Update from Daystar's Bernard Boyo
on Campus Reopening

"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,
but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
Hebrews 10:39, ESV

Covid-19 has been one of the toughest challenges that Daystar has ever faced. During this season, Alan and I have been meeting weekly on Zoom with President Laban and Professor Bernard Boyo (Bernard is the Director of Resource Mobilization, Projects and Partnership at Daystar University seen in the photo below). Bernard was happy to share an update this week as Daystar opened its campuses on a limited basis. We appreciate you, Bernard, and thank you for sharing!

At Daystar University, we continue to adjust to the “new normal” occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic and thank God for His gracious sustenance during this difficult season. As a University we have continued to teach on the e-learning platform since the campuses closed in March 2020. Currently we have about 3,845 students registered for the August- December semester taking classes online. We shall endeavor to have all students registered for online classes in the August 2020 semester continue to study online until December 11, 2020 when examinations end. At the same time, we have created a new special semester for face-to-face classroom instruction which started this week, October 19, 2020, for students who have not been able to register for online classes since March 2020 due to various challenges associated with e-learning. We have 65 students who have already reported for this 10-week October-December semester which supports students taking practical courses who need blended learning including first year students admitted for the August 2020 semester who were not able to complete registration online. Therefore, Daystar University’s phased re-opening will assume with two modes of learning – online until December 11, 2020, and face-to-face until December 23, 2020. The University plans to fully re-open for face-to-face instruction in January 2021.

The University is also preparing for a virtual graduation to be held on 13th November, 2020, hoping to have about 1000 students graduating this year.

In all this, we wish to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all our U.S. supporters who have generously supported the University as we continue to steer through this rough terrain. We thank God for allowing each of you to be a channel of blessing as we seek to fulfill our mission and vision in preparing Christian servant leaders. May God bless you abundantly.

In Christ,

Bernard Boyo

Will you please pray for this transition and for the 3,845 Daystar students taking classes online and the 65 students who are now studying on campus? I am encouraged by the example of faith seen in our Daystar colleagues that I believe is exemplified in this verse in Hebrews 10:39, "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”

Please join the virtual prayer walk below that each of us would be those of faith in our living God.

Blessings,

Walt
Development Manager, Daystar U.S.

Virtual Prayer Walk Daystar Athi River Campus

#1-2: Main Entrance and Student Courtyard

Pray for students as they enter the Daystar Athi River campus that they would encounter God’s presence, peace, and holiness as they come onto campus.
Pray for students to put their confidence in God and courage as they find a place of rest on the Athi River campus away from all of the different challenges that they face off campus. Pray that they would place all their anxieties into God’s hands.
Pray for students to build strong community with other students as they spend time gathering together at the Daystar Student Courtyard. Pray that as they walk with the wise, they will also grow in Godly wisdom.

#3-6: Chapel/Amphitheater, Biblical and Christian Studies Building, Prayer Point, Care and Compassion Counseling Center

Pray that God will speak to students in powerful ways through the Word of God every Tuesday during chapel services, Thursday small group Bible studies, Bible classes and prayer times together as students and faculty.
Pray for the Christian Ministry Team (Steven Nduto, Rachel Ngugo and Josphat Musili) as they lead Bible studies, discipleship groups and chapel services.
Pray for faculty and staff to have wisdom and courage to integrate their faith in the Lord Jesus into all of their teaching and relationships with students.

# 7: Administration Offices including President Laban’s office with others on the leadership team.

Pray for godly wisdom and the leading of the Holy Spirit for Laban as he leads and sets the direction for the university.
Pray for Laban as he meets with students daily that Laban will be filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit of love, joy, peace, and patience as he shepherds like Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Pray specifically for those on the leadership team:

Vice President of Academics: Dr. Faith Nguru
Vice President of Finances: Dr. Muturi Wachira
Head of Christian Ministries: Rev. Steven Nduto
Head of Development, Partnerships and Programs: Dr. Bernard Boyo
Principal of Nairobi Campus: Dr. Michael Bowen
Head of Coorporate Affairs: Mrs. Damaris Kimilu
Registrar: Mr. Paul Mbutu

#8-11: Library, Science and Technology Classes, Communications and Education Classes

Pray for students to work hard in their studies as working unto the Lord.
Pray that the knowledge that students learn will not puff them up but will motivate them to serve others in love.
Pray for faculty and staff to grow in their teaching abilities and have perseverence to do everything with excellence as unto the Lord.

#12-16: Residence Halls

Pray for each student to experience God’s peace and safety as they rest every night. Pray that they would know the grace of our Lord Jesus in abundance.
Pray for strong community in each residence hall as students pray together, share joys and struggles, and grow to become more like Jesus.
Pray for Resident Hall leaders and Resident Assistants (RA) as they counsel, care for and shepherd students in Biblical and godly wisdom as many students are away from home for the first time.

#17-24: Cafeteria, Gym, Basketball and Volleyball Courts, Soccer Fields, Rugby Fields, Doulos Ropes Course, Shine FM radio station, Medical Clinic

Pray for deep friendships and that each student would feel that they belong to the Daystar community.
Pray that each student would have a well-rounded experience at Daystar that they would grow spiritually, educationally, physically, emotionally and socially just as Jesus grew in stature with God and with men.
Pray for students who have not yet put their faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for believing students to have the love and courage to reach out to them with the love of Christ.

#25-27: Faculty, Staff and Administration Housing

Pray for the families of faculty, staff, and administration that each family would be an example of Christ-like love to the Daystar community.
Pray for protection and peace for each member of the Daystar community.
Pray for unity and love towards each other in the Daystar community.