Student Profile: Faith Lee '05

Blessings that come at the end of long, arduous journeys somehow seem richer and more meaningful. Faith Lee ’05 speaks openly of her odyssey from Singapore to Azusa and the blessings that not only touched her life, but changed it.

As a 16-year-old girl, and a 1-year-old Christian, Lee attended an education fair in Singapore. Representatives from more than 300 American colleges and universities set up booths and spoke with young scholars, but it was Azusa Pacific University (APU) that stood out in Lee’s mind. New to her faith and hungry for more, she dreamed of living and studying with other Christians. Sadly, the decision was not hers.

As the daughter of Buddhist parents, she found it difficult to practice her faith, and impossible to change their hearts or minds.

“I prayed for the opportunity to study at APU. I trusted God to open the doors if that was His will,” said Lee.

For seven years she continued the prayer while sneaking out to go to church and suffering beatings by her father for her disobedience. As she endured, her faith strengthened – and her sister, Kyreen, watched.

“I had always been a rebellious child,” said Lee, “and my sister could see the profound change in my life.”

Faith’s rebellion had shifted focus and taken on meaning and depth that touched the younger Lee. One day, while listening to some Campus Crusaders in town, Kyreen found herself immobile. Her friends left quickly, but she felt compelled to stay, and soon began weeping. She prayed with the missionaries and gave her heart to Christ.

“Later that night, after our parents had gone to sleep, she excitedly told me about her decision. I know God used what had happened to me to pave the way for my sister,” said Lee.

Faith began to pray again in earnest for a way to travel to America and was introduced to two APU alumni, Joel and Eunice Lee, who worked on her behalf to process her application. Once accepted, she still had to find the funds to make the trip and pay tuition.

“Scholarships in Singapore are work scholarships,” said Lee. “Music scholarships are very rare.”

With no other choice, she applied for a scholarship from a foundation known to be extremely selective and nepotistic.

“Less than a week after I applied, they called to say that I had been approved at 100 percent and that my check was ready! I took the check home and said to my father, ‘My God provides.’”

Finally on campus, Lee continued to witness miracles of provision.

“Mary Grams in International Student Services prayed with me and found some extra money. I had enough for one semester. I applied for a job on campus, but heard nothing for two weeks. Then a supervisor in Information and Media Technology called and said, ‘We don’t need anyone right now, but I keep seeing your name pop up and I feel like I’m supposed to hire you.’”

Step by step, God has supplied finances to keep Lee enrolled. She has received music scholarships and job opportunities sufficient to meet her needs. In return, she has faithfully served the God she came to trust against all odds.

During her first summer as an APU student, she led a group back to Singapore and Cambodia to minister to her people.

“We went into the jungles and villages (peppered with land mines) to preach the Gospel. The next summer, we focused on the children. The next year, I traveled with APU vocal groups to Romania singing about our Savior.”

But her most important ministry has been to her father.

“God has softened my dad over the years. He used to react with violence. Then, he just avoided conversation. Now, our relationship is restored. Though I still pray for his salvation, the distance has helped us. I have never seen a school like APU. I am so thankful for the people who give so that people like me can come here. No words can express my gratitude for their obedience to God’s call.”

Posted: May 23, 2005