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October 31, 2014^th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God opened a door for me to preach in the Philippines first with Jim McDonald in 1995, and now my 56^th trip is planned for December 1-19 by His marvelous grace.  Paul urged Christians at Corinth to meet challenges both from within and without the church: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). My trip will echo this stirring call in the Philippines and New Zealand.

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Dear family, brethren, and friends, I appreciate your prayers for safety
and success in these labors.  Be sure to look up at the moon so that I’ll
know you are still there!  May God bless each one of you till we meet
again. In Christian love, Ron

PHILIPPINE TRIP ITINERARY JULY 29-AUGUST 28, 2014

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PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES!

July 3, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God’s good providence involved me in the Philippine work when Jim McDonald took me in 1995, and now my 55th trip is set for July 29-August 28.  In Luke 5:1-11 Jesus told Peter to launch his boat into the deep waters of the Sea of Galilee and drop his nets.  Though he had fished all night and caught nothing,  Peter said, “At thy word I will let down the net.”  It took two ships to bring in the tremendous catch of fish!  Jesus then promised to teach Peter to “catch men.”  McGarvey commented, “Disciples are fishers, human souls are fish, the world is the sea, the gospel is the net, and eternal life is the shore whither the catch is drawn.”  At Christ’s word we still cast the gospel net, catching souls for eternal life.

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March 15, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

With God’s help plans are in place for my 54th preaching trip to the Philippines April 1-May 1, after the first trip in 1995 with Jim McDonald.  The gospel is veiled to the lost who close their eyes “lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them,” but many Filipinos are seeking that very light (2 Cor. 4:4).  Lessons are planned to shine the gospel light into the hearts of souls who have never heard the truth and into the hearts of saints to strengthen their faith.

Many doors are open in Metro Manila and I plan to spend the first five days there (Apr. 3-7).  This will include a visit to Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City to preach to the inmates Willie Pastor is teaching.

On Tuesday, April 7, I plan to fly to Masbate Island to follow up on the new breakthroughs which have been made there.  We were there in December and again March 3-4.  Several denominational preachers have been converted in recent months such as Gregg and Ronnel Jumao-as at Del Carmen, where I will preach again on this trip.  Their members as well as denominational “pastors” will hear the pure and original gospel of Christ.  Rex Maga, “pastor” of a Fundamental Baptist Church, wants to gather men to hear.

Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte is scheduled for April 13-19.  After attending the series on “The Home and Family,” Edgardo Parangan requested these lessons be taught in Dipolog City for the sake of the young people as well as other members.  Several preachers will attend as well. Studies on the home are needed because Philippine culture is saturated with corruption, fornication, and adultery.

After finishing the classes at Dipolog City, I will travel east across northern Mindanao April 20-22 to preach in one-day gospel meetings at Oroquieta City, Ozamiz City, and Pan-ay, Clarin, all in the province of Misamis Occidental.  Lessons will be presented to increase the faith of the saved and to save sinners.

April 23-25 I will travel all day to reach Cagayan de Oro City, the capital of Misamis Oriental, and then spend one day working with Jhun Carpentero and one day with Cyrus Gesulga there.

Next, I plan to visit Laoag City, capital of Ilocos Norte on Luzon during April 26-29.  On Sunday I will work with Efren Ramos to encourage the good progress in the work at Nueva Era.  A visit is also planned with Mat Sibayan and his son Junior at the Ilocos Norte Provincial Jail, because many souls are being saved here.  Monday-Tuesday I hope to present a series of lessons on the theme “God’s Plan for Unity When Issues Divide Brethren,” gathering preachers in the area at the Laoag City church of Christ.

For several years I have asked Jonathan Carino to go with me in the Visayas and Mindanao because his skills are very valuable to the work I am doing.  Even now he is helping make preparations behind the scenes as usual but will not travel with me so much on this trip or future trips for a time, though he is able and willing. The Lord’s work on Cebu and nearby places has made quantum leaps in the past year, requiring his constant attention.  He holds weekly classes for newly converted preachers to ground them in the faith.  Also, he plans to start a part-time business to meet some debts.  Since we cannot break him into two or three pieces, he must concentrate on duties closer to home.  We will continue in close communication.

Jonathan will visit Leyte again March 15-22 to distribute benevolence entrusted to him.  I am still sending funds entrusted to me.  I have sufficient funds in hand at this time and am forwarding them portion by portion rather than all at once, so as to provide food.  Some is being forwarded for the repair of homes.  Sending all the funds at once creates dangers of temptation and waste.

