Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Having safely arrived in Cebu City on Friday, April 15, Saturday morning we used a rented van and traveled three hours to Bogo City.  Jonathan Carino was ill and could not join us, but we had plenty of help because Roy Matta, Pablo Espinosa, Fred Ogario, Mario Rubio, Raquim Miego, and others made the trip with us.  Gil Suico and Rupert Ramirez gathered saints and visitors in a function room at a hotel in Bogo City where they preach.
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Friday, April 15, 2016

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Fives days of study were scheduled to begin on Monday, April 10, concentrating on the book of Revelation verse by verse using as guides Dan King’s workbook on Revelation and Mike Willis’ Then Comes the End.  Plans were made for 50 students at the Bogo church of Christ in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur on the island of Mindanao, where Ramon Carino preaches, but 70 showed up.  Though there were not enough workbooks for everyone, some came to participate on a sit-in basis including several ladies.
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Sunday, April 10, 2016

Dear family, brethren, and friends,

I have lacked time and the consistent internet access necessary to send this report until now.  Sunday, April 3, I worked all night preparing to leave the house Monday at 4:00 AM and travel a circuitous route from Louisville to Atlanta to Detroit to Tokyo, Japan to Manila in the Philippines.  Not only were all the flights safe but also we arrived in Manila on Tuesday at 8:00 P.M., the earliest ever!  Though tired, I exercised for an hour in the hotel before sleeping, knowing it would help overcome the fatigue of the long trip.
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February 25, 2016th Year of Our Lord

HALBROOK REPORT: 61th PHILIPPINE TRIP Feb. 9-25, 2016

Dear brethren,

By God’s good providence February 9-25 marks my 61st trip proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ in the Philippines since I first went with Jim McDonald in 1995.  It is a harvest time in that land and Filipino brethren are working hard to save the lost.  When many turned away from Christ, he asked the Apostles if they would also leave him. “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.  And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (Jn. 6:68-69).  Like Peter, many Filipinos seek the words of eternal life.  I taught 49 times on this trip and 48 souls submitted to Christ in baptism along with one who was restored to Christ..
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Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Having just reached home tonight, I send greetings and love to all of you.  It is especially good to see Donna, my best friend, companion, and helper!

Though the trip is always long and tiring, it is a small price to pay for the privilege of laboring with faithful Filipino brethren in serving God.  My life has been richly blessed by these brethren for many years.  Their faith, hope, love, sacrifices, and service provide great lessons and inspiration to me.   My part in the work is very small in contrast to all of the good work they are doing day in and day out, but I thank God for allowing me to share with them even in the smallest ways.
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Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Saturday, February 20, brought us to the Bilibid Prison, the national penitentiary of the Philippines.  It is grossly overcrowded with a total population of over 20,000.  Over 100 men gathered today in a nice facility owned by a Presbyterian group which allowed us to use it.  In fact, Ely Ebuenga, who is an approved religious worker in the prison, is trying to convert the inmate who has authority over the facility.
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Dear family, brethren, and friends,

I have not been able to see the moon but only “the twinkle, twinkle little stars,” but I send my greetings and love to all anyway.  The past week has been a whirlwind of work with no time to send reports, but it was a fruitful week.

On Sunday, February 14, Samuel Paet drove me to the Sampaloc church of Christ in Manila where the deaf mute saints have worshiped for many years.  Tonyboy Hornedo has preached for them through the years using sign language because he also is a deaf mute.  It is always an humbling and uplifting experience to worship with these poor saints.  They are very attentive, signing to indicate they understand or do not understand point by point.  They sign to each other, seeking or giving clarifications as the teaching moves along.
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