August 17,
2014th Year of Our Lord

Dear
family, brethren, and friends,

On the
Lord’s Day Jack Jaco and I were blessed to worship with the saints of the Lanton
church of Christ in General Santos City where Jolly Julom has been
preaching for many years. My first sermon was “The Patience of God”
followed by “When Saints Assemble Christ Is With Us.” About 40
attended.

After the
service a man approached me and I recognized his face as someone who has heard
me preach several times at different places in Mindanao. He told me he has been
visiting the church of Christ and learning more all the time. Paul and Onex
Nario have been friends of the Julom brothers for many years. They were in the
Christian and Missionary Alliance Church together as was Carlito Abella. Jolly
and Carlito have been working to convert them through the years. Paul said he
was very encouraged by the sermons today.

After
lunch we visited the Mag-abo family in the government hospital again. Normalita
had been moved from the hallway to a regular room where six other patients were
also recovering from surgeries. Her bandaged leg was not as bloody as
yesterday. Another patient with a leg injury had his leg attached to a heavy
weight hanging at the end of the bed – the weight was a bag with 10-12 large
stones in it. We had prayer with the Mag-abo family before leaving.

Sister
Mag-abo said she regretted that she could express her gratitude only in her own
dialect and not in English, but I reminded her I am only an ignorant American
who cannot speak her beautiful dialect. Of course, both of us spoke through
translators.

As we
walked down the hall, Paul Nario was with us and he commented on Philip and the
eunuch – he said he was like the eunuch because he was ready to be baptized. We
got in the van and drove immediately to the ocean. After I took his confession,
Carlito started toward the water and then returned to ask Onex if she was ready
too. She had said earlier she would wait because she had no extra change of
clothes, but this time she said, “Yes,” she was ready. I took her
confession, and Carlito walked with them out into the ocean and baptized them
into Christ.

We drove
them in their wet clothes to their little shack in a squatters community. Paul
had been an expert “church planter” in his denomination. He wants to
immediately put up a sign at this house which says “Church of Christ”
and to begin preaching the gospel in his community. One reason he had delayed
obeying the gospel is he had observed some men professing to be gospel
preachers who are lazy and have not established congregations. We urged him to
focus his attention on serving Christ and we assured him Christ will deal with
such unworthy men.

Donna
checks the email when I cannot get on the internet. She reported that several
saints have already responded to the suggestion that perhaps donations could be
made to replace the tricycle of Areston Mag-abo lost in the accident which
severely injured his wife. Within less than 24 hours several of you responded.  I do not know exactly how much will be sent,
but it is evident sufficient funds are coming for a secondhand tricycle.  Send the donations to me at 3505 Horse Run
Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165 (individuals can send to the same address to
Help  A Neighbor if you need a tax
deduction).  We will wait until we have
the full amount before sending anything. If we go a little over the mark, it
just means a little better tricycle can be bought and there may be some funds
to tide the family over until the purchase is made and he can go back to
work.  His wife needs him at her side
right now as you can imagine.  I know
others have joined in prayer for the Mag-abo family. Thank you for every effort
to extend your love to them.

In Christian love, Ron
Halbrook