We have been operating on reduced power since two batteries have been sent back to the manufacturer for factory defects. As the factory is in another country, it is taking months to get back up to full power.
The students have adjusted to getting up early instead of staying up late since the lights in their houses and in the study hall have been going out at 8 p.m. (right after they have finished eating supper and spending time with the family).
As the company was working to install one battery as a “loaner”, we moved chapel outside so we could stay on schedule at the preaching school. Things like those, which could derail everything, instead are viewed as opportunities. It was nice to meet outside for a change… a reminder of church camp!
Loss & Sickness Plague the School
A third student wife has lost a parent in less than a year… that’s almost half! Yet, they are persevering!
A 1 1/2-year-old contracted a bacterial infection and needed transport to and from the hospital for 3 days to get daily antibiotic treatments intravenously. She is recovering fully!
Meet the Bodwin Phiri Family
The seventh and final student family we would like to introduce is the Bodwin Phiri family. Bodwin is 36 years old, and his wife Doreen is 27. They were married in 2017. Bodwin and Doreen have a daughter, Anjellina, who is six and a son, Onesius, who is two. They are what one would call a cross-cultural family as Bodwin is from Northern Malawi and Doreen is from the Central Region. Bodwin grew up attending the church and was baptized in 2005. Doreen was baptized in 2016.
Before coming to Bear Valley Lilongwe, Bodwin and Doreen farmed a little and ran a small grocery shop in their village. In addition, Bodwin was a brick layer. Both Bodwin and Doreen are very hard workers. They want to put their great work ethic to use for the kingdom of God. After school, they plan to return to their village near Karonga and continue in their prior professions. They also want to plant new churches and spend more time evangelizing lost souls.
As a director, I find myself noticing little things about each person on campus. It’s interesting to see the significant changes in their lives during the relatively short time they are here. Doreen came quite reserved but outspoken when the time was right. It was easy to see she had great potential. This especially came to light when in a matter of weeks she lost her mom, sister-in-law, and Bodwin about died from cholera. Now, her intelligence, confidence, and godly determination are shining brightly. Bodwin came as a wallflower. It was not until the second hermeneutics class that I heard his “loud voice”. He has come out of his shell and is revealing a deep desire to learn. They are going to do great things for the kingdom.
Please join us in prayer for this wonderful family.
Dale Kastner