March 16

Preparations For Upcoming – Trip April 2012

Imagine the light of the sun and the moon united as one, and seven days of light concentrated into one brilliant day! Isaiah said of the Messianic or Gospel Age:

“Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound” (Isa. 30:26).

The glorious light of the gospel of Christ is shining brightly in the Philippines. After Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995, I have learned that one of the best ways we can help Filipinos in this great harvest season is by conducting preacher training classes equipping them with the weapons of gospel warfare. That will be the focus of my 46th preaching trip to the Philippines April 5-May 15.

In four preacher training programs (PTP), 24 men will receive a reference Bible, Strong’s Concordance, a Bible dictionary, and four workbooks on Basic Bible Doctrine by Robert Harkrider. We will cover

  • Understanding the Theme of the Bible
  • New Testament Worship
  • Practicing Undenominational Christianity
  • How to Study the Bible
  • How to Establish Bible Authority
  • The Church’s Mission & Work
  • The Holy Spirit
  • One Baptism
  • Calvinism, Premillennialism, Catholicism, Cults
  • Bible Study Tools

God willing, after arriving in Manila late in the night on April 6, I will fly the next day to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province to work with Rody Gumpad in the first PTP. About 150 churches meet within a couple hours driving time from Tuguegarao. Men of various ages are rising up learning to teach and preach. Beginning in 2003 Rody has conducted two to four weeks of PTP in April of each year. His whole family and many area saints join hands for this good work. Many sacrifices are made and much time, energy, and money are required to conduct these classes. U.S. saints have helped to provide Bibles, teaching materials, and funds. The results of these training classes are evident in the good men who have gone out proclaiming the gospel and establishing churches. At Rody’s request, I have agreed to join him to cover the Harkrider series April 9-13.

Jerry Toreja, Elias Cruz, and other good brethren at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, Metro Manila, have been pleading for the PTP to be conducted there. They are improving the church building and installing AC to make the suffocating April heat more tolerable. I plan to go to Manila on the 14th and conduct the classes April 16-20. This is a church of 120 souls with an active plan of evangelism working in unity with area preachers. Many will attend our class.

The PTP is an effective avenue to advance the breakthrough made last year with premillennial brethren. Cyrus Gesulga, a leading man among them, gave up the millennial theory and has introduced us to many of his brethren. I offered them the PTP last year at two places in northern Mindanao, and they were delighted. The PTP will be taught in southern Mindanao in the General Santos City area April 23-27 with Jolly Julom’s help, then in the Davao City area April 30-May 4 with Juanito Balbin’s help.

After holding some gospel meetings in southern Mindanao, on the 10th I plan to return to Manila to meet Jim McDonald so that we can preach together May 11-12 at Kapitbahayan. I will spend the last two days working in the Manila area, then return home on May 15, God willing.

I confess to being a little nervous because the length of the trip and the four PTP classes will be expensive (venues in Mindanao plus 100 Bibles, 100 concordances, 100 dictionaries, and 400 workbooks!). My thoughts turn to Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides all our needs to do His work (Gen. 22:14). God will make a way through the love of brethren who offer prayers and funds for these trips! Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction. Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Send all donations to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954. Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726;
e-mail halbrook@insightbb.com
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March 11

Halbrook Report: Philippine Trip Feb. 7-27, 2012

Dear brethren,

God blessed the work of Donna, David, Starla, and me with Filipino saints February 7-27. Long ago Jeremiah pled, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16). Jim McDonald took me to the Philippines in 1995 because many Filipinos seek the old paths. After 45 trips I still see that spirit. I taught 42 times not counting the work of David, Donna, and Starla. We saw 24 respond to the gospel call.

