Halbrook Philippine Trip July 29-Aug. 28, 2014 Completed
August 30, 2014th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 55rd PHILIPPINE TRIP
July 29-August 28, 2014
Dear brethren,
A merciful God permitted me to join Jim McDonald in the Philippines in 1995 and has guided me safely through my 55th trip July 29-August 28, 2014. Christ told Peter after guiding him to a great catch of fish, “From henceforth thou shalt catch men” (Lk. 5:10). “Disciples are fishers, human souls are fish, the world is the sea, the gospel is the net, and eternal life is the shore whither the catch is drawn” (McGarvey, Fourfold Gospel, p. 162). With 74 lessonspresented, 67 answered the gospel call.
Elias Cruz helped me in Manila to ship materials ahead to places on my itinerary. I brought an ear infection with me but was without my suitcase for a week. God helped me get past these problems (thanks to Dr. Teresa Toreja for additional medicine). It was a joy to teach on the home at the deaf mute church at Sampaloc where TonyBoy Hornedo preaches. I distributed Bibles, books, workbooks, and tracts which were received as precious treasure! Eli Ebuenga and Elijah Sikat prepared for a gospel meeting at the National Road church of Christ in San Pedro, Leguna where 3 were baptized. Sunday, August 3, I went to the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa to meet with Willie Pastor and the saints there. His release seems to be delayed by red tape. He is trying to make wise plans regarding his future life and service to God including the possibility of returning to preach in the prison from time to time. When I preached for the church in Jimmy Battung’s house in Paranaque City, Rick Halnas joined us from N.Z. via Skype.
August 4 an early flight brought me to Masbate City on Masbate Island where Greg Jumao-as gathered denominational “pastors” and friends for two days of study. Jonathan Carino, Jack Jaco, and I taught fundamentals of the gospel to 65 people, many of whom had never heard the original gospel of Christ but knew only Catholicism and denominationalism. My last two lessons were “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” and “Back to the Bible.” It was good to discover Loreto Lacson, Edison Almencion, and Simeon Caayon have been laboring in the Masbate City area. They joined us.
Wednesday we flew back to Manila. Jonathan and Jack went to Cebu City, Cebu while I stayed in Manila for a follow-up visit with Dr. Toreja. Jonathan and Jack preached at Bogo City north of Cebu and I caught up with them at Libjo on Friday where Gil Suico preaches. This work really has grown within the last two years and 19 more were baptized in the two days of preaching. An all-night ship ride took us to Ormoc City, Leyte. Early Saturday we went to Maac, Sogod, Southern Leyte where a new church has been planted by Willem Dizon and Juanito Escuadra. 170 souls gathered at an arbor covered by plastic sheets and two more souls were saved. Sunday was devoted to an all-day meeting at Candadam, Baybay, Southern Leyte. The local preacher is Juanito Escuadra. Two young men submitted to Christ in baptism.
Jonathan, Jack, and I flew to Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on Mindanao to meet Rody Gumpad and conduct classes on the home August 12-15. The classes met at the Bogo church of Christ here where Ramon Carino labors at the young age of 90. We met in their new building which is not completed. Each day we sang “Where Love Is In the Home” and “God Give Us Christian Homes.”
Plane connections took us to General Santos City on the 16th to work for the remainder of the time. The first appointment was the Sunday service at the Lanton church of Christ in General Santos City where Jolly Julom preaches, then the next day with the congregation where Jerry Julom labors. Rosalito Nardo and Carlito Abella arranged a two day meeting with tribal preachers at Lake Sebu in the mountains. We expected 50 but 123 came. 19 were baptized. Rosalito Nardo helped gather institutional preachers for two days of study. 120 people came because denominational preachers wanted to hear about the New Testament church. Several were baptized. An American visitor showed good interest, so I stayed an extra day at the end of my schedule to study with him.
On the 23rd we had a meeting at Magsaysay, South Cotabato Province where Carlito Abella preaches. Six obeyed the gospel. Sunday Nestor Francisco had us visit a recently planted church at Alegria, Alabel in the Sarangani Province. The 25th was spent with Sel Sandoval and 327 souls gathered at Kitakal, Malungon, Sarangani.
May God continue to bless the Philippines with a great harvest of souls. Thank you to all who have prayed and provided financial support for this work. May God be glorified in all our labors!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
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