Last month, former Clay Center resident Isaac Lee, traveled to the Philippines to start a three-year stint as a missionary. After graduating from K-State, he made the 26-hour, 8,550-mile journey, landing himself 13 hours in the future in Davao City – a process he called “a time warp.” 

It’s the country’s largest geographic city and third-largest population with more than 1.85 million people. 

For the next three years he’ll attend language classes at a local university, make friends with locals, and share faith. It’s all through StuMo (Student Mobilization), a nondenominational ministry with chapters across the U.S. 

Lee became involved with StuMo while part of the FarmHouse Fraternity, where another member introduced him.

“I had a friend who began personally sharing the gospel with me, which was kind of weird,” he said. “I was like, ‘What are you doing? I’ve heard this before.’” Lee said he’d grown up in church and was initially caught off guard with the sharing. However, it grew on him. 

“I got to the middle of my freshman year and decided I had been saying the things I knew I was supposed to say, but I wasn’t actually following Jesus,” he said. From there, Lee began attending StuMo conferences and working with the program in Manhattan. “If I was actually going to accept this free gift, if Jesus was going to be the ward of my life, he was going to make the decisions of my life.” 

With that decision meant where he would live, Lee said. Including the step to move across the world. 

Not only had he gotten the opportunity to move to Davao City, he’d gotten a job offer from a Kansas City firm in his field of study: finance. 

Ultimately, Lee chose the path less traveled. 

“It was a pretty tough decision but it wasn’t like I had this cloud opening like ‘This is what I need to go do,’ it was more I was seeing what God wants me to do and change others and I want to be a part of that,” he said. “So it was obvious – obviously I’m going to leave my family for a while, but I can’t believe I get to go do this.” 

Lee lives in a rented house with three male roommates, including one of his close friends. He’s the newest member on staff, as StuMo members roll out annually to maximize exposure to the culture and obtained friendships. He said it’s a model that helps them achieve the overall goal: ministering to college students in a multiplication effect. More contacts to reach even more contacts.

StuMo’s Davao City operation has 11 team members. 

To date, Lee’s role has been to job shadow others and make friends. 

“Really we want to meet as many people as possible from some of the universities and make friends,” he said. “The more we’re out, the more we get to make friends with Filipinos.” 

They hang out, play badminton, go out to eat – the dollar is strong against the Philippine peso; he said a McDonald’s double cheeseburger meal is about $5. 

Most evenings include Bible studies of various configurations, whether as a team or men’s time. Locals also join, including those who have strong faith or are coming open to the idea, Lee said. 

So far, he’s met friends and associates with locals, who he said have an opulent view of Americans. 

“It’s actually been super interesting the way they view America, they see super rich, affluent, and super cool,” he said. “I get a lot of looks, not like menacing, but they want to take a picture [with me]. They are really into social media so what they see is what they associate with being real. It’s funny; I’m just a person and you’re a person; we’re not that different.” 

He added that he’s often asked which state is home and questions about growing up in the U.S.

“I definitely think I’m an extroverted introvert,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m pretty drained, but I do feel like I get energy from small groups of people.” 

Before leaving, Lee raised his own salary. He said part of this was traveling to StuMo headquarters in Arkansas and taking classes on the Biblical basis for raising one’s own support. 

“I was pretty nervous,” he said. “I was kind of uneasy, but it was so cool to see God be down for this and have people say, ‘I want to support you. I legitimately can’t be over here without them so it’s such a cool dynamic to see that.” 

The Philippines is home to many languages and dialects, with Davao City speaking Bisaya. Lee said he plans to become fluent, however, it will only serve him on-site, as other areas of the Philippines speak alternate languages.

“It’s just the dialect of this town, even in Manala it’s different,” he said. “Teammates said it sounds kind of similar but is also very different. I know it’s going to be super challenging but I’m excited to learn.” 

Lee has also spent his time to-date immersing himself in the culture, like trying the island’s native fruits, which grow rampant due to the hot and humid climate. Davao City is known for fruits like mangosteen and durian. The latter offers a tangy, sweet flavor that’s similar to a custard consistency. However, it comes with a notorious odor that’s compared to sulfur or rotten onions; the stench can be so strong that signs remind passengers it can’t be eaten on public transportation, he said. 

“It smells terrible but they’re kind of famous for it; it’s good. It’s been fun to get to eat different stuff.” 

Another delicacy, he said, is balut, a fertilized duck egg – 14 to 21 days – that’s steamed and eaten directly from the shell. It, along with fried chicken liver, are common street foods. 

“Oh I gotta’ try it, it’s one of the big-time Filipino foods,” he said. 

Food safety is not a huge concern, he said. Though produce does need to be washed.

“I haven’t been sick and I’m not overly anxious when eating, but when I get vegetables from the store I need to wash them properly. Apples I pour vinegar and wash with purified water,” he said. “Yes, I got vegetables, I was kind of proud of that for adulting.” 

Another highlight, Lee said, is pointing out spots to show his family when they visit, like mountain views or the best street foods. 

“My Mom and Dad were so supportive,” he said. “When I told them, it was kind of funny; they said they knew I would go. The same with Simon and Isley. They’re all so supportive, which has been cool; they’re so cool.” 

He also said he knows he will miss home, but it’s a small sacrifice for the good it can bring.

“Three years is a long time, but they want you to get acclimated to actually do the most good,” he said. “So, it’s actually like the Philippines becoming my home, which is weird to say, but making it my place for a while.” 

Top: Isaac Lee, a CCCHS and K-State graduate who is in the Philippines for three years as part of a missions trip. Middle: Lee’s home while living in Davao City, Philippines. Below: Lee (center in #5 jersey) with others after a game of basketball.