September 17

July 30 – September 6, 2019 Trip to Philippines, New Zealand, & Australia Completed by God’s grace

September 6, 2019th Year of Our Lord
Halbrook Report: 75th Philippine Trip July 30-September 6, 2019
Dear brethren,

By God’s good grace the trip scheduled for July 30-September 6 to preach Christ in the Philippines (75th trip), New Zealand (9th trip), and Australia (8th trip) has been safely and successfully completed.  I owe Jim McDonald a great debt of gratitude for opening these doors by inviting me to accompany him to the Philippines in 1995.  The focus of this trip was to edify the saints although some first principle lessons were preached also in the 70 presentations made – 23 souls submitted to Christ by faith in his blood by being baptized for the remission of their sins.  It is always edifying to work and worship with these saints who shine as lights along the shore guiding souls to Christ, the beacon light of eternal salvation (Phil. 2:14-16).

Elias Cruz, James Paet, and Junior Gumpad helped me in Manila on August 1 to repack boxes of study material to be distributed along the way.  The next day James Paet drove Lordy Salunga, Jerry Moral, Archie Alarcon, and me to western Luzon.  Rey Siene and his father preach for a congregation at Beddeng, San Narciso in the province of Zambales where we labored Saturday and Sunday.  It was a delight to meet Rey after corresponding with him.  The next two days were devoted to working with Leonito Torreliza at Candon City, Ilocos Sur.  Lordy, James, Archie, and myself preached to 47 people and two were baptized.

On August 7 I returned to Manila to fly the next day to New Zealand to preach until the 21st.  The Meadowood church of Christ in Auckland began in 2009 in the basement of Ronnie Salunga’s house and this was my 8th visit there.  Most of my lessons this time concentrated on the home and family because several of the young people there have recently married or are planning to marry soon.  I enjoyed the hospitality of the Randy Cabrillas family. August 16-18 was reserved for the saints at Whakatane,  Eastern Bay of Plenty, North Island, N.Z. with Abner Salanguit, another church meeting in homes and growing.  There are always visitors at both congregations which are composed primarily of Filipinos.  I returned to Auckland for the last two services. One night a denominational preacher wedded to premillennial theories attended and we had a one hour exchange during the open forum.  He and his family were not offended – our brethren were encouraged by the obvious strength of the truth in refuting error.
On the 22nd I flew from N.Z. to Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia to preach six sermons over the weekend with Daryl and Neville Johnson and all the saints meeting there.  They distributed hundreds of flyers inviting people and posted a large banner with all the topics at the front of the church building.  They are fighting the good fight of faith in spite of the secular culture of their nation.  Lessons covered the existence of God, the state of the dead, heaven and hell, and Satan’s lies versus God’s truth.
After returning to the Philippines, my last appointments were in southern Mindanao.  I flew to General Santos City on the 28th.  The next day took me to Banga, South Cotabato to work with Bonbon Britanico and preachers of the T’boli tribe and from nearby Lake Sebu.  I emphasized strengthening the local churches.  Then a two day lectureship was held in General Santos City on the theme “United to Proclaim Christ” and 74 attended.  Two were baptized including a denominational preacher who joined Jonathan Carino in his room to get his questions answered after the second day and he was converted.  
        
On Sunday we drove to Kitakal, Malungon, Sarangani Province to worship with Dondon and Sel Cadayona and many other brethren there.  My sermons were “Why Saints Assemble,” “The Bread of Life,” and “Trust God Till the Danger Passes.”  Jack Jaco and Julie Notarte summarized the lessons in the local dialect and Don Masaba also preached.  Ten souls responded to the gospel call and were baptized.

September 2-3 was devoted to a series entitled “The Bible Is the Word of God” at Digos City, Davao del Sur with Julie Notarte as host.  Julie preached in a night session after the first day and baptized 8 and another soul was saved the next day after we sang an invitation song.  Jack Jaco and Jonathan Carino helped me in teaching the series by preaching effective sermons on first principles themes.

I flew back to Manila on the 4th and purchased 625 Bibles the next day at the Philippine Bible Society in several dialects to be shipped to brethren requesting them.  This is always a highlight of the trips!

I praise and thank God for the joint efforts of Filipino and U.S. saints who make these trips possible!

In Christian love, Ron Halbrook

P.S. On September 5 Jamie, Deborah (Halbrook), Timothy, Seth, and Arabelle Williams arrived in Manila from Singapore where Jamie is working.  We visited from 4:30 to 9:30 P.M. and Jerry and Teresa Toreja along with James Paet joined us for a pleasant evening. I flew home the next day, but the Williams family stayed in Manila for the weekend. They visited the deaf mute congregation where TonyBoy Hornedo preaches for all-day preaching.  Jamie preached 4 lessons and James preached 1. The attendance was 44 and 5 were baptized.

P.S.S. Laymon Byers is recovering very well at home and Danny Dennison continues to improve at the rehabilitation center after the car wreck in which they both were severely injured.  Ron Daly continues to struggle, but God be thanked his life was spared after he was hit on a lawnmower by a vehicle involved in a multi-car accident caused by road rage.  Cards of encouragement can be sent to Ron Daly, 3319 Carly Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46235.  Let us pray for these brethren to fully recover and give thanks for God’s blessings upon them to this point.

P.S.S.S. There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.

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




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Posted September 17, 2019 by Jacob Keese in category "Reports