Shortly after Donna and I arrived in Manila on the 8th, David and Starla arrived from their work in New Zealand and Australia. On Friday about 70 souls attended classes at the Kapitbahayan church in Navotas, Metro Manila where Elias Cruz continues the work of his deceased father Ben. David started with a study of Saul’s conversion and I presented a series on “Man’s Leadership in the Home.” The ladies greatly appreciated Starla’s and Donna’s sessions on the woman’s role and on children’s classes. It was a joy for Donna to meet at last Ben’s widow and their daughter Dr. Teresa Toreja.

Saturday we arrived by air at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in northeastern Luzon to work with Rody Gumpad and many other good brethren. Shortly we joined 25 guests at the home of Mrs. Celia Lim, a wealthy widow. Short lessons were given by Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat. I spoke on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost.” David spoke on Matthew 7:13-14, and Rody on Revelation 21:1-8. Guests included a vice-mayor, a denominational preacher, and other friends of Cilia.

On Sunday the 12th we worshiped at the Metro church of Christ with Rody. David’s lesson on steadfastness in the truth was followed by mine on “The Resurrection of Christ.” This church has elders and deacons and about 150 people attended. After lunch I went with Rody to the Palca church, Cagayan Province, where Mark Daquioag preaches. Rody summarized my lesson in the local dialect. Attendance was 25-30. David preached at Alibago and two requested baptism. We met back at the Metro church to witness their new birth. Monday we drove to Tabuk, Kalinga to work with Ben Vistro and other good men. 150 souls filled the hotel function room. David emphasized knowing who Jesus is and I spoke on “The Gospel of Christ Makes Us Right with God.” Rody summarized our lessons in the native dialect. David then preached on the new creation in Christ and my topic was “New Beginnings in Christ.” After Rody extended the invitation, eight precious souls responded.

A lectureship for preachers with classes for their wives was held on Tuesday at the Metro church in Tuguegarao. Over 100 men met in the auditorium and about 100 ladies met upstairs. David and I presented lessons on premillennialism, God’s pattern, holy living, and sermon preparation. The 15th we went to Manaring, Ilagan City, Isabela Province to work with Santos Basilio and other good men. Well over 200 souls were gathered. David preached on the plan of salvation and I addressed the topic “Walk in the Spirit Not the Flesh” (Gal. 5:16-26). After our P.M. sermons 12 people were baptized in the Arcon River.

We flew to Cebu City, Cebu to work with Jonathan Carino at the Cebu City church of Christ in classes for teenagers on “How to Study the Bible” February 17-18. Bibles and workbooks were provided for 70, but 100 attended. Lordy Salunga came from Luzon to help us teach. The ladies classes were well attended. Sunday we worshiped and taught classes with the Cebu City church, then I preached at the South Road church where Jun Apatan labors. February 20-24 we were back on Luzon teaching a series on “Home and Family” at the Angeles City Southside church of Christ with Lordy Salunga. Jonathan Carino also came from Cebu to teach. Again, the ladies appreciated their special sessions.

Saturday Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat arranged for us to teach about 20 people at a rented room in a community center, and the session continued at the Battung home in the evening in Paranaque, Metro Manila. Sunday we went to the Bilibid Prison to be with Willie and Kenneth Pastor. Willie is incarcerated and his brother Kenneth enters as a “religious worker.” Over 120 have been converted by their diligent efforts. David preached in one area A.M. and I preached in another P.M.

The highlight of this trip was the presence, work, and influence of my wife Donna and David’s wife Starla. They were a blessing to the Filipino ladies and were blessed by them.

Thank you one and all for your encouragement, prayers, and support!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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January 18

Safe Ways to Send Funds to the Philippines

There have been growing complaints about the jump in the cost of sending letters via mail to the Philippines and about letters with checks not reaching brethren in the Philippines. Possible alternatives include using Western Union or MoneyGram (the latter is cheaper). I am successfully using MoneyGram.

1. To send a MoneyGram, call 1-877-922-2992, give all the requested information, then take the cash amount plus fee to a MoneyGram agent (Wal-Mart, some gas station convenience stores, etc.; you can ask MoneyGram to advise you of the nearest agent). After you send it, if you need to ask follow-up questions, call 1-800-666-3947.

