church of Christ in classes for teenagers on “How to Study the Bible” February 17-18. Bibles and workbooks were provided for 70, but 100 attended. Lordy Salunga came from Luzon to help us teach. The ladies classes were well attended. Sunday we worshiped and taught classes with the Cebu City church, then I preached at the South Road church where Jun Apatan labors. February 20-24 we were back on Luzon teaching a series on “Home and Family” at the Angeles City Southside church of Christ with Lordy Salunga. Jonathan Carino also came from Cebu to teach. Again, the ladies appreciated their special sessions.

Saturday Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat arranged for us to teach about 20 people at a rented room in a community center, and the session continued at the Battung home in the evening in Paranaque, Metro Manila. Sunday we went to the Bilibid Prison to be with Willie and Kenneth Pastor. Willie is incarcerated and his brother Kenneth enters as a “religious worker.” Over 120 have been converted by their diligent efforts. David preached in one area A.M. and I preached in another P.M.

The highlight of this trip was the presence, work, and influence of my wife Donna and David’s wife Starla. They were a blessing to the Filipino ladies and were blessed by them.

Thank you one and all for your encouragement, prayers, and support!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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January 11

Great need of Madipadu Congregation

To brother Ron Halbrook and to whom may be interested and concerned.

 Regarding brother ch George in India. He is a VERY faithful and dedicated preacher of the gospel. On my first evangelist tour to India, George was one of 15 other preachers who had contacted me before I went to India. They were pleading for the opportunity to meet with me to study for they had heard that the message I was bringing to India was nothing but the PURE gospel message concerning God’s PATTERN in all things. Liberalism with the sponsoring church arrangement was rampant in India and VERY few men had been in the areas where we had planned to hold meetings and studies. These men all came to the planned and arranged meetings during the day time and then they ALL came to my hotel room a night for VERY deep and intensified studies regarding the sin the institutional church is involved in and especially the sponsoring church arrangements. Each of these men were “graduates” from the liberal church sponsored  “Preacher Training Schools” and brought their diplomas to show me. We had LONG and CAREFUL studies of the digression of the liberal churches of Christ and when we had finished, they ALL w with ONE ACCORD stated that they were going back to their villages and towns and preach the TRUTH they had learned. These same men continued to attend the next two years of classes we set up and have all become STRONG workers for the Lord. From that first trip to India and this SAME attitude I have described about brother ch George, the PURE gospel has spread like wildfire. Brother ch George has been VERY instrumental in helping in all of this as these men all went home with the TRUTH and they in turn taught OTHERS and OTHERS and OTHERS. I commend ch  George and his faithful work to any and all who would desire to be a part of this GREAT work in India.

 Your brother and servant in the Lords work in India,

 Bobby R.Holmes

219 Timothy Trail

Duncanville, Texas 75137

Cell phone: 214-384-0896

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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January 8

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Nov. 29 – Dec. 19, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and providence my 44th preaching trip to the Philippines (5th to New Zealand) was successfully completed November 29-December 19, 2011. I am forever indebted to Jim McDonald for taking me with him in 1995. It was a joy to work with Steven Deaton (Hebron Ln. church of Christ, Shepherdsville, KY) and Jesse Flowers (Pruett & Lobit Sts. chuch of Christ, Baytown, TX). Filipino brethren expressed appreciation for their good work. In addition to their lessons, I presented 38 lessons, and 15 were baptized by our joint efforts (most when Steven and Jesse worked with Rody Gumpad).

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August 27

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip July 22-Aug. 19, 2011

Dear brethren,

God richly blessed  my 43rd preaching trip to the Philippines July 22-August 19.  By His providence Jim McDonald introduced me to this work.  Filipino brethren exiting premillennialism reminds me of Acts 18 when Apollos learned more perfectly “the way of the Lord.”  An Australian lady has hung onto her faith meeting in her home for eight years.  I was privileged to teach 58 times and see 55 respond to the gospel.

The first Sunday I joined Atoy Franco, Lucio Centeno, and Kenneth, Willie, and Kathy Pastor in the prison in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila. Willie is there by a miscarriage of justice, but like Joseph he serves God trusting His providence. In the past year he has seen over 100 souls obey the gospel.  At services in two units of the prison I studied Genesis 1:1-2:3, “God Created Everything,” building the prisoners faith in God while showing them the value of their souls.

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July 2

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip April 7-May 20, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace April 7-May 20 I completed my 42nd Philippine preaching trip, which focused on teaching young people.  As Timothy learned “the holy scriptures” from childhood, it is imperative that we sow the seed of the kingdom in the hearts of young Filipinos (2 Tim. 3:14-15).  A total of 90 lessons were taught and 25 people were baptized (another 15-20 young people obeyed the gospel as a result of follow-up studies).  I thank God that Jim McDonald invited for me to join him for my first trip in 1995, and for all  saints who have provided financial help for these trips through the years.

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March 13

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Jan. 31 – Feb. 25, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and the help of His saints I completed my 41st Philippine trip January 31-February 25.  Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9).  On the first trip with Jim McDonald in 1995 it was impossible to envision what a great door was opening or how many adversaries might arise–41 trips have fortified my faith in God’s providence.  This open door has now led me to New Zealand four times.  It was my privilege to present 72 lessons and nine were baptized as “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6).  Most of the time was devoted to preacher training.   January 27-30 was spent working with Olen Holderby at the Alameda, CA church of Christ.  In an effort to reach biblically illiterate Asians here, we emphasized the Bible as “God’s Only True Word,” and “Only One True God” in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Over 900 fliers were distributed, yet none came.  We must keep trying in the U.S. but the door is open wider in the Philippines.

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January 9

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Nov. 29 – Dec 20, 2010

January 6, 2011th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 40th PHILIPPINE TRIP Nov. 29-Dec. 20, 2010

Dear brethren,

As Jonah grieved for his shade vine, God grieved for the wayward Ninevites.  As God sent Jonah to save them from destruction, He sent us to save a lost world destined for eternal torment in hell.  God opened a door for me to preach in the Philippines when Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995, and now I have safely returned from my 40th trip (Nov. 29-Dec. 20).  Steve Wallace (St. Leon, IN Church of Christ) and Travis Pyle (Ashley Heights Church of Christ, Charleston, SC) were able companions as we joined hands with many Filipino saints.  I presented 52 lessons.  Travis’ labors with Rody Gumpad on Luzon yielded 44 baptisms, and 40 were baptized and 6 restored as Steve and I labored on Mindanao.

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September 6

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip July 22-Aug 25, 2010

Dear brethren,

Jeremiah lamented Judah’s fall, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22) Many Filipinos accept God’s balm for sin-sick souls. By God’s grace, my 39th Philippine trip was safely completed July 22-August 25. I worked with Phil Martin (Jere Whitson Road Church of Christ, Cookeville, TN) August 6-19 and Harry Osborne (84th St. Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, OK) the 18th -24th. Thank God, Jim McDonald of Lufkin, TX introduced me to the Philippine work in 1995! I presented 97 lessons on this trip. Several souls were restored and 64 baptized as God gave the increase.

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