July 30 – September 6, 2019 Trip to Philippines, New Zealand, & Australia Completed by God’s grace
Halbrook Report: 75th Philippine Trip July 30-September 6, 2019
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 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.
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.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.
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.truthbooks.com