2. Alternative: Use the computer and go to the web site www.emoneygram.com to learn how to set up an account with MoneyGram so that you can send the money directly using your computer (once you get set up, each time you send a MoneyGram the money will be deducted from your bank account via debit card or charged to your credit card). MoneyGram limits each person to send $3,000 per month via this method.

3. Whether you use method 1. or 2., MoneyGram will provide a “reference number” which you must send to the Filipino who will receive the money. He will take that number to any MoneyGram agent in the Philippines (banks & other businesses serve as agents). The safest way to get the reference number to a Filipino is by e-mail. If you send the number in the mail and someone steals the letter, whoever has that reference number can collect the money.

4. If you make several large transfers in one day, you may get a call from the security department of MoneyGram or Western Union. They will ask such questions as, “Do you personally know the recipient of this money?” If you do not, they will cancel your transfer and you will feel like you are being made out to be a criminal when your only effort was to help our brethren who are in need. The federal government is so intent on tracing and blocking terrorists activities and drug rings that MG and WU have become very suspicious and restrictive. If they think they see a pattern of large amounts being sent, they flag it as possible terrorist activity. This creates a burden for ordinary honest people trying to help worthy brethren in places like the Philippines. Consider spacing out the transfers or send one by MG and another by WU.

In Christian Love,
Ron Halbrook

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January 11

Great need of Madipadu Congregation

To brother Ron Halbrook and to whom may be interested and concerned.

 Regarding brother ch George in India. He is a VERY faithful and dedicated preacher of the gospel. On my first evangelist tour to India, George was one of 15 other preachers who had contacted me before I went to India. They were pleading for the opportunity to meet with me to study for they had heard that the message I was bringing to India was nothing but the PURE gospel message concerning God’s PATTERN in all things. Liberalism with the sponsoring church arrangement was rampant in India and VERY few men had been in the areas where we had planned to hold meetings and studies. These men all came to the planned and arranged meetings during the day time and then they ALL came to my hotel room a night for VERY deep and intensified studies regarding the sin the institutional church is involved in and especially the sponsoring church arrangements. Each of these men were “graduates” from the liberal church sponsored  “Preacher Training Schools” and brought their diplomas to show me. We had LONG and CAREFUL studies of the digression of the liberal churches of Christ and when we had finished, they ALL w with ONE ACCORD stated that they were going back to their villages and towns and preach the TRUTH they had learned. These same men continued to attend the next two years of classes we set up and have all become STRONG workers for the Lord. From that first trip to India and this SAME attitude I have described about brother ch George, the PURE gospel has spread like wildfire. Brother ch George has been VERY instrumental in helping in all of this as these men all went home with the TRUTH and they in turn taught OTHERS and OTHERS and OTHERS. I commend ch  George and his faithful work to any and all who would desire to be a part of this GREAT work in India.

 Your brother and servant in the Lords work in India,

 Bobby R.Holmes

219 Timothy Trail

Duncanville, Texas 75137

Cell phone: 214-384-0896

Beloved brother Ron Halbrook,

New Year greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I Thanking all of you for your serving for the Lord’s people in some of Nations.Lord will bless you all as your sacrificing for His Throne.

Brethren,

I am George from India working a Gospel preacher in my surrounding Villages Cherukumpalem and Madipadu Churches of Christ since 1995.I have Converted from Liberalism when i listen the Truth by our Loving Brother Bobby Holmes on 2004 at Kurnool Study meetings.Until then i am Preaching the truth and encouraging some of Liberal and Denominational people of my surrounding.Our brethren at Waxahachie Church of Christ is supporting me since the Year 2004.so i thanking all of our brethren there.

