Dear family, brethren, and friends around the world,

The Thursday classes in studying Then Comes the End were fruitful again. Mark Mayberry taught on the Judgment Day and also a separate lesson on the text of Matthew 25.  Jonathan Carino spoke on hell and then on errors of millennial theories.  My topics were heaven, realized eschatology (the doctrine that the end of all things occurred when Jerusalem fell in A.D. 70), and errors of the rapture doctrine.  All the teachers were able to give some time for Q & A which the class always enjoys.  Interest continues to run high!

The last day of classes was Friday and Mark reviewed false theories about the millennium.  I then made a review and summary entitled “Premillennialism Undermines the One Hope” (Eph. 4:1-6).  This doctrine changes the original teaching of Christ at many points, both by adding (such things as “end time” signs, Jews return to Canaan, the 1,000 year earthly reign of Christ, etc.) and by subtracting (such as the claim that the promised kingdom of peace has not yet come, etc.).  The three teachers then jointly conducted an open forum for an hour which led to several clarifications.

We then presented the students with certificates of completion for the class.  A special presentation of Robert Harkrider’s Commentary on Revelation was made to seven of the students who created the most complete notebooks of personal notes taken while reading the book of Revelation each night as an assignment.  Last but not least in the Philippines, there must “picture taking” time to provide “a remembrance” of our time together.  After the dismissal, Mark videoed the group singing Happy Birthday to Donna (my wife), which was forwarded to her on the 28th – I miss her, but she is always with me in my heart!

Mark and I went separate directions on Saturday.  Rody Gumpad took him to Binan, Laguna where Ferdie Ong preaches.  Mark preached on “The Message, Not the Messenger” and on Josiah, showing that the power of God’s Word to save our souls does not depend on the credentials of the speaker but on the power of the truth.  He was well received.

Meanwhile, Sammy Paet took me to the congregations at Bicas, Caloocan City where Ely Ebuenga preaches. About 70 people heard “Trust God Till the Danger Passes” based on Psalm 57.  When we invited sinners to obey the gospel, three souls responded and were baptized into Christ.  Ely’s house burned down about a year ago, and I was able to see the good progress he has made rebuilding with the help of saints who have sacrificed to donate funds – he lost everything and greatly appreciates all the help given.  Enough of the house is completed to let his family live in it and he hopes to complete it as funds become available.

After lunch we drove to the church at Camarin, Phase 6, Caloocan City where Andrew Romero labors in the gospel.  The brethren requested a sermon on the home when I arrived, so I changed my prepared topic to “Marriage: God’s Gift to Man & Woman” (Gen. 2:24).  About 50 attended and everyone paid close attention to our study.  An elderly sister asked how Jim McDonald is doing – it is not unusual to get that question because his influence for good is still widely felt here in the Philippines.

Afterward, Sammy drove us as quickly as possible to the church at Sapang Palay, Bulacan where Vicente Cay has served as an evangelist for many years.  He had requested the lesson on “Priority” (Matt. 6:33), which I preached to a very attentive audience of 55 people.  The last time I visited here seven years ago there was no church building – it was a delight to preach in their nice little concrete building today and to see the work progressing so well.

Many young people were present at all three congregations today.  Jimmy Bobis did his typically good work translating the lessons at each place.  If I am tired, how much more so for him!  This was indeed a long day which tested my stamina.  I was up at 6:45 A.M. and returned to the hotel at 9:30 P.M. – so the old dog ain’t quite dead yet!  Actually, I was saved by taking little catnaps as Sammy drove the van from place to place.

The trip back should have taken about two hours but took 3 ½ hours because the traffic was grid locked at places.  I was amazed again by Sammy’s driving skills throughout Metro Manila (population 12 million).  The traffic was so heavy that it took 30 minutes to go a quarter of a mile at times, but he kept weaving through the maze of streets and congested traffic like a professional.

My clothes were still damp with sweat when we returned in spite of the air conditioning in the van (advisories are warning people of the danger of heat stroke).  I finally was able to eat a pancake supper at 10:20 P.M. in my room.  I was so lazy I skipped going to the exercise room and fell in the bed like a ton of bricks.  I woke up with cramps in both thighs simultaneously during the night – a first which I hope never hits again – probably the result of preaching in the heat all day plus the long drive back over a lot of rough pavement.

(Brethren who criticize these trips as “vacations” wasting the Lord’s money are welcome to join us on one of these vacation tours at any time.)

