The Palmerston-Dunback Presbyterian parish minister and his wife found they could work well with the students in PNG.
Their students, almost all from Papua New Guinea, were intrigued that the Kusilifus had come as Melanesians from the Solomons via a Presbyterian parish in Palmerston, New Zealand, to work in New Guinea.
The Kusilifus travelled to PNG with the full support of their Palmerston parish members and friends. Palmerston people raised $5000 to donate a study bible to each of the first-year students at the Christian Leaders' training college.
The Kusilifus' return air fares to PNG were also covered by their church members and friends in Palmerston. They were in PNG in August and September.
Mr Kusilifu taught a fourth-year class while Mrs Kusilifu taught biblical interpretation to a first-year class from bibles donated by Palmerston people.
The college day started at 7am with lectures until late morning and sometimes in the early afternoon. The students then worked around the college.
Some of the students graduate with a bachelor of theology degree after the fourth year of their course at the college, while others are awarded a diploma.
The academic standard was a little lower than the standard set at theological colleges in New Zealand and Australia, Mr Kusilifu said. A masters course in theology would be offered for the first time next year.
The 90 students attending the college are supported by their churches, while some students will take a gap year during their study in order to earn more money to continue at the college. Hardship scholarships are available.
Many are adult students who have worked in farming, fishing or as tradespeople, while others are already pastors seeking to improve their qualifications.
About half the students are women..