Prayers and funds from churches and individuals will make this trip possible!  Individuals giving for church buildings and similar needs may write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

January 31, 2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God’s providence opened a door through Jim McDonald for me to preach in the Philippines in 1995.  My 53rd trip is now scheduled for February 18-March 6.  This is the shortest trip I’ve ever made because of its nature.  I will spend only 14 actual days laboring, much of the time involving the distribution of benevolence which is more tedious and exhausting than teaching.  Paul said, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints” (Rom. 15:25).  Facing difficult challenges, he asked the Romans to earnestly pray for him (vv. 30-31).  I request your prayers for the same reason.

The first few days (Feb. 20-23) will be spent teaching in Manila. On Sunday I will visit Willie Pastor and other saints meeting in the prison.  Willie may be released soon, but the prison work must go forward.

Monday the 24th I fly to the Visayas to visit again areas hit on November 8, 2013 by Typhoon Haiyan or Yolanda, the worst typhoon in recorded history.  The latest update lists 6,190 dead with 1,785 missing, 28,626 injured, 4,000,000 displaced from their homes, and about 16,000,000 affected in significant ways.  On December 14 I traveled to Leyte and will never forget the horrific devastation.  Trees, beams, and vehicles were twisted like pretzels.  Virtually every building was damaged or destroyed.  Many saints are among the victims.

Not only were homes and personal belongings swept away by this monster storm but also the means to make a meager living.  Animals were killed, coconut groves flattened, and shops and businesses crushed.

Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco will guide me to brethren who are suffering.  During my December trip, funds were left with several congregations to provide food for about three weeks.  Harry Osborne has just returned from doing the same thing.  I can deliver funds again for food.  We are addressing the need to repair or reconstruct houses.  Churches and individuals asked me to act as a messenger in delivering funds, but all the funds could not be delivered instantly.  In a culture of poverty large amounts of money arriving all at once can create temptations for misuse.  Also, government and relief organizations buy up materials. I consult Filipino brethren and send bank wires, MoneyGrams, and Western Union wires as funds can be used.

Before sending additional donations, it is better for churches to wait for further notice until the funds on hand are delivered.  Individual donations are more flexible and can be used for damaged or destroyed church buildings, so they are fine.  Bibles in dialects are gradually being bought and distributed (about $6,000 worth in Dec.; more are needed).  I am packing large boxes with clothes, English Bibles, food items, personal care items, and songbooks to ship for about $125 per box.  Filipinos are always crying for songbooks, and now in the Visayas this need is especially critical-new or used, in virtually any condition (they patch them with duck tape).

News about Yolanda overshadowed needs created by storm damage on Luzon just ahead of Yolanda and on Mindanao just after it.  If previous donors will give permission for part of the funds on hand to meet some of these needs, or if anyone wishes to donate for such needs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Saints have reached out from the Philippines, U.S., Canada, Australia, Italy, and Nigeria to help the typhoon victims!  Some preachers who have relayed funds include Jim McDonald, Craig Thomas, Glendol McClure, Keith Greer, Harry Osborne, Steve Lee, and Filipinos such as Rody Gumpad, Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, Edgar Samodal, Cyrus Gesulga, and others.  No one church is “the sponsor” and no preacher “the coordinator.”  Churches and individuals are simply choosing their own messengers and getting the job done.  God’s plan works if we work God’s plan!

Prayers and financial help from churches and individuals will make this trip possible!  Individuals giving for church buildings and similar needs may write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).   “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Prov. 11:25).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

E-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

Ron & Donna Halbrook

3505 Horse Run Ct.

Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954

PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING

IN THE PHILIPPINES!

FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION ON DEC. 2-20, 2013 TRIP

November 22, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

Approaching my December 2-20 Philippine trip, for the first time ever I must revise much of my schedule.  This is required in the aftermath of Haiyan, named Yolanda by Filipinos, the worst typhoon in recorded history.  Keith Greer and I will teach God’s Word in concert with Filipino preachers.  We also will deliver 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).

We will arrive in Manila late at night on December 3 and begin the next day by preaching to inmates in the Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.  This work is made possible by the presence of Willie Pastor in the prison, a brother sent to jail in 2010 after killing someone in self-defense many years earlier.  Through his efforts along with his brother Kenneth who lives in the area, three congregations now meet in three of the prison’s sectors.

