SPOTLIGHT ON MISSIONS: Doug & Diane Lee • Philippines

World Missions Day — Don’t forget World Mission Day, Feb. 26, 2023! Missionaries are the foundation of foreign missions, but time and cost will never allow them to fulfill the “Great Commission.” The evangelization of the world will happen when we disciple and train nationals in their own country and culture to reach their own people with the gospel.

• Baby Freedom — In the last newsletter, we shared with you about Baby Kloyd Freedom Albes, who is in desperate need of heart surgery. He is the son of Jack Lloyd Albes and Angie Albes, two of our BMA alumnae. Pastor Jack is a Filipino missionary pastor we have been supporting for quite a while, and he is working with a mission about two hours south of Bacolod.

Freedom’s heart condition has worsened. His doctor has said he needs to have surgery as soon as possible because the pulse rate of one of his veins is way higher than normal, which makes it hard for him to breathe.

The cost of the surgery is 500,000 Philippine pesos ($10,000). To schedule the surgery in Manila, they need 200,000 Philippine pesos ($4,000) down payment and the surgery can be scheduled. We are thankful that, after our last newsletter, some of you have responded. His surgery has become urgent. If you can help with any amount, please send funds to BMA Missions Office, P.O. Box 878, Conway, Ark. 72033 or Mill Creek Baptist Church, 11 Old Kiln Rd., Picayune, Miss. 39466. Please specify, “Freedom’s surgery.”

• Three Ordained — We are simply amazed as we watch our students grow in knowledge and maturity from the time they begin their first year at the Bible College, graduate and then go out into the world to begin their ministry. These past few months have been one of those times when we marvel at how God is working in their lives. Three of our graduates were ordained recently and are working in respective missions and churches.

Pastor Jan Ray Opril, a theology graduate, married one of our graduates, Kimberly, who graduated with a Church Music degree. He was ordained and pastors Jerusalem Christian Baptist Church in Cadiz.

Pastor Joel Francisco, a member of the Ata Tribe, who we have been supporting with the help of a church in the US, has been working with three missions in the tribal villages. He was ordained on Dec. 24, and one of those missions was organized as a church the same day.

Pastor Albert Ramos was ordained in December and is pastoring a church in Lublub, Antique, on the island of Panay. Albert is a hard worker and is happy to be in this very remote area working with the wonderful people there. Pray for each of these young men as they continue their ministry.

• Love These Students — As I called the roll at the beginning of my class, one of my students came in singing softly, “Come, Now is the Time to Worship.” Her friend joined in and before I finished taking the roll, the entire class had joined in the singing. It sounded like a heavenly choir! The Holy Spirit filled that little classroom as we lifted our voices in praise to our Almighty God. Worship can happen anytime, anyplace. What a blessing it was for me to be there!

• From Diane — Some of you have expressed concern for me since I have suffered from back problems these past few months. The doctors in the Philippines did what they could, but to no avail. I flew back to the US a few days before Christmas to see doctors here and undergo tests. Their diagnosis was neuro-spinal stenosis (a nerve root compressed between two lower vertebrae.) On Jan. 17, I had injections in my spine and hopefully, this will alleviate the pain. I am praying all goes well and I can return to the Philippines by the end of this month. Teaching my classes online is not the same as “face-to-face.” I sincerely miss seeing my “kids” at the college but even more so, my husband! We are immensely blessed to have you as our prayer partners in the ministry and as some of the most amazing friends in the world. Thanks to all of you!

• Apples & Candy — The Scroggins and the Lees gifted the tribal (Ata) children with apples and candy! Most of these children had never tasted an apple! Thank you, Pastor Joel and Pastor Jason, for helping with this distribution!

• Christmas Party at the College & the Academy — Everyone loves a Christmas Party and the Filipinos’ have their own unique way of celebrating which always involves a theme. On Dec. 15, we began with Christmas songs, plays and poems from all the students at the Darlene Carey Christian Academy. Afterward, our Bible College students did their own unique rendition of Christmas songs. They love to draw names, then surprise the recipients by singing a song to the “manitos” and “manitas” and presenting their gifts while they sing. This was followed by a fabulous lunch and lots of games!

• The Darlene Carey Christian Academy — We currently have over 76 children enrolled at the Darlene Carey Academy. They reenacted the Nativity telling us about the birth of Jesus in songs, poems and Scripture for all the parents, staff, faculty and BMABC students! They concluded with all of them singing “Happy Birthday Jesus.”

• Commission on Higher Education — We have marked another milestone for the BMABC Philippines. We had our review for the CHED (Commission on Higher Education) office for levels three and four. Our staff worked many long hours in completing the documentation of all the activities of the college. It was presented in the CHED format to their personnel on their visit. A very big thank you to all who worked on this project. Students graduating with a certified diploma will be eligible for a better job. Thank you, Lord for helping us make this possible. Pray for us as we start the next process!