Dear family, brethren, and friends,

On Saturday we drove far out into the countryside to reach the Airport Rd. church of Christ. There is no airport, but Francis Kamau gathered about 14 people including three denominational preachers to study with us.  Paul did some very simple and direct teaching about God’s way being the only way of salvation and the futility of men making other ways which can result only in their being lost.

I preached from Ephesians 1 on “All Spiritual Blessings Are in Christ.”  After developing that main point, I discussed how we enter this realm of salvation in Christ by obeying the gospel, and how we learn to live a new life, to engage in a new worship, and to bring our family into conformity to God’s plan.  I called on Francis to read the passages in the local dialect, which is not Swahili.  When he read Ephesians 5:19 about singing in worship, Joseph intervened to explain the translation he read includes the words “beating drums.”  Yes, “beating drums!”  Joseph explained this is not accurate.  That is the first time in my preaching life that I have asked for a verse to be read, only to find out it was a false translation.

When the lessons were finished, the floor was opened for questions, but they said everything was very clear and true to the Scriptures.  They asked for more studies and Francis will follow up with them.

I felt pity and compassion for Francis.  His eyesight is so weak that he had to hold the Bible right up to his face to read.  He obviously needs to see an optometrist and get glasses but does not have the money.  Also, I learned from Joseph that many of the preachers have to use whatever Bible translation anyone will give them because they cannot afford a good Bible which costs $30-$35 USD here.  I left Joseph a little money to buy a few Bibles and to be sure Francis gets one.  Anyone interested in helping Francis or in getting Bibles for our preachers here, please contact Paul Coffman (frenchc1@aol.com).

We traveled out of town into the countryside to meet with the church at Maili Saba on the Lord’s Day. About 30 souls gathered with us for this worship service in their small meeting place made of GI sheets.  Joseph Warui, the local preacher, translated as I preached the lesson “Finish the Race” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).  After the sermon Joseph spoke for about 15-20 minutes in conducting the Lord’s Supper and the collection as his son Boniface translated his remarks into English.

Before the service closed, nearly all of the men including Paul Coffman and myself expressed our mutual love and appreciation for each other in Christ.  After the close, everyone exchanged the right hand of fellowship and went outside to sing a farewell song.

While eating lunch in town, we received a sad and shocking message that a 19-year-old preacher who joined our three days lectureship had returned to his house after preaching today and hung himself.  He was distraught over not being able to find a job to support himself.  This is a powerful reminder that we never know what burdens are on people’s hearts when we are teaching God’s Word.  We must always do our best to teach in such a way that His Word will build full faith and confidence in their hearts that God loves them and will safely guide them through all of life’s trials so they can reach heaven in the end.

Our last appointment in Kenya was on Monday at a rented function room in a hotel in Naivasha, Nakuru County, a couple of hours south of Nyhururu. A congregation of ten meets in this town and began from the efforts of Tabitha, who was preparing to commit suicide when introduced to the gospel of Christ. The church began with only female members and they conducted their worship, but later Joihn Ndiangui and Boniface Warui were able to come to conduct services.  Now there are male members.  Their small meeting place would not accommodate the 22 souls who gathered at the hotel today.

Our visitors including several preachers were from various denominations. They heard my verse-by-verse study of Matthew 16:13-19 entitled “When Peter Confessed Christ.”  The lesson focuses on the truth Peter confessed as the foundation of the church of Christ established in the New Testament age, long before the Catholic Church or any manmade denomination was organized. Paul then admonished them about the importance of learning the truth and then obeying the truth they learned.  They could not have been more attentive.

When we opened the door for questions, they said the teaching was very clear and Bible based.  Finally, they asked for more information about infant baptism and the doctrine of inherited sin.  They were satisfied with our answers from Scripture.  Doors were definitely opened for more study and Tabitha is to be admired for her determination to share the gospel which saved her both spiritually and physically!

Naivasha is on the highway leading to Nairobi and we drove several more hours to get there by nightfall.  We ate supper, then I took a power nap at a hotel where Paul and Joseph had reservations, and they took me to the airport to catch my 1:25 A.M. flight Tuesday.  Paul flies back to the U.S. Thursday, God willing.

I have certainly learned to love Paul, Joseph, and many Kenyan saints.  The work here is genuine and growing as a result of dedicated brethren who sacrifice to preach the gospel without financial support.  Because of their nation’s poverty, many people including preachers who complete their education cannot find jobs.  Of course, there are multiplied thousands of preachers making the same sacrifice in the Philippines, in India, and in many other countries around the world.  These men are heroes of faith alongside the faithful servants of God in Hebrews 11.

The flight from Nairobi leaving at 1:25 A.M. on Tuesday arrived at the Doha Hamad airport in Qatar about five hours later.  I have been in dozens of airports around the world through the years but was not prepared for the opulence evident here resulting from Arab oil.  The airport is a high-end mall with 3-4 floors reflecting the most modern architecture.  No U.S. airport can match it.

After about three hours in Qatar, I boarded a plane for 7½ hours of travel to Hong Kong off China’s coast.  It is composed of relatively small islands joined by a network of bridges.  As we landed tonight, the islands’ buildings and bridges were all lit up in bright, brilliant-colored lights.  Because of the limited land area, it is obvious even at night that they maximize the use of every inch of land with one high-rise structure after another.  It is extremely prosperous but also very expensive to live here.  Thousands and thousands of Filipinos come here to work.  Several Filipino preachers have aspired to preach the gospel here, but the high living expenses are a pediment.

I spent all night in the Hong Kong airport waiting for my plane to Manila at 7:20 A.M. Wednesday.  I slept on a bench which was as hard as concrete, but at least I could stretch out for 3-4 hours.  The flight took only a couple of hours, so after getting to the hotel I napped a couple of hours (as lazy people will do!).  After two days of travel, I looked and felt a little on the shabby side.  A good exercise session followed by a hot shower and a shave perked me up.

I am very thankful for the loving providence of God which brought me to Kenya to work with Paul and Joseph.  Now, I am praying for His help, His strength, and open doors to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ here in the Philippines.  May God bless every saint here and at home who help to make this work possible!

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
https://www.hebronlanechurchofchrist.com
https://biblework.congregateclients.com
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com