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Celebration in the Philippines

By L. Nelson 5/6/03

Lincoln and Lenore Nelson, in traditional Malaybalay garb, with Kent Craig.
Lincoln and Lenore Nelson, in
traditional Malaybalay garb, with
Kent Craig.
Lincoln and Lenore Nelson, retired ABWE missionaries to the Philippines, were recently honored at the fiftieth anniversary of Bethel Baptist Hospital (BBH) in Malaybalay, Bukidnon in the Philippines. "Link" and Lenore founded this ABWE hospital in 1953. Other members of the field council who helped establish the hospital include Reverend and Mrs. Ronald Esson, Mildred Crouch, Priscilla Bailey, Reverend and Mrs. Alfred Conant, and Reverend and Mrs. Humbert Tentarelli.

The celebration took place from April 12-16, 2003. On April 13, a crowd of over 1500 people attended a Sunday praise and prayer celebration hosted by Bethel Baptist in Malaybalay. All the regional Baptist churches were invited to join Bethel in this worship service. Dr. K.C., the Philippine administrator, brought special greetings. The mayor of the City of Malaybalay and representatives of the provincial government also attended. Link Nelson was the keynote speaker.

Clad in bright parade colors, a crowd gathers outside Bethel Baptist Hospital.
Clad in bright parade colors, a crowd
gathers outside Bethel Baptist Hospital.
On April 14, Monday morning, a parade of decorated cars and trucks was escorted by the city police from the BBH hospital compound through the town. As the half-mile long parade snaked through the main city streets, two mission planes circled overhead, dropping rose petals.

As the parade returned to the hospital grounds, the crowd gathered for a tour of the newly renovated hospital buildings. A new emergency room was dedicated as a memorial to the late Antonio A. Lim, MD. The medical director, Dr. Ruth Asuncion, read a letter from Antonio's eldest son, honoring his father. Link and Lenore cut the ribbon and unveiled the memorial plaque.

A missions plane drops a shower of rose petals on the advancing parade.
A missions plane drops a shower of rose
petals on the advancing parade.

At the plenary session Monday evening, Link and Lenore presented the history of BBH. Then, in a gesture of great respect, the Vice Governor of Bukidnon took the podium to honor them with an official plaque declaring them "Son and Daughter" of the Province of Bukidnon.

The final days of the celebration concluded with a conference challenging Filipino medical professionals to become involved in mission projects throughout Asia. Bethel will serve as a center where these professionals will be prepared to serve as medical missionaries.

For the Nelsons and the other attendees, it was extraordinary to see the impact Bethel Baptist Hospital has had on Malaybalay in the last fifty years, as evidenced by the incredible outpouring of the community throughout the celebration. This exciting anniversary is hopefully a harbinger of many years of impact to come as God works through BBH.