As a result of efforts in recent years in Bogo on northern Cebu, new congregations have been planted.  This beachhead also led to conversions on the island of Masbate , located north of Cebu and west of Samar in the Visayan Sea (central Philippines).  We will keep the appointment to preach December 5-6 on Masbate.  (Jonathan Carino took Harry Osborne there in November with good success.)  On the 7th we will travel to Cebu City and preach at the place of brother Ahl Bufral at Talamban, Cebu City.

The classes with preachers from churches of Christ using instrumental music in August were so successful that we scheduled additional classes at Ormoc City, Leyte for December 9-13.  Just after completing my itinerary and sending out letters, typhoon Haiyan hit the Visayan Islands, especially Samar, Leyte, northern Cebu, and parts of Negros and Panay.  The devastation was horrific and the death toll has passed 5,200 including saints of God. Bodies have been buried in mass graves to avoid spreading diseases, but more bodies are being found daily.  The typhoon created a wall of water over 20 feet high that hit Tacloban City like a tsunami, destroying almost everything in its path.  Ormoc City sits east of Tacloban on the other side of the island and was similarly destroyed.  Law and order have been virtually non-existent. The U.S. State Department has issued a warning that it is not safe to go into these areas.

The classes for Ormoc City are cancelled.  December 9-13 we will bring men from Masbate and invite others to join preacher training classes in Cebu City using Robert Harkrider’s Basic Bible Doctrine series, Bible dictionaries, and concordances.  Jonathan Carino is our host, Jack Jaco will lead singing, and Lordy Salunga will also teach.  Cebu is a safe haven for us to conduct classes.

Many brethren lost their homes and all possessions, and others suffered significant damage and losses.  Church buildings were destroyed, Bibles and song books were ruined or swept away in the raging waters.  The schedule for northern Mindanao is cancelled to make additional time December 14-17 to distribute benevolence.  In some cases, men from congregations in the affected areas will come to us, in other cases we may go into the affected areas to find men if we can return to Cebu City the same day.

Thank you for your prayers and financial help!  Following the pattern of 2 Corinthians 8:16-24, we will act as messengers to deliver funds from churches to representatives of churches in the affected areas.  Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726

e-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

To see good Bible study material, go to:

www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

www.biblework.com

www.truthmagazine.com

www.CEIbooks.com

November 7, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace Jim McDonald took me to the Philippines in 1995 and my 52nd preaching trip to that distant land is scheduled for December 2-20.  Opportunities are planned to edify faithful saints, to preach the gospel to Catholics and denominational folks, to study with denominational preachers, and to teach brethren who use instrumental music in worship.  Many people who profess to worship God do not know the right way to worship Him.  Jesus taught the difference between true and false worship, and said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24).  Keith Greer, faithful evangelist from Harrodsburg, KY, will join me as we emphasize what it means to worship God “in spirit and in truth.”  Having been several times before, he is well equipped for this work.

Keith and I will fly from Louisville to Detroit and on to Japan and Manila, arriving late at night.  On December 4 we hope to preach to inmates in the Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.  Willie Pastor has been incarcerated there since 2010 and will complete his minimum sentence in July 2014, unless he gets an early release.  It is tragic that he was sent to prison for killing in self-defense, but what a great blessing he has been to hundreds of inmates as he has preached the gospel and baptized them.  Three congregations are meeting in different sectors of the prison.  Willie’s brother Kenneth who lives in the Manila area has been working alongside his brother.  Many inmates are very uneducated and our sermons must be translated.  At most venues the audience understands English and needs no translation.

In cooperation with Jonathan Carino (Cebu City) and Gil Suico (Bogo City) on the island of Cebu, both Harry Osborne and I have preached in Bogo City a number of times.  This year there has been a breakthrough with many conversions.  As denominational preachers are being converted, doors are opening in all directions.  For years I have been invited to the island of Masbate but have not been able to work it into my schedules, but now preachers from that island have been baptized as a result of the open doors at Bogo City.  Jonathan has been conducting followup classes for the new converts.  Harry visited Masbate in November, and Keith and I plan to teach there December 5-6.

