Dear family, brethren, and friends,

While I was battling sinus and bronchial infection, it was good that Tueday, April 30, was scheduled to prepare for the upcoming week’s work.  By staying in the hotel to study and rest, I stayed out of the extreme heat and humidity which facilitate the infection.

Though not feeling at the top of my game Wednesday morning, I was picked up by James Paet and we drove 80 kilometers to reach a small house to work with Ely Ebuenga where 30 souls gathered to hear God’s Word in San Ildefonso, Bulacan Province.  Catholics and Baptists were welcomed as our guests to study God’s Word.  I taught from 11:00 A.M.-12:00 noon on “The Prison of Sin,” followed by a 30 minute open forum covering several questions on baptism.

One elderly gentleman asked, “Where did you come from and where are you going?”   I answered we all were created by God and we will spend eternity with God in heaven or with Satan in hell, depending on the choices we make in life.  I read John 5:28-29, “ Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”  The man then said he did not know how it is possible to believe that, because we cannot find people who have returned from the dead to tell us what is on the other side.  I responded that only one man had the power to do that and it is Jesus Christ who died for our sins and arose from the dead with the promise to raise all of us.

About 1:00 P.M. this man and a Catholic lady who had asked several questions wanted to be baptized into Christ, so we drove almost an hour to find sufficient water in this drought and baptized them with much rejoicing.  Others were convinced we were teaching the true gospel but asked for more study, so Ely will return as soon as possible to follow up. There is no church of Christ in this community, so the two baptized will worship nearby, but this opening has the potential to result in the planting of a new congregation.

After returning from the baptism, we drove another two hours to the Bicas congregation in Coloocan City where Ely labors and I preached on “Helping Each Other.”  By 9:30 P.M. I had returned to the hotel and was eating supper, ending a 13 hour day (not including a short exercise, study for the next day, and answering email – I finally slept at 12:30 A.M., which is about the time I can sleep most nights after getting everything done).

James Paet has a vehicle with air conditioning, so I was able to nap along the way, which was my salvation.  What a privilege it is to visit this foreign land and find so many open doors with people willing to listen, study, learn, and obey the gospel of Christ!

May 2-3, Thursday-Friday, was scheduled to present lessons for young people at the church in Kapitbahayan, Navotas, Metro Manila where Elias Cruz serves as an evangelist with other good men.  Forty attended today and they participated well in four sessions plus two open forums.  Our studies began with “God Created All Things” followed by “The Purpose of Our Lives.”  Before lunch the open forum covered questions about the age of the earth, the creation of woman, and extinct creatures such as dinosaurs.

After the lunch break there were two periods of study devoted to “God’s Truth VS Satan’s Lies for Youth.”  The open forum included several questions to clarify the Bible’s teaching on drinking alcohol, intoxication, dancing, and marriage customs in Bible times.  It is fortunate the church building is air conditioned and has fans, but I was still soaking wet with sweat when we ended because of the high humidity.  Dr. Toreja examine me before I returned to the hotel and said she did not detect fluid in my lungs and there were other signs of improvement.  I have continued taking the medications she prescribed.

Our classes continued Friday with lessons entitled “Children, Obey Your Parents” and “Modest Dress through the Ages.”  The question was raised as to whether it is right for a woman to wear pants to worship.  I pointed out there are pants designed to be worn by women which are modest, and if that is what she has, there is no wrong done.  I urged preachers to study with young ladies wanting to marry and to guide them to wear a modest wedding dress rather than one which showcases her body in a carnal way.

After lunch we studied two sessions on “Selecting a Mate: The Lord Builds the House” (Ps. 127).  The young people were very attentive and had many good questions and comments during the open forum.  They wanted more clarification on divorce for fornication followed by remarriage (Matt. 19:9).  Catholic culture inculcates the concept there is no ground for divorce and remarriage.  It takes time for Filipinos to get their minds wrapped around the concept that God permits divorce for fornication followed by remarriage.

Once we got past that point, there were related questions such as does fornication automatically sever the marriage bond (no), is divorce necessary after fornication occurs (no, reconciliation is the best outcome), and what kind of evidence is necessary to prove fornication occurred (the evidence should be conclusive but at times it is difficult to prove, requiring patient trust in God).

These two days with the young people have been very productive.  I believe every participant made it a point to express their personal gratitude for the lessons we studied.

Saturday morning James Paet drove us an hour and a half to reach Meycauayan where Jamie Bobis has preached for many years.  Our assembly numbered 45.   There is no need to translate here because they understand English well.  “Helping Each Other” was the first topic, an encouraging subject to study, followed by “The Threat of Pornography: Making Sex an Idol,” an unpleasant but necessary subject.

In the afternoon we focused first on “God Made Us Male and Female,” discussing our distinctive but complementary roles, and the danger of the transgender revolution.  The final presentation was entitled “Precious: The Death of God’s Saints” (Ps. 116:15), showing why His saints are precious in life and in death to Him.  It is always a joy to work with Jamie, whom I have loved and respected since meeting him on my first trip in 1995.

The Lord’s Day brought us to the morning worship of the church at Pavia, Tondo where Rey Tacbad preaches.  About 30 people were crammed into a small room like sardines and there was no air conditioning.  Without complaining everyone was very attentive to the sermon on “Why Saints Assemble” (verse by verse study of Heb. 10).

Jun Gumpad used his car to bring me to today’s appointments.  We stopped at Pancake House for my favorite light lunch in the Philippines: blueberry pancakes.

Next we traveled to Paranaque City to the home of Jimmy Battung where a church has been meeting for several years.  His grandson Kyle first gave a lesson on things a Christian should not do such as following the traditions of Catholicism, committing adultery, using profanity, etc.  He is already a good song leader and is developing into a good preacher as well.  I preached on “Marriage: God’s Gift to Man and  Woman.”  The open forum ran about an hour covering questions such as does God forgive all sins, backsliding, local church autonomy, and others.  These brethren continue to learn and grow.

James Paet and Jun Gumpad with their wives and babies took me to the Philippine Bible Society where 202 Bibles were purchased in various Filipino dialects to be shipped to brethren from place to place.  This is one of the highlights of every trip.  I want to relay the gratitude expressed by Filipino brethren for saints who donate funds for these Bibles.

While at a mall to repair my cell phone, we saw a former Miss USA walking around and stopping to chat or have her picture made with people who requested it (ads show an event related to the Miss Universe contest in the area).  Few things could interest me less than women who compete in preening and making a carnal display of their bodies.  I am honored to have my picture taken with Filipino saints who are beautiful and precious to God for their faith and service to Him.

I bow again in thanksgiving before the throne of God’s glory and grace for another safe and productive preaching trip to the Philippines.  It is all made possible by His providence working through His saints who provide the financial means facilitating these trips.  This work would be impossible without the devotion and help of Donna and also the dear saints of the Hebron Lane church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY.  Most especially, I salute Filipino saints for their constant labors in making many sacrifices to preach the gospel and harvest souls willing to submit to Christ.

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

To see good Bible study material, go to:
http://www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com
http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.CEIbooks.com