Dear brethren,

On September 28 I sent an update regarding the effects of Typhoon Mangkhut or “Ompong,” a category 5 storm which hit Luzon on September 15.  By God’s grace, no saints were seriously injured or killed, but crops and homes were destroyed on a massive scale.

At one point shortly after the disaster hit, Rody Gumpad compiled a list of 125 churches which were affected, at which time their emergency needs equaled over $90,000.00.  Those churches are located in northeastern Luzon in the Cagayan Province and some surrounding provinces, but this does not account for all of the needs in these areas – not to mention other provinces.

As this news spread, many loving saints have responded by sending benevolence directly to brethren in the Philippines or by asking myself and others to serve as messengers.  Due to the sacrificial and generous donations which I have received for this purpose, as of October 13 I have sent nearly $67,000.00 to reliable men scattered in various places who are relaying the funds to many congregations.  I know of one church which sent about $20,000 directly to the Philippines.  Michael and Donna Glaesemann have helped to gather and send several thousand dollars also.

The needs are vast and these brethren will not fully recover for several months, but at least they will know that saints in other parts of the world love them and pray for them.  May God bless every Christian and every congregation who has uttered a prayer and donated funds to demonstrate the love of God for His people all around the world.

“And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular” (1 Cor. 12:27).

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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