Exam Week for Struggling Students- Please Pray!

April 16th, 2021

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV)

I want to thank so many of you who read our last email and are part of this praying family in Daystar.  You are so very important to us!  I also appreciate those of you who emailed me – it is very encouraging to hear from you!

As an update to last week’s email we wanted to share about student exams starting.  The timing of the new Kenya restrictions is creating a challenging time for students to take their exams these next two weeks.   Just when things were looking like they were returning to "normal", they now have extra struggles.  Please pray for them to finish well and be focused - even through difficulties.

Below is a video from the Daystar Christian Fellowship (a student-led campus ministry that works with the Chaplain's Office) for the purpose of encouraging those who are feeling overwhelmed with taking their exams from home.  Rachel, the Assistant Chaplain, also shares encouragement for the students.  It is a fun video that I hope you will enjoy and that may bring encouragement to you as well.  

The new restrictions are once again impacting families in Kenya.  Our Financial Aid team in Kenya has let us know that more than 60 students have come to them sharing that they are struggling with finances and cannot pay all of their fees. 

Would you consider a special gift today to supply this need?  The Hope Fund gives one-time grants to assist these students – most of these grants are from $100 - $1,000, usually averaging around $500 each.  This semester Jeniffer, our Financial Aid Officer, let us know that the 60 students will need at least $20,000 – so the grants will average just over $300 each.  We have been sending the funds each semester, as we hear of the need, so we only have $2,190 remaining in the fund.  Any gift amount would be helpful to refill the Hope Fund!  There is no gift too small and no gift too large.  :o)  You can donate for the Hope Fund at this link: for the Hope Fund (Covid Emergency Relief Fund). 

Thank you for all of your prayers and support!  You are so important to us and vital to the lives of these students!

Blessings,

Alan 

P.S. An interesting side note for the video: it was created by one of your Daystar U.S. scholarship students. His name is Moses and he is from Uganda. Below you can read more about Moses and his life.

Daystar Christian Fellowship and Rachel Encourage Students for Exam Week

Moses Tibage wants to “be able to support other young people so that they can achieve their dreams just like I have been helped.”

I come from Uganda, a country called the “Pearl of Africa” and rightfully so because of the lush green and its several natural endowments. I come from a small family of three; my mother, little brother and I. It has been quite interesting growing up with my family because even though we are a small, we have always been in a community setting of over 100 people. This is because we have lived at a missionary station run by the international Christian organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). I do not have a close relationship with my father since my parents have never lived together. My mother is a missionary and has been serving for over 17 years now. She also works at a local church where she is the head of the evangelism ministry.

Growing up, much of everything we’ve been given was a privilege which has simply taught me to be so grateful for everything that I have now. I remember one particular phrase that I came to dislike was, “Living by faith.” To me it meant laziness and literal indifference to life. I did not quite understand it then but looking back and now in my fourth year at the University, I understood that it wasn’t done by my ability or my family’s ability but rather by the grace of God. It is only until recently that my mother received a small salary that is barely a fraction of my tuition. She also has to raise for my brother who is in high school. When the COVID-19 hit, the thought of asking my mother for tuition money seemed so inappropriate and inconsiderate but I thank God that I am here today thanks to your great generosity.

I honestly cannot remember a time when I did not believe in Him. I have grown up in a Christian family and as stated above, I grew up at a missionary station. I was brought up in the faith. However I intentionally and consciously gave my life to Christ in high school. I have been involved in different forms of ministry ever since then till now; from children’s ministry to music ministry. When I prayed about which University to go to, I asked the Lord that if I get into Daystar University, I shall serve with everything in me, seek His face, and the rest shall fall according to His plan. I continued to serve in the music ministry in groups such as the worship team and a group called Sing Africa, a group that spreads the Gospel by preaching hope through songs. I am highly honored to serve as the current Chair Person of the Daystar Christian Fellowship (DCF), a responsibility that is given by God’s grace. I continue to serve with the children’s ministry back home though virtually.

I am studying Communication at Daystar University and it has been a very beautiful experience. It is one thing to get an education and another to get a quality faith-based education. I initially came with the major intention of being equipped so that I could share the word of God to the world. I have received all of that and more. I have fallen in love with radio and TV and I cannot wait to use my creative ability in these fields to spread the word of God. I have also picked up spoken word poetry, something that I use to speak encouragement and hope to people and on top of that, I play for the school football (soccer) team. In the near future, my hope and ambition is to make it in the media industry, grow my poetry, and use the skills that I have learned to further spread the word of God. I also want to be able to support other young people so that they can achieve their dreams just like I have been helped. I appreciate you dearly for every support- from prayers to financial support. I pray that God blesses you a hundredfold for all your generosity.

Covid-19 Emergency Student Relief Fund

Please join us in reaching our goal of meeting the immediate needs of Daystar students and to assist so many more whose families are being impacted because of COVID-19.

Daystar students cannot make their school fee payment as a result of the current economic situation and the uncertainty that is looming.

Your gifts multiply the impact of Daystar’s mission to educate Christ-centered servant leaders to transform Africa. Thank you for being part of our Daystar family!

Give with confidence!

Daystar U.S. is top-rated by Great Nonprofits and meets the Seven Standards of Stewardship set by the ECFA.

STOCK DONATIONS, ENDOWMENTS, & PLANNED GIVING

STOCK DONATIONS

Firm Name:                        RBC Capital Markets

DTC Number:                     0235

Name of Account:           Daystar US

Further Credit:                  302-29952

RBC Wealth Management

Cove Capital Group

There are several benefits to donating your stock to Daystar U.S.:

+ You'll be giving a valuable gift with no out-of-pocket cost.
+ You'll capture the value of your stock and stop worrying about market ups and downs.
+ You'll receive an income tax deduction for the full amount of your gift.

ENDOWMENTS
Our scholarship endowments are the financial building blocks to help Daystar look to the future with confidence.  An endowment gift is the single most important way to make the university available to students for years to come.  As the endowments grow, Daystar can expand its ability to challenge and nourish lives.  When you help with a deferred gift, you take a very personal stake in the kind of education that builds Christian character as it creates an environment of academic excellence.

PLANNED GIVING
Through planned gifts you can support Daystar University while improving your financial security. In fact, just one planned gift can return an immediate tax deduction to you, plus lifetime income for you and a loved one, plus long-term financial support to Daystar.

We're here to help you get started with your stock donations, endowments, and planned giving!
Contact us at Nancy@DaystarUS.org or 952-928-2550