April 9

April 9, 2012 Update

Dear family, brethren, and friends,
By God’s good grace I arrived in Manila about 10:45 PM on Friday, April 6, some 32 hours after leaving home. After getting through the immigration process and getting checked into my hotel, I got to bed at 1:30 AM. It was a long and tiring trip, but what would the Apostle Paul have given for the privilege to travel this way to preach the gospel!And, for those who help me watch the moon, I’ve already seen a full moon a couple of times. So, we are off to a very good start!
Saturday I flew from Manila to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province to help Rody Gumpad conduct preacher training classes. It is always a joy to be with Rody, Tessie, their family, and so many gracious saints here in this area. After Tessie provided a wonderful lunch, I rested and then walked about three miles at a sports stadium near the hotel. This helps work out aches and pains from traveling and aids the body to sleep well in spite of the 12 hour time change (12:00 noon in the KY is 12:00 midnight in the Philippines).

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March 11

Halbrook Report: Philippine Trip Feb. 7-27, 2012

Dear brethren,

God blessed the work of Donna, David, Starla, and me with Filipino saints February 7-27. Long ago Jeremiah pled, “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” (Jer. 6:16). Jim McDonald took me to the Philippines in 1995 because many Filipinos seek the old paths. After 45 trips I still see that spirit. I taught 42 times not counting the work of David, Donna, and Starla. We saw 24 respond to the gospel call.

Shortly after Donna and I arrived in Manila on the 8th, David and Starla arrived from their work in New Zealand and Australia. On Friday about 70 souls attended classes at the Kapitbahayan church in Navotas, Metro Manila where Elias Cruz continues the work of his deceased father Ben. David started with a study of Saul’s conversion and I presented a series on “Man’s Leadership in the Home.” The ladies greatly appreciated Starla’s and Donna’s sessions on the woman’s role and on children’s classes. It was a joy for Donna to meet at last Ben’s widow and their daughter Dr. Teresa Toreja.

Saturday we arrived by air at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Province in northeastern Luzon to work with Rody Gumpad and many other good brethren. Shortly we joined 25 guests at the home of Mrs. Celia Lim, a wealthy widow. Short lessons were given by Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat. I spoke on “Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost.” David spoke on Matthew 7:13-14, and Rody on Revelation 21:1-8. Guests included a vice-mayor, a denominational preacher, and other friends of Cilia.

On Sunday the 12th we worshiped at the Metro church of Christ with Rody. David’s lesson on steadfastness in the truth was followed by mine on “The Resurrection of Christ.” This church has elders and deacons and about 150 people attended. After lunch I went with Rody to the Palca church, Cagayan Province, where Mark Daquioag preaches. Rody summarized my lesson in the local dialect. Attendance was 25-30. David preached at Alibago and two requested baptism. We met back at the Metro church to witness their new birth. Monday we drove to Tabuk, Kalinga to work with Ben Vistro and other good men. 150 souls filled the hotel function room. David emphasized knowing who Jesus is and I spoke on “The Gospel of Christ Makes Us Right with God.” Rody summarized our lessons in the native dialect. David then preached on the new creation in Christ and my topic was “New Beginnings in Christ.” After Rody extended the invitation, eight precious souls responded.

A lectureship for preachers with classes for their wives was held on Tuesday at the Metro church in Tuguegarao. Over 100 men met in the auditorium and about 100 ladies met upstairs. David and I presented lessons on premillennialism, God’s pattern, holy living, and sermon preparation. The 15th we went to Manaring, Ilagan City, Isabela Province to work with Santos Basilio and other good men. Well over 200 souls were gathered. David preached on the plan of salvation and I addressed the topic “Walk in the Spirit Not the Flesh” (Gal. 5:16-26). After our P.M. sermons 12 people were baptized in the Arcon River.

We flew to Cebu City, Cebu to work with Jonathan Carino at the Cebu City church of Christ in classes for teenagers on “How to Study the Bible” February 17-18. Bibles and workbooks were provided for 70, but 100 attended. Lordy Salunga came from Luzon to help us teach. The ladies classes were well attended. Sunday we worshiped and taught classes with the Cebu City church, then I preached at the South Road church where Jun Apatan labors. February 20-24 we were back on Luzon teaching a series on “Home and Family” at the Angeles City Southside church of Christ with Lordy Salunga. Jonathan Carino also came from Cebu to teach. Again, the ladies appreciated their special sessions.

Saturday Jimmy Battung, Atoy Franco, and Elijah Sikat arranged for us to teach about 20 people at a rented room in a community center, and the session continued at the Battung home in the evening in Paranaque, Metro Manila. Sunday we went to the Bilibid Prison to be with Willie and Kenneth Pastor. Willie is incarcerated and his brother Kenneth enters as a “religious worker.” Over 120 have been converted by their diligent efforts. David preached in one area A.M. and I preached in another P.M.

The highlight of this trip was the presence, work, and influence of my wife Donna and David’s wife Starla. They were a blessing to the Filipino ladies and were blessed by them.

Thank you one and all for your encouragement, prayers, and support!

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook

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January 9

Preparations For Upcoming – Trip February 2012

Dear brethren,

God willing, my wife Donna, David and Starla Halbrook (Quail Valley church of Christ, Batesville, AR), and I will travel and teach in the Philippines February 7-27.  This is my 45th trip after Jim McDonald first took me in 1995.  The fields are white, the doors are open, and Filipino souls are searching for the old paths.  Jeremiah pled in his day,

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jer. 6:16).

Many Filipinos respond, “We will walk therein!”
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March 27

Carpentero and Kapitbahayan Updates

God willing, later today I will start my 30th 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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