Dear brethren and friends,

Help A Neighbor began in July of 2007 to provide for others what they cannot provide for themselves in the spirit of Matthew 22:39: “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  Help A Neighbor (H.A.N.) exists for humanitarian and charitable purposes as defined by section 501 (C) 3 of the IRS Code.  All donations are legally tax deductible.  This is simply a legal means for individuals to extend aid to individuals.  No church donations are accepted – H.A.N. is not an ecclesiastical organization.

This annual report covering November 1, 2017-November 1, 2018 is made in the interest of integrity and transparency.  Our main focus is helping Christians in the Philippine Islands, but occasional help is extended to Christians in other parts of the world including the U.S.  Our aim is to help people who demonstrate their willingness to help themselves.  During this time period donations amounted to $339,939.00.  Most donations are modest amounts with occasional larger gifts.  Including funds from other accounts used for the Philippine work, a total of $373,300.00 passed through the H.A.N. account.

Bibles and Bible study literature distributed on my trips or shipped to various places amounted to $28,166.00.  In addition to English Bibles obtained here in the U.S., hundreds of Bibles in various local dialects have been purchased at a discount in Manila and shipped throughout the Philippines. As the gospel spreads throughout the Philippines, there is a rising chorus of pleas for songbooks.  Since Filipinos commonly speak English as a second language, they can sing with our books.  Used English songbooks are constantly being located, donated, and shipped to the Philippines with H.A.N. funds.

The generous gifts of brethren made it possible to repair or construct many church buildings and make a few payments for lots.   It is very hard to find funds for church buildings, but as the churches continue to grow a meeting place is very vital.  A total of $130,450.00 was used for church buildings.

Appeals for benevolence were answered to aid brethren suffering all sorts of injuries, health issues, and medical problems.  Some were given as little as $50 or $100.  At times brethren need simple over-the-counter medicines and at times emergency surgeries.  Dr. Teresa Toreja has a small clinic in Navotas, Metro Manila where she serves the needs of very poor saints and other citizens. Funds were provided to her to help in some of the most serious cases of our brethren.  Dr. Cathy Forelo who lives in Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province on Luzon likewise often serves the needs of saints and funds were provided to her.

In numerous cases brethren struggling with all sorts of personal and families problems were given aid.  Damaged homes were repaired.  Motorcycles and other vehicles desperately needed repairs or registration renewal.  There are times Filipino brethren can eat only twice a day and children are crying from hunger.  Preachers often need fares to reach their appointments and lack money to buy food for their families while they are out preaching.  The needs are so vast and so varied it is mind-numbing. Filipino saints often lack the most basic things we take for granted.

In several cases limited help was extended to aid brethren serving the needs of saints in Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and the U.S.  In a few cases benevolence was provided to saints in the U.S. facing difficult circumstances.  The amount used for all these various needs is $182,050.00.
       
Special emergencies involving mostly typhoons are addressed whenever possible.  This need became very critical when two super-typhoons hit Luzon or torrential rains hit other islands.  The total funds sent for such special emergencies amounted to $59,000.00 during the past year.

Various special requests and needs are addressed at times involving funeral expenses, a few laptops and projectors when possible, vehicle expenses (an occasional donor helps a preacher purchase a vehicle), and the like.  The total expenses for special requests were $63,400.00.

Funds used for my travel and related expenses on preaching trips to the Philippines, New Zealand, and Australia added up to $15,800.00.

Miscellaneous expenses during this time period were $11,500.00.  Most of this is the cost of wire fees and of shipping huge boxes filled with songbooks, Bibles, study materials, food, clothing, and personal items.  As brethren have learned I can ship door-to-door boxes loaded with all these items for about $125, they have sent me hundreds of used songbooks which I continue to ship to the Philippines.

As of November 1, the bank account showed a balance of $7,800.  That amount was soon used as well.  There is virtually no overhead because I work out of my office here at home and no compensation is taken.  A CPA firm files the necessary forms with the I.R.S. to verify our non-profit charitable status.  This allows donors to take a legal tax deduction.

God willing, I will make my 72^nd trip to the Philippines November 27-December 18.  Steven Saunders, evangelist with the church in Macon, MO, and Jim Barnett, evangelist with the church in Hope, NM, are coming with me to teach singing classes and to preach.  Filipino brethren love to sing in worship!  We will teach in Metro Manila on Luzon, in Puerto Princesa City on Palawan, and in Victorias City on Negros.  My last day will be reserved to go to the Philippine Bible Society in Manila to order Bibles in Filipino dialects – a highlight of every trip.

In addition to financial needs for my upcoming trip, additional donations can be applied to many other needs such as the following:

(1) FILIPINO BIBLES.  I will continue to visit the Philippine Bible Society in Manila to purchase Bibles in Filipino dialects at a discount which will be shipped directly to the brethren.

(2) SHIP SUPPLIES.  Shipping companies load cargo ships with truck-size containers, including door-to-door deliveries of special boxes which ship for about $125 regardless of weight.  I have shipped over 400 large boxes filled with Bibles, songbooks, study materials, clothes, food, and other needs.  I have a golden opportunity to send study materials because Truth Publications has donated outdated and damaged materials including perfectly good books which simply did not sell, as did Religious Supply Center when it closed.  These materials include everything from topical books to commentaries to class books.  They are stored at three sites.  As funds permit, I will ship them all over the Philippines!

(3) SONGBOOKS IN FILIPINO DIALECTS.  Filipinos love to sing the praises of God using English songbooks, but English is their second language and they also want to sing in their own dialects.  The cost is $2.00-$4.00 per small paperback book if printed in quantities.  Pleas for these books come to me repeatedly.  A few donors provided Filipino congregations the new songbook entitled Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs produced by Sumphonia Productions. These churches are thrilled beyond words!

Many other needs such as church buildings, medical treatments, and vehicle repairs continue.

H.A.N. is a labor of love. No one takes compensation for this service.  Every penny donated goes to needs we have identified in some way as reflected in this report.  Thank you to all who make it possible by your donations.  Checks should be written to Help A Neighbor and mailed to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  Donations made before January 1 can be deducted on 2018 taxes even if mailed after that date.  At the year’s end we provide receipts which can be filed with tax forms.

Visit www.HelpANeighbor.net to read reports and learn more (thanks to Jacob Keese).  Truly, as Jesus said, “it is more blessed to give than to receive”(Acts 20:35)!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook
(halbrook@twc.com)

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com