Here in Lilongwe, the month of May was busy and full of excitement. As always, there were classes, students encouraging one another, and plenty of hard work. But, this month was special. It was the first time in 10 years that both the Kastners and the Mayfields were in Malawi.
Daniel Mayfield, a classmate from Bear Valley, accompanied Leann and I on a survey trip 10 years ago when we came to Malawi. At that time, Daniel was engaged to Miranda who is now his wife. Daniel and Miranda are now working in Kingfisher, Oklahoma and have three lovely children. Don Garms, who is a deacon in Kingfisher came with Daniel to help out wherever he could on campus.
Daniel did an amazing job teaching the book of Romans. His deep knowledge of the book as well as his endless energy showed through in his teaching. He exegeted many passages which helped the students know how to apply the principles they learned early in their education. Daniel spent many hours discussing the major themes of the book as well as some of the hard spiritual concepts. Even after Daniel had left for northern Malawi, the students were still talking about how much they had learned from Daniel.
In addition to teaching, Daniel connected with the students on a personal level. After class, he would change clothes and go play soccer with the guys. One afternoon, he went on a run with several of them. It was a blessing to have a man who can connect with the students on a spiritual level as well as a personal level.
While Daniel was teaching, Don and I took some time to catch up on some projects around the campus and the church. We spent three days painting my house. It was one of those things that was important but not urgent. Having an encouraging man like Don come just to work was what I needed to get it finished. After painting the house, we went to the church building and made the provisions in the brick wall to hang the doors. From talking to Don I could tell he had experienced a lot of things in his life. But hanging a door on a mud-brick building was a new one for him. He later said that he had been very blessed from the experience. Have no doubt, Don was not the only one blessed from his time here. Daniel was right when he said Don was a true Barnabas.
Two weeks after Daniel and Don left, the students and I gathered up the needed supplies and headed to the church. In a matter of a few hours, we had hung the homemade doors, patched a few holes in the wall, and plastered the pulpit with cement. It was eye opening to see some of the students who are quiet and reserved in class shine brightly in a different environment. I could not ask for a better bunch of guys to start this school off. Please continue to pray this Bear Valley effort.
In Him,
Dale Kastner