Brethren,

i would like to Requesting beside(for) the Lord’s people at Madipadu Church of Christ where i working and living Village.we are meeting to worship the Lord’s day and to Bible study’s, Gospel meetings etc..nearly 35 people.but we have No place to meet.we are gathering since 2003 to the worship in my father’s home where i living.it is very small and have grate problem what my own brothers are talking too much against me and the congregation why it is that not my own profit.it is my father’s profit so they have legal right to ask their share from their father’s profit.And the place is not sufficient to meet,so some people sitting besides of water Tub,Oven of wood sticks.The reflection of these things some people do not showing interest to meet and attend to the congregation.so we were requested a relative who able to help a place for build a building he donated(signed on Legal Documents) some place from his own land to the Madipadu Church of Christ namely Chityala Paul Raj.

Then on 2009 we have committed to collect some fund from our familes for build a building to worship.so we are collected 15,000 Rs (Fifteen thousend Rupees).And The President of my village was visited us and understand our state,he was recommended for some Government fund.so They has been granted 50,000 Rs (Fifty Thousend Rupees).

Regarding plane of the Construction,Actually we started this work on 2009 which is a Engineer plane and Estimation but have desided change the plane and estimated concern Roof only Rcc slab to Cement sheets because he was estimated 3,33,000-00 in 2007. we feel that is over cost to our financial position and to who show interest to help to the construction..And metirial cost was raised overly today.

The Cost is to complete the work 2,20,000-00 (Two Lakh and twenty thousend Rupees).if we have spent to completed work to Basement level.And pillrs has been completed until needy height 11.6 inches.

Totall cost of the Construction 2,20,000-00

spent ammount to cmpleated work 65,000-00

Remining cost for remining work 1,55,000-00

(One Lakh and fifty five thousend Rupees)

in US Dollors may be 3,100 (Three thousends and one hundred).

Brethren,

We need to complete the Remining work 1,55,000 in $3,100.we are humbly requesting all of you please share this grate need for the Lord’s people in India as your possibility,we are all depended on our Labor woking.

I have attched Document copy’s of the Building plane and Estimation with photos of Building state.

Brethren,

i hope you understand my words and my request for the Lord and His Kingdom in India.

My position is very criticle I’m in lot of Debts was expended more money to the Church building at Cherukumpalem nearly 2,50,000 (Two Lakh and fifty thousend Rupees)by my support money and my own income from my work.

Please pray for open doors for us in Madipadu Church of Christ in India,i shall pray for you and your work for the Lord in concentrated Philippines.

Your Brother in Christ,

George.Ch

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January 9

Preparations For Upcoming – Trip February 2012

Dear brethren,

God willing, my wife Donna, David and Starla Halbrook (Quail Valley church of Christ, Batesville, AR), and I will travel and teach in the Philippines February 7-27.  This is my 45th trip after Jim McDonald first took me in 1995.  The fields are white, the doors are open, and Filipino souls are searching for the old paths.  Jeremiah pled in his day,

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jer. 6:16).

Many Filipinos respond, “We will walk therein!”
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January 9

New Building in Cabanatuan City

Brother Celestino “Jhun” Bautista is a sound stable steady saint and longtime gospel preacher who lives at 128 BRIONES VILLAGE, SAN ISIDRO, CABANATUAN CITY, NUEVA ECIJA 3100 in the Philippines.  Jim McDonald, faithful preacher in Lufkin, TX, has known Jhun for many years and has full confidence in him.  I have visited Jhun and the brethren meeting in his home in Cabanatuan City, and we have worked together.  They have outgrown his house and sacrificed to start a church building, but their efforts have been stalled by lack of funds.  These pictures show the present state of the construction as of January 2012.  We hope to find funds to help these brethren, a prime example of helping those who first help themselves.

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January 8

Update on Funds

Dear brethren and friends,

Thank you for the very good response on behalf of saints suffering from the killer typhoon which hit northern Mindanao. We have raised well over $10,000 which is being sent to targeted needs. For instance, I sent Jonathan Carino to survey the situation and to help create a list of the needs so we can target the most needy saints and most pressing needs of these saints. He is doing this right now, so please pray for his safety and that God will bless him to be successful on this mission. We will share more information later.

