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 16

Preparations For Upcoming – Trip April 2012

Imagine the light of the sun and the moon united as one, and seven days of light concentrated into one brilliant day! Isaiah said of the Messianic or Gospel Age:

“Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound” (Isa. 30:26).

The glorious light of the gospel of Christ is shining brightly in the Philippines. After Jim McDonald first took me there in 1995, I have learned that one of the best ways we can help Filipinos in this great harvest season is by conducting preacher training classes equipping them with the weapons of gospel warfare. That will be the focus of my 46th preaching trip to the Philippines April 5-May 15.

In four preacher training programs (PTP), 24 men will receive a reference Bible, Strong’s Concordance, a Bible dictionary, and four workbooks on Basic Bible Doctrine by Robert Harkrider. We will cover

  • Understanding the Theme of the Bible
  • New Testament Worship
  • Practicing Undenominational Christianity
  • How to Study the Bible
  • How to Establish Bible Authority
  • The Church’s Mission & Work
  • The Holy Spirit
  • One Baptism
  • Calvinism, Premillennialism, Catholicism, Cults
  • Bible Study Tools

God willing, after arriving in Manila late in the night on April 6, I will fly the next day to Tuguegarao, Cagayan Province to work with Rody Gumpad in the first PTP. About 150 churches meet within a couple hours driving time from Tuguegarao. Men of various ages are rising up learning to teach and preach. Beginning in 2003 Rody has conducted two to four weeks of PTP in April of each year. His whole family and many area saints join hands for this good work. Many sacrifices are made and much time, energy, and money are required to conduct these classes. U.S. saints have helped to provide Bibles, teaching materials, and funds. The results of these training classes are evident in the good men who have gone out proclaiming the gospel and establishing churches. At Rody’s request, I have agreed to join him to cover the Harkrider series April 9-13.

Jerry Toreja, Elias Cruz, and other good brethren at the Kapitbahayan church of Christ, Navotas, Metro Manila, have been pleading for the PTP to be conducted there. They are improving the church building and installing AC to make the suffocating April heat more tolerable. I plan to go to Manila on the 14th and conduct the classes April 16-20. This is a church of 120 souls with an active plan of evangelism working in unity with area preachers. Many will attend our class.

The PTP is an effective avenue to advance the breakthrough made last year with premillennial brethren. Cyrus Gesulga, a leading man among them, gave up the millennial theory and has introduced us to many of his brethren. I offered them the PTP last year at two places in northern Mindanao, and they were delighted. The PTP will be taught in southern Mindanao in the General Santos City area April 23-27 with Jolly Julom’s help, then in the Davao City area April 30-May 4 with Juanito Balbin’s help.

After holding some gospel meetings in southern Mindanao, on the 10th I plan to return to Manila to meet Jim McDonald so that we can preach together May 11-12 at Kapitbahayan. I will spend the last two days working in the Manila area, then return home on May 15, God willing.

I confess to being a little nervous because the length of the trip and the four PTP classes will be expensive (venues in Mindanao plus 100 Bibles, 100 concordances, 100 dictionaries, and 400 workbooks!). My thoughts turn to Jehovah-Jireh, the Lord who provides all our needs to do His work (Gen. 22:14). God will make a way through the love of brethren who offer prayers and funds for these trips! Individuals giving $500 or more for church buildings and similar needs can write checks to Help A Neighbor for a tax deduction. Write all other checks to Ron Halbrook. Send all donations to 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954. Donors receive financial reports (2 Cor. 8:21).

In Christian love,
Ron Halbrook

Phone 502-955-1748 or 957-6726;
e-mail halbrook@insightbb.com
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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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January 8

Halbrook Report:Philippine Trip Nov. 29 – Dec. 19, 2011

Dear brethren,

By God’s grace and providence my 44th preaching trip to the Philippines (5th to New Zealand) was successfully completed November 29-December 19, 2011. I am forever indebted to Jim McDonald for taking me with him in 1995. It was a joy to work with Steven Deaton (Hebron Ln. church of Christ, Shepherdsville, KY) and Jesse Flowers (Pruett & Lobit Sts. chuch of Christ, Baytown, TX). Filipino brethren expressed appreciation for their good work. In addition to their lessons, I presented 38 lessons, and 15 were baptized by our joint efforts (most when Steven and Jesse worked with Rody Gumpad).

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