Dear brethren,

Our merciful God has granted safety and success for my 57^th preaching trip to the Philippines (4^th trip to Australia).  I thank God for Jim McDonald introducing me to this work.  Christ’s beautiful invitation to sin-weary souls must be heard by all mankind:  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).  Sean Rizor of the Fremont, OH church of Christ joined me through February 7.  We emphasized first principles.  In addition to Sean’s good lessons, I spoke 29 times in both countries and 77 souls responded.

Sean and I met in Detroit to fly to Manila, arriving Tuesday night. Elias Cruz met us the next day to ship boxes of Bibles and study materials ahead to Negros Island for our work there.  Thursday Atoy Franco took us with Elijah Sikat to preach at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City where Willie Pastor converted many souls when he was an inmate 2010-2014.  He came from Quirino Province to join Ely Ebuenga, Andrew Romero, and the rest of us for all-day preaching in the prison.

Since Willie was released, Ely and others continue the work. Willie translated as I spoke on “The Prison of Sin” in the Medium Security Camp and he translated for Sean on baptism in the Receiving and Diagnostics Center.  A total of 38 men stepped forward to confess Christ and be baptized.  As in other cases where people respond, Filipino brethren have been planting the seed ahead of us.

Sean and I flew from Manila to Bacolod City, Negros Occidental to labor January 30–February 6.  Jack Jaco lives near Bacolod City and helped to arrange our travel to various places we had requested. Brethren from Negros and Cebu including Jonathan Carino sacrificed their time and efforts to help us also.  Saturday it took 2 ½ hours to reach the Japitan church of Christ in a rural area included in Escalante City where Arnel Tayactac preaches.  The small church building was filled with 60 souls including many visitors.   My lessons dealt with “The Prison of Sin” and “The Resurrection of Christ” and Sean covered factors which hinder people from obeying the gospel.  At the invitation, 11 souls responded.

On the Lord’s Day another long trip brought us to La Carlota, San Miguel where Roy Matta established a congregation beginning with some relatives he converted.  Roy lives on Cebu Island but has trained a young man to conduct the services.  There were 55 present for the all-day meeting.  I spoke on “Serving Christ in the Local Church” and “When Peter Confessed Christ” while Sean preached on things our children need and on the importance of a steadfast commitment to serve Christ.  Four were baptized.

Monday and Tuesday were devoted to studies for denominational “pastors” in Bacolod City at a hotel function room we rented.  Jack and other area preachers invited these “pastors” and the attendance was 67 the first day and 85 the next day.  I presented a series on “The Authority of Christ” setting forth New Testament Christianity and surveying the history of Catholicism, denominationalism, and the restoration movement.  Sean preached on important themes such as “What Must I Do to be Saved?” along with baptism, instrumental music, and the priesthood of Christ.  Interest was excellent and the seed was planted.

A 2 ½ hour trip Wednesday brought us to the church at Old Poblacion, Escalante City surrounded by sugarcane fields.  Roger Eson expected 60-80 to attend, but the little building overflowed with 120 people including some who listened outside.   Our lessons concentrated on first principles and 16 obeyed the gospel.  Thursday took us deeper into the sugarcane fields to reach Purok Dalia, Sagay City where Jordan Cabras preaches.  Another overflow crowd of 120 attended and another 8 were converted.

Sean returned home on February 7. After preaching at the Edsa-Pasay church in Manila on Sunday, I flew 5,000 miles to reach Gladstone, Queensland, Australia.  Jamie and Deborah (our daughter) Williams moved there three years ago.  I taught three classes in homes and presented six lessons on “The Authority of Christ.”  Attendance ranged from 8-16 with 5 visitors.  God will give the increase.

I thank God and all the brethren who pray for these efforts and who provide financial help.  Truly, the harvest is great and the laborers are few.  We must extend Christ’s invitation until he returns!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

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