Dear family, brethren, and friends,

Our appointment for Monday was with the saints at Betis, Guagua, Pampanga where Jojo Tacbad labors in the gospel.  This was originally planned as a two-day lectureship, but Jojo learned that the whole area will be without electricity all day Tuesday.  This would leave us simmering and sweltering in severe summer heat, cooped up in a building without the AC unit and fans.

Today’s theme was “Life, Death, and Beyond,” with lessons covering “Why We Live,” “Why and How We Die,” “After Death, Hades,” and  “After the Resurrection, Heaven and Hell.”  Fifty-one souls joined today’s studies, and two precious souls decided to submit to Christ in water baptism for the remission of their sins.  Heaven and earth rejoice with them!

James Paet has provided a live video today at the Betis church of Christ for anyone who wishes to access https://www.youtube.com/live/3A7-KzzVRTg and hear the series (the first couple of minutes are choppy but the remainder is clear).

The open forum added a fruitful dimension to our study.  Several questions explored the issue of whether we might fall into sin again in heaven.  While we are subject to Satan’s many devices and temptations on earth, God will not allow Satan, sin, and temptation to enter heaven.  Rather, we will be totally surrounded by God’s love, care, and protection for eternity.

Another question was whether Adam and Eve could have been forgiven of their sins.  Yes, God promised to send our Savior in Genesis 3:15 and He commanded animal sacrifices in Genesis 4.  From that time forward, these sacrifices pointed forward to the coming of Christ who would offer the perfect sacrifice for all sins.  Hebrews 9:15 teaches that the death of Christ was sufficient to save people who lived in the Old Testament times as well as the New Testament times.

Since the electric power was out at Betis today (Tuesday), we were given the opportunity to work with Bernardo Quibina at Inmalog, Sison.  James drove almost two hours to reach the 70 souls who were already assembled and singing when we arrived.  My first sermon was on “The Prison of Sin” followed by “Finish the Race.”  When we sang the invitation song, one man stepped forward to confess Christ and to submit to him in baptism.

After lunch the open forum ran for over an hour and a half.  The first question asked about predestination.  We studied from Ephesians 1:3-6 to show that God predestinated the plan of salvation in Christ, not names on an unalterable list sending some people to heaven and others to hell.

Next came a question about the so-called rapture and premillennialism in view of 1 Thessaonians 4:13ff which is abused to claim Christ will secretly take Christians off the earth for seven years and then return to create an earthly kingdom for 1,000 years.  If we read all the way down to 5:3, it is clear Paul is addressing the final day of the Lord when all men will be raised for the Final Judgment, not some temporary plan for the unfolding of earthly events leading to a 1,000 year earthly kingdom of Christ.

Someone wanted to know if instrumental music is allowed in worship if someone has the talent to play instruments.  We studied about the authority of Christ affirmed in Matthew 28:18-20.  Based on the comprehensive authority of Christ, sinners must be baptized in submission to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Then, they must learn to follow all the things Christ commanded.  He commanded us to observe the Lord’s Supper using unleavened bread and fruit of the vine (grape juice) but did not authorize hamburger and coke, even if someone has a good talent for making hamburgers.  He commanded us to sing but did not authorize adding instrumental music, even if someone is talented in playing instruments.

Another person asked if natural disasters occur because God is punishing a specific group of people.  It is true that God rules the natural order and the rise and fall of nations, and He uses these powers to fulfill His purpose.  But, God has not given the gift of prophecy to notify us that He is targeting certain people on specific occasions for a special judgment.  The book of Job shows that righteous people suffer at times from natural disasters and disease.  We must simply trust God to rule nature and nations to fulfill His own good purpose.

Wednesday morning, we left Clark and traveled about two hours to reach Aduas, Paniqui, Tarlac where Sonny Ibanez has been preaching and forming a new congregation.  When we arrived, 65 souls were gathered singing under a tarp in the open air.  James quickly helped me hang a sheet and set up the projector and laptop while they continued singing.  First, I preached from Matthew 16:13-19 “When Peter Confessed Christ,” followed by “Finish the Race.”  It was a holiday and half or more of the audience were very attentive young people.  When the Lord’s invitation was extended, three came forward to confess Christ and yield to him in baptism, plus two more at the baptism.

