God willing, later today I will start my 30^th trip to the Philippines (Mar. 27-May 4).  It is 2:00 A.M. but I am determined to get this encouraging information out before leaving town.  Help A Neighbor is a useful avenue for individuals to provide poor Filipinos some things beyond their reach in the spirit of Matthew 22:39, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  A gift of $500 or more toward such efforts is tax deductible: Help A Neighbor acts for charitable purposes as defined by the IRS Code section 501(C) 3.       Honnielyn Carpentero to Graduate from Nursing School. One of our first goals was to aid a widow named Linma Carpentero in helping her daughter Hannie Lynn (“Honnielyn”) finish nursing school.  Cipriano–faithful husband, father, and preacher–died an untimely death in late 2005.  Generous gifts amounting to $6,640 have been given and we hope soon to announce Honnielyn’s graduation!

Church Building for Kapitbahayan Church of Christ in Manila Nearing Completion. In July 2007 we started gathering funds to help the saints of the Kapitbahayan church to pursue their plan in constructing a meeting house.  They met for many years in a borrowed facility used by denominational groups, but had outgrown this facility.  Visitors sometimes attended the denominational groups thinking they had found the church of Christ.  For the past year I have watched this project progress.  On February 4, 2008 I preached two lessons on the history and translation of the Bible to 100 people gathered on the first floor and soon thereafter it was finished.  Brethren from Manila and surrounding regions were invited to attend an all-day gospel meeting on February 29.  An overflow crowd attended, six were baptized, others were restored, and there was great rejoicing by all!  The second floor and some finishing work can be completed for $2,000-$3,000.  To see the new building go to www.hebronlanechurch.com, click on “Sermons,” and open at “Mar. 2, 2008,  Ron Halbrook,  Bringing In Filipino Sheaves.”

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