Trip Report: Philippines and Malaysia December 2023
December 21, 2023nd Year of Our Lord
HALBROOK REPORT: 84th PHILIPPINE TRIP NOVEMBER 26-DECEMBER 21, 2023
Dear brethren,
The 84th Philippine trip scheduled for November 26-December 21 is now history. I am indebted to Jim McDonald for introducing me to the cause of Christ in the Philippines in 1995, and now to Nick Rowe for introducing me to Malaysia. I taught 57 lessons. 4 souls submitted to Christ in baptism. 832 Bibles in Filipino dialects were purchased and shipped to the saints.
The gospel transforms sinners of all kinds from all nations and backgrounds into the image of Christ “where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Col. 3:11). Christ lifts us to this higher ground, leading us to heaven!
Flights on November 26-28 brought me safely to Manila, where I rested and did errands on the 29th in preparation for preaching appointments. Thursday James Paet drove me to Meycauayan, Bulacan where Jaime Bobis has labored long and hard (strokes incapacitated him). Some 50 souls heard lessons on “To Whom Shall We Go? (Jn. 6:68),” “Wait on the Lord (Ps. 27:14),” and “Legalizing Sin: God’s Law or Man’s Law? (Ps. 118:8-9),” followed by a fruitful open forum. One was baptized into Christ.
December 1-5 Rody & Tessie Gumpad joined me to travel and preach in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia where Nick Rowe is an evangelist. He was converted by Andy DeKlerk while studying in Iowa 1983-1987. The work here is very difficult because Islam is the official religion. Our attendance for the 3 days was 18, 30 (the Lord’s Day), and 12. Studies included “When Peter Confessed Christ,” “Legalizing Sin,” “Christmas Observance: From Heaven or Of Men?”, “The Final Prophet: Jesus Christ or Mohamed?”, “Wait on the Lord,” and “God’s Great Plan for Our Salvation.” Rody had excellent studies on the church in Scripture and in history.
We returned to Manila late on the 5th and on the 6th I flew to Iloilo City, Panay to meet Jack Jaco and preach in denominational churches the next 3 days. 135 souls at the Community Bible Baptist Church
heard lessons on “The Final Prophet: Jesus Christ or Mohamed?,” “Nailed to the Cross,” and “When Peter Confessed Christ.” Jack taught on “Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth.” Next, at the Iloilo Christian Mission Church I gave lessons from Act 2 on “The First Gospel Sermon” and “Back to the Bible.” Instrumental music was not used after the first couple of sermons and the open forum was very effective.
Last, at the Oton Gleaners Christian Church where Hernane Equipado preaches we studied “The First Gospel Sermon” and “How Sinners Receive Salvation.” Having attended the first 2 days, Hernane decided not to use instrumental music at all. He urgently asked for us to return ASAP for more teaching. There is no faithful church in the Province of Antique, but a group from there attended and is pleading for us to come teach them.
Saturday evening we reached Bacolod City, Negros Occidental and Sunday drove to San Miguel, La Carlota City where Roy Matta labors. I preached “Christmas Observance,” “Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?,” and “Finish the Race.” 80 people joined us Monday at Magballo, Kabankalan City, where Ronnie Carbadilla preaches for sermons on “Christmas Observance” and “Finish the Race.” Lyndon Navaro and 20 people welcomed us to Cadiz City Tuesday for studies on “Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?,” “How Sinners Receive Salvation,” “Instrumental Music,” and “Christmas Observance.” Wednesday at Sum-ag Shem Tapagan and 32 people heard the same studies. A Baptist preacher who vigorously opposed us years ago gave us a warm welcome and listened well. A two-day Bible lectureship on “Marriage and Morals” was conducted in Victorias City where Jack Jaco preaches and 61 attended including the Baptist preacher again.
Saturday we traveled to Leyte. Sunday at Ormoc City where Willie Pelino preaches I taught “Christmas Observance” and “Work While It Is Day” to 100 people. Nilo Zabala welcomed us to Tacloban City Monday at the Scandinavian Village church with 68 souls to hear “Lord, To Whom Shall We Go?,” “Christmas Observance,” and “Two Attitudes Toward Bible Authority.”
The 19th I flew to Manila. Wednesday I bought 832 Bibles at the Philippine Bible Society.
December 21 brought me home to Donna and the saints in Shepherdsville, KY who help to make these trips possible. Thank God for all the saints who share this work!
In Christian love, Ron Halbrook
To see good Bible study material, go to:
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https://biblework.
https://truthbooks.com
https://www.truthmagazine.com