Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Shortly after 5:00 A.M. on Thursday Rody, Tessie, and Junior Gumpad met Jonathan and me at our hotel in Tuguegarao to begin a 12 hour trip to Angeles City (Jerome Forelo was not able to join us as expected).  While traveling we discussed the Lord’s work, viewed the scenery, and napped at times – except for Rody, our driver, who knows how to negotiate Filipino highways like a racedriver! Or a bus driver.  Actually, there is no difference between the two over here.

On a sad note, as we made our way through the Caraballo Mountains in the Province of Nueva Ecija we stopped at the site of a terrible accident.  Tuesday a bus lost control coming down the steep winding highway and plunged through a barrier 100 feet into a deep ravine.  Thirty-four people died and 44 survived, most of whom suffered severe injuries.  We prayed for God to comfort the injured and the grieving families, and that His providence might open doors for them to seek and find the true gospel of Christ.  Such incidents make me so very thankful for all of you who pray for us during these Philippine trips!

Our travel was safe by God’s grace.  We met Lordy Salunga and Archie Alarcon and proceeded to our hotel in Angeles City, Pampanga about 6:00 P.M.  After checking in at the hotel, I ate supper, studied, and walked at a military parade ground nearby.  The hotel is located on property that was previously the sprawling Clark U.S. Air Force Base.  After the Philippines became a U.S. territory as a result of the Spanish-American War of 1898, this area became a U.S. military base in 1903.  The U.S. gave the Philippines their independence after W.W. II on July 4, 1946 but had an agreement allowing the U.S. to maintain the base at Clark.  The Philippine Congress voted to not renew that agreement in 1991 by one vote.  Clark has been transformed into a base for the small Philippine Air Force and an economic zone including an international airport.

Early Friday morning (April 21) Lordy Salunga, Jonathan Carino, Jerry Moral, Jun, and I loaded up with Rody and Tessie Gumpad in their vehicle to travel from Angeles City to Limay in the Province of Bataan.  Our trip was extended as we made a wild goose chase to find the right diesel fuel for the vehicle, but we finally arrived after 10:00 A.M. and were greeted by Roger Molina, the Limay church, and their visitors.  They were gathered at the side of a house under a brush arbor made of bamboo poles and covered with palm branches.

Jerry and Jun did an excellent job leading songs during the day.  My first sermon was entitled “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God” (Rom. 1:16-17).  The audience of about 50 people included all age groups and I appreciated several young ladies sitting right at the front.  The heat and humidity were high, and my clothes were soon saturated with sweat, but everyone was quite attentive.  During lunch I ate very little because of the extreme heat (Filipinos are able to ignore heat and dive right into the food), but the coconut water provided was very refreshing.

A young couple invited me to take a short rest in their bamboo house where they had enclosed their bedroom and installed a small AC unit – I dozed for 20 minutes and arose from the dead to preach on “The Resurrection of Christ,” a verse by verse study of Mark 16.

After ending my second lesson about 3:15, I passed the baton to Rody and he surveyed the plan of redemption from Genesis to Revelation until 4:45 when he extended the Lord’s invitation.  No one obeyed the gospel, but in spite of the heat and humidity, the audience requested to hear another lesson!  We all were suffering from heat exhaustion and wanted to get back to the hotel before dark, so we ended the service after thanking them for having such open and attentive hearts.

The heat is a minor inconvenience in order to have such wonderful opportunities to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ to souls who hunger to hear the truth of God’s Word!

After riding back to the hotel in an air conditioned vehicle for over an hour, my clothes were still soaking wet and it was a relief to peel them off and take a shower.  After Jonathan, the Gumpads, and I shared supper and a good visit, Jun and I walked around the military parade ground where I did my best to encourage this young preacher whose life has been turned upside down because his wife is being devoured by Satan.  His great challenge now is to be an anchor to their two precious daughters since his wife has rebuffed all attempts to bring her back to the Lord.  This family needs our fervent prayers.

We intentionally left Saturday open to catch our breath and start preparing for next week’s classes.  This gave Jonathan, Rody, Tessie, Jun, and me the rare opportunity to eat our breakfast together at a leisurely pace.  We stayed at the table until about 10:30 A.M., then the Gumpads left for Manila, but Jonathan and I continued discussing and planning our work for the future until 11:00.  I spent the rest of the day responding to email (which has fallen far behind), reviewing and preparing lessons, taking a short rest, and walking for well over an hour in an effort to increase my stamina.  I was in bed by 11:30 P.M., which is early for me, very thankful for this good day.
                                                            
It was time to rise and shine at 5:45 A.M. on the Lord’s Day, April 23.  The hotel restaurant opens at 6:00 A.M. and I was the first one to get breakfast so as to meet Archie Alarcon at 6:20.  After an hour’s drive we reached the Sta. Ana church of Christ in Sta. Ana, Pampanga, which meets in the house of the Frollan David family.  This church began two years ago with a member from the Unity St. church and 11 of us assembled to worship.  The sermon was on “Why Saints Assemble” (Heb. 10:24-25) and everyone listened well.  This 7:30 A.M. service ended at 8:45 and we hastened to reach the next service an hour away.

The service began at 10:00 A.M. at the Unity St. church in San Fernando.  Lordy Salunga guided Jim McDonald and me to visit this church in 1997 – both of these churches are using songbooks which came from the Loop church in Lufkin, TX where Jim labors with Kyle Campbell.   About 20 assembled including several young people who are reaching a marriageable age.  In Davao City on April 12 Archie heard my study on “Selecting a Mate: The Lord Builds the House” and he requested me to present it today.  I preached the first part during the Bible study period and completed the lesson during the worship hour.  The saints were very attentive – especially the young people, some of whom were taking notes.  It was a joy to be with these saints again.

Young people from both congregations plan to join the three days of classes on “How to Study the Bible” at the Southside church here in Angeles City where Lordy Salunga preaches, beginning tomorrow, God willing.

Thank you for taking the time to read these reports.  I daily thank God for all of you who have donated funds and offered prayers to make this trip possible.  I have not been able to spot the moon during its waning crescent phase the last couple of days, but I know it is up there looking down on us from the starry skies while we are on opposite sides of the earth!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com