Report on April 9 – May 7, 2019 Trip
HALBROOK REPORT: 74th PHILIPPINE TRIP April 9-May 7, 2019
Dear brethren,
Elias Cruz and other brethren met me at the hotel in Manila on May 11 to repack and ship ahead boxes of Bibles & study material to be distributed along the way. I flew to Tuguegarao, Cagayan the next day and traveled with Jerome Forelo, Dennis Yuson, and Mark Daquioag to the Pamplona area to preach at Dubeng with Robinson Pulveras on the 13th. After preaching on “Helping Each Other” and “Born of Water and of the Spirit,” I proceeded to Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Sunday was spent laboring with Mat Sibayan, Sr. who is 80 but very active. Our visits included churches in Laoag City, at the Provincial Jail (3 baptized), and at Sinai, Ilocos Sur. Monday-Wednesday at the Laoag City church were devoted to the theme “The Bible Is the Word of God” with the attendance reaching 63. Rody Gumpad joined in teaching.
Vic Domingo celebrated his 88th birthday Thursday at Escoda, Marcos, Ilocos Norte where over 200 souls heard “Helping Each Other,” with 2 converted. Vic is as strong as an ox. That afternoon I spoke on “Precious: The Death of God’s Saints” at West Parado where Remigio Bayaca preaches – another 2 were cleansed from their sins when they obeyed Christ in baptism. The 19th I worked with Efren Ramos at Binaca, Banna where over 250 gathered (“Selecting a Mate”) and with his brother Hernando at San Julian, Batac City (“God’s Word Saves the Youth”) – a total of 5 yielded to Christ to receive salvation.
Saturday morning brought us to Egdon Sabio’s home at Cabugao, Ilocos Sur where over 60 gathered to study (today Egdon & Faith celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary). One obeyed, but another rejected the true gospel by relying on the broken reed of “faith only” salvation. From there Rody and I proceeded to Rosario, La Union in order to preach Sunday at the Caba church in La Union with Carlos Domingo and at Barangay Labayug, Sison, Pangasinan with Nelson Ricanor. Rodel Baagin gathered 74 souls for two days to study first principles at Rosario in a rented venue. Two adults were baptized after Rody and I preached, my last lesson being “The Gospel Makes Us Right with God.”
Rody drove us from northwest to southeast Luzon to catch a ferry from Batangas to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on Wednesday (looong day!). Then a two day gospel meeting was conducted at the church in Aurora, Naujan where Daniel Sikat labors. About 1927 George S. Benson visited Mindoro and baptized the first known converts and the work continues strong here. We preached all day at the Victoria church with Mario Cay Saturday, where 3 were baptized, then Sunday at Aurora and at Evangelista with Claro Cuderias, one of the old timers still active. This was my first visit to Mindoro – I hope to return.
The ferry brought us Monday back to Batangas and Rody drove us to Manila. After a day of rest and study, I joined Ely Ebuenga at San Ildefonso, Bulacan where the seed is being newly planted and 2 were baptized – a good start. We then rushed for a late service at the Bicas congregation in Coloocan City where Ely labors. May 2-3 lessons for young people were presented at Kapitbahayan, Navotas with Elias Cruz and the young people participated with enthusiasm and good questions. Saturday was spent teaching 4 lessons including “The Threat of Pornography” at Meycauayan with Jaimie Bobis.
The Lord’s Day was my first visit to the church Pavia, Tondo where Raymund Tacbad preaches, followed by the afternoon service at Paranaque with Jimmy Battung. Monday was reserved to buy 202 Bibles in several dialects at the Philippine Bible Society to ship to brethren requesting them. There will be many messages expressing heartfelt gratitude for the Bibles – thank you to all who make it possible.
Likewise, I express my heartfelt gratitude to all who make these trips possible. God bless you all!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
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http://www.biblework.com
http://www.truthmagazine.com
http://www.truthbooks.com