Still Waters (Rindi Gichina 10-0688) COM349A

Alice is a second year student, taking computer science. Her typical day starts at 7:30am. She gets ready and goes to class and goes around her business for the day. Since she is not involved in many school activities, her day is not too engaging. Tuesdays and Thursdays are one of her best days. At least on these two days, she is able to get some more sleep and wake up at 9:00am. This is because the school has allocated some time for chapel and she does not consider this very necessary for herself. “Religion or faith should not be forced on anyone,” she says in her own defense.

This is just one of the typical cases that we have in Daystar University. Every person has got their own perspective as to how the Christian faith should be practiced. It is more of a personal decision than a requirement of the law. Being in Daystar University, there is an unavoidable call for one to continually participate in faith oriented activities. From the conferences that are so frequently organized to the class devotions that we have at the beginning of every class, there is a continuous engagement in one’s faith.

Mary during the interview

Faith is a very personal, yet very fundamental thing in one’s life. Every one of us has got a certain faith that they ascribe to.

Mary doing what she does best: Bible Instructor

Regardless of whether it is socially acceptable or not, we all have our backgrounds set on different things. The issue of faith brings along the different religions that we see in play today. Christianity, Hinduism and Islam are among some of the common religions.

The practice of faith in Daystar University is one that is interesting to note about. Being a University that has a wide array of people from different cultures and backgrounds, the different attitudes come into play very well.

The university has the practice of faith at heart. When it comes to issues pertaining to the heart, it is indeed a university with a difference. Resources and funds have been set aside for this one noble task, to draw men nearer to God.

Daystar Christian Fellowship (DCF) is the main body charged with the responsibility of handling the matters pertaining to faith here in school. Under this umbrella body, there are 14 subcommittees which students join and are hence able to enjoy fellowship. It is among these subcommittees that every member gets to exercise their faith. I personally believe that these forums have greatly helped us grow in our different capacities as Christians. They provide opportunities to serve and also minister to others.

Additionally, the school has strategically built prayer rooms. These are not abandoned rooms but rooms specifically built for the purpose of prayer. They are stocked with Bibles and they even have the comfort of carpets and cushions. These are meant to be of help to the students or staff as they pray and express their reverence to the Almighty. Apart from rooms, there are also prayer days set aside by the administration. These days are actually stated in the catalogue and hence both staff and students are able to plan in advance about their attendance. All other activities in the school are suspended and everyone is expected to assembly together as we hold corporate prayers. Talking to Mary Muriithi, a first year student taking communication, she says that these prayer days have eased the relationship that she shares with her lecturers. “After praying together with my lecturer beside me, the tension that was their between us fades away,” she says.

The DCF body also organizes prayer and fasting days which take place every first Tuesday of the month. This again provides an opportunity for students to corporately exercise the practice of prayer together.

There are also kesha’s (overnight prayer sessions) that take place on every last Friday of the month. “These sessions always have seasoned preachers and trust you me we have wonderful times for worship, prayer and testimonies,” said an excited June Kamau.

June, ready for an event organized by DCF.

My typical day starts at 6:00am. This is a habit that I started two years ago. I start by some time reading the Bible before praying for about 15minutes then if time allows I go ahead and sing a few hymns. To me this is more of culture than habit. If my day starts otherwise, I automatically know there is something wrong. This is one of the ways through which I practice my faith.

Keeping check of my personal walk with God counts a lot to how I will practice every other aspect of my faith. Attending chapel and actively participating in small groups every Tuesday and Thursday just adds on to what I have already done.

The issues pertaining to the practice of faith are not talked about as often as is required. Considering that this is a Christian university, we expect that the ‘best’ Christians would be found here. However, I am not sure whether this is the case on the ground.

“The practice of faith has to be an inward drive that consequently reveals itself on the outward. The inward totally determines what we see on the outward. If the inward is right then what will manifest on the outward will be consistent to that,” commented Pastor Tom Otieno in one of his speaking engagements here in Daystar.

 In regard to this, I think the fact that everyone in Daystar is assumed to be saved, really affects the practice of faith in itself. When we all assume that we are on the same page, it allows room for hypocrisy. I feel this because we are not so keen on correcting each other and hence easily accept each other as we come, not admitting that there is room for one to change. Owing to the fact that this is a Christian institution, we ought to keep check of the each other, making sure that we all tow the line. However, this is not the case when we get to the ground. Everyone professes to be saved and yet they live a life so contrary to this confession. Co-habiting, alcohol and drug abuse are some of the things that some of those who profess to be saved struggle with. I don’t refute the fact that struggling is normal for Christians, but when that becomes your way of life, then there is an issue.

Mark is friend of mine who I recently met. We met in the college bus when coming from sports. We got to share a lot and by the time we were parting I had known much about him. Having joined Daystar in 2008, his life has had its equal share of ups and downs.

He has been struggling with alcoholism and drug abuse. However, he has never gotten anyone whom he can talk to. “Everyone seems to be busy with their own life,” he told me. However, on this particular day, he found a friend. We got to talk and luckily I was in a position where I could help him. His life has not improved much but at least he is getting somewhere. He has quit alcohol and still trusting to let go of drug abuse. This particular case left me wondering where the disconnect is between those who are saved and those seeking for people to look out to them. If indeed we are a Christian University, these are the people we should be looking out for. During our last bonding session with Mark, he told me, “I wish those of you who are saved would practice the same faith that you profess. That way people like me would be way better off here in Daystar.”