In the early days with brother McDonald, we kept up this same pace day after day.  I freely confess that this is not possible anymore although I survived today just fine by the grace of God.  These are very small sacrifices in contrast to the great privilege of laboring with Filipino saints who manifest such great faith, hope, and love in serving the Lord.  They do not complain and neither can I.  In fact, to top off this good day, I saw a beautiful full moon tonight, reminding me of all of our loved ones praying for us at home who can see the same moon created by our great God!

On the Lord’s Day Jerry Toreja picked up Mark for the 7:30 A.M. service at Kapitbahayan and the 2:30 P.M. service at Paranaque City in Jimmy Battung’s garage.  Mark had a fruitful day teaching God’s Word to receptive saints.  Sammy Paet picked me up at 8:00 A.M. to go to the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila which is the national prison.  We met Ely Ebuenga who works with the church of Christ meeting in the Medium Security section.  An inmate named Sonny Ibanez is a stable member who works with the church from inside the prison.  There were 61 inmates present to hear the lesson “Trust God Till the Danger Passes” to edify them as they face many trials including lack of adequate food and living conditions in a grossly overcrowded facility.

When Christ’s invitation was extended, three precious souls stepped forward to confess Christ as God’s Son and to be baptized into him.  A barrel of water had been prepared and Ely baptized these three men.

Many of the converts in prison come from the Catholic religion and from various denominations.  As a result, to show appreciation for the sermon they clapped.  I used the opportunity at the end of the service to thank them for their desire to show appreciation for hearing the gospel preached, but also to explain that in the New Testament Christians were taught to express thanks to God through songs and prayers not by clapping.  They got the point and thanked me, but a couple of them at the back responded by starting to clap again – then suddenly caught themselves and grinned in embarrassment!  It was a humorous moment for everyone.

Immediately after this service we rushed to Edsa-Pasay where Tessie Gumpad provided a delicious lunch, then I preached again “Trust God Till the Danger Passes” to encourage saints there who have been in distress.  There were 64 present for the morning service and 69 for our afternoon service – this work is thriving!  It was good to labor with Rody and Jun Gumpad and Sammy Paet again.

Rody and Jun guided me to the Philippine Bible Society Monday morning.  Pleas from around the Philippines for Bibles in various dialects have been reaching my hands for the past couple of months.  I bought 925 Bibles for $7,641 which will be shipped in all directions.  Including my 20% discount, this amounts to $8.26 per Bible which is a great bargain for the greatest book in the world.  In addition, the P.B.S. will donate two notepads for every Bible purchased on this order.  Generous saints have donated $2,000 in advance for Bibles and Mark was able to donate another $2,000.  After I get home and pay all the other expenses for the trip, I will find a way to cover the remaining bill.

(Again, I know there are brethren who disagree with this procedure because they insist I should have the money in hand before purchasing the Bibles and I should not “pressure” other people to pay for them under these circumstances.  I respectfully disagree with their assessment.  We purchase all sorts on things by borrowing money when we know there will be means to pay the debts.  The brethren who help me pay this debt for Bibles do not feel pressured, intimidated, or manipulated in any way but genuinely want to participate.  Several saints have repeatedly told me in advance to notify them when such needs arise because they want the opportunity to participate.  If some still disagree with this procedure, I respect their right to do such work according to their own conscience, but my conscience is also clear in this matter.)

It is worth the whole trip to have this opportunity and privilege to spread Bibles throughout the Philippines to the waiting hands and hearts of saints who hunger and thirst for God’s Word in a parched land.  David said, “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Ps. 63:1).

It is hard to realize my 70th trip has come to its end.  I will revise the old saying, “How time passes when you are having fun!” to say, “How time passes when we serve the Lord!”  There is no higher joy.  It has been a true joy working with Mark Mayberry again.  His devotion to the Lord and humility of spirit make it easy to travel and to labor hand-in-hand with such a godly man.  I thank God for His providential care in making these trips possible through the combined efforts of so many saints who help in so many ways including your constant prayers.

Above all, I thank God for the privilege of working alongside His Filipino saints who often sacrifice to serve Him in ways that we will never fully understand.  I hope this work encourages them, but I know it strengthens my faith and leads me to higher ground.  If I should die in this land some day, I have asked the brethren to sing “Higher Ground” should there be a funeral service here.  Thank you, to Filipino saints, for helping me strive to reach higher and higher ground until we shall be gathered with God in heaven!

Mark and I start the long journey home early Tuesday morning, God willing, so we must request your prayers again for a safe return to our wives and loved ones.

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