Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and the help of His saints I completed my 41^st Philippine trip January 31-February 25.  Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9).  On the first trip with Jim McDonald in 1995 it was impossible to envision what a great door was opening or how many adversaries might arise–41 trips have fortified my faith in God’s providence.  This open door has now led me to New Zealand four times.  It was my privilege to present 72 lessons and nine were baptized as “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6).  Most of the time was devoted to preacher training.   January 27-30 was spent working with Olen Holderby at the Alameda, CA church of Christ.  In an effort to reach biblically illiterate Asians here, we emphasized the Bible as “God’s Only True Word,” and “Only One True God” in three persons:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Over 900 fliers were distributed, yet none came.  We must keep trying in the U.S. but the door is open wider in the Philippines.

Willie Pastor is serving time in the Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila for killing someone in self-defense.  Like Joseph in prison, he lives by faith in God’s providence and the authorities appreciate his character.  Over 40 souls have obeyed the gospel under Willie’s preaching with his brother Kenneth’s help.  Atoy Franco and Elijah Sikat took me to the prison where I preached to 25 men on “True Repentance.”  Willie’s wife, Kathy, brought their young son who so greatly misses his father.

I flew from Manila to General Santos City in southern Mindanao to preach all day on February 4 on the A.D. 70 heresy, instrumental music, and the Holy Spirit.  Allen Daves, Jr. of Snowflake, AZ has sown error among our brethren.  About 100 participated in the six hours of study.  Jolly Julom and others helped make our arrangements. Jonathan Carino and Jack Jaco came to help.  Sister Sol Sandoval brought a jeepney-load of brethren from Malungon. A few preachers did not attend because “brother Ron does not give enough attention to requests for support and benevolence.” Some of these men also said that the accidental death of sister Sandoval’s husband proves he was a sinner. The few brethren who are treasure hunters are also troublemakers in the kingdom of God (beware of requests from Socarno Cabca).

February 5-6 was devoted to a gospel meeting in Padada, Davao del Sur Province, where a new church has begun. Ben Canada led us here to convert the Edilberto Canada family. Next door to this family was a house where a gospel preacher visited his mistress, gambled, and drank.  The brother has repented but much damage was done.  In spite of this, Edilberto’s family including his wife and his son Michelle have obeyed the gospel.  They gave part of their property to build a church building.  A U.S. brother provided funds to build a small building and about 100 attended the meeting.  Julie Notarte’s family from Digos and Juanito Balbin’s family from Davao supported this effort. Sunday afternoon seven requested baptism.  Going to the baptism we stopped for a home study with the Franco family, relatives of the Canadas. Mr. and Mrs. Franco decided they wanted to be baptized and also to donate a parcel of land next to their house for a church building! Thus, the seven to be baptized became nine.

February 7-9 was scheduled for preacher training lessons at Digos City, Davao del Sur with Julie Notarte as host. Over 70 preachers attended and heard lessons on the history and translation of the Bible, walking in the Spirit not the flesh, proper motives for preaching, the eldership, and controversies dividing brethren. Gerry and Hafley Caa attended, and reiterated their determination to bear fruits of repentance in turning from their former sins.

On the 10^th I flew to Auckland, New Zealand to work again with the new Meadowood church of Christ.  My main aim was to better equip Ronnie Salunga and Randy Cabillas as preachers though all nine saints and some visitors joined our studies.  We covered Cecil Willis’ workbook on How To Study the Bible, and learned how to use a reference Bible, Strong’s Concordance, Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, and Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary.  The brethren are finding international prospects: we had visitors from Korea and Columbia!

I arrived home February 25 thankful to God, to Donna, to saints who donated funds, & to Filipinos and Kiwis serving the Lord.  God still opens doors to spread the gospel: We press on till Christ returns!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook