Letter from Philippines - Missionary Alexander to welcome athletes
Athletes from six private colleges in the Philippines are preparing to meet at Asbury College, Anda, Philippines, for track and field competitions Oct. 22-23.
It will be the first time for the United Methodist college on the island of Anda to host this event, according to a letter from Marsha Gail Alexander, college director.
About 700 people are expected to attend.
“It is always exciting to do something for the first time that has not been done before in the island,” wrote Rev. Alexander, a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). She is originally from Oklahoma.
A field at the college is being graded to prepare it, Alexander said. “To have a real track and field has been a dream for many decades now and finally it will become reality,” she said.
Classes at the 400-student school begin at the elementary level and extend to college-level instruction. A total of 153 students are GBGM scholars.
Alexander also reported other Asbury College highlights.
- A six-room, two-story elementary building is under construction.
- Donors and Volunteers in Mission teams are helping renovate deteriorated and termite-damaged buildings used by the high school.
- Students are donating money toward a chapel. Asbury has never had a chapel, Alexander said.
- A 69th anniversary celebration in February 2016.
- A 70th anniversary fundraiser the following year. A graduate has challenged alumni and friends to donate $70 each to the school.
- 17 student teachers are doing off-campus practice teaching.