Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The Philippines gets 15-20 typhoons each year spread out over several months, which helps the rice fields which require much water, but this year several have hit in quick succession with monsoon rains in addition.  Therefore, the Philippines has suffered much flooding and other calamities which destroy crops, houses, and lives.  Much of the damage has been done on Luzon because of the track the most typhoons follow.  Many of our brethren have been struggling for food.  Recently, I learned that northern Mindanao is also suffering.  Successive torrential rains have destroyed crops and created landslides in southern Mindanao.

A super-typhoon with the international name Mangkhut, locally named “Typhoon Ompong,” hit the Philippines on Saturday, September 15, and much help will be needed especially on Luzon again.  Here are excerpts from a CNN report dated the day the typhoon hit:
Continue reading

Dear brethren,

I am preaching in southern Mindanao on the last leg of this month-long Philippine trip.  We planned for 60 to participate in two days of preacher training here in General Santos City, but about 100 showed up the first day, including 10 denominational preachers.  God willing, I will return home in about a week. Thank you for praying for this work!

On this trip more than ever before, I see the evidence of the good being done by the Forex Cargo boxes (called balikbayan boxes) we have been sending in recent years, thanks to your donations.  I estimate 250-300 of these huge boxes have been sent with Bibles, Bible study materials, Bible teaching materials (including materials to teach children), and assorted clothes, food, and personal items.  Brethren of all ages at the Hebron Lane church of Christ have formed the most efficient packing team you have ever seen.  On this trip I have noticed several churches using the homemade communion sets we sent, many song books, children’s Bible study materials, and one brother wearing an “old faithful” suit I wore for many years!
Continue reading

IMPORTANT NOTE TO ANYONE WANTING TO SEND FUNDS FOR ANY PURPOSE
INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR PREACHERS OR BENEVOLENCE: 

I will be away from home Nov. 29, 2016 – Jan. 10, 2017. 

Donna will be away Dec. 7, 2016 – Jan. 16, 2017. 

It will be necessary to work around those dates or to use some other means of relaying funds to recipients.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

Dear brethren,

Philippine news reports plus firsthand accounts by our brethren in the central and northern parts of Luzon tell the sad story of super typhoon Haima (Filipino name Lawin).  It plowed across Luzon on October 19-20, leaving a huge swath of destruction.  Crops ready for harvest were devastated, homes were damaged or blown away, power lines and their poles were downed, and thousands of people fled to evacuation centers or were displaced. Many church buildings were damaged or destroyed.  The land already had been saturated by another typhoon a few days before Haima hit with even greater fury, causing major flooding and dangerous landslides. For more details, see the news report below.
Continue reading

Dear brethren,

Please ask everyone you know to pray for the saints in northern Luzon in the Philippines as one of the worst typhoons ever to hit that region is hitting them with torrential rains and powerful winds.  It is considered in the “super typhoon” category and is named Haima or locally Lawin.

I have received a number of messages from Filipino saints pleading for our prayers as the early rain and wind was moving into the Isabela and Cagayan Provinces.  The path will take it across northern Luzon, so other provinces will soon suffer devastation as well.  A couple of sample messages are reproduced below along with a map showing the path of the typhoon.
Continue reading

Dear brethren,

Typhoon Koppu entered the Philippines October 12 and was given the Filipino name Lando.  The heavy rains affected several parts of the Philippines but the brunt of this monster storm was felt on Luzon, especially the central and northern provinces.   As of October 22, it has left in its wake 54 dead, hundreds injured, and 100,000 displaced from their homes.  Corn, banana, and rice crops were destroyed and thousands of houses damaged or destroyed.  Many people are now hungry and seeking food and shelter, including our brethren.
Continue reading

Golden Opportunity to do Good in the Philippines

Dear brethren,

There are times we need to act without delay!  “Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again….Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well” (Eccl. 11:1, 6 NIV).  When there is a need and we have the means to act, we should act in confidence that God will bless our efforts to have a good result.  Please read about this golden opportunity to cast our bread and sow our seed.
Continue reading

Continue reading

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

The government of the Republic of the Philippines recently reported 30 provinces are suffering the effects of severe drought.  I have received numerous reports and appeals from brethren pleading for help.  Because of my travel in the Philippines during April and many duties awaiting when I returned home, I have been delayed in putting out a general appeal for help.  I saw the crops drying up and withering in some areas on my trip.
Continue reading

Continue reading