Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Thank you for your inquiries about conditions in the Philippines during the pandemic and especially regarding brethren Jonathan Carino (Cebu City, Cebu) and Ely Ebuenga (North Caloocan City, Metro Manila) who have been suffering from coronavirus.  Here are the latest updates.

I regret to report that brother Rody Gumpad said Ely passed away on Friday, July 17, at 12:45 P.M. after a difficult battle with the virus.  He had been on a ventilator but was not able to survive.  Underlying health problems weakened him as is so often the case of people who die from this virus.  We extend our love and sympathy to his wife and children.  This is a serious blow to the churches he has been serving and to the saints in the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa where he has labored for many years.  He will be greatly missed, but we know he died in faith and hope of eternal life in heaven with God.

The medical bills were absolutely staggering for the family, and Ely had lost some of his support in recent years.  Rody said that President Duterte has admonished hospitals to accommodate coronavirus victims without crushing them with debt or turning them away.  Ely’s hospital finally offered to settle the bill for about $1,300.  Rody had contacted saints throughout the Philippines asking for any possible help and it turned out that so many brethren chipped in to help that the bill was paid in cash in full.

Due to all the complications imposed by the pandemic, the family plans to cremate Ely’s body which will cost less than $1,500.  In addition to funds collected by Rody, donations sent to me for Ely’s needs will be used to pay for the cremation.  Rody will borrow the money and I will send funds to cover the loan.  I will include some amount as a one-time donation to help sustain sister Ebuenga for the time being.

Jonathan Carino’s condition is improving little by little.  He is on oxygen but not a ventilator.  Underlying health issues increase his dangers, but so far he is surviving well by the good grace of God.  His son Kris is there with him attending to his needs.  He has been hospitalized for about two weeks and the doctors hope he can go home sometime next week.  He is in a deep financial hole which is growing deeper every day.  Meanwhile, his wife Nanette is quarantined at home because she tested positive but so far has not exhibited symptoms.  I request permission in advance for any excess funds given for Ely’s cremation to be applied to Jonathan’s bills.

The Philippines continues to operate under a modified lock down.  Mobility is limited and public transportation is not back to normal (which is how 90% of our brethren get from one place to another).  There are still checkpoints beyond which citizens cannot travel without certain documents.  Many of our poor brethren are struggling against hunger.  The truth is they struggle against hunger in the best of times, but now it is a struggle of gargantuan proportions.  The benevolence I have sent periodically has to be spread too far and too thin.  It provides food for only a few days, but this is better than nothing.  After doing our best, the benevolence funds are not sufficient to reach all the saints in all the places needing help.  We cannot do it all, but we must do what we can do.  On a positive note, brethren in many places are beginning to meet again with scattered seating where possible.

By far the worst conditions prevail in the area of southern Mindanao where 13 major earthquakes were followed by over 4,000 aftershocks between October 2019 and May 2020.  Thousands of people were driven away from their homes and farms, and placed in tent cities.  Many were forbidden to return to their homes because the landscape is so unstable.  We have hundreds of brethren still living in these tents which are shredding because of withering heat and pounding rainstorms.  Benevolence is being sent periodically to provide daily essentials such as food and water as much as possible but with emphasis on building small houses costing $600-$1,000 each on lots donated by the government. In keeping with government regulations, brethren such as Julie Notarte, Franklin Isla, and others are cutting trees to make lumber for these small houses.

I will gladly share information about how to send funds directly to Filipinos with anyone who requests it, and I am willing to serve as a messenger to send funds for anyone who requests it. (Or contact Michael & Donna Glaesemann at michael@butw.org who are also serving as messengers.)  Individuals needing a legal tax deduction may write checks to Help A Neighbor.  Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Mail all checks to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954.  For PayPal, the account is Richard Halbrook (or if that snags, use halbrook@twc.com – indicate “send to a friend” not “pay for item or service” – PayPal deducts a charge if the money is drawn from a credit card but not if from a bank account).

To close on a good note, Filipino brethren have continued to proclaim the gospel through radio, social media, and home studies in spite of the pandemic.  Many precious souls are being baptized to wash away their sins by the blood of the Lamb and the Lord is adding “to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:38, 47; 22:16).  The whole human family should be awakened to their spiritual need for God and the gospel of Christ by this coronavirus pandemic.  The curse of sickness and death entered our world as a result of sin.  Hell will be far worse than our suffering on earth and we are in desperate need of salvation in Christ.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

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