On the 7th we will travel to Cebu City and preach at the place of brother Ahl Bufral at Talamban, Cebu City.  A late night ferry will take us to the island of Leyte, arriving at Ormoc City at 4:00 A.M.  After spending Sunday with brethren there, all-day classes will be conducted Monday through Friday especially for preachers from churches of Christ using instrumental music.  They received us well in August and requested more study.  Some were convinced of the truth and hopefully others will be this time.  The classes will cover all four volumes of Robert Harkrider’s Basic Bible Doctrine .  The men will receive copies of these workbooks along with additional study materials.  Lordy Salunga, evangelist for the church in Angeles City on Luzon, will join Keith and me as teachers.  Cyrus Gesulga, a former premillennial preacher, helped to open this door and will also be with us.  Jack Jaco will lead songs.

December 14-17 will be devoted to the province of Misamis Occidental in northern Mindanao.  Such places as Ozamiz City, Oroquieta City, Clarin, and Pagadian City have churches which need edification and encouragement.  We will then travel back to Manila for a day of work before going home.

My heart overflows with thanksgiving for saints who pray for these efforts and provide financial help!  Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

July 4, 2013th Year of Our Lord

Dear brethren,

God willing, July 31-August 29 will be devoted to preaching in the Philippines and in New Zealand.  Jesus prayed in John 17:17-21 for the Apostles to call a lost world to God, to the truth revealed by God, and to the way of salvation.  He prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  He prayed “that the world may believe” through the united efforts of Christians through all the future centuries!  After beginning work in the Philippines in 1995 with Jim McDonald, this will be my 51st trip, and my 5th trip to N.Z., pleading for people to go “Back to the Bible!”  I will work with faithful Filipinos, Mark Mayberry (evangelist, Adoue Street Church of Christ, Alvin, TX), Kurt Smith (member of West Main Church of Christ, Lewisville, TX), and Harry Osborne (evangelist, 84th St. Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, OK) in the Philippines.

Mark has been to the Philippines, but this will be Kurt’s first preaching after taking the training classes conducted in Oklahoma City by Harry, John Isaac Edwards, and Brett Hogland.  Harry has been many times.

After Mark, Kurt, and I arrive in Manila August 1st,  Saturday will be spent with the saints at Vicas, Caloocan City where Ely and Larry Ebuenga preach.  Caloocan City is part of Metro Manila (12 million people) and is the 3rd largest city in the Philippines with 1,500,000 people.  This church is struggling to construct a meeting place, but the saints are very poor and help is needed.  We will preach the whole day.

Sunday will be divided between the new Edsa-Pasay congregation started by Rody Gumpad in Manila and the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila.  The Edsa church began in January at a strategic location for Christians working in Manila and it has grown to an attendance of 35-45 including many visitors.  They may outgrow the function room they are renting at an old hotel before their lease expires!

Willie Pastor was taken from the preacher training classes we were conducting in Tuguegarao, Cagayan in February of 2010, put in jail, and later transferred to the national prison.  He was sentenced to 6-8 years for killing someone in self-defense many years ago.  His brother Kenneth in Manila joined hands with Willie to proclaim the gospel in the Bilibid Prison which houses over 10,000 inmates.  So many souls have been baptized that churches are now meeting in three sections of the prison with services conducted by Willie, Kenneth, and Ely Ebuenga.  We will do our best to encourage these saints.  Willie may be released this year.

Cyrus Gesulga, a leading voice among premillennial churches of Christ in the Philippines, gave up such theories in 2011 and has been working closely with us.  He has arranged for us to have classes in Ormoc City, Leyte with preachers from instrumental and liberal churches of Christ December 6-10. The lessons will concentrate on “How to Study the Bible” and “The Authority of Christ.”  We hope for another breakthrough!

On the 13th Mark and Kurt will meet Rody in Manila to travel and preach on Luzon until the 21st when they will return to the U.S.  I will meet Harry at Cebu City to work with denominational preachers at Bogo City who are asking for follow-up studies.  Jonathan Carino recently baptized four of them.

August 15-27 I will be in New Zealand.  Ronnie Salunga, a Filipino, moved to Auckland in 2007.  Finding no conservative brethren, he worshiped for two years with liberals.  During that time Ronnie  conducted studies in his home using materials primarily from the website of the Hebron Lane church here in Shepherdsville, KY.  His family prepared their basement as a meeting place where Ken McDaniel and I helped them start the Meadowood church in November of 2009.  I have returned three times, and David Halbrook, Harry Osborne, and Lordy Salunga have been once.  Rick Halnas, whom I baptized in Manila in May works in Timaru , on the south island 600 miles from Auckland.  Ronnie and I will spend one weekend there trying to edify Rick and convert some of his friends.  We hope to plant another new congregation!

Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support for this work.  Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com

P.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.