Here are some pictures of the church building we are helping to build. Brother Carlos Domingo is the preacher for the Seaside church of Christ, Santiago, La Union Province where this building is slowly going up as funds allow. Continue reading
Dear brethren,
By God’s grace April 7-May 20 I completed my 42nd Philippine preaching trip, which focused on teaching young people. As Timothy learned “the holy scriptures” from childhood, it is imperative that we sow the seed of the kingdom in the hearts of young Filipinos (2 Tim. 3:14-15). A total of 90 lessons were taught and 25 people were baptized (another 15-20 young people obeyed the gospel as a result of follow-up studies). I thank God that Jim McDonald invited for me to join him for my first trip in 1995, and for all saints who have provided financial help for these trips through the years.
Dear brethren,
By God’s grace and the help of His saints I completed my 41st Philippine trip January 31-February 25. Paul said, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Cor. 16:9). On the first trip with Jim McDonald in 1995 it was impossible to envision what a great door was opening or how many adversaries might arise–41 trips have fortified my faith in God’s providence. This open door has now led me to New Zealand four times. It was my privilege to present 72 lessons and nine were baptized as “God gave the increase” (1 Cor. 3:6). Most of the time was devoted to preacher training. January 27-30 was spent working with Olen Holderby at the Alameda, CA church of Christ. In an effort to reach biblically illiterate Asians here, we emphasized the Bible as “God’s Only True Word,” and “Only One True God” in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Over 900 fliers were distributed, yet none came. We must keep trying in the U.S. but the door is open wider in the Philippines.
My many thanks to all who have contributed to the “Help a Neighbor Fund” for the monies needed to purchase property and then building supplies for the brethren there to build a meeting place to meet and worship God. As of date (mid-January 2011) there is a total of some $22,000.00 in the “Help a Neighbor Fund” that brother Ron Halbrook is using to receive monies for this project and the monies in the bank in Red Oak Texas that brother Le Roy Klice is taking care of. Tom Roberts is serving as the accountant for these funds and enters all contributions in the ledger he is using. All contributions will receive a tax credit from Ron Halbrook and the tax exempt status that has been granted him by the IRS.
January 6, 2011th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 40th PHILIPPINE TRIP Nov. 29-Dec. 20, 2010
Dear brethren,
As Jonah grieved for his shade vine, God grieved for the wayward Ninevites. As God sent Jonah to save them from destruction, He sent us to save a lost world destined for eternal torment in hell. God opened a door for me to preach in the Philippines when Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995, and now I have safely returned from my 40th trip (Nov. 29-Dec. 20). Steve Wallace (St. Leon, IN Church of Christ) and Travis Pyle (Ashley Heights Church of Christ, Charleston, SC) were able companions as we joined hands with many Filipino saints. I presented 52 lessons. Travis’ labors with Rody Gumpad on Luzon yielded 44 baptisms, and 40 were baptized and 6 restored as Steve and I labored on Mindanao.
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
Continue reading
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.
