February 1 – March 2, 2023 Philippine Report
HALBROOK REPORT: 80th PHILIPPINE TRIP FEB. 1-MAR. 2, 2023
Dear brethren,
My 81st trip to preach in the Philippines, 10th to New Zealand, and 6th to Australia has now been completed February 1-March 2 by the grace of God. I am forever indebted to Jim McDonald for introducing the Philippine work to me. Fifty opportunities were afforded for public teaching, 1 person was baptized into Christ, and 709 Bibles in Filipino dialects were purchased to be shipped throughout the islands.
Time is rapidly passing as we prepare to appear before our Lord to hear his final pronouncement of our eternal destiny. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Cor. 5:10-11). While reaching out to sinners, this trip especially urged saints to be steady and steadfast in view of the trials of the past 2-3 years!
The trip from Louisville to Manila via Detroit and South Korea went well. On February 3 Elias Cruz, James Paet, and other Filipinos helped re-pack boxes of materials to send to several brethren.
February 4-10 was scheduled to work with Lordy Salunga and other saints in the Province of Pampanga. Sunday I preached at Mabalacat, Pampanga with Ric Darasin where about 40 souls heard teaching on “From Wretched Man to More Than Conquerors” and “Modest Dress through the Ages.”
Monday-Tuesday was dedicated to a series on “The Bible Is the Word of God,” plus two sermons on preserving unity in Christ, at the Southside church of Christ in Angeles City where Lordy Salunga labors. Over 80 attended, some traveling from distant provinces. What a joy to see all of these dear saints again after the long interim created by the pandemic!
On the 8th we traveled to Alcala where Glenn Fiesta planted a new congregation during the last couple of years. Their attendance is about 30, but 93 people joined us to hear sermons on the fundamentals of the faith. One lady came with tears in her eyes to confess Christ and to be baptized for the remission of her sins. Thursday I worked with Jojo Tacbad at Sta. Ursula, Betis Guagua where 52 people studied “The Prison of Sin” and at the Candating church in Arayat where a house church of mostly women studied “Work While It Is Day.”
It was good to be with Archie Alarcon and 27 souls at the Unity St. Church of Christ in San Fernando for the sermons “Don’t Defy Gravity, Embrace It!” and “Trust God Till the Danger Passes.”
February 10-11 I flew from Manila to Auckland, New Zealand to labor with the Meadowood church established by Ronnie Salunga’s family in 2009. Cyclone Gabrielle greeted my arrival, but Sunday through Thursday we focused on “Family Life: A Biblical Perspective,” following the general outline of 7 chapters in L.A. Stauffer’s workbook by that title. 10-18 attended the services plus many who joined us online from several nations. The open forums drew good questions, observations, and discussion about improving family life. Friday through Monday was dedicated to working with Abner Salanguit and other saints in the church at Whakatane, about 5 hours from Auckland. We covered a variety of subjects with as many as 39 participating including people online. Tuesday we drove 3 hours to conduct a study in Hamilton where we hope to start a new congregation in the future.
On the 22nd I flew to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia to preach the series on “Family Life: A Biblical Perspective” at the church of Christ on Denham St. We had excellent interest and fruitful discussions during the open forum. Daryl Johnson and his wife hope to visit the U.S. later this year and we would love to return their hospitality.
February 28 I returned to Manila and the next day spoke to a joint meeting of saints from the Kapitbahayan and Lapu Lapu congregations about unity in Christ. They have been communicating about reuniting after an unfortunate division over issues generated by covid. I was later informed they decided to merge on the following Sunday. Later on the 28th I purchased 709 Bibles in Filipino dialects to be shipped to saints around the islands, thanks to many of you who donated funds for this purpose.
May God continue to bless Filipino, Kiwi, and Aussie saints who serve Christ and seek the lost!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com
To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.
https://biblework.
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com