Halbrook Report: 95th Philippine Trip July 24 – August 28, 2026
Dear brethren,
God graciously sent me to the Philippines with Jim McDonald in 1995 and July 24-August 28 my 95th trip was completed. John Weaver from the Mariner Blvd. church of Christ in Spring Hill, FL joined the 1st segment of the trip and Filipino saints captured his heart. John is president of Florida College but was here as an evangelist. When leading preachers in Jerusalem gave Paul and Barnabas “the right hands of fellowship,” they asked them to “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:9-10). Gentile saints extending benevolence to Jewish saints in their suffering helped bind them all together in Christ. Filipino saints suffer one disaster after another, giving us the opportunity to draw closer to them by sharing their burdens according to our abilities.
On Sunday, July 26, we met with the Edsa-Pasay church including deaf-mute members. I preached on “God’s Great Plan for Our Salvation” and John preached on “Misunderstandings about Jesus.” Monday was for errands, then Tuesday brought us to all-day preaching at the Kaptibahayan church of Christ in Navotas, Metro Manila. I taught on singing vs. instrumental music in worship and John addressed the Lord’s Day and the victory of the saints over Rome in Revelation 20:4. The 29th we flew to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and kept separate appointments at 6 churches July 30-August 1.
Rolly Salvador brought us to preach at Calayab, Laoag City and at Batac City on the Lord’s Day. August 3-5 the saints at Cabugao, Ilocos Sur with Egdon Sabio hosted our series on “The Home and Family Life” in their new building. Attendees came from far and wide, filling the building. The classes and open forums were productive and well received. 13 submitted to Christ in baptism in the Ilocos region.
The 6th found us flying back to Manila. John flew home the 7thwhile I rested and prepared for the next segment. I flew to Pagadian City on Mindanao on the 8th and met Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco. Sunday was spent with saints at Maraya, Vincenzo Sagun with Junie Gocela and at Lumbog, Margosatubig with Jeffery Ordeniza. Over 70 souls joined us at the Bogo church in Pagadian City August 10-14 where Jonathan, Jack, and I taught the series on “The Home and Family Life.” Ezekiel Carino preaches here and led the songs “God Give Us Christian Homes” and “Where Love Is in the Home” every day, as we did in Ilocos.
On the 14th, Jonathan, Jack, and I flew to Davao City where Sonni and Connie Balbin met us. Saturday an annual gospel meeting and singing were held by the Downtown church at a rented function room filled with 230 souls. By request I spoke on “Purifying the Soul” and “When Good People Suffer Bad Things.” A man was baptized who said he realized he needed to purify his soul. Sunday I worshiped with Keith Alagano at Calinan and taught on “Attitudes Essential in God’s Kingdom” and “God’s Great Plan for Our Salvation,” and then on “Higher Ground” at the Downtown church’s P.M. service. The 17th was spent at Malagos, Davao City, Davao del Sur with Gerry Caa and 220 souls, where 3 were baptized.
After resting the 18th, we drove to Kitakal, Malungon, Sarangani for all-day lectures Wednesday on “Suffering: Why, & How Long?” with Dondon Cadayona and 100 attendees. Thursday this series was repeated to 140 souls at Bansalan, Davao del Sur with Franklin Isla and 2 more obeyed the gospel. 225 souls gathered at Genatilan, Kidapawan City, Cotabato on the 21st with Hope Itdang, and another 3 were saved. Saturday Julie Notarte and Frank Isla took us to visit 6 churches in 3 provinces who have been victims of a series of earthquakes since June 6. Many saints lost their homes and small farms to earthquakes followed by torrential rains and landslides, leaving the terrain unstable. They relocated to camps living in tents, struggling for clean water, food, and protection from the elements. Julie, Frank, Salvador Parbo, and others are purchasing land and building small houses for them as we gather benevolence funds.
Sunday I preached “The Bread of Life” at Palosingko, Kapatagan, Digos City, Davao del Sur with Ruel Malubay and “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” at Padada, Davao del Sur with Joshua & CB Notarte. 140 souls heard the series on “Suffering” on the 24th at Lanton, Apopong, General Santos City, South Cotabato with Jolly Julom. Tuesday Salvador led us to 3 more sites where earthquake victims are camped.
Wednesday brought me back to Manila where I bought 586 Bibles in Filipino dialects. After a day of rest, Friday I arrived home to Donna at midnight filled with joy and thanksgiving for safety in travel, for the 30 souls who obeyed the gospel, and for all who made these endeavors possible!
In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook