howFar Ministries

THANK U FOR GIVING US FOOD

2011-12-20T20:23:00.006-05:00

Recently we received this touching letter from the village for Lossimingori, Tanzania.

THANK U FOR GIVING US FOOD.

"Dear Mark, I greet u in the name of our Jesus Christ! Its our hope that u're fine and ur mission. The main reason for writing this letter is just to thank u for food provision. To be honest the maize u gave us has been a blessing to us. U served [saved] our life. As u have seen the photos, we expected 100 people but they came more than 400. That shows how big the hungry people.

Also Mark, I want to ask u that don't forget us because we still need u. Right now people are starving. Pray for us."

Shuaka Oltimelogi
Village Elder

Still little rain has come to the Tanzanian savannah...and our friends are still hungry and malnourished.

This Christmas, give them the gift of life sustaining maize.

To help click the DONATE button to the left....and give!

howFar will you go?

howFar Thankful For Donations For Famine Relief

2011-11-24T09:56:00.008-05:00

No Rain Has Eliminated All Grass For Livestock

On this Thanksgiving Day howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation are tremendously thankful for our supporters who have responded to the call for donations to send relief to our partner villages in East Africa. Although the worst reports of suffering are coming out of Sudan and Northern Kenya, eastern Kenya and northern Tanzania are also enduring severe drought conditions.

Women Gather And Wait On The Dry Savannah Waiting For Help

To date, howFar has sent nearly 8,000 pounds of maze to two of our hardest hit villages in Tanzania and Kenya.

The Food Distribution Will Feed A Large Family For 3 Weeks

To help feed the hungry in our partner villages in Eastern Africa make your tax deductible donate online or send your donation to;

The How Far Foundation, Inc.
4295 Suwanee Mill Drive
Buford, Georgia 30518

This Thanksgiving Day let us remember those who are not able to feast as we are...but are still thankful for the our Lord's provision.

Mark Maynard
Founder, howFar

Drummers of Burundi at 2011 Mission Fest

2011-11-16T17:33:00.005-05:00

Many of you will remember that we invited the Drummers of Burundi to the 2010 howFar Celebration Banquet. We were so impressed with there moving and powerful performance that we invited them to join us at Cross Pointe Church, our home chruch in Duluth, Georgia, for this years Mission Emphasis.

Watch this unique and awesome rendition of Amazing Grace!

"And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Revelation 5:9, ESV

Horn of Africa Drought

2011-09-30T12:57:00.004-04:00

The worst drought in 60 years has hit eastern Africa. In June, USAID reported that over 10 million people in the region require humanitarian assistance to stay alive. Since then the situation was deteriorated.

Included in the affected areas are our churches along the Kenya/Tanzania border. Our church members, primarily Maasai, depend on their cattle for survival. Because of the drought the remaining Maasai herds, now emaciated and depleted by nearly 50%, have been moved to areas far from the village to find water and grass.

Our friends are living in famine conditions. That means there is no meat, no milk for the children, and little food in the villages. They are now suffering from acute malnutrition. In response, we have sent all of our reserve funds to help feed the families in our churches.

Please pray about sending an additional gift, above your regular donation to support this ministry, for our churches in East Africa. This is a situation that demands a response. These are not strangers seen on the news in some far away land. They are our friends. They are the people who have heard and accepted the gospel because you sent us to them. They are desperate people who cannot help themselves.

You can help! howFar will you go?

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'"
Jesus Christ (Matthew 25, ESV)

Send your relief donation to:
Place a note with your gift directing your donation to "Africa Relief".

The How Far Foundation, Inc.
4295 Suwanee Mill Drive
Buford, Georgia 30518

Celebration Banquet Cancelled: The famine at our churches in East Africa requires that all of our resources be reallocated to humanitarian aid. We simply cannot justify the cost of this year’s banquet when so many of our friends and fellow saints are suffering so terribly.

2011 Celebration Banquet

2011-08-25T11:59:00.003-04:00

EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO AFRICA DROUGHT.

Are you curios about what God has done through howFar this year? Come and see!

This years Celebration Banquet will feature several powerful presentations about our work in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The evening will include an encore performance by the dynamic Drummers of Burundi and an Africa dinner buffet.

You won't want to miss this exciting family event.

Charity tickets go on sale September 5th!

2011-08-04T21:52:00.003-04:00

I am saddened to share with you that Maurice Abuto Amadi, my right hand in our work in Africa, has died. Maurice, not yet 30 years old, went to be with the Lord Tuesday after a two month stay in the hospital. It is not immediately clear what took his life. I know that Maurice suffered from reoccurring bouts of Malaria and Cholera, among other diseases. As with so many of my friends and acquaintances, since I first visited Kenya in 2002, it is God's will that he was taken by Africa.

(Lillian & Maurice Amadi-Far Right)

Maurice served me as driver, assistant, aid, interpreter, guard and nurse since 2005. More than that he was my friend, brother in Christ and my African son. We traveled together, across East and Central Africa, at least 20 times proclaiming the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please pray for his wife, Lillian and for his family. Maurice and Lillian were never able to have biological children but "adopted" several over the years - taking them in, caring for them and paying for their education.

Maurice leaves a void in our ministry that can never be filled.

Budget Crisis

2011-07-18T15:58:00.012-04:00

Last month we shared with you our ongoing operating budget shortfall. Over the past several months donations to howFar have steadily fallen off. At the close of June we are 27% short of meeting our budgeted obligations.

As a faith based non-profit, howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation depend on gifts and donations to cover all of our expenses including salary, operations, and travel.

To continue on with the work that we are doing - sharing the gospel with those who have not heard, making disciples and helping the poor through humanitarian aid projects - we must add new financial partners.

Please pray with us that God will provide and that His will is done at howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation.

howFar is a 501c3 Public Charity. All donations are tax deductible.

2012 Mission Trips

2011-07-11T16:46:00.002-04:00

Africa Teams Forming Now!

We are currently praying about and actively recruiting for our Summer 2012 Mission teams.

June 2012 - East Africa Vision and Encouragement Tour
Visit our Massai church plants and school in Kenya and Tanzania while seeing some of God's incredible creation.
10 days - $3,600 per person.

July 2012 - Central Africa Medical and Evangelism Mission
A combined medical, dental and vision team will serve Batwa Pygmies in Rwanda and Burundi while a discipleship team witnesses to and teaches those who came.
10 days - $3,600 per person.

Contact us at mark@howfar.org for more information.

howFar will you go?

HowFar Awarded Water Grant

2011-06-30T09:32:00.004-04:00

On June 28 howFar was awarded a $4500 grant from Pure Water, Pure Love.

The grant wil be used to supply water to the village of Kagina, Rwanda. It will also supply the Crimson Academy and howFar Ministries compound.

Kagina is a large village comprised of Batwa Pygmies relocated from their ancestral mountain top lands. It’s inhabitants, approximately 20 %, Christian, 30% Muslim and 50 % Animists, live on tiny plots of land, many as squatters, working land belonging to others and making crude pottery to survive.

We first engaged the Batwa of Kagina in December of 2008 with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although we were told to leave the village and to never return, we persevered and within only seven months God had called many to Himself. A thriving and growing Evangelical Baptist Church was born. Since the first day the work in Kagina has miraculously advanced.

On January 14, we dedicated a new building that is the home to Kagina Baptist Church and Crimson Academy. The growing church of approximately 100 meets in the building. The school, four classrooms, is educating 150 Batwa Pygmy children in Primary 1 through 4. For the Twa, this was a monumental moment. They have had only several children from their entire village of over 1500 ever attend primary school and there are only two known Batwa in the region who have made it to secondary school.

Currently the Batwa, mainly children and women, walk about one mile down an incredibly steep hillside to a pool of water in a deep ravine. Then they carry the 30 to 40 pound jerry cans, filled with water, up the hill to their homes. It is an arduous chore, repeated daily, which takes hours. And, it is a reason that the parents use to keep their children from attending school. “Who will do their work if they are not here?”, one man asked.

Our plan is to run a water pipe down the hill to the natural spring water source. A gas generator will power a high velocity water pump to draw water up the hill. Water will be stored in a 15,000 liter water tank for community use and refilled once each day or as necessary.

The introduction of clean, easily accessible, free water to the Kagina Batwa Pygmy Village will be an incredible evangelism tool. As the villagers - Christian, irreligious, Muslim and Animists - draw water from the new tank, they will hear the life-saving message of the “Living Water”.

Pure Water, Pure Love is a ministry of Woman's Missionary Union and provides clean drinking water to missionaries and the people they serve at no cost to them.

You Buy - We Train!

2011-06-20T08:04:00.004-04:00

howFar is now an affiliate of Monergism Books - one of the best Christian on-line book stores available.

When you purchase through howFar we receive an 8% commission used toward the purchase of books for training- and sending -to our pastors in sub-Sahara Africa.

Click through and take a look!

Team to Speed Summer at Crimson Academy, Rwanda

2011-06-09T17:00:00.005-04:00

A team of 3 college students from north Georgia departed May 30 to spend 9 weeks working at our partner school for marginilazed Batwa pygmy students located at Kagina, Rwanda. Pictured (l-r) Massa Hoff (US based Program and Logistics Coordinator - (Georgia Gwinnett College), Jared Williams (Truett McConnell), Diana (Georgia Gwinnett College), Phillip Haynes (Crimson Academy for Education Founder), Tiana Farmer (Georgia Gwinnett College).

All The Way To Africa...Golf Tournament Update

2011-05-19T13:43:00.021-04:00

Golfers from around the country gathered at Bear's Best Country Club in Suwanee, Georgia, for the 1st Annual howFar Golf Fundraiser.

Why? To raise funds to purchase a heavy-duty 4 wheel drive vehicle for our work in sub-Saharan Africa. As howFar co-founder, Mark Maynard said, "We cannot share the Word of God with people we cannot get to".

The day began with a $10 split-the-pot putting contest. Greg Craft (L) and Andrew Higgins (R) both sank a big breaking 40 footer on their first try. But the contest went to Andrew on a one try 60 foot closet to the hole attempt. The pot was donated to howFar.

Sixty-four golfers spent the afternoon on the beautiful course.

At the end of the day the top three places went to:

1st Place with a score of 57

Frank Hines, Matt Piland, (Eli Beverly), Mark Beverly, Matt Beverly

2nd Place with a score of 59

Joe Toth, Andy Higgins, Patti Higgins, Andrew Higgins

3rd Place with a score of 60

Jim Ritcher, Bob Jones, Jeff Bostic, Jim Kelly

Yep, sometimes it's about the money! To-date, the tournament has raised $4,500 toward our goal of $15,000.

We'll keep working until the goal is met. You can donate to this important project on this page.

Bob Jolly, Bill McIver (howFar Chairman) and Bill Woolery enjoyed the day.

A huge "Thank You" to our tournament sponsors, Dole Packaged Foods, Bil-Jac Dog Food & Ryder Systems and to all of our tournament donors.

To view the entire photo gallery CLICK HERE.

The tournament ended with a terrific barbecue dinner buffet and short message from Mark Maynard.

Mark encouraged the group to get involved with the work of howFar by join in as we go into the world obeying the great commands of Jesus Christ.

"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Luke 10:27

The days activities ended with a raffle and door prizes for everyone.

On May 2nd...howFar did our drives go?

Thank you to everyone who made the day a huge success. It was a beautiful day, on a terrific course...for a tremendous cause!

howFar will you go?

howFar Golf Tournament

2011-03-30T12:56:00.004-04:00

The deadline for this years howFar golf tournament is rapidly approaching. Don't miss out!

CLICK HERE to register by April 5th.

Hope to see you there.

New Ride for Africa?

2011-03-10T11:50:00.007-05:00

One of the most critical needs we have in Africa is to be able to get to remote areas. These are places where there are no improved roads. Many times they are just dirt or mud trails.

We could ask, "If we can't get to where the greatest needs are, spiritual and physical, how can we help?"

We have decided to sell our small Toyota Wagon, currently in Kenya, and use the funds toward the purchase of a more durable vehicle. It has been a tremendous blessing and has saved us thousands of dollars in not having to rent vehicles. We've logged tens of thousands of kilometers on it as we've moved around Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi sharing the gospel.

A rebuilt Toyota F70 Land Cruiser is exactly what we need. The F70, sometimes known as a Troopy, is used by all international ministries and humanitarian aid agencies including US AID, World Vision and Samaritans Purse. It can carry up to 10 passengers and a large amount of luggage and equipment over the most difficult terrain.

To donate to the purchase of this need contact mark@howfar.org

Come to Africa...we'll let you drive it! howFar will you go?

Ground Breaking at Murumvya, Burundi

2011-03-10T08:53:00.016-05:00

We first shared the gospel with the Batwa people in the village of Murumvya, Burundi in August 2008. On that day several people left behind a life of Animism and came to Christ. Since that time the church has grown. Today there are approximately 60 Batwa members of our church plant at Muramvya led by a Batwa pastor.

Our plan has been to help the church acquire land and to build their own building. In 2009 the governor of the sector gave land for howFar to build a school and a church on. However, the plan has been thwarted by continual stipulations and requirements imposed by local government officials.

In late 2009 howFar Ministries decided to return the land to the government and purchase land that would be completely under our control. That transaction was finally completed when Renee and I, along with our friends and partners Phillip and Judah Haynes of the Crimson Foundation for Education, visited Murumvya in January.

On January 18 we gathered on the newly acquired land to preach, to pray and to dedicate it to God.

After I preached from John 14:1-6 and 1 Peter 1:4-6 three people came forward to receive the gifts of faith, grace and salvation. There was no alter call. They simply responded to the hearing of the Word.

"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, I would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:1-6 ESV

"Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you."

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials." 1 Peter 1:1-6

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Ephesians 2:8,9 ESV

Pastor Renovant shared his vision for the church and charged the people to contribute to the project by working hard.

Church members gathered several days later to begin clearing the land and to lay out the foundation. Soon we will purchase materials and construction will begin. Once the structure is completed the church members will be able to worship together even during the prolonged rainy season.

According to The Joshua Project only 7% of the 313,000 Batwa Pygmies are Christian. There are only 7 known Batwa churches in all of Rwanda, Burundi and The Democratic Republic of the Congo. By God’s grace, five of them have been planted by howFar Ministries.

howFar Focus Countries Top 2010 Global Hunger Index

2011-02-14T13:49:00.003-05:00

Two of howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundations focus countries, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rate among the worlds highest Global Hunger Index scores.

Simply put, these two countries have some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the entire world. To further simplify the situation we could say that they go to bed hungry more often than 95% of the worlds population. (See GHI methodology below.)

"As the world approaches the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which include a goal of reducing the proportion of hungry people by half – the 2010 Global Hunger Index (GHI) offers a useful and multidimensional overview of global hunger. The 2010 GHI shows some improvement over the 1990 GHI, falling by almost one-quarter. Nonetheless, the index for hunger in the world remains at a level characterized as “serious.”

The result is unsurprising given that the overall number of hungry people surpassed 1 billion in 2009, even though it decreased to 925 million in 2010, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.-nine countries still have levels of hunger that are “extremely alarming” or “alarming.”

The countries with “extremely alarming” 2010 GHI scores – Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea – are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Most of the countries with “alarming” GHI scores are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The largest deterioration in GHI scores was seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, largely because of conflict and political instability." (Source: Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German AgroAction); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Concern Worldwide - 2010)

The GHI is a multidimensional approach to measuring hunger. It combines three equally weighted indicators:

1. the proportion of undernourished as a percentage of the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient dietary energy intake);
2. the prevalence of underweight in children under the age of five (indicating the proportion of children suffering from weight
loss); and
3. the mortality rate of children under the age of five (partially reflecting the fatal synergy between inadequate dietary intake and unhealthy environments).

This multidimensional approach to calculating the GHI offers several advantages. It captures various aspects of hunger in one index number, thereby presenting a quick overview of a complex issue. It takes account of the nutrition situation not only of the population as a whole, but also of a physiologically vulnerable group – children – for whom a lack of nutrients creates a high risk 10.0–19.9 serious of illness, poor physical and cognitive growth, and death. In addition, by combining independently measured indicators, it reduces the effects of random measurement errors.

The index ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst, though neither of these extremes is achieved in practice. Values less than 4.9 reflect low hunger, values between five and 9.9 reflect moderate hunger, values between ten and 19.9 indicate a serious problem, values between 20 and 29.9 are alarming, and values of 30 or higher are extremely alarming. (Source: 2009 Global Hunger Index)

howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation are currently seeking partnerships with hunger and nutrition focused NGO's to make measurable progress towards improvement in Global Hunger Index scores in Burundi and the DR Congo.

"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'"
Matthew 25:41-43

Bible Conferences at Gihara/Kigina, Rwanda

2011-02-12T09:06:00.011-05:00

The primary work of howFar will always be the teaching of God's Word. Our desire is to see Bible-believing churches planted, the lost redeemed and the flock feasting on the Word of God, growing and maturing.

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17,18

On Saturday, January 15, two Bible Conferences were held on the howFar Ministries / Crimson Academy Campus.

Renee Maynard led a women's conference entitled, "What Every Christian Woman Needs to Know". She taught the women about what it means to be a Godly woman, wife and mother.

A few days after the conference Pastor Augustine's' wife, Betty, told Renee that one of the women who attended the conference was not a believer. "The mother was so moved by the teaching that she came to church the following Sunday with her five children on tow!"

In another classroom on the campus Mark Maynard led a men's conference. The topic, from Luke chapter 6, was "What is True Christian Character?"

Pastor Vinesti, who is the primary pastor at the Kigina/Gihara Church, is very enthusiastic about what God is doing in the village of 250 families. "People are changing", he said. They are leaving witchcraft, they don't get drunk anymore. They are coming to church and it is growing".

Kigina, the location of the church and school, is in the Gihara Sector of Rwanda. Population is measured by homes, or family units. The 250 homes can be multiplied by an average of 6 to arrive at a total population of approximately 1,500 Batwa. The inhabitants fall into one of three categories: Animists, cultural Christian (Catholic), and cultural Muslim. Only a small percentage of the Batwa attend any organized church or assembly.

But, according to Pastor Venesti, "That is changing. People are hearing the Word of God. The new school, Crimson Academy, is drawing people into the church because of the Bible teaching that their children are getting". A regular part of the curriculum is memory work through Scripture Union.

"After you came and did the conferences and preached in January thirteen people accepted Christ and joined the church", said Pastor Augustin. Pastor Augustin Niyonsenga is Overseer of the four howFar Ministries churches in Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.

"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD'". 1 Corinthians 1:30,31

Meet the Staff @ Crimson Academy - Kagina, Rwanda

2011-02-10T21:03:00.009-05:00

Henry Ngolobe - Head Master

Family Background
I was born January, 26th, 1985 in Jinja District, Uganda. My mother's name is Anyango Topister and my father's name is Egesa Christopher, who passed away in 2007. My family and I are Christians.

My Plans for the School
Produce productive, disciplined, God fearing children.
Provide guidance and counseling to teachers and children
Promote and instill leadership skills within the children
Conduct continuous professional development studies for teachers
Promote environmental conservation activities

Scovia Mukamutara - Teacher/Faith

Family Background
I was born in 1988 at Uganelo in a Christian family and I have 6 brothers and sisters; 3 boys and 3 girls in Umutara, the eastern province. My father died in 2004 and life has been difficult without him, but God is greater and He has become our father caring for each of us.

My Plans for the Children
I will teach the children to follow God with all their hearts. I will also educate and advise them in all areas of learning. I will encourage each child to be respectful and honest. In addition, I will teach them about the world and the possibilities they have.

Nsabimana Jean De Dieu - Teacher/Sports

My Family Background
My name is Nsabimana Jean De Dieu and I was born in 1984 in the Gasabo District Rwanda. My career objective is to be honest, sincere, pro-active and promote professional value that foster team work.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach mathematics Primary 3 and 4
I will teach science Primary 3 and 4
I will coach the Soccer Team
I will teach them good morals

Nalule Jesca - Teacher/Discipline

My Family Background
My name is Nalule Jesca and I am a born again Christian and single. I was born in Uganda in Mukono District, 1988 June 23rd. We are 8 in our family, four girls and four boys. My parents are all alive and well.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach mathematics
I will teach science
I will teach them English
I will teach them good morals

Benon Muhwezi - Teacher/Music

My Family Background
My name is Benon, I am 25 years old and I was born in 1985 in Uganda. My father's name is Paul Mbonigaba and my mother's name is Belina. My parents have a total of three children; 1 girl whose name is Joy and 2 boys including myself and Steven.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach them to know the word of God.
I will teach them about Rwandan culture.
I will teach them to study and work hard in school.
I will teach them great social skills.
I will teach them to be responsible.

Guy Claude Mugunga - Treasurer

My Family Background
I was born in September 28th 1990 in a family of 7 children; 3 brothers and 3 sisters in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My father and mother were both Rwandans but they were in Congo as refugees because of ethnic conflict which was in Rwanda during the year 1959-1994. We come back in Rwanda after the genocide.
.
My Plans for the Students
Promotion independence and self efficacy within each child.
Promotion solution and practice based education methods that will help the children retain course material.
Instill within each child good time management skills.

Students Celebrate Opening of Crimson Academy

2011-02-10T17:59:00.002-05:00

During the opening ceremonies of Crimson Academy, on January 14, 2011, students celebrated with traditional Rwandan singing, drumming and dancing.

The school, a partner project of Crimson Foundation for Education, howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation, will sponsor a traditional competition dance team? The team will compete in the cultural exhibition at the local level with the goal of advancing to the national competition.

To sponsor the Crimson Academy dance team contact The How Far Foundation at mark@howfar.org.

WAPI Water Project @ Mudja, DR Congo

2011-02-09T17:57:00.004-05:00

One of the two core values at howFar is to "Love our neighbor as ourselves". We are doing that in rural northeast DR Congo in the village of Mudja.

Water is a critical problem in the area. When Mount Nyiragongo erupted in 2002 it covered the area from Mudja southward to Goma with its red hot lava flow. The catastrophe didn't end when the eruption ended and the lava cooled. The heat from the volcano evaporated all surface water, as well as, all subterranean aquifers. Today, water cannot be found beneath Mudja even by drilling the deepest of wells.

The villagers are forced to collect rain water through crude collection systems, gather water from small pools during the rains or walk the 25 kilometers round trip to Lake Kivu south of the city of Goma. The arduous 15.5 mile walk, nearly every day, is a dawn to dusk chore for at least one member of every family. But the walk to Lake Kivu is not the most daunting part of the task. It is the heavy load that they must carry back to the village that is exhausting. Each filled yellow plastic jerry can weighs a minimum of 40 pounds. For women the heavy load is carried on her back supported by a thick strap around the woman's forehead. Boys and men will carry two jerry cans. A load of over 80 pounds carried for several miles.

According to statistics the average person in the Unites States uses about 100 gallons of water per day. In Mudja, a person uses less that one gallon per day. That is for cooking, drinking, bathing and washing cloths.

Additionally, water can be contaminated in many ways. Ground water is often polluted by human and animal waste causing Cholera. Jerry cans are often improperly cleaned causing fresh water to become filled with harmful bacteria. The result is persistent sickness and disease in the village.

How Far Foundation is partnering with the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett to distribute Water Pasteurization Indicators (WAPI's), made by the Interact Club at North Gwinnett High School, to the village of Mudja. The simple devise shows when water has been pasteurize when it is submerged into heated water. For only 80 cents a villager can know that the water that they have worked so hard to bring to their family will not make them sick.

In January a howFar team delivered 500 WAPI's to the Batwa Pygmies living in Mudja Village.

The WAPI offers them a new peace of mind that they have not enjoyed before.

howFar seeks to "love our neighbor" by helping those who cannot help themselves.

Crimson Academy Opens

2011-02-07T15:52:00.012-05:00

"Students await the first day of school."

On January 10, 2011 Crimson Academy opened. The, still growing, inaugural student body of 150 began there education in four classes, Primary 1, 2, 3 and 4. A terrific celebration attended by local leaders, educators, NGO's, faculty and parents heralded the landmark event.

"The top sector official cuts the ribbon!"

Crimson Academy, a partner project of howFar Ministries, The How Far Foundation and Crimson Foundation for Education, will educate primarily marginalized Batwa Pygmy children within the Gihara sector. These students will have an opportunity that few in their community have enjoyed. According to local leaders, a small number of Batwa have ever attended Primary School and only two are known to have advanced to Secondary School.

"We know that education is very important, and the only reason we don’t go to school is because of the request that we put on shoes. We can’t buy shoes, we can’t buy uniforms. And another thing is that if we went to school we would fail to get anything to eat. Even me, I am a man with a family but if I was given the chance to go to school I would. The problem is that I have to support my family, and generally it is poverty preventing us from going to school, that is the hindrance." (Source: Minority Rights Group International 54 Commercial Street, London E1 6LT, United Kingdom. Interview with Patrick. March 2008)

The goal of howFar is two fold. howFar Ministries will educate a generation of Christian Batwa who will take the gospel message to their people group of nearly 100,000 throughout Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and DR Congo. The How Far Foundation seeks to break the long cycle of poverty and oppression by educating the Batwa.

"A wonderful transformation that has filled the village with excitement. The same beautiful children are in the photos below"

"Primary One"

"Primary Two"

"Primary Three "

"Primary Four"

Several weeks ago one Batwa father from Gihara/Kigina who was asked whether he would send his children to the new school replied,

"Learn what? We did not go to school and we are here. The children need to be with us and work. They go for water. If they go who will do their work?"

In spite of his misgivings the father relented and enrolled his children in Crimson Academy. In part, because the required registration fee was only 1000 Rwandan Francs - $1.70 which included the schools uniform. Unlike other primary schools in Rwanda, which charge tuition, Crimson Academy asks the family to contribute only what they feel that they can afford.Just two weeks into the school year the father came to the school leadership and said,

"I have seen such a change in my boy. He is learning of things that we have never heard of. Now I would sell everything that I own to keep my child in this school!"

"Crimson Academy Campus"

Crimson Academy will be unique in another area as well. It will be an English language school from Primary 1 throughout. Most don't begin teaching English until Primary 3 or 4. Rwanda's government said adieu to its colonial national language of French opting for English in the last few years. "The vast majority of our students will never know enough French to speak it. They will know English which will give them an advantage in the business community", said one school official.

The 6 acre howFar Crimson Academy Compound, in Kigina/Gihara, will be further developed in the coming months. Four additional classrooms and an office are needed to prepare the school to offer the full plan of Primary 1 through Primary 6.

To make a tax free donation to the project Click Here

Two Sisters

2011-02-07T15:36:00.004-05:00

Maria and Shantari Mulikatata were befriended by some of the women from our Kigina/Gihara Church. The women knew that the two sisters were living in a very bad situation and were deeply concerned for them. They prayed that the sisters would be delivered from it.

Maria and Shantari's parents are both witches. Both have cast many spells upon their daughters asking demons to take them. The parents believe that if a demon, or devils as they call them, will take control of the daughters it will bring favor to the family and they will become wealthy. It is a very common deception though out Africa.

"We were continually bothered by devils", the sisters said. I can't imagine what that means but the Christian women of Kagina do...and they were frightened for Maria and Shantari.

The women from the church talked with the sisters and finally brought them to church. When we asked if anyone needed prayer they both came forward (photo attached).

Sunday, January 19, the two sisters were called from eternal darkness into the marvelous light.

In the three weeks that have followed, although the parents still attempt to cast spells on their daughters, they both confess that, "We are no longer bothered by devils".

In the US we often fail to see Satan's work. He is much more crafty and subtle here. We are callous to his ways. Yet, in much of Africa where life is simple, the people ignorant and living in darkness, they can see what we cannot. They can see the evil one. They see evil and they see good and they know the difference. Sometimes they choose to ignore it. Sometimes they choose to embrace it. And sometimes...the gospel comes to them and they are freed from it.

"Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you". James 4:7

Corodina"s Faith

2011-02-05T09:59:00.006-05:00

Last July I visited our church plant at Gihara/Kigina, Rwanda. After a great ceremony to celebrate the first service in the new building, and the preaching of God's Word, I asked if anyone needed prayer. It has become my practice to pray for each person individually based on their specific need or request.

Several people came forward. Some to repent and receive Christ, others for strength, and some for healing. Corodina was one of the women that Pastor Augustin and I prayed for that day.

I met Corodina again while at Gihara/Kigina just a few weeks ago. Here is her testimony.

"Before you came to Umudugudu wa Kagina (Village of Kigina) I had a very terrible pain in my leg. It was so bad that I thought that I was going to die. It would not go away. It was a big illness. I went to witches and doctors to help me. They all said go home with your money and die. We cannot help you.

When death was ready to kill me the people of God came to my village and prayed for me. Now I don't have any problems. Thanks God I had an illness that could kill me but now I am alive!

Thank you. Praise God!"

Here is Corodina's testimony in her own words. (Interpreted by Olivia, the first member of the church at Gihara/Kigina.)

There was a time, not to long ago, when Corodina did not believe in God. She did not go to church. She believed in witchcraft.

Now she is saved by grace and she has been healed by faith.

Corodina is an active member of the church at Gihara/Kigina, Rwanda planted by howFar Ministries in 2008. She is now the cook for the church and our new school, Crimson Academy.

"Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much."

James 5:13-16

Water Mission

2011-01-08T18:31:00.004-05:00

(Reposted from Gwinnett Forum.com)

North Gwinnett Rotary members are working to help people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with water pasteurization indicators (WAPI's). The Club and North Gwinnett High Interact Club members have produced 1,250 WAPI's to send to the Congo. From left are Tyler Phillips, president of the Buford/North Gwinnett club; Valerie Dirksen, who works with the Interact Club; Mark Maynard, executive director of the How Far Foundation, who [will leave for] the Congo Monday to deliver the WAPI's; Carolyn Hill, the Rotary member who brought the idea of making WAPI's to the club; and Leo Lawrenson, who coordinated the production of the WAPI's. Maynard is taking the WAPI's to Batwa pygmies living in Mudja, a village 25 kilometers from the city of Goma. Earlier in 2010, some 200 initial WAPI's were sent by the club to Haiti.

Educational Materials Donated to howFar

2010-12-24T10:23:00.005-05:00

Carson-Dellosa Publishing has donated a variety of educational materials to howFar's latest school, Crimson Academy, located in Gihara, Rwanda. The gift makes it possible for the school to have innovative teaching aids and workbooks that are not available in Sub-Sahara Africa.

For more on this international education initiative of The How Far Foundation, Inc. and howFar Ministries, Inc. Click Here.

Over 200 Batwa Pygmy Children Have Registered to Attend Crimson Academy for the 2011 School Year

Carson-Dellosa Publishing, LLC, based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a leading educational solutions provider for both educators and parents. Founded by two teachers, the company boasts a 30-year history of enhancing a child’s learning potential and environment through quality curriculum, supplemental learning materials, and classroom resources.

Today, Carson-Dellosa continues its legacy of offering a wide array of products that are created by teachers for teachers and parents. The complete product line includes supplemental books for math, science, social studies, language arts, and early childhood; classroom decoratives; pocket charts; and games and manipulatives for prekindergarten through the eighth grade.

Carson-Dellosa proudly provides teachers, parents, and children around the world with the best possible educational materials produced by the industry’s most recognized and respected award-winning brands including: Summer Bridge Activities™, Mark Twain, Key Education, HighReach Learning®, Frank Schaffer®, Spectrum®, Judy® Instructo, American Education Publishing™, and Brighter Child®.

howFar Receives Donation

2010-12-23T13:41:00.006-05:00

The How Far Foundation, Inc., on December 22, received a donation of $1,400.00 from the employees of Lakeland Electric. The directed donation, for Crimson Academy, was presented to Philip Haynes, project architect and financier. The donation will be allocated for final construction costs and for the purchase of textbooks.

Crimson Academy will provide an elementary education to marginalized Batwa Pygmy children at Gihara, Rwanda. To date, over two hundred children have been enrolled for the 2011 school year. Classes will begin on January 17, 2011.

Click here for more on Crimson Academy.

Lakeland Electric provides power to the Polk County, Florida area. Lakeland Electric is proud to be one of 64 of the nation's more than 2,000 public power utilities to earn Reliable Public Power Provider designation in 2009. RP3 is recognition from American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. The Reliable Public Power Provider recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, training, and system improvement.

Construction Nearly Complete In Rwanda

2010-11-26T20:00:00.003-05:00

The final stages of construction on Crimson Academy will be completed by the end of November. A covered veranda and bathrooms will conclude the year long construction project in time for the schools opening on January 17, 2011.

A headmaster, four teachers and a treasurer have been hired. Registration of 200 students for the inaugural class of Crimson Academy will begin this month.

Mark and Renee Maynard, founders of howFar, will travel to Rwanda along with Phillip Haynes, the project architect and financier, for grand opening ceremonies to be held on January 14, 2011.

Click here for more on Crimson Academy.

Pastor of the Month - Meet Renovat Barutwanayo

2010-11-05T13:00:00.015-04:00

Pastor Renovat of the Murumvya Church (center)

Driving Through Burundi 2007

The terrain was much different than I had expected it to be. Rolling mountains separated by thousands of fertile valleys accessible only by footpaths carved into the mountain sides from centuries of use - that is northern Burundi. Living as squatters and sharecroppers, on lands belonging to the Hutu's and the Tutsi's are the Batwa Pygmies. The Twa comprise less that 1% of the tiny countries total population of nearly 10 million. (Burundi is only slightly larger than Maryland with double the population).

Mud Homes with Thatch Roofs

(Click on photos to enlarge)

In 2007, we first visited the Batwa (Twa) village near Murumvya, Burundi to share the Gospel of reconciliation. That day several came to salvation. The next year we installed a young pastor to shepherd the growing flock.

Pastor Renovat Barutwanayo is teaching, loving and discipling the young group of Batwa believers in Murumvya. His desire to see the Batwa, and surrounding people groups, has been a driving force behind the growth of the church at Murumvya.

Temporary Church Building

In 2008, The How Far Foundation provided bean and potato seed for the Batwa. They have land to cultivate but no funds to buy the seed.

Pastor Renovat Distributing Assistance

Pastor Augustine, the Head of our Churches West of Lake Victoria, and Phillip Haynes (R), Crimson Academy Co-Founder, Show the Potato Seed

Some Members of Gihara Church

While in Burundi this past July howFar was able to purchase several acres of land for a new church compound. The final deed will be given to us in January 2011 and construction will begin.

Inspecting Land for the howFar Compound

Pastor Barutwanayo is married and has five children.

Prayer Requests:

For God to supply funds for Pastor Renovat to live on.
For spiritual protection for the church members.
For the witness of the church to impact the region.
For the proper paperwork to deed the land to the church in January 2011.
For many Batwa (Twa) to come to Christ

"You Share with Me?"

2010-10-20T12:19:00.001-04:00

Sonya’s Story

It was already late in the afternoon. The sun was sitting just above one of the many mountain ridges that make the sprawling city so time consuming to navigate. My driver and aid, Maurice, had been running all over Kigali trying to locate some medications that the doctor at King Fisal Hospital had prescribed for me while I was a patient there. I still wasn’t feeling well after my bout with a kidney stone and I needed a strong pain killer for the flight home.
Although I was thanking God that the worst was over I was still frustrated, uncomfortable, tired, weak and hungry so we stopped at a small cafe to eat. A young women came to our table and introduced herself as Sonya. I ordered something from the menu along with several bottles of water. The choices were limited to just a few things.

Our food finally arrived and after just a few bites I was full. My stomach had shrunk during the several days of my painful ordeal. Most of my meal was still on my plate, untouched.

The young women who had taken our order came by to check on us several times. Each time she asked if my food was okay. I would smile and say “yes” and she would disappear back into the kitchen. Finally, she approached the table one last time. This time her voice was low. I nearly missed her question.

“You share with me”, she said?

Her meek and desperate plea absolutely froze me. So consumed by my own condition I had forgotten why I was in Rwanda. In an instant, through a timidly whispered question, God jerked me away from myself and back to others.

All I could do was shake my head and hand my plate to her. Sonya’s smile of gratitude is unforgettably etched in my memory forever.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa. It’s economy still recovering from the devastating genocide of 1994. Ninety percent of Rwandans are subsistence farmers barely surviving on what they can produce. The average Rwandan lives on a meager 43 cents (US) per day.

For more on our work in Rwanda go to www.howFar.org or www.howFarFoundation.org

Pastor of the Month - Meet Reuben ole Tiges

2010-10-14T08:27:00.021-04:00

Pastor Reuben ole Tiges with wife Leah and children Hillary and Diana. 2007

Lake Jipe with the Parr Mountains of Tanzania in the Distance

In the distance you can see the tiny fishing village where Kacharo Church, one of our church plants, sits on the shore of Lake Jipe.

Click on images to enlarge.

In June of 2005 God led the Maynard family to a small Maasai village in Kenya. The village rests near the Tanzanian border and is within view of Lake Jipe, the Parr Mountains and majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. In Maasai the village is known as Orkung'u or High Ground.

Pastor Reuben reads from a Maasia Bible

In God's sovereign plan we were able to build a relationship with the elder of the village, Reuben ole Tiges (Reuben son of Tiges) and soon after a church was planted in the village.

Lake Jipe Church, Kenya

In 2006, God called Reuben to Pastor Lake Jipe Orkung'u Church and he became the physical and spiritual leader in his village.

Since that time God has blessed the church tremendously. HowFar, in partnership with Sugar Hill Church (FBSH, Georgia) and three donors, purchased 14 acres for a compound, a church building was constructed, a school and now a deep water well. The church has become the center of life in the area with an influence far beyond the village.

Lake Jipe School Educating 150 Maasai Children. A howFar Partnership with the Government of Kenya.

New Classroom Under Construction, July 2010

One of our of Classrooms at Lake Jipe School

It has become the seat of government housing the Assistant Chief of the area during the week. We are so blessed that the church is now used as the central distribution point for supplemental food from agencies like World Relief and US Aid. It is very rewarding to see sacks of maze flour and beans and one gallon cans of cooking oil with the red, white and blue message reading, "A Gift from the People of the United States of America".

New Deep Water Well on the howFar Compound. Lake Jipe, Kenya. July 2010.

Jipe Orkung'u Village with Church and School from atop Jipe Mountain

Under Pastor Reuben's leadership new churches have been planed along the Kenya/Tanzania border. In 2006 he was called to be the Overseer (sometimes called Bishop) of our network of 15 howFar Ministries churches.

Reuben is married to Leah and has two children, Hillary and Diana.

Pray that God continues to give Pastor Reuben ole Tiges wisdom as he labors in our Fathers field in Kenya and Tanzania.

Pastor of the Month - Meet Japhet Mwagese

2010-09-14T20:53:00.005-04:00

Pastor Japhet Mwagese and his wife, Anna, shepherd the twenty-five members of Kachero Church located in a small fishing village along the shore of Lake Jipe, Kenya. The church structure, made possible by a gift from the WMU of The Family Church - Sugar Hill, Georgia, was dedicated on April 29, 2007.

The village is comprised of a combination of Christian and Muslim people. Alcoholism, immorality and witchcraft are terrible blights on the village. Pray for Pastor Japhet as he brings the Light to the people of Kachero.

The Mwagese's, who have four children, scrape out a subsistence living on a small farm near Lake Jipe.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Prayer Requests & Needs:

For Pastor Japhet to continue to persevere in a tough and hostile environment.
For God to provide for his family.
For God to break Satan's hold in a very dark village.
Protection for the family from spiritual and cultural forces.

East Africa WAPI (Water Pasteurization Indicator) Distribution

2010-09-09T10:01:00.006-04:00

840 Rotary/Interact Club WAPI’s delivered to East Africa.

Six hundred-fifty Water Pasteurization Indicators have been distributed in the low-income areas of Kigali, Rwanda. The government of Rwanda is aggressively working to improve conditions for the poor who live in the lower valleys that wind through the city. However, there is a long way to go before clean water is accessible to everyone. Many still draw water from ditches and low-lying pools fed by contaminated runoff. Sadly, water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid contribute to numerous deaths every year. The WAPI is currently the only affordable alternative to chemical purification or purification by boiling.

"Young Couple Draw Water From Contaminated Ditch in Kigali"

One hundred fifty WAPI's were sent to a rural village one hour northeast of Kisumu, Kenya. While in Rwanda we received an urgent call from Lillian Abuto, the wife of my aid, Maurice Amadi Abuto. Lillian was in the hospital in Kisumu with a serious case of cholera. The village where Lillian’s family works a small shamba (farm) is in a remote area that is very dry with few wells. The family was forced to draw water from the only source they could locate...a stagnant pool of runoff left over from the rainy season. It is the place where livestock gather from miles around to water, and naturally, they defecate in the water.

An outbreak of cholera soon swept through the local villages because of the contaminated water. The villagers understood that the water needed to be boiled before it was consumed. According to my aid, Maurice, the villagers don’t always know when the water has reached a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria.

"Elephant and Cattle Pollute the Only Water Source Within 20 Miles"

In this case, people who are as close to me as my own family have suffered tremendously. The simple resolution to their suffering is a WAPI.

Thanks to the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett, and the area Interact Clubs, for making this resource available to people in desperate need of help.

Pastor of the Month - Meet Emmanuel Lazier

2010-08-10T18:54:00.008-04:00

We were first introduced to Pastor Emmanuel at a pastors conference at Taveta, Kenya in October of 2007. At first glance Emmanuel appeared to be just a boy. But I soon learned that inside was the heart of a man and the heart of a pastor.

Emmanuel Lazier has been the Shepherd of Lossimingori Church since its beginning in 2007 and dedicated a new church building there in August of 2008. The land for the church at Lossimingori was donated by Emmanuel's father.

Our young pastor, so similar to Paul's Timothy, has done an outstanding job in his church and has taken the gospel message to many distant Massai villages sprinkled across the central Tanzania savanna.

Pastor Emmanuel is currently in his second year at Tanga Christian Bible College on the northern coast of Tanzania. He has been awarded a full scholarship. While away his Associate Pastor oversees the main church at Lossimingori and the others in the area.

Pastor Emmanuel is engaged to be married next year.

Prayer Requests & Needs:

Two Associate Pastors
A Parallel Bible
Funds to replace rotten benches

Jesus Film at Gihara Compound

2010-07-31T14:41:00.006-04:00

Two weeks ago a youth ministry team from Uganda visited the howFar compound located at Gihara, Rwanda.

The showing of The Jesus Film, in Rwandan, and The Passion of the Christ drew an incredible 500 people to the compound. It is only through Gods grace that so many people would walk so far in the rural mountainous area to amass such a large crowd in one place.

"The Gihara conference was wonderful, we got one (loud)speaker from our church, we borrowed a generator, and other instruments were brought from Uganda by the Youth who were with us in this conference. The other Mudugudu leader (a village leader who told us to leave Gihara village and never return during our first visit in 2008) also got saved we are the one who laid hands by the time he accepted Christ as his personal savior. A boy who was mad also got healed he had a lot of hair on his head and not accepting any one to touch him but that time he agreed to be shaved off his hair, and many others came to Christ", reported Augustine Niyonsenga.

"The Jesus Film and films like the Passion for Christ it really touched peoples lives."

According to Pastor Augustine, the Overseer of our four howFar Ministries church plants across Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo, eight people came to salvation following my message from 1 Peter 2 during our visit on June 14th and an additional fifteen were saved the following Sunday. Now many more have been added to the Batwa church at Gihara.

"Vinesti, called to the ministry after surviving the 1994 genocide."

"Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:38

Our team, lead by Pastor Vinesti, is obediently laboring among the Batwa Pygmies at Gihara, Rwanda and God is bringing in the harvest!

"Two Kids From Grangerburg, Ohio"

2010-07-23T09:59:00.011-04:00

Social networking and viral marketing are terms that are commonly thrown around in today's workplace. They are methods that individuals, businesses and organizations use to connect, and reconnect, with people, customers and potential partners. Here is a story of how I reconnected with a friend from long ago.

I was raised in the rural countryside of north central Ohio. It was in a time when kids were free to ride their bikes anywhere they pleased and to explore the hundreds and hundreds of acres of farmland all around. It was there, in Granger, Ohio, that I grew up. Most days, in every season, my brother and I would end up at the old corner store in Grangerburg.

My elementary school was in the same building where my mother had graduated from high school in 1949. Then middle school and on to high school. All within a few miles of Grangerburg,

"I remember the very first day of elementary school. It was kindergarten. You and I sat together in the front seat on the bus", Jim recalled.

Jim and Mark at Jipe Orkung'u Mountain, Kenya

That was Autumn of 1964. Twelve years later, Jim and I walked across the football field of Highland High School to receive our diplomas. Then, off to college we went. Then careers and families. And as it so often happens I hadn't seen my old schoolmate since graduation day in May of 1976.

Thirty-four years later a message popped up on my MacBook screen from the Facebook Team. I read it and smiled. "Jim Kelly wants to be friends".

A few Facebook messages later, a dinner meeting in Atlanta, some phone conversations and Jim and his wife Gail, and their daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Nick Nolan were at our April 2010 howFar Ministries and How far Foundation Celebration Banquet.

Just like that, thirty-four years later, we were reconnected.

Another conversation, more planing, and Jim and I were sitting together again. This time far, far away from Grangerburg. This time in a Land Cruiser in East Africa. I can't tell you what a thrill it has been for me to have an old friend, who I hadn't seen in thirty-four years, join me to explore my beloved East Africa and to see my life's work...first hand.

In June, Jim, and his daughter Elizabeth, toured Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi with me. We visited several of the howFar Ministries churches and two of our How Far Foundation primary school projects. And we saw some of God's most beautiful creation along the way.

Elizabeth Nolan, Jim Kelly and Mark Maynard at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania.

As we swam the Nile rapids Jim said, "We're just two kids from Grangerburg". He was right. We were a long way from Grangerburg. We both knew that we were very blessed to see and do what so few have ever experienced.

I thought that you might be interested in reading Jim Kelly's thoughts on our great mission adventure.

"There is an old saying in Africa, “What is true at first light, is a lie by noon.” I witnessed on the ground, in person, in Africa a true exception to this saying. Spending three weeks with Mark Maynard in the countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi showed me first hand that when Mark starts something he sees it to its completion. Not only were my daughter and I overwhelmed by the kindness and admiration that the villages howFar has touched showed for Mark, and us as his guests, we were genuinely impressed and amazed by the dedication the people Mark has surrounded himself with in Africa.

It is extremely hard to get things done in the areas that Mark has chosen to do his work. But to see how Mark and howFar have been able to, for the first time in these villages, create a true community center with the planting of churches and the impact of his group of pastors is one of the most amazing things I have seen in my life. And then to see how some have been able to grow and blossom with the much needed addition of a school is truly a blessed thing to witness. We could see the genuine pride is the eyes of the people in the village at Lake Jipe, Kenya that had both a church and a new school and the overwhelming excitement of the villagers in Gihara, Rwanda that have a new school under construction. If you ever get the chance to travel to these areas and see the work Mark has done, it will be a life changing experience.

I not only was able to see and feel the many waves of emotion through my own eyes but was blessed to be able to observe them through the eyes of my twenty-six year old daughter. It is very hard to express in words the impact Mark has had on these beautiful souls on this magnificent continent but as I listen to the excitement and emotion in my daughter Elizabeth’s voice as she retells our experience I am continually drawn back to those wonderful villages and lives that howFar is changing."

Jim Kelly
Executive Vice President
Bil-Jac Foods, Inc.
Medina, Ohio

Elizabeth Nolan and Jim Kelly at Ologum Maasai Village, Kenya.

We are so pleased to announce that Jim Kelly has accepted our invitation to join the Board of Reference for howfar Ministries, Inc. and The How Far Foundation, Inc.

Jim Kelly is raising his family in the same little town where we grew up - in Grangerburg, Ohio.

And so...thirty-four years later, God has reconnected us and we are working together in a common global cause.

howFar will you go?

howFar East Africa Video Journal - June 2010

2010-07-16T15:48:00.005-04:00

I have just returned from a four-week mission in East Africa...and what an incredible time it was!

Your eternal investment is ensuring that our churches are growing and maturing, new churches are being established, many are coming to Christ, and the poor and helpless are being helped!

Here are a few of the highlights:

We are so grateful for a one-time gift to our ministry of $5000, which came while I was in Tanzania. What an incredible answer to our prayers.

I preached in four of our largest churches - many came to Christ and one was freed from an evil spirit!

Three new Maasai churches have been planted in western Kenya!

A new classroom and deep water well have been added to our compound at Lake Jipe Orkung'u

Construction on the new church and school at Gihara, Rwanda is progressing very well. Lord willing Crimson Academy will open January 2011.

New land for the church at Muramvya, Burundi to be purchased.

An incredible pastors conference was held at Kigali, Rwanda.

Watch visual journal here!

Double click image to view at YouTube.

"A Lonely Grave"

2010-07-16T09:12:00.009-04:00

Atlanta - Dubai - Addis Ababa - Nairobi.

Fifteen thousand eight-hundred sixty-five kilometers. That's nearly 10,000 miles in the non metric world. Seems like the long way around to get from Atlanta to Nairobi, doesn't it? It is.

For missionaries, getting to the field is one of their largest expenses and one of the most time consuming. So, donated SkyMiles round trip to Dubai = $140. Round trip ticket from Dubai to Nairobi via Ethiopia = $850. Thirty-three hours later...I was in Nairobi - exhausted but eager to begin my mission.

Seems like a along time, I thought. Not really. History put my journey into perspective. Early missionaries often embarked on a grueling journey; by land and by sea, that took them months to get to their mission site.

A young Dr. John Ludwig Krapf, a German missionary of the Church Missionary Society, departed France on February 6, 1837 and did not arrived at Abyssinia (modern day Ethiopia) until December 1837. A journey of nearly eleven months. The famous doctor arrived nearly four years prior to the Scottish Missionary, David Livingston, who arrived in South Africa in 1841.

After several years work along the coast he landed, in 1844, at the island of Mombasa, Kenya with his wife, Rosine, and their newborn child. Dr. Krapf was the first Protestant missionary to establish a mission station on the eastern mainland of Africa.

"He at once plunged with characteristic ardour into the study of the Suahili language, of which there was neither grammar nor dictionary; and on June 8th, a day he always considered one of the most important in his life, he began a tentative translation of the Book of Genesis, with the aid of the Cadi of Mombasa. Scarcely had he begun, however, when, in the mysterious providence of God, a heavy trial was permitted to fall upon him. On July 1st he was attacked by fever, and on the 5th his wife took it still more severely. The very next day Mrs. Krapf s confinement took place; and on the 9th it became apparent that God was about to call her spirit to Himself. She called the Mohammedan attendants round her, and earnestly besought them to believe in Christ the Son of God, in whom, in that hour of anguish, and in the prospect of immediate separation from husband and babe, she could rest with perfect peace. Krapf was lying close by prostrate with fever, and when she breathed her last, it was only by a great effort that he was able to rise and satisfy himself that she was really dead, or afterwards follow the beloved remains to the grave, in which they were laid in the presence of the Governor, the Cadi, and other leading inhabitants of the place.

A day or two after, the motherless infant succumbed also to the fever; and, wrote Krapf, "I was obliged by the climate to conduct this second victim of the king of terrors to the grave of my beloved Rosine as soon as possible." "My heart and body," he wrote in a private letter, "wept for many days."

As he thus twice crossed the estuary to bury his dead on the mainland, he little thought that close to that solitary grave would rise, thirty years afterwards, a prosperous missionary settlement. For the Frere Town with which we are now so familiar is built on that very mainland opposite the island of Mombasa, within a few hundred yards of the white tombstone that marks the spot where rest the bones of Mrs. Krapf and her new-born babe. [See a picture of the grave, from a sketch by Lieut. Gordon, R.N., in the C. M. Gleaner of August, 1879.]

But he could see in that grave the pledge of future triumphs of the Gospel in Africa, and he wrote home to the Committee his memorable and often quoted message:--

"Tell our friends that there is on the East African coast a lonely grave of a member of the Mission cause connected with your Society. This is a sign that you have commenced the struggle with this part of the world; and as the victories of the Church are gained by stepping over the graves of many of her members, you may be the more convinced that the hour is at hand when you are summoned to the conversion of Africa from its eastern shore."

The Missionary Career of Dr. Krapf. London: Gilbert and Rivington, 1882.

My work in East Africa began on that same Island of Mombasa. I've seen that white tombstone that marks the beginning of the missionary struggle for the conversion of souls in East Africa.

And I realize...that my work, our work, is easy compared to those obedient and courageous servants who came before.

"Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ

If we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching
Why aren't His hands healing
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way"

If We Are The Body - Casting Crowns

Failed States - does mankind have the solution?

2010-06-28T16:42:00.006-04:00

Just yesterday a friend pointed me to a posting on Foreign Policy.com that reminded me, once again, of the deteriorating condition of our world. The photo essay entitled Postcards From Hell (Captions by ELIZABETH DICKINSON) is introduced with these words.

"For the last half-decade, the Fund for Peace, working with Foreign Policy, has been putting together the Failed States Index, using a battery of indicators to determine how stable -- or unstable -- a country is. But as the photos here demonstrate, sometimes the best test is the simplest one: You'll only know a failed state when you see it."

To view the essay go to: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/06/21/postcards_from_hell?page=full.

As I viewed the list of "Failed States" I was struck by this question. Does mankind have the solution? Do we, individually or collectively, have the ability to address and resolve the worlds seemingly unsolvable issues. Issues that have plagued the nations for centuries. Some say we can but does history provide a different answer?

MARK MAYNARD/howFar Foundation

In spite of the best efforts of the United Nations, global humanitarian aid agencies, and nearly immeasurable funds from the worlds leading super-governments to resolve the worlds most pressing issues the world we live in is broken in many ways. "Evil is abundant, righteousness is rare, crime is increasing, poverty is epidemic, natural disaster is imminent, and even the world as we know it is in jeopardy", Kevin Edwards (The Hope That's Fixed in a World That's Broken).

What is the answer?

I believe with all of my intellect, heart and spirit that there is an answer. It will never be found even by the brightest minds in our greatest universities. It is a supernatural answer and it is an eternal answer. The answer is found in the Word of God.

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Revelation 21:3-5

To date, howFar Ministries and How Far Foundation are actively working in five of the worlds 60 worst "Failed States". They are DR Congo (5), Kenya (13), Burma (16), Burundi (23), Rwanda (40).

ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images

howFar will you go?

www.howFar.org

Churches, Schools and Kidney Stones - Kigali, Rwanda

2010-06-21T06:47:00.005-04:00

What a mission this has been! From Kenya to Burundi, north across the equator and then a southern crossing...several thousand kilometers. God is using howFar to build His church from the Maasia Mara to the mountains of Rwanda.

Three weeks with a high school friend, Jim Kelly and his daughter Elizabeth, has made my time here in East Africa fresh and new because we have taken the time to see things that I have never seen before.

The first half of our mission was exhilarating in every way. Then day 2 in Burundi...where it seemed as though God was allowing me to be "sifted like wheat". I awoke in the middle of the night with the all to familiar symptoms of an oncoming kidney stone. With the closest hospital 200 mile away in Bujumbura what was I to do. Pray. By the grace of God there was a small "clinic" in Murumvya where I received some midnight pain pills and then a rush back to Kigali, Rwanda in the morning...to a real hospital.

Three days in the hospital - there is just something wrong with having to sleep under a mosquito net in a hospital - and I was released...still carrying the stone.

I'll not be able to visit DR Congo and the people in Northern Uganda "who wears naked" as my friend Pastor Augustin says. But I know that my driver and friend, Maurice Amadi, is correct when he says, "God had a different plan".

Watch for the full story upon my return to the states.

First howFar Celebration Banquet Huge Success

2010-05-19T12:09:00.005-04:00

April 23, 2010 marked the first annual howFar Ministries and How Far Foundation Celebration Banquet. The event hosted one-hundred twenty of our mission and ministry partners and their guests.

Guests were welcomed by an original oil painting donated by local artist, Phil Bursi. The painting is of a village church the Maynard's visited in 2005. The hand built mud church sits in the palm covered hills of Rabi, Kenya. The area is one hour inland from Mombasa, the largest coastal port in Kenya.

Board Vice-Chairman, Scott Gates, welcomed the guests and shared some of his personal experiences from his mission with a howFar team in Myanmar.

An African themed buffet dinner of Tomato and Cucumber Salad, Groundnut Stew with Chicken and Beef, Rice and Sweet Roasted Plantains was enjoyed by all.

Several additional original oil paintings by Phil Bursi were offered in a Silent Auction. The auction raised $2,200.00 for How Far Foundation, Inc.

The Drummers of Burundi entertained the guests with Burundian folk music and dances. The group is comprised of several members who escaped the 1993 genocide and fled to the US as refugees. Of their music they say, "Africa is the continent of drums, but the drums of Burundi require extraordinary vigor, dexterity, agility and grace. Burundi drums sound like rolling thunderclaps. You don't listen to them with your ears; you listen with your heart."

Our guests were captivated by the sound of the Burundian drums.

After a moving video that captured images of churches, schools and our brothers and sisters in Sub Sahara, Africa howFar founder, Mark Maynard, shared the history and vision of howfar Ministries and How Far Foundation. "Our mission is to obediently take the gospel message to unreached and unengaged people groups and then to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ by offering humanitarian aid that will improve their quality of life".

He went on to explain that howFar plans to maintain its work with the Maasai in Kenya and Tanzania and expand its work among the Batwa Pygmies in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and The DR Congo.

Additionally, he announced that howFar has committed its resources to reaching the unreached and unengaged Ngongo people group. The Ngongo inhabit the deepest forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With no roads leading into their remote villages, and Hutu rebels still active in the area, this will be howFar's most aggressive mission effort to date. No Bible or Jesus Film exisits in the Ngongo language.

Table covers, in African animal prints, were made by the Refugee Sewing Society of Clarkston, Georgia, Clarkston is one of the main entrance points for refugees entering the US. In fact, many of the people groups that we are engaging around the world have refugees living in Clarkston. Our desire is to engage them here as well as in their homeland.

Mark Maynard reminded the guests that everything that has been done through howFar should cause us to celebrate God's goodness, mercy and grace and that it is all for His glory.

Mark reminded the group of our mission question, "howFar will you go?" He asked two questions of the guests.

"First, for those of you who have worked with us and prayed for us and supported us over the years. Will you continue to 'go' with us? Will you go until all that God has chosen for Himself have come in?"

"And for those of you who have come as guest tonight. Maybe you have been moved by what you have seen and heard tonight. Will you consider joining us? Will you 'go' with us?"

"howFar will you go?"

After the Celebration Banquet the Drummers of Burundi mixed with our guests. They taught Burundian dance steps and let them play their drums.

The compelling question at howFar is this, "howFar will you go?" How far will any of us go to fulfill the Great Commission?

Gihara Baptist Church & Crimson Academy Progress

2010-05-08T21:22:00.005-04:00

Construction of Gihara Baptist Church and Crimson Academy continues outside of Kigali the capital of Rwanda. Our team will visit the site in mid-June to inspect the progress and make plans for the church and schools completion and opening.

Foundation began in January, 2010

The buildings completed roof. April 2010

The How Far Foundation will be recruiting four teachers and two aids to work at the Crimson Academy. The facility will also be home to Gihara Baptist Church whose members are mostly Batwa. The church will be lead by Pastor Vinesti.

howFar Sub Sahara Church Plant Map - April 2010

2010-04-26T16:11:00.003-04:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

howFar Celebration Banquet Video - April 23, 2010

2010-04-24T20:11:00.005-04:00

Great Commission Resurgence

2010-03-09T14:18:00.006-05:00

Recently, the Southern Baptist Convention was presented with a progress report from The Great Commission Resurgence Task Force. This group of leaders was charged with examining the way that the Southern Baptist denomination views, and executes against, Christ’s command to make disciples of all the nations. Many believe that the denomination will move to make significant, and extraordinary, changes this summer to create an environment of unity and co-operation that will lead to a recommitment, a resurgence, to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Their goal: “To present the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world and to make disciples of all nations”.

That is a huge challenge…one that a single denomination cannot complete alone. We believe that God has called howFar Ministries to participate in the fulfillment of the Great Commission, shoulder to shoulder, in partnership with other God-centered evangelical denominations and agencies.

As of this writing, there are no Southern Baptist missionaries working in Burundi or in The Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC is the third largest country on the Africa Continent. Nearly 80 million people live in these two countries. We have accepted the call and God has placed howFar Ministries in these two countries. To date, we have planted two churches in Burundi and one in the DRC in the Kivu District. Our plan is to push deeper into the heart of the DRC this summer with the saving gospel message of Jesus Christ.

The northeastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is a difficult place for missionaries. Ongoing clashes with Rwandan Hutu rebels has caused a destabilization of the region. However, the gospel message must continue to go out and, in times of trial, hearts are open.

Here is an update on the situation in the area near Gome where we are working in partnership with Congolese leaders.

GOMA, 1 March 2010 (IRIN) – For the many thousands of people displaced by conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kivu regions who have returned to their villages, home has its many hardships.

“Return has not always been durable, as the reduction of food rations in camps [for displaced people - IDPs] and the arrival of the new planting season rather than any improvement in security have led people to go back,” the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) stated in a 24 February report.

“Many people returned home to find their land occupied, while renewed clashes in return areas also forced people to flee again soon after their arrival home,” it said.

Across eastern DRC, “access to basic necessities … has deteriorated over the last year in the context of military operations and reprisals and continuing abuses against the population. The vast majority of IDPs and returnees have no access to health centres and schools, or to clean water, food, seeds, tools or building materials,” according to the report.

A boy pokes his head through a hole in the tarpaulin that acts as the wall of his classroom in an IDP camp in Minova, DRC Photo: Aubrey Graham/IRIN
During 2009, according to IDMC, about a million people returned to their villages in North and South Kivu – about the same number who fled because of clashes, mainly between government forces and Rwandan Hutu rebels.

In North and South Kivu, there are 1.36 million IDPs, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

A woman on the road to the market Photo: Nicholai Lidow/IRIN

In the North Kivu capital of Goma, some 77,000 people live in IDP camps, against about twice that number two years ago.

“Many have gone back to their land, and we are getting noises that more want to return,” Masti Notz, head of the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, in North Kivu told IRIN.

“Positive change is progressively taking place in Eastern DRC,” Alan Doss, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, wrote in the East African newspaper on 1 March.

Please pray for our work, for the believers in the DRC, for our Batwa church at Mudja and for a harvest in the region.

2010-03-08T15:02:00.003-05:00

First Annual Celebration Banquet
howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation
April 23, 2010
6:30 TO 9:30 PM
The Community Center at Cross Pointe Church
1800 Satellite Boulevard
Duluth, Georgia 30097

"I Love You Jesus, You Are My Savior"

2010-02-26T12:07:00.007-05:00

I was thrilled when the boys of Standard Two chose this song when I asked them to sing for me. Lake Jipe Baptist Primary School, in western Kenya, was founded in 2006 by our ministry. It is now operated in a partnership with The How Far Foundation and the Education Ministry of Kenya. Approximately 120 Maasai students, in 6 grade levels, attend the school.

2010 Board of Directors

2010-02-19T12:20:00.010-05:00

howFar Ministries, Inc. and The How Far Foundation, Inc. are governed by a Board of Directors. The board gives direction and counsel to the Managing Director of the ministry.

Bill McIver - Chairman

After a 40 year career with GMAC, Mr. McIver retired in 2009 as Director of Remarketing for the US. Bill currently works as a consultant to GMAC and leads his consulting company, Forsyth Consulting Group, Inc. He earned his BA from Augusta State College and an MBA from Samford University. Bill also serves on the Board of Directors of Envoy International, Inc. Bill and his wife, Nadine, have been married for 42 years and have one child. They reside in Cumming, Georgia.

Scott Gates - Vice-Chairmam

Mr. Gates has been in leadership and management with Fortune 500 Ryder System since 1995. He is currently Director and General Manager of Ryder Fleet Products, Inc. Scott attended Florida State University. He also serves on the Development Council for the Atlanta Union Mission. Scott and his wife, Lori, have two girls and live in Suwanee, Georgia.

Renee Maynard - Co-Founder, Secretary & Treasurer

Mrs. Maynard has balanced raising six successful children and serving her local and global community for the past 30 years. She is a team-recipient of The Thousand Points of Light Award from President George H Bush for her work with grieving families. Mrs. Maynard was honored with the Heroes for Children Award from Governor George W Bush for her outstanding contribution to education as President of the Education Foundation and PTA in Pilot Point, Texas. She has worked tirelessly for several years to improve the quality of life for women and orphans in sub-Sahara, Africa. Renee has her AA in Secretarial Science from Pasadena City College and BA in Child Psychology and Christian Education. Renee is married to How Far Foundation co-founder Mark Maynard. They have six children and three grandsons. The Maynard's reside in Sugar Hill, Georgia.

Mark Maynard - Founder and Managing Directorr

Mr. Maynard is a 25 year Sales and Management veteran in the Advertising and Business Products industries. Mark served as National Sales Training Manager for Minolta Business Solutions, Inc. the direct sales division for Minolta Corporation, USA. Mark directed all aspects of training, development and learning in support of 42 US sales branches. He managed five strategic regional training centers offering a wide array of sales, product, technology, leadership and management courses. Mark left a successful career in 2005 to begin what would become The How Far Foundation. Mark is married to co-founder, Renee Smith Maynard. They travel extensively in their work but call Sugar Hill, Georgia their home. Mark and Renee have six children and three grandsons. Mr. Maynard is past President of the Board of Directors at GRACE, a relief agency serving Grapevine, Colleyville and Southlake, Texas. Mark attended the University of South Florida.

Robert Boogaard

Mr. Boogaard is a seasoned executive in international business. He is currently Director of Global Marketing for Norit Process Technology located at Enschede, The Netherlands. Rob lives in Utrecht, Netherlands with his wife, Melissa, and their three children.

Scott Redmon

Mr. Redmon is an Information technology leader currently working as Senior Manager, Storgage and Linux Systems at Arris, a global technology company specializing in Broadband Networks. Scott studied Computer Engineering at Auburn University and earned his BA in Business management at Georgia State University. Scott and his wife, Leatia, live in Suwanee, Georgia with their three sons.

Tom Williams

Mr. Williams is involved in the Surity Industry in Atlanta, Georgia. He is an Underwriting Manager at CNA Surity Corporation, providng surity bonds to commercial construction companies in the region. Tom is a graduate of The State University of West Georgia, and has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Stetson School of Business at Mercer University. Tom and his wife, Beth, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia and have two children.

Board of Reference:

Phillip Haynes

Mr. Haynes is the Principle Consultant at Onesimus Group based in Atlanta, Georgia. Phillip is an entrepreneur with a wide range of holdings including real estate, construction and education. Phillip is co-founder and principle architect of Crimson Academy in Gihara, Rwanda. Mr. Haynes earned his BA at Howard University and his Masters in Education at Harvard University. Phillip and his wife, Holly, live in Sugar Hill, Georgia. They have two children, a son and a daughter.

Tim Korosec - Past Chairman and Co-Founder (Retired)

Mr. Korosec, and his wife Christine, have been long time friends of Mark and Renee Maynard. They have shared a common vision for improving the quality of life for those who cannot help themselves. In 2007, the Korosec's and the Maynard's made plans and laid the groundwork for what would become The How Far Foundation. Mr. Korosec is Director of Sales at Dole Packaged Foods where he has worked since 1996. Tim and his wife have two sons and reside in Buford, Georgia.

Rev. Scott Morgan

Mr. Morgan is Pastor of Adult Discipleship at Cross Pointe Church in Duluth, Georgia.

'News from the Maynards at howFar Ministries...howFar will you go?'

2010-02-04T17:29:00.000-05:00

'News from the Maynards at howFar Ministries...howFar will you go?'

How Far Foundation WAPI (Water Pasteurization Indicator) Distribution

2010-01-26T21:12:00.003-05:00

Crimson Academy Project Moves Forward

2010-01-09T09:36:00.009-05:00

Press Release

January 8, 2010 - Gihara, Rwanda

Work continues on the construction or our second school, Crimson Academy, located at Gihara, Rwanda. Crimson Academy follows our initial school project, founded in 2006, for Maasai children at Orkung'u, Kenya.

For an update on the project visit www.crimsonacademy.com.

Crimson Academy, to begin with four classrooms, is scheduled to open in mid- 2010. The private Christian School will educate 100 marginalized Batwa Pygmy children. The vast majority of the underprivileged Twa children have never had access to an education. Each child will receive basic English, mathematics, health, science and Bible free of charge.

The goal of howFar is to raise up a generation of Christian Batwa leaders who will be trained and enabled to evangelize their indigenous "least-reached" people group. The Batwa inhabit portions of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The How Far Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Humanitarian Aid Agency and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a Public Charity. All donations to The How Far Foundation, Inc are tax deductible.

Mark Maynard
Managing Director
howFar Ministries, Inc.
The How Far Foundation, Inc.

The King is Coming!

2009-12-23T11:41:00.004-05:00

Renee and I recently returned to First Baptist Sugar Hill where, in 2004, I was ordained into the gospel ministry. We were invited to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the presentation of a wonderful Christmas Musical. All of the elements of a traditional Christmas presentation were included....a beautiful set, children singing, moving and inspirational solos and choir numbers followed by a really well done message from the pastor.

The entire evening was expertly crafted to point us to the birth of our Savior and Redeemer.

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." Isaiah 9:6,7

At Christmas our focus is on Christ's first coming as Messiah, and rightly so, that is what we are celebrating. Everything that we would hope to see and hear was included in the evenings' event to make that message crystal clear. What I did not expect was the final number which was, for me, the evenings perfect culmination and expression of worship.

The market place is empty,
No more traffic in the streets.
All builder's tools are silent,
No more time to harvest wheat.
Busy housewives cease their labors,
In the Courtroom no debate.
Work on earth is all suspended
As the King comes through the gate.

Oh the King is coming,
The King is coming,
I just heard the trumpet sounding
And now his face I see.
Oh, the King is coming,
The King is coming
PRAISE GOD,
He's coming for me!

All the railroad road cars are empty,
As they rattle down the tracks.
In the newsroom no one watches,
As machines type pointless facts.
All the planes veer off their courses,
No one sits at the controls,
For the King of all the ages
Comes to claim eternal souls.

Happy faces line the hallways,
Those whose lives have been redeemed.
Broken homes that He has mended,
Those from prison He has freed.
Little children and the aged,
Hand in hand stand all aglow,
Who were crippled, broken, ruined,
Clad in garments white as snow.

I can hear the chariots rumble.
I can see the marching throng.
The flurry of God's trumpet
Spell the end of sin and wrong.
Regal robes are now enfolding,
Heaven's grandstand all in place.
Heaven's choir now assembled
Start to sing Amazing Grace.

Oh, the King is coming,
The King is coming
I just heard the trumpet sounding
And now His face I see
Oh, the King is coming
The King is coming
PRAISE GOD,
He's coming for me!

"For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works." Matthew 16:27

As the gospel quartet sang, and the tears of joy began to flow, we were wonderfully reminded of that glorious event that is yet to happen. Christ will come again. Not as an infant, not as the One who came to ransom us from the wrath of God....but as King Jesus to reign and rule forever. "PRAISE GOD, He is coming for me!"

Merry Christmas from Hillary, Mark, Renee and John

howFar Ministries Africa Network

2009-12-07T10:16:00.004-05:00

(Click on image to enlarge)

howFar will you go?

2009-11-25T10:58:00.000-05:00

We need your SkyMiles!

2009-11-10T10:56:00.005-05:00

One of the greatest expenses we have as a non profit public charity is travel. Yes, getting to where the work needs to be done!

You can help get us to where the greatest needs are....here's how.

Don't let your Delta/Northwest SkyMiles expire. Donate them to howFar Ministries/The How Far Foundation and we'll receive a 50% bonus from Delta on every mile transferred until December 29th!

Give miles...make a difference...howFar will you go?

Church construction to begin at Myramvya, Burundi

2009-11-05T10:55:00.018-05:00

Beautiful view across the valley from our land at Myramvya
Press Release

November 4, 2009 - The How Far Foundation, Inc. and howFar Ministries, Inc. have authorized Phase One of our construction project at Myramvya, Burndi to begin. The first phase is a permanent church structure.

You may recall that God led us to plant a church among the Batwa Pygmies at Muramvya last year. In May of this year, the Governor of the Muramvya Province, the Honorable Oscar Ndayiziga, gave The How Far Foundation, Incorporated a gift of land for a church and school.

The temporary church sits on the distant hilltop

The church will be built on several fantastically beautiful acres atop a mountain overlooking a wonderfully green valley with a river winding through it.

Temporary structure built by the Batwa Church

The 60 Batwa members of the church at Muramvya will do the majority of the work including making all of the mud bricks. Once the structure is completed the church members will be able to worship together even during the prolonged rainy season.

According to The Joshua Project only 7% of the 313,000 Batwa Pygmies are Christian. There are only 7 known Batwa churches in all of Rwanda, Burundi and The Democratic Republic of the Congo. By God’s grace, five of them have been planted by howFar Ministries.

Sharing the gospel of hope with those who have not heard.

The How Far Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Humanitarian Aid Agency and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a Public Charity. All donations to The How Far Foundation, Inc are tax deductible.

Construction begins in Gihara, Rwanda

2009-09-28T16:42:00.004-04:00

Press Release

September 28, 2009 - The How Far Foundation, Inc. and howFar Ministries, Inc. have authorized construction to begin on our second school, Crimson Academy, located at Gihara, Rwanda. Crimson Academy follows our initial school project, founded in 2006, for Maasai children at Orkung'u, Kenya.

Crimson Academy, to begin with four classrooms, is scheduled to open in January 2010. The private Christian School will educate 100 marginalized Batwa Pygmy children. The vast majority of the underprivileged Twa children have never had access to an education. Each child will receive basic English, mathematics, health, science and Bible free of charge.

The goal of howFar is to raise up a generation of Christian Batwa leaders who will be trained and enabled to evangelize their indigenous "least-reached" people group. The Batwa inhabit portions of Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and The Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The How Far Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) Humanitarian Aid Agency and is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a Public Charity. All donations to The How Far Foundation, Inc are tax deductible.

Mark Maynard
Managing Director
howFar Ministries, Inc.
The How Far Foundation, Inc.

Rotary and Interact Provide 800 WAPI's

2009-09-21T10:30:00.012-04:00

"Mark Maynard, of howFar, explains what happens when a WAPI reaches remote villages in East Africa"

(Click on photos to enlarge)

The North Gwinnett Rotary Club and the Interact Clubs from North Gwinnett High School and Collins Hill High School have teamed up to manufacture 800 WAPI's for distribution in Sub-Sahara Africa.

"Carolyn Hill and Mark Maynard explain how a WAPI works"

The event, held at North Gwinnett High School on September 12, 2009, was the second of its kind. Last year 380 WAPI's were made at a similar event.

"F. Wayne Hill coaches a young leader as he makes a component of a WAPI"

A WAPI is a Water Pasteurization Indicator. The simple devise is used in remote villages to show when water is safe to drink. By heating water to the pasteurization level, below the boiling point, harmful bacteria are killed making the water pure.

According to UNICEF 1000 children die every 24 hours from drinking contaminated water.

"Training an Interact Club Group"

The Rotary Club of North Gwinnett and Interact Clubs of North Gwinnett High School and Collins Hill High School have chosen The How Far Foundation as its distribution partner. In May of 2009 380 WAPI's were delivered to remote villages in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In June of 2010 The How Far Foundation plans to distribute another 800 WAPI's to "in crisis" villages in Sub-Sahara East Africa.

Summer 2010 Mission Trips

2009-09-21T10:14:00.004-04:00

It is time for us to begin planning for our summer 2010 mission trips.

Two exciting opportunities for committed “Great Commission” Christians.

10-day Kenya & Tanzania Maasai Mission: May 27 – June 5 (Atlanta-Nairobi-Atlanta)
This mission team will minister to our churches in Kenya and Tanzania by assisting them in evangelizing the lost.
Medical, VBS, Women’s and Men’s ministries. Estimated Investment: $3800 (All Inclusive)

10-day Rwanda & Burundi Batwa Pygmy Mission: June 7 – June 16 (Atlanta-Nairobi-Kigali-Atlanta)
This mission team will minister to our churches at Kigali, Rwanda and Muramvya, Burundi by assisting them in evangelizing the lost.
Medical, VBS, Women’s and Men’s ministries. Estimated Investment: $4000 (All Inclusive)

For those who want to really experience God’s work in East Africa you can join both mission teams. Estimated cost: $6000.

Contact mark@howFarMinistries.org if you are interested in these opportunities.

Batwa Pygmy Clean Water Project

2009-08-27T20:54:00.007-04:00

The howFar Foudation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of North Gwinnett and the Interact Club at North Gwinnett High School, has introduced 100 WAPI's (Water Pasteurization Indicators) into the Beterere Slum outside of Bujumbura, Burundi.

The Beterere slum is populated by over 6,500 displaced Batwa who have been relocated from their ancestral homelands, in the mountains of Burundi, Rwanda and the DRC, to protect the Mountain Gorella and to make way for logging concerns.

The Batwa Pygmies have been hunters and gatherers for centuries but are now forced to look for new ways to provide for themselves. Crude pottery and brick making are their only options and provide little income.

The 6,500 inhabitants of the Beterere Slum depend on a single shallow water well that cannot meet the demand for water in the village. The Twa are driven to shallow pools of standing rain water which is always contaminated.

The WAPI is a simple devise that indicates when water has reached pasteurization and is safe to drink.

Four hundred and fifty WAPI's were introduced into remote villages in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi in May of 2009.

For more photos see www.facebook.com/markmaynard

NEW CHURCH PLANT: Mudja Baptist Church, DRC

2009-08-14T09:29:00.018-04:00

When I returned from East Africa in May I shared my joy by reporting that we had been blessed to partner with Kingdom Fellowship Church of Central Africa in the planting of a brand new church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

You may remember that the DRC has been embroiled in a conflict with rebels in its northeastern region for the last several years. While hostilities have slowed tensions remain high within the region. Heavily armed UN peacekeeping forces, and the DRC military, have a huge presence in the area and patrol twenty-fours hours a day.

"United Nations Peacekeeping Soldier near Goma, DRC"

(Click on images to enlarge)

The cities of northeast DRC are filled with refugees fleeing from the brutality of the rebels. The streets are filled with women and children who have lost their husbands, many raped by men infected with HIV.

It is in this tumultuous region that this new church has been planted.

"Batwa in Mudja Village"

Approximately thirty kilometers due north of Goma lies the village of Mudja. It is inhabited by 7200 Batwa Pygmy's and people from the Bakumu Tribe. There are no evangelical churches in the area. However, I was very surprised when I asked the Batwa Elder what religion he was. "True Bahai", he replied.

We must not forget that evangelical Christians are not the only people who hope to spread their beliefs throughout the world. Cults of every kind send their representatives "to the ends of the earth", as well. This knowledge alone should cause us to intensify our commitment to investing time, energy and resources into the work of combating the message of death spread by the evil one.

"A DRC freight hauler!"

While in Mudja village the elders committed to give land for the church.

I just received word that the king of the province (Yes, there are still kings in parts of Africa), Sultani wa Mukowa Mudogo wa Rusayo, has given us a parcel of land of approximately 5 acres!

"An area near our new church property"

We'll begin raising funds to build a small church for the saints at Mudja village immediately. A structure that complements their lifestyle will cost approximately $4000 USD.

"A photo I just received of the new Mudja Church Members"

"Batwa Child in Mudja Village"

To make matters worse, the village lies only 10 kilometers from Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano. Half of the city of Goma was destroyed in 2002 when Nyiragongo erupted. Recently, scientist have recorded increased activity and heat coming from Mount Nyiragongo, and its sister volcano, Mount Nyamulagira, which lies 25 kilometers away. Experts are predicting that Nyamulagira may soon erupt.

"Steam rises from the active volcano"

The villagers in Mudja can see clouds of steam and smoke coming from Mount Nyiragongo and the air in the area is frequently thick with volcanic ash. By night, you can often see the red glow of burning lava trickling out of the summit of the nearest volcano.

"Phillip Haynes waits outside for the little SUV to cross a lava flow"

We were unable to use our own car to get to Mudja. The terrain is covered by rough lava flows and rocks making it necessary to borrow a 4WD SUV.

"Traditional Batwa Pygmy hut"

For us, living in the shadow of an active volcano is far from our reality. We live safely within the cocoon of our suburban American lives. We have more than we can consume. Even in our recession we enjoy a standard of living far above the rest of the world. For us, there is little sense of urgency to change anything within our comfortable lives. But for the villagers of Mudja, who live in imminent danger, news of a Savior who offers eternal life, brings joy and comfort and peace as never before. It is a change that the elect will exuberantly embrace.

"Peter said unto them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.' Acts 2:38-39

UPDATE: URGENT NEED AT MURAMVYA, BURUNDI

2009-07-28T15:28:00.002-04:00

Praise God for His perfect provision.

In just 12 days we have exceeded the need for the Muramvya Church. We have received cash and commitments of $3160.00!

The additional funds will allow us to purchase a brick making press which will greatly improve the quality of the bricks. Once the church is completed at Muramvya we will send the press to our new church at Beterere, Burundi and and then on to Gihara, Rwanda where we are building a church and school.

"Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." Phil. 4: 14-20

May God bless everyone who gave to this urgent need according to His promise.

URGENT NEED AT MURAMVYA, BURUNDI

2009-07-17T15:34:00.011-04:00

I have just received an urgent request from our church in Muramvya, Burundi!

You may recall that God led us to plant a church among the Batwa Pygmies at Muramvya last year. In May of this year, I met with the Governor of the Muramvya Province, the Honorable Oscar Ndayiziga, to request a gift of land for a church and school. To our great surprise the gift was granted immediately!

"View of our hillside and temporary church. The government is requiring a permanent structure."

We have several fantastically beautiful acres atop a mountain overlooking a wonderfully green valley with a river winding through it.

"The temporary church"

The government’s stipulation was only that we develop the land for the benefit of the community, primarily the Batwa Pygmies. This week, I received word that the timetable for development has been set at only six months. Here is an excerpt from the message.

“The pastor and the church sends greetings. There's a doc. attached. (From the government of Burundi giving several acres to HowFar Ministries.) The government says within 6 months we should have started to build the church i.e from the day they handed over the doc. When 6 months will get finished without something done on the land given they will take back their property.”

“Urgent budget that is needed: $2610.00 USD” Pastor Augustine Niyonsenga

We have until December 31, of this year, to complete the construction of a permanent church building. It will be constructed of hand-made mud bricks with a metal roof.

Will you please prayerfully consider helping to meet this one time need of $2610.00 so that we can keep this tremendous gift of land for the church at Muramvya?

"The view from the church"

"Sharing about the 'Living Water' at Muramvya"

To donate to the urgent need contact us at mark@howFar.org

East Africa Church Plant Map

2009-07-06T09:11:00.006-04:00

Click Image To Enlarge

Creation....

2009-06-09T15:03:00.013-04:00

Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro with a family of elephants in the foreground. Just a few miles from our churches along the Kenya/Tanzania border.

(Click image to enlarge)

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."
Romans 1:20

...and they shall cast out demons in My name.

2009-06-09T12:42:00.008-04:00

The Full Story

In our day, the church in the United States rarely discusses the activity of the evil realm. Spiritual warfare, to us, means something entirely different than it does in primitive cultures and societies. We view it as the loss of a job, the loss of our health, or even the loss of our joy. We attribute these things to the discouraging work of Satan and his minions. Or worse yet, we don’t even make a connection between Satan and events in our lives.

In the bush villages of East Africa spiritual warfare is much more personal and much more costly. Demon possession is not uncommon. In fact, it is a reality that pastors must deal with with great frequency. Witch doctors and wizards practice their evil casting spells and serving the evil one freely.

Just three weeks ago, while visiting one of our church plants at Python Hill, Kenya, I experienced the power of the evil one first hand.

I had just finished preaching and praying for the children and the sick in the small church of 30 when a woman was brought in supported by a man on either side. Her head hung forward as if her neck was broken and her legs dragged behind along the earthen floor.

Alarmed at what we saw we rushed to her side to see what was the matter already intending to pray for healing.

Now nearer to the women, I could see that she was gasping for air as though someone was strangling her. Each attempt to suck in air was accompanied by a sickening sounding rasp.

I checked her pulse at the Carotid Artery. The powerful pulsating rush of blood revealed a heart that raced as if it might explode out of her chest.

We asked the men who brought her in if they knew what she suffered from. The husband said that she had been to the far away clinic many times but they could find no reason for the symptoms.

As we began to pray, my friend and ministry partner along the Kenya/Tanzania border, Pastor Reuben ole Tiges, turned to me and said, “She is not sick. She is demon possessed!”

I am almost embarrassed to admit that a cold chill ran down my spine. I have worked in the remote bush of East Africa for several years now often hearing stories of encounters with witch doctors and spirits and demons. I had believed “almost” every story that I had heard. But this was no far off story, no tale that made its way to me, this was happening right in front of me.

As we prayed for the woman to be delivered, in Jesus name, she began to tense up. Then began to wail. Then began to fight us with a strength that alarmed me. It took three, then four, then five of us to hold her there. I began to understand that she was not trying to get away from us but from the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Suddenly, she fell to her knees and began to throw up a white foamy sputum. Her body wrenched and convulsed several times, all the while, struggling to get free. Almost as quickly as she had begun to fight she relaxed and came to rest. She seemed to have been freed from the demonic hold but we continued to pray for her deliverance.

Then the eerie scene began to repeat itself exactly as before. This time more violent than before.

Somewhere in the midst of my prayers and trying to make sense of what I was seeing, two thoughts came into my mind.

My own helplessness and dependency expressed in this prayer, “Lord, I have no power to help this woman. But you are all powerful. Your Word says that we will cast out demons in your Name. I know that this is your will. So Lord, please do it now.”

And a realization, “Lord, when this demon comes out it is going somewhere. Please protect the people in this church who do not know you. Lord, send this demon far, far away.”

Three times we wrestled with the demon. Three times she fought and convulsed and threw up. The members of the small primitive church prayed loudly and intensely around us for the entire forty-five minute ordeal.

And then a peace came over her that spread to everyone in the tiny church. Without a word or question I knew that she had been delivered. I knew that Jesus had commanded the demon to leave and that she was free.

Immediately she was breathing normal. Her pulse was normal. Her eyes opened and she began to look around. I got down in front of her and called her name. “Felista, Felista look at me”. As her eyes began to focus on me I said, “cheka”, which means smile in Kiswahili. And as naturally as can be, she gave me the most beautiful smile I have ever seen.

Soon she was talking and moving around as if nothing had happened. In fact, I don’t think she ever understood the depth of her condition.

As the other women in the church cared for her we began to speak to her husband. “Do you understand what Jesus just did for your wife”, I asked? “Yes”, he said. A gospel presentation, a prayer of faith and a celebration in heaven for one new saint.

Then, a tap on my shoulder. It was Felista who had been possessed by a demon not 15 minutes earlier. “I want that too”, she said! And, by faith in the One who had just freed her, she was saved.

Thinking back, I now believe the woman had been possessed by three demons. Each time she threw up one had been commanded to leave.

Yes, the power of the evil one is very real. A personal encounter with his fallen angels will change the way you view the promises made to those who believe...by Faith alone.

“These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons...” Mark 16:17

Mark Maynard
howFar Ministries, Inc.
www.howFar.org

EAST AFRICA MISSION UPDATE

2009-05-12T02:03:00.010-04:00

NAIROBI. KENYA

Updated 8 June 2009

With three thousand kilometers behind us, and as many to go, the mission is going extremely well. Our new Toyota Corolla Station Wagon is a tremendous blessing to the ministry.

Pastor Augustine Nyinsinga, our partner in Central Africa, my friend Phillip Haynes from Atlanta, Georgia and I have visited three churches and associated projects in Rwanda and Burundi over the past week. Land has been purchased in Gihara, Rwanda for a church and school. Meetings with the Governor of Murumvya Provence, Rwanda and Administrator of Beterera Sector, Burundi have resulted in gifts of land for church and school projects.

Additionally, we have introduced 250 Water Purification Devises into the remote villages where we have churches. In these villages waterborne disease is a continual threat to the lives of the new Saints.

We have been blessed to partner with Kingdom Fellowship Church of Central Africa in the planting of a brand new church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo(DRC).

You may know that the DRC has been embroiled in a conflict with rebels in its northeastern region for the last several years. While hostilities have slowed tensions remain high within the region. Heavily armed UN peacekeeping forces, and the DRC military, have a huge presence in the area and patrol twenty-fours hours a day.

The cities of northeast DRC are filled with refugees fleeing from the brutality of the rebels. The streets are filled with women and children who have lost their husbands, many raped by men infected with HIV.

It is in this tumultuous region that this new church has been planted.

Approximately thirty kilometers due north of Goma lies the village of Mudja. It is inhabited by 7200 Batwa Pygmy's and people from the Bakumu Tribe. There are no evangelical churches in the area. However, I was very surprised when I asked the Batwa Elder what religion he was. "True Bahai", he replied.

We must not forget that evangelical Christians are not the only people who hope to spread their beliefs throughout the world. Cults of every kind send their representatives "to the ends of the earth", as well. This knowledge alone should cause us to intensify our commitment to investing time, energy and resources into the work of combating the message of death spread by the evil one.

The Mudja village elders have committed to give land for the church and a pastor will be posted there by Kingdom Fellowship Churches.

To make matters worse, the village lies only 10 kilometers from Mount Nyiragongo, an active volcano. Half of the city of Goma was destroyed in 2002 when Nyiragongo erupted. Recently, scientist have recorded increased activity and heat coming from Mount Nyiragongo, and its sister volcano, Mount Nyamulagira, which lies 25 kilometers away. Experts are predicting that Nyamulagira may soon erupt.

The villagers in Mudja can see clouds of steam and smoke coming from Mount Nyiragongo and the air in the area is frequently thick with volcanic ash. By night, you can often see the red glow of burning lava trickling out of the summit of the nearest volcano.

We were unable to use our own car to get to Mudja. The terrain is covered by rough lava flows and rocks making it necessary to borrow and 4WD SUV.

For us, living in the shadow of an active volcano is far from our reality. We live safely within the cocoon of our suburban American lives. We have more than we can consume. Even in our recession we enjoy a standard of living far above the rest of the world. For us, there is little sense of urgency to change anything within our comfortable lives. But for the villagers of Mudja, who live in imminent danger, news of a Savior who offers eternal life, brings joy and comfort and peace as never before. It is a change that they will exuberantly embrace.

Looking forward, I begin the second half of the mission today. Pastor Reuben ole Tiges, the Bishop of our partner churches in Kenya and Tanzania and I will dedicate three new church structure and visit our church and school at Lake Jipe Orkung'u, Kenya.

Watch for the full story, and photos, in the coming weeks!

I pray that we all realize that there are many worthwhile projects to support. However, there is nothing more important than the eternal salvation of the lost. Please prayerfully consider supporting our work so that we continue on.

May God Bless You,

Mark Maynard

About howFar....

2009-04-11T08:54:00.013-04:00

Click image to enlarge.

howFar will you go?

URGENT NEED: Car for East Africa Mission

2009-04-11T08:24:00.006-04:00

While in East Africa we hope to purchase a vehicle to help us more efficiently accomplish our mission and humanitarian aid work.

The largest expense that we have on the ground is the cost of renting a car. Over the years, we have spent enough to have purchased a new 4WD SUV many times over. Lord willing, we will be able to invest in a vehicle that will enable us to use our financial resources for additional ministry and aid projects.

The investment for a used Toyota EE104ST, imported from Japan, is $8,813.00.

If you are able to make a one time, tax deductible, donation toward the purchase of this car please contact us immediately. The deadline for this necessary investment is April 15.

The purchase of this vehicle will save the foundation $2100 on this trip alone. But more importantly, it will enable us to take the gospel message to more places than ever!

My driver and personal assistant in Mombasa, Maurice Amadi, will rent the car to other mission and humanitarian aid agencies through the year turning it into a profit center for The howFar Foundation. Maurice, who is a professional driver, will also drive the car when rented so that it is kept in excellent condition. The income generated will be used to cover my expenses while in East Africa making it possible to go more often.

To donate contact mark@howFar.org.

East Africa Mission - April 2009

2009-03-31T11:29:00.004-04:00

I will be returning to East Africa, visiting our churches and humanitarian aid projects in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, from April 28 through May 22, 2009.

Watch for the full agenda coming soon!

howFar to Deliver Rotary WAPI's to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burindi

2009-03-06T06:51:00.028-05:00

The How Far Foundation, Inc., an international humanitarian aid agency, will deliver 400 Water Pasteurization Indicators to rural areas in East Africa in April of 2009. Our partnership with the Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett to deliver a simple and effective means of insuring safe drinking water falls into our mission of improving the quality of life for those living in remote rural villages in Sub-Sahara Africa.

"Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett & North Gwinnett HS Interact Club work to make Water Pasteurization Indicators – A way to improve world health and save the lives of children through safer water!"

"BUFORD, GEORGIA - Rotary recognizes that children are the future of the world. Rotary believes that healthy and happy children are a key to achieving the goal of building international understanding and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett continues to celebrate the commitment to World Understanding throughout the month of February.

Together with the Interact Club of North Gwinnet High School, the club made Water Pasteurization Indicators (WAPIs) on Valentine’s Day – February 14th. Water pasteurization is needed in many places around the world where water is contaminated, causing disease and death. The microbes that cause these diseases can be easily killed by heating water before drinking.

WAPIs are short poly-carbonate plastic tubes that are half filled with soy wax and heat sealed on both ends. The soy wax melts at about 158 degrees F, a temperature that kills many microbes including Giardia, Entamoeba, Cryptosporidium Guinea, Worm and other Worms, E Coli, Shigella, Cholera, Rotaviruses, Polioviruses, Hepatitis A virus and pasteurization of milk.

WAPIs are effectively used for water pasteurization in third world countries because they are so simple to understand. The WAPI is put into a bowl of water, which is then heated by the sun or other heat source. The wax melts at the appropriate temperature, indicating that the water is safe to drink.

Rotary recognizes that over one billion people do not have access to safe water. Preventable waterborne diseases are responsible for approximately 80% of all illnesses and deaths in the developing world. Children are especially susceptible, with nearly three million deaths each year. The deaths of three million people every year due to contaminated water is the equivalent of losing as many people every five weeks as the total deaths caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. This is an astonishing number of deaths – with most being children."

(Source: The Gwinnett Citizen)

Carolyn Hill, Rotary Club of Buford/North Gwinnett Founder said, "We are so excited to partner with Mark, and the How Far Foundation, because we can be sure that the WAPI's will be delivered directly into the hands of the people who need them most".

"Demonstrating a WAPI, Water Pasteurization Indicator, in a slum near Bujumbura, Burundi. Clean water is a crucial issue here...children still die because of bad water in this village.

The How Far Foundation, and howFar Ministries, will use the introduction of the Water Pasteurization Indicator as a platform to share the gospel message. As we teach about clean water we will introduce them to the "living water".

John 4:9 Therefore the Samaritan woman *said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
John 4:10 Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."
John 4:11 She *said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water?
John 4:12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?"
John 4:13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again;
John 4:14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life."

If you would like to contribute to this gospel centered clean water project contact howFar Ministries at mark@howFar.org.

2009 Kenya Orphan Sponsorships

2009-01-13T13:58:00.017-05:00

The How Far Foundation and howFar Ministries is pleased to announce that 72 orphans have been sponsored for the 2009 school year.

Each year The How Far Foundation and howFar Ministries partners with St. Patrick's Baptist Mission School in Mtongwe, Kenya to provide education sponsorships for orphaned children. Funds for sponsorships come from individual donors who generously give $80 per student. The funds provide tuition, books and uniform for the entire school year which begins in January.

St. Patrick's Baptist Mission School is a private christian school offering a high-school preparatory program. The intake ratio for students entering the first grade in Kenya is 30.3%. Only 23.1% of those students receive a secondary education and 3% go on to a university. (Source:UNESCO). Statistics show that students who receive a primary education in a private school are many times more likely to pass the test to advance to secondary schools.

In 2008, St. Patrick's Baptist Mission School had a total enrollment of 410 students. One-hundred and ten are orphans.

Scholarships are still needed for the remaining 38 orphans. If you would like to make a tax deductible contribution of $80 to give an orphaned child hope for the future contact The How Far Foundation at mark@howFar.org.

Thank you to all of our 2009 sponsors.

Renee Maynard
Board Secretary - howFar Ministries, Inc. and The How Far Foundation, Inc.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

2008-12-15T08:58:00.004-05:00

Hillary, Mark, Renee, John, Sharon, Caleb and Mike
(Mark II, Adrienne, Mark III, Brian, Thomas and Logan are not in the photo)

East Africa Women's Ministry

2008-12-09T13:07:00.029-05:00

Recently, we received the following e mail from our friend and ministry partner, Pastor Patrick Marisia. Pastor Patrick founded Steadfast Baptist Mission Church in Mtongwe, Kenya 20 years ago.

"...I have come urgently (to Mombasa) because there is a conference for women from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania (some from Rwanda and Burundi they did not make it due to transport money) but we are thanking God for 50 women who arrived last night and 6 this morning, thay are sleeping at your mum Eba's.

Tell mama Renee that the work she started for teaching women is going on very well, and the materials she left for women leaders is spreading to far countries. I wish she could just one day see for herself the work she started and even teach these women from different nations.

They are expecting 200 women from outside Kenya and they have contributed money to feed them but they do come with their own transport to and fro.

For two months now our church elders in the leadership of Bonaya they have been fasting and praying and sleeping in the church 60 days now for the will of God to be seen in His servants work.

We thank the Lord for what He is doing in Steadfast Baptist Christian Mission Churches and your prayers always.

Greet for me the entire church members and your family."

Women's Conference Kikatiti, Tanzania 2005

In July 2005, Renee helped to begin the Steadfast Baptist Christian Mission Women's Ministry along with Pastor Patrick's wife, Margaret Marisia Wafula.

One of the things that is rarely seen in Africa is women's ministry of any kind.

What an incredible joy it is to see the work of God spreading to, and through, the women of East Africa.

Reaching Burmese Refugees with the Gospel

2008-11-17T08:01:00.068-05:00

October 21 - November 4, 2008
Ranong Provence, Thailand

Several years ago we began feeling the Lord's leading to begin a work in Thailand. In February of 2007 Renee and I took our first Vision Tour of Thailand and then led a Mission Team of 12 to Bangkok in December of 2007.

While in Bangkok, working with Pastor Martin Chappel, we just happened to run into Ben Murry, an IMB missionary working 8 hours south along the Thai/Myanmar border. We now know that our chance encounter was a divine appointment that would eventually lead us to Ranong.

Scott Gates and I made the 24-hour trip from Atlanta to Bangkok through Seoul, South Korea. We spent the day in Bangkok adjusting to the time change, seeing some old friends, learning the culture and resting before making the one-hour flight south to Ranong.

View from the top of What Arun (Temple of the Dawn) across the Chao Phraya River.

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Ornate temples to an "unknown god".

A culture that only hopes to, one day, cease to exist so that they can escape the cycle of suffering. Eternity has no draw for one whose culture and religion teach that it is to be avoided.

Spirit houses meant to protect those who dwell in the homes along the canals from evil spirits.

When we arrived in Ranong we were met by our hosts, IMB field missionaries the Murry's and the William's. Our mission is to learn everything we can from experienced field missionaries so that we can be effective. Our plan is to work with them to see new churches planted among the Burmese and Thai people in areas where little to no mission work is currently being done.

(L to R) Brenda Murry, Patrick and Diana Williams, Mark Maynard, Ben