August
7
Halbrook Philippine Report July 28-August 2
Monday, August 3, 2015
Dear family, brethren, & friends,
Philippine trips often involve unexpected “adventures,” which normally start in the Philippines, but this time they started immediately Tuesday in Louisville when our flight was delayed 2 ½ hours because of mechanical problems. When Keith Greer, Grayson Key, and I arrived in Minneapolis, we literally ran to get on the international flight and barely boarded before the door closed! Of course, our luggage could not run with us, so it was a day late arriving in Manila. After we brought our suitcases and nine boxes of study material to the hotel about midnight Thursday, Elias Cruz helped us repack the boxes which he then sent ahead by air cargo on Friday to our upcoming destinations.
Friday Rody and Tessie Gumpad met us at the hotel to take Keith and Grayson to preach in the Metro Manila area for three days including the Edsa church on Sunday. It was good to see them! Monday they will proceed to the island of Palawan where there are many very poor saints to preach in many congregations. Meanwhile, I flew today to Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental on the island of Mindanao. Cipriano “Jhun” Carpentero with Jonathan Carino’s help secured a hotel function room to accommodate 70 preachers for a week of classes. When I arrived at the airport, Jack Jaco had arrived just ahead of me and met me at the baggage claim area. He will be helping also this week.
Saturday was a very busy and full day as I tried to complete my preparation of all the lessons which will be taught next week. This will include a verse by verse study of the book of Revelation using Dan King’s new workbook as a guide and the 17 lessons in Mike Willis’ Then Comes the End.
On the Lord’s Day I was invited by Cyrus Gesulga to speak at the Capisnon church of Christ in Cagayan de Oro City. My topic was “God Rules Nations to Save Us” (Acts 17:26-27). He ruled nations to bring our Savior into the world as He promised in Genesis 12:1-3. When the Savior came, most of the Jewish leaders rejected him and he prophesied the final destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish nation in Matthew 23:34-24:35. Next, God rules nations to spread the gospel as Jesus outlined in Acts 1:8. Last, God rules nations to protect the church from destruction. The Roman Empire with its many nations and peoples enforced emperor worship on the pain of death, but the book of Revelation prophesied the ultimate defeat of Satan’s war against the church and the victory of the martyrs is pictured in Revelation 20:1-5. This passage does not teach Christ will some day come to rule on the earth for 1,000 years but rather shows the souls of the martyrs are with Christ in perfect and complete victory over Satan’s forces.
Sunday afternoon Jhun Carpentero took me to the San Simon community in a rural area. We began there in July of 2011 preaching under mango trees and baptized 29. This new church met in a sister’s house until it overflowed. Now about 50 meet in a small church building on property she donated. My subject was “Ethiopian Official Submits to Christ” (Acts 8:26-40).
Thank you to one and all who are praying for us as we begin our labors alongside Filipino saints. You also are in our hearts and prayers as you continue serving the Lord at home.
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook
Ron Halbrook
July 31 to August 3 Update Report from Rody Gumpad
Dearest Brethren,
Hello! Hope & Pray this finds you all again in the best of health! I am very tired, feel so sleepy but want to send first this update report to express once again our sincere thanks to you all for continue including us in your prayers also!
With God’s help, though their bags came after next day, our brothers Ron Halbrook, Keith Greer, and Grayson Key arrived Manila safely Thursday. Early morning of last Friday, Tessie and I went to their hotel to pick up bro. Keith and Grayson. From there, we went straight to the first preaching place that day at Bicas, Caloocan City where bro. Ely Ebuegana is the faithful local preacher. The attendance was good and the preaching were solid! I summarized the lessons in our Tagalog Language and then extended the invitation. A young man came forward, confessed his faith and was immediately baptized into Christ!
After lunch, we immediately proceeded to the next Preaching place at Phase 6, Caloocan City! The preacher there is bro. Andrew Romero and his younger brother-Ronny. The attendance was also good and the lessons of bro. Keith & Grayson were effectively delivered but no conversion! Anyhow, the brethren keep on saying that they enjoyed and learned a lots!
Next day (Yesterday-Saturday), we went also at Canlubang, Laguna Province. The faithful Preacher in that Congregation is bro. Edwin DePedro. The attendance was good. Again, both brothers, Keith & Grayson, preached their lessons that I also summarized.At the end, invitation was extended and FOUR (4) precious souls came forward, confessed their faith in Christ and were immediately baptized after the session!
This morning, here at Edsa Pasay Church, we have also almost breaking the record attendance! It was 66 in the morning and 64 this afternoon! Again, both brothers Keith & Grayson preached to us very good lessons! Invitation was extended but no conversion.
Lord willing, we will get up early in the morning tomorrow as we are scheduled to fly to go to Palawan Island. The brethren there are calling and saying that they are now excited for our arrival. Please pray for our safety travels and successful preaching there this week! All of you are also in our fervent devotions! May God bless more all of you! Good night brethren!
BECAUSE OF CALVARY, Rody & Tessie Gumpad