We hated to leave this joyous occasion, but we had to drive six hours to cross the Sierre Madre Mountain Range, no small feat.  The road winds and twists like a snake going up, up, up, and many signs are posted warning of the danger of landslides.  Construction crews were spraying concrete over heavy wire matting on the sides of the mountains above the highway.  Winding our way down, we finally arrived in Santiago City, Isabela about 7:00 PM after passing through an unusual summer rain.  After supper, I studied, walked for an hour, worked on email, and finally got to bed at 12:30 AM where I slept soundly.  I know James was much more tired than myself after all of the tedious driving he did.

A busy day of preaching was planned for Thursday, beginning with a two-hour drive up to the top of some mountains to meet with the saints at Asaklat, Nagtipunan where Jun Prado preaches.  A winding narrow road with numerous hairpin curves was composed of concrete, gravel, and dirt in different sections.  Most men folks were at work in the fields because it is harvest time, but 20 people heard a sermon from Psalm 23, “God Is Our Shepherd-King.”  One lady acted on her faith by repenting of her sins, confessing Christ, and submitting to him in baptism.

After lunch and a short rest, we drove to the congregation meeting at Dumabato Sur, Quirino where Reneboy Maranion serves as an evangelist.  “After Death, What Then?” was preached to 37 souls after a good song service.

Moving again, we proceeded to Madella where Roberto Domingo preaches and 35 people were singing the praises of God upon our arrival.  Based on Romans 8:37, I preached on “Victory in Christ” to a very attentive and appreciative audience.  Willie Pastor gave a short summary of today’s lessons in the local dialect at each place.

As we wound our way back to Santiago City, a terrible rainstorm descended on us with high winds and a heavy downpour.  At times Willie could hardly see to drive.  At times we slowed to a crawl because of hydroplaning.  Something which appeared to be a power line hit the windshield with great force, breaking the windshield wiper and flying up into the air.  God blessed us with safe travel, and we arrived at the hotel about 7:00 PM.  After eating supper and working on this report, I walked for an hour and studied the four sermons for tomorrow.

An all-day lectureship on “Life, Death, and Beyond” was scheduled for Friday at the Gundaway church of Christ at Gundaway, Cabarroguis, Quirino where Willie Pastor labors as an evangelist.  Today’s attendance was 75 with people of all ages including Willie’s mother who is 89.  She attended two of the four lessons using a walker and was very alert and attentive.

Our lessons included “Why We Live,” “Why and How We Die,” “After Death, Hades,” and “After the Resurrection, Heaven and Hell.”  Four souls answered the gospel call to repent of their sins and to be baptized into Christ.  Now, their names are written in the Lamb’s book of life!

After the baptisms, Willie took me to visit the site of the new church building which has been under construction since 2022.  Their present Sunday attendance runs 80-100, meeting under a structure with a roof and only two walls near Willie’s house.  The new auditorium will accommodate their members and allow room for growth as well as accommodating gospel meetings and lectureships.  This new building has a long way to go and is expensive because they are using durable rather than light materials (the next step alone involving steel trusses and the roof will cost around $7,000).  The work has paused again because of lack of funds.  Anyone willing to help should contact Willie Pastor (williepastor12@gmail.com).  You will be helping those who help themselves – the members are doing all the construction labor themselves.

Today’s heat saturated my clothes with sweat and dehydrated my body, draining my strength.  Tonight, I have been drinking everything from water to a mango shake to coconut milk to grape juice to fresh milk to hot tea, and I am beginning to recover.  I think of all our attendees who sat in plastic chairs and listened all day with open Bibles, open notepads, and open hearts in spite of the summer heat.  I count it a high privilege to teach people who hunger and thirst for God’s Holy Word, refusing to be deterred by the weather.  I am encouraged by the thought that someday, because of their patience, sacrifices, and hard work, they may be able to engage in such studies under more commodious conditions in the new building.

Tonight, Willie joined me in walking about five miles and we enjoyed a good visit and spiritual discussion.  A bright full moon was shining down on us, reminding us of the love and prayers of many saints far away from us.

I rarely schedule a day of rest because precious souls are willing and waiting to hear God’s Word every day in the Philippines, but this is one of those rare occasions in view of the heat and the wear and tear of travel.  I am resting from preaching today (Saturday) but using the time to catch up on this report and on some email in addition to studying lessons.

I constantly thank God in prayer for all of the saints who help to make this work possible!  Several brethren at home and over here have asked recently how long I will continue doing this work since I turn 79 next month.  The answer is as long as God gives me health and strength, gives Donna health and strength, gives open doors and opportunities to preach, and gives the necessary resources.  This is His work, not mine, and I simply serve at His pleasure.  But, again, thank you to all who help to make it possible by His loving providence.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook