Philippine Trip November 30 – December 21, 2015
December 22, 2015th Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 60th PHILIPPINE TRIP Nov. 30-Dec. 21, 2015
Dear brethren,
Jim McDonald brought me to the Philippines in 1995 and my 60th trip is now complete by God’s grace. Jim Barnett who preaches in Hope, NM and Steven Saunders who preaches in Macon, MO made their second trip concentrating on fundamentals of music and song leading. Our great God is worthy of our highest praises. Heaven and earth ring with praise to Christ saying, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing” (Rev. 5:12). I taught 31 times on this trip and 46 souls were baptized into Christ.
Steven, Jim, and I met in Atlanta November 30 and we arrived in Manila late Tuesday night. The next morning Elias Cruz got our boxes of study materials to ship them ahead. Then we visited the Manila American Cemetery & Memorial where thousands of U.S. soldiers rest who died in W.W. II in Asia and stone tablets record the names of 36,286 missing in action. American ties with the Philippines for over 100 years have created much good will, opening doors for us to preach the gospel.
December 3-4 singing classes were held at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ in Navotas, Metro Manila. Men came from distant places including the island of Palawan. The attendance reached 60 the first day. Men of all ages participated including many young men wanting to learn more about song leading. Between the singing classes I preached on “After We Begin, What Then?” (two parts), “Why Saints Assemble,” and “Instrumental Music.” While Steven and Jim were teaching on Friday, I studied with Ely Ebuenga’s friend Bernardo “Benny” Angeles, a denominational chaplain at Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. We paid a fee to baptize him in a swimming pool nearby during the lunch break. They will work together in the prison. Appreciating the classes, the brethren pled for a week of such training.
On Saturday the 5th we flew to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in northwestern Luzon for the next series. Sunday found us going different directions for Lord’s Day services – Steven with Mat Sibayan, Sr., Jim with Vic Domingo, and myself with Rex Bayaca. I preached at the Cacafean church of Christ, Marcos in the foothills of the mountains where Angel Pascua preaches and at the Santiago congregation where Fredy Pascua preaches. Seven souls responded to the gospel call.
100 brethren of all ages gathered for the three days of singing classes at the Laoag City church of Christ. Everyone showed great interest in the instructions given by Jim and Steven. Older men who had never attempted to lead songs took their turns. My topics were the affirmation of Jesus in John 8:58, “Before Abraham Was, I Am,” “Reverence in Worship” (Eccl. 7:1-5), “Holy in Life & Worship” (1 Tim. 2:8), and others. Most of Tuesday and Wednesday were devoted to exercises in song leading. Jim and Steven felt all the men improved quickly. Now they must practice, practice, practice.
December 10 we flew to Davao City in southern Mindanao to work with Juanito Balbin and his sons (Dudley, Sonni, and C.B.) along with other area brethren. Singing classes were held Friday and Saturday. Fifty participants were given a study manual and a pocket tone pitch pipe. Sunday Jim and Steven preached at the A.M. service at the New Matina church and I spoke at Madapo, a squatters area where Robert Agsao labors. That night I preached at New Matina. The singing classes were completed Monday and Tuesday. The men were practicing when we arrived each day and the classes ran on schedule, a real accomplishment. My sermons were interspersed with the classes. We had an open forum the last day.
Wednesday Jim and Steven flew to Manila and then home Thursday, dodging a typhoon. I went to General Santos City to preach December 17-18 at the Lanton church with Jolly Julom. 80 people heard lessons on “The Two Covenants,” “The First Gospel Sermon,” “When Peter Confessed Christ,” “Instrumental Music,” “The Prison of Sin,” and other topics and speakers (Jonathan Carino & Julie Notarte).
On the 19th I returned to Manila to preach at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City in Metro Manila on Sunday. 37 inmates were baptized. I flew home Monday, having dodged two typhoons. Praise to God for our safety and success in these labors, and for the prayers and support of His saints!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
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