January 9, 2024th Year of Our Lord

PLEASE SHARE THIS LETTER ON GOSPEL PREACHING IN THE PHILIPPINES & N.Z.!

Dear brethren,

January 31-March 2 is set for my 85th preaching trip to the Philippines, 11th to New Zealand.  God first opened this door in 1995 when Jim McDonald brought me to the Philippines.  A great harvest of precious souls continues in that land and is spreading to other places such as N.Z. through the faithful efforts of Filipinos.

Our great God sees the hearts of people who are seeking Him and salvation – He has many ways to open doors to send the gospel to such precious souls.  Once when Paul pondered where to preach, “a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.  And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them” (Acts 16:9-10).  God still opens doors for us to find people seeking the truth.

God willing, I will fly January 31-February 1 from Louisville, Kentucky to Manila.  The next day will be used for various errands.  The Macedonian call will be answered for the next three days in Metro Manila at Pasig with Jun Abueva (Sat.), at Pavia Tondo with Ray Tacbad (Sun. AM), at Paranaque with Jimmy Battung (Sun. PM), and at San Miguel, Bulacan with Jimmy Lacambra (Mon.).

February 6-7 I will fly from Manila to Auckland, New Zealand.  I will preach for 5 days at the Meadowood church in Auckland with Ronnie Salunga and the saints meeting in his basement.  Our theme will be Marriage & Morals to strengthen the moral foundation and steadfastness of our faith in this unbelieving age.

On the 14th, I will fly to Whakatāne, Bay of Plenty Region to work with Abner Salanguit and the church there which has grown to about 50 souls, largely Filipinos.  Eight lessons will be presented in 4 days on the theme of Marriage & Morals.  This church includes many young people and we want to strengthen them.

February 19-21 will be consumed with travel back to Auckland and on to Manila with 1 day to rest and prepare for the last schedule. On the 22nd I go south to the Visayan Islands in the central Philippines at Iloilo City, Panay Island to meet Jack Jaco and preach for a week.  This is where I preached in several denominational churches on the December trip and the cry went up, “Come back and help us!”

Souls from the nearby Province of Antinque were present and insisted we come to teach them.  A small church of Christ was planted there many years ago, but it scattered after the preacher died.  Friday and Saturday will be devoted to Antique.  When we preached at the Oton Gleaners Christian Church, Alegre, Oton, Iloilo City in December, their preacher Hernane Equipado omitted the use of instrumental music in the singing and pled with us to return ASAP.  We will spend the 27th here and teach them more about scriptural worship.  The 26th-28th I will conduct a lectureship at a venue in Iloilo City on The Authority of Christ which will include lessons by Jack and also Jonathan Carino (if he is able to join us).  The small church of Christ died which met on nearby Guemaras Island several years ago, but a denominational preacher named Nars Posadas has urged us to teach his people and this is where we will preach on Thursday, God willing.

March 1 will find me back in Manila to purchase Bibles in dialects that day. I return home on the 2nd.

Thank you for prayers and donations which make these trips possible!  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 – indicate “send to a friend” not “pay for item or service.” Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726; e-mail halbrook@twc.com

PS There is a dire need for songbooks!  I can ship new or used copies very cheaply.
PSS If Donna has to have knee replacement surgery, the schedule will be delayed.  Please pray for her.