Dear brethren,

By the grace of God I arrived home safely about 9:00 PM. I thank God for answering many prayers for guidance, safety, and success in preaching the gospel in the Philippines and Australia July 22-August 19. It is always a privilege and joy to work with my Filipino brethren who love and serve the Lord. Thank you to each one of you who has been so unselfish and helpful as we have labored together. May God bless the 55 baptized to grow and be faithful unto death so that they will receive the crown of eternal life in heaven.

I now have new and precious memories of saints at the Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, saints in the Davao City area and the Cagayan de Oro City area, as well as saints in Gladstone, Queensland, Australia. I have been praying for all of you while making my way home.

My heart was deeply touched by the scene on August 5 at Cagayan de Oro City when brother Cyrus Gesulga expressed his understanding that Matthew 24:1-35 refers to signs of the fall of Jerusalem which occurred in A.D. 70 and not to so-called future “end times” signs. He explained also his understanding that Revelation 20:1-4 refers to the victory of Christ and the saints over the Roman Empire and not to the so-called future millennial reign of Christ on earth. Rather than promulgating premillennialism which divided our brethren, he now seeks to repair and restore our broken unity by speaking where the Bible speaks and being silent where it is silent. In seeking to fulfill Christ’s prayer in John 17:17-21 for the unity of the saints, we have extended to brother Cyrus the right hand of fellowship.

None of this work would be possible without the constant loving care and help of my wife, Donna, who does so many things behind the scenes.  Please pray for her.

As usual I am exhausted but count it such a great blessing to have a small part in this work.  Thank you for your patience and understanding if you have written messages which I have not been able to read and respond to.  It is a slow process trying to read and answer email when I return home because much work is waiting for me here when I arrive.  I have only one week to rest and give attention to work here at hand, and then I will travel to preach in a gospel meeting here in the U.S.  Meanwhile, your work there is challenging and you likewise have much to do, and I pray God will bless all your labors according to His truth.

May God bless us all as we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Christian love,

Ron Halbrook [geo_mashup_map]