In Christian love,

Ron

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January 8

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Nov. 29 – Dec. 19, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and providence my 44th preaching trip to the Philippines (5th to New Zealand) was successfully completed November 29-December 19, 2011. I am forever indebted to Jim McDonald for taking me with him in 1995. It was a joy to work with Steven Deaton (Hebron Ln. church of Christ, Shepherdsville, KY) and Jesse Flowers (Pruett & Lobit Sts. chuch of Christ, Baytown, TX). Filipino brethren expressed appreciation for their good work. In addition to their lessons, I presented 38 lessons, and 15 were baptized by our joint efforts (most when Steven and Jesse worked with Rody Gumpad).

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January 4

How Help A Neighbor Helps Neighbors

Help A Neighbor represents individuals acting on the moral and ethical principle stated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  There are many ways and means for people to express that love.  Help A Neighbor is one way to facilitate that ethical principle within perimeters set by the I.R.S. of the federal government allowing donations to be tax deductible.

Some charity funds are set up by people who have large amounts of money to distribute to various worthy causes, but that is not the case with Help A Neighbor.  The Help A Neighbor fund depends purely on donations of individuals and is not based on any reserve resources or nest egg.  I have no independent or personal means for generating funds.  Furthermore, I cannot divert time from my duties as an evangelist to become a charity director who constantly travels and contacts wealthy donors.  How then does this fund have resources?

Help A Neighbor is simply a legal mechanism under U.S. law which allows individuals who donate funds to my Philippine work to file a legal tax deduction for the amount given.  While some need here at home in the U.S. may occasionally be included, that represents a small fraction of the work being done.  For instance, a child had cancer and some folks wanted to donate funds for medical expenses, which fit within our perimeters.  Church funds are never requested or accepted because Help A Neighbor facilitates individual action not local church action.

Here again is the main point:  Help A Neighbor is nothing more or less than a means to facilitate individual donations reaching worthy Christians in need under guidelines defining a legal charity by the I.R.S. for tax purposes.

Occasionally, someone asks me to consider some additional project or need beyond the scope of my Philippine work, and I am willing to help in proportion to available time and funds (if someone is able to donate such funds).  Therefore, if anyone wishes to write an appeal explaining a project, stating what has been done and how much spent, and outlining the cost of the remaining work, it may be possible to circulate this report to see if there are people who have available funds for this purpose.  Even this possibility depends on other factors such as time constraints and legal guidelines.  In cases where it is possible to circulate a reported need, there is nothing I can do beyond sharing information with individuals who may or may not be able to help.

Help A Neighbor concentrates on the Philippines because I go there often enough to know the men and observe the work personally.  This makes it possible to form some reasonable assessment of needs and to assure U.S. brethren that their funds are being used exactly as requested and intended.

Yet, the requests for help from the Philippines alone far outstrips my ability to find needed funds, not to mention appeals from other nations.  In other words, sad to say, I am so overwhelmed with requests that funds can be found for only few of them.  I have worshiped with saints in the banana grove and under the mango tree, as well as in homes, without having resources to help solve their problem.  In one case, I visited a church on the Philippine island of Negros about five years ago where brethren had been sacrificing for seven years building their meeting place little by little, and I have not been able to provide funds to help these saints complete their building.

My heart is willing to help worthy brethren in any place, but I have no sufficient means to meet the vast needs on every hand.  Only when there are able donors, Help A Neighbor can do something within the limitations of moral, ethical, and legal guidelines.  No one person can do it all in reaching out to neighbors in need, but each of us can find ways to do what we can, whether utilizing Help A Neighbor or other avenues at our disposal.

I only know to depend on the grace and guidance of God’s good providence as we try one day at a time to do our best in serving Him.

 

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