This is the latest development on the church building–roof framing. It cost Php 135,000. There is still left Php 36,000 in the coffer plus the $1000.
Carlos Domingo
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Dear brethren,
Jeremiah lamented Judah’s fall, “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?” (Jer. 8:22) Many Filipinos accept God’s balm for sin-sick souls. By God’s grace, my 39th Philippine trip was safely completed July 22-August 25. I worked with Phil Martin (Jere Whitson Road Church of Christ, Cookeville, TN) August 6-19 and Harry Osborne (84th St. Church of Christ, Oklahoma City, OK) the 18th -24th. Thank God, Jim McDonald of Lufkin, TX introduced me to the Philippine work in 1995! I presented 97 lessons on this trip. Several souls were restored and 64 baptized as God gave the increase.
Abraham Aguete (Caunayan, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte 2919, Republic of the Philippines) with the local brethren labored and sacrificed, and some Americans added funds, in order to construct a church building for the saints meeting at Pagudpud in the Ilocos Norte Province. I have preached there and this is a good stable church.
The church at Cordon, Isabela Province, has existed since the early 1970’s. American military men helped put up a nice church building, but in recent years it was literally rotting and in danger of falling on the brethren. This is a large congregation of 100 or more, and during gospel meetings it definitely has more at times.
Help A Neighbor began in 2007 in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” This is an avenue for individuals (not churches) to help those who help themselves. Our main focus is the Philippine Islands. Resources may be used to build church buildings, to extend medical aid, to build or repair domiciles, or to give other forms of humanitarian and charitable aid. Funds given to H.A.N. are tax deductible under the IRS code.
My 36th trip to the Philippines will be October 30-November 22, concentrating on meetings with denominational preachers. I will make a six-day side trip to Auckland, New Zealand to help a Filipino family start a new congregation. No sound churches exist in that land, but Ronnie Salunga will gather his family and other contacts to make a start. This adds expenses to my trip but the urgent need justifies it.
Our Savior’s life perfectly exemplifies his wonderful words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). In learning to be unselfish like our Lord we become a greater blessing to the world and we experience greater meaning, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life. There are many ways for us to experience this blessing and Help A Neighbor is just one avenue by which individuals can extend a helping hand to our fellowman. Donations are tax deductible because the I.R.S. classifies H.A.N. as a charitable organization for tax purposes. We do not solicit or accept donations from churches.
I am thankful to report that generous giving has greatly increased our ability to help those who help themselves. When I visited General Santos City in southern Mindanao in the Philippines last August, I learned that the Lanton church was in danger of losing its building. An agency sponsored by the government had granted land to Jolly Julom for the building in the 1990’s, but now the courts recognize a deed held by a woman claiming the land as her property. Our brethren were served an eviction notice.
Our Savior’s life perfectly exemplifies his wonderful words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). In learning to be unselfish like our Lord we become a greater blessing to the world and we experience greater meaning, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life. There are many ways for us to experience this blessing and Help A Neighbor is just one avenue by which individuals can extend a helping hand to our fellowman. Donations are tax deductible because the I.R.S. classifies H.A.N. as a charitable organization for tax purposes. We do not solicit or accept donations from churches.
I am thankful to report that generous giving has greatly increased our ability to help those who help themselves. When I visited General Santos City in southern Mindanao in the Philippines last August, I learned that the Lanton church was in danger of losing its building. An agency sponsored by the government had granted land to Jolly Julom for the building in the 1990’s, but now the courts recognize a deed held by a woman claiming the land as her property. Our brethren were served an eviction notice.
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days” (Eccl. 11:1). Planting seed or starting a business involves work and sacrifice to be rewarded when profits are reaped. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. People who donate funds to Help A Neighbor join hands in work and sacrifice, but the rewards are great when we help saints who are in need–saints who also help themselves.
Individual donations to Help A Neighbor are tax deductible because we engage in charitable purposes as defined by the IRS. We do not solicit or accept donations from churches.
July 31-August 22 marks my 31st preaching trip to the Philippines. This is harvest time there as occurred in the book of Acts and in the U.S. in the 1800’s. In addition to proclaiming the gospel with Filipino preachers, I am spending much time teaching classes to upgrade preachers’ knowledge and skills. The gospel can thrive in poverty as in prosperity, but our prosperity equips us to aid the saints in poverty in their work. We do not want to create dependence, but we want to help those who help themselves. This we do in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” and Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Help A Neighbor provides an opportunity for individual efforts not for local church action. Individuals giving $500 or more may legally claim a tax deduction because Help A Neighbor functions for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS.
God willing, later today I will start my 30th trip to the Philippines (Mar. 27-May 4). It is 2:00 A.M. but I am determined to get this encouraging information out before leaving town. Help A Neighbor is a useful avenue for individuals to provide poor Filipinos some things beyond their reach in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” A gift of $500 or more toward such efforts is tax deductible: Help A Neighbor acts for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS Code section 501(C) 3. Honnielyn Carpentero to Graduate from Nursing School. One of our first goals was to aid a widow named Linma Carpentero in helping her daughter Hannie Lynn (“Honnielyn”) finish nursing school. Cipriano–faithful husband, father, and preacher–died an untimely death in late 2005. Generous gifts amounting to $6,640 have been given and we hope soon to announce Honnielyn’s graduation!
Church Building for Kapitbahayan Church of Christ in Manila Nearing Completion. In July 2007 we started gathering funds to help the saints of the Kapitbahayan church to pursue their plan in constructing a meeting house. They met for many years in a borrowed facility used by denominational groups, but had outgrown this facility. Visitors sometimes attended the denominational groups thinking they had found the church of Christ. For the past year I have watched this project progress. On February 4, 2008 I preached two lessons on the history and translation of the Bible to 100 people gathered on the first floor and soon thereafter it was finished. Brethren from Manila and surrounding regions were invited to attend an all-day gospel meeting on February 29. An overflow crowd attended, six were baptized, others were restored, and there was great rejoicing by all! The second floor and some finishing work can be completed for $2,000-$3,000. To see the new building go to www.hebronlanechurch.com, click on “Sermons,” and open at “Mar. 2, 2008, Ron Halbrook, Bringing In Filipino Sheaves.”