"Once you've been bitten by an African bug, you always have an itch to come back"

Hello Friends, 

I first arrived in Nairobi in 1993. I remember being saturated by the sounds, smells, and sights – the roads, even in town were dusty, often heaped with mounds of discarded items. Roosters crowed at all hours and matatus (mini buses) revved by with musical horns blaring. People were everywhere, walking on the sides of the busy boulevards and on the dusty small interior streets. Children always eager to try out their English skills on me. In the mid 90’s I lived in worked near the Daystar Nairobi campus, I made friends with professors and alumni of Daystar, I even went to church with some and lived with some – both ex-pat and Kenyan. I fell in love with a place that even Kenyans don’t like to think of as home: Nairobi city. At the time I worked under AIC as a missionary, first with refugees at Hope Craft, and then on loan to the Urban Ministries Support Group. All the while learning more about the people and culture of east Africa and falling deeper in love with it.

Then in 2009 I got a chance to work with Daystar U.S. on location in Nairobi, again living very near the Valley Road campus, working in the development office there. My job at the time was to help out with communication between the Daystar U.S. office and all the departments at Daystar University that we assist. During the following two years I assisted with visiting donors, scholars, and students to Daystar. I drank tea with those in various department heads asking about what kinds of needs they had. I sat on the financial aid committee while we sorted out who were the neediest students deserving of a scholarship from DUS. I fielded questions from those who were preparing to come to Daystar without any concept of living in East Africa. I made sure guest rooms were ready, and organized transportation for our visitors. I helped with the cultural preparation of the second Afrizo team. And when I returned to the US in 2011 I traveled with the next Afrizo team, staying with and meeting many of our friends and partners. It was another cultural thrill to see the America through the eyes of our Daystar students, and meet so many faithful supporters of Daystar University.

Now I return, not to Nairobi, but to Daystar U.S. to help out in the office. It’s so incredibly gratifying to know I am again helping to strengthen the future of Africa through its most valuable resource: bright African students. If you’re in the Twin Cities, we’d love to have you over to the office for a cup of tea – the good stuff! Let me know how I can help you.

I’m always impressed with the students Daystar University turns out. I had the privilege of talking with a recent graduate. Lucy is Maasai and she beat the odds by finishing high school and university! She’s still looking for a full-time job using her skills in business and math, but like nearly all Kenyan woman, she’s putting her talents and skills to work for her community by starting a small community based organization that helps Maasai girls to finish high school and succeed in life. Hearing her story was faith-building for me!

I will continue to share stories of hope and success as I serve in the Daystar U.S. office. 

Blessings,

Jan