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!

Thanks to your donations for new copies of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs in memory of Marshall Shadburne who recently passed away, I now have 200 of these song books on hand and ready to ship – in addition to a full supply of Bibles, used song books, etc., etc., as usual.

The cost to ship each box via oceangoing cargo vessels is about $135, and they are shipped door to door without any weight limit.  As soon as I get home, I would like to start packing and shipping boxes again.  I know every person cannot meet every need, but perhaps some of you would like to help get this ball rolling.

Just $1,350 will send ten of these huge boxes.  I typically ship 22 each time at a cost of nearly $3,000.  In the coming months, 220 boxes could easily be shipped if sufficient funds were available.  If that is a dream too far, I will be perfectly thankful and thrilled to send whatever number of boxes your donations allow – and Filipino saints will be far more thankful and thrilled than myself!  I have received their warm expressions of gratitude while traveling here far and wide for the past three weeks.  I remind them these boxes are filled with expressions of love from dozens of donors and I am only a small messenger boy.

What Jesus said is true not trite: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).  God blesses us in both seen and unseen ways when we give, because giving teaches us to be more like Jesus Christ who paved the way for our salvation by giving his all.  Let each one of us do whatever we can, as God gives the ability.

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.CEIbooks.com