The flights November 29-30 from Louisville to Manila were safe by the grace of God.

December 2-3 was scheduled at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ in Navotas, Metro Manila.  About 40 souls attended Monday as we studied topics related to unity in Christ, gender roles, and whether God or man will bring about the end.  A radio announcer who used to hear Ben Cruz attended and was convinced we are preaching the true gospel.  He was baptized when I returned to Manila in January.  It has been a joy to watch this church progress through the years.  The elders are diligent.  The evangelists effectively use radio programs to spread the gospel.

Sunday I preached to the saints at the Pasig church where Elijah Sikat and Ruben de Pedro labor and with the saints meeting in Paranaque City at the home of Jimmy Battung.  December 5-7 a series of six lessons on The Authority of Christ was presented to deaf mute saints and visitors gathered by Tony Hornedo in Paranaque City.  Each day 25 souls saw the lessons on PowerPoint charts with additional explanations I wrote on a whiteboard and the teaching was communicated by sign language as well.

December 8-9 I flew to Auckland, New Zealand to work with the saints at the Meadowood church which began in 2009.  It meets in the basement of Ronnie Salunga’s home but will soon outgrow that arrangement. Nightly sessions drew 11 to 20 souls as we covered a variety of subjects, some first principles lessons for visitors and some lessons to edify the saints.  Several one-on-one studies were conducted before and after these gatherings.

On the 17^th we traveled to the place of Abner Salunguit at Ohope, Whakatane District, Bay of Plenty Region.  This church outgrew the Abers’ house and now rents a room at a community center.  I taught six lessons on a variety of topics through Sunday.  Abner publicly affirmed the desire of this church to strictly follow the New Testament pattern.
Sunday afternoon we drove back to Auckland and I completed my work there Monday and Tuesday with lessons on “Modest Dress through the Ages” and “Why Saints Assemble.”

Australia was scheduled for December 23-January 5.  I flew to Brisbane, Queensland to stay in an apartment with Jamie, Deborah, Timothy, and Seth Williams.  Donna had arrived a few days ahead of me so that we could spend the holidays with them.  They live in Gladstone but came to Brisbane to be near a good hospital because Deborah, our daughter, had some complications with her pregnancy.  I commuted to Rockhampton to present six lessons on mixed subjects to encourage this good church over a period of three days. It was good to be with Daryl Johnson and all the saints there.  They are dedicated to proclaiming the gospel even during the holiday season.  Naturally, some members were out of town, but all who were present were very attentive.

On the 5^th I left for Manila – Deborah’s baby did not get the memo that she was due to appear by January 1. Arabelle was born on the 6^th.  I returned to Manila to preach at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in Metro Manila on Saturday and Sunday with Ely Ebuenga who regularly teaches there. 11 inmates were baptized.  Monday I could not purchase Bibles as planned – a Catholic procession of millions of people honoring an image closed most businesses.  Tuesday I flew home with praise and thanksgiving to God for the privilege of serving Him and for so many saints who make this work possible.

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