Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Greetings to everyone in the name of Christ our Savior from the Philippine Islands!

On Monday, February 20, we met with 123 souls at the rented meeting place of the Gundaway church of Christ in Cabarruguis, Quirino Province where Willie Pastor labors as an evangelist.  Their normal attendance is about 70, but several preachers from near and far and visitors from the community helped to fill the meeting place completely.  My first lesson was “Take Job as an Example” (Ja. 5:10-11).  This book refutes the age-old theory that God immediately blesses the righteous with material blessings and immediately punishes the wicked with physical suffering.  This theory caused Job and his friends to misunderstand Job’s ordeal as punishment for sin.

Most of the audience could understand English well enough, but for the sake of the few who could not well understand Willie translated in Tagolog as I preached.  Afterward Rody gave a short summary of the key points in the Ilocano dialect spoken by some of our audience.  Rody then gave a simple Bible lesson on first principle of the gospel.

At lunch we were grateful for the arrival of Domie and Leah Jacob and their son Franklin.  After lunch we followed the same procedure as I preached “Rejoice in the Lord Alway” (Phil. 4:4).  Rody extended the Lord’s invitation at the conclusion of his sermon and one lady who appeared to be in her 20’s came forward to confess her faith in Christ and to submit to him in water baptism for the remission of her sins.  We all went on our ways rejoicing!

The main point I wanted to make today is that the suffering endured by the saints since Luzon was hit by super-typhoon Lawin in October is not a sign that God views His people as great sinners, When we share the common lot of humanity in suffering because of natural disasters, Satan would like to use such trials to cause God’s people to distrust Him.  Though Job did not understand why he suffered so greatly, he refused to be deceived by Satan’s ploy.  To the contrary, he said though God would kill him, “yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).  Our faith is greatly fortified by the example of Job!  Truly we can learn in spite of all obstacles to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:8).

Tuesday morning we drove from Santiago City in the Isabela Province to Ilagan City to visit the Bliss church of Christ where Edgar Licondini preaches.  We left just after 8:00 A.M. but did not arrive until just after 10:30 because of heavy traffic and numerous sections of the road under construction.  I told the brethren next time we had better take a helicopter!  Though we regretted the repeated delays, we agreed not to complain because the roads desperately need the improvements.

These saints have a nice church building.  Again several preachers from near and far joined our studies and it was a great joy to see some whom I have not seen for several years.  The total attendance was over 80.  I had the unusual privilege of meeting an American brother married to a Filipina who has lived in the area for five years and they are members at Bliss.

This morning the lesson “Take Job as an Example” was presented again and this afternoon “Rejoice in the Lord Alway.”  Rody summarized the lessons in the Ilocano dialect to drive home the main points, but it was not necessary to translate the whole lessons for this audience.  Edgar observed that the study of Job is really needed throughout the Philippines, so I will continue teaching this lesson although I have others in reserve.

As we traveled today I saw plenty of evidence that super-typhoon Lawin had hit this area in October and the people are still trying to recover.  I saw rooftops of large buildings which are still covered in heavy plastic.  I saw a large metal farm building which had been turned into a pile of twisted pretzels.  But how do we measure the emotional impact of such an ordeal including the long struggle to recover?  Isn’t it amazing how a book written over 2,000 years ago still speaks directly to the hearts and souls of so many people in so many ways today?  That is no accident – that was the very intention and design of God when He gave all Scripture by divine inspiration.

Thank you to one and all for your kind and generous help which makes these trips possible including your prayers, financial support, and words of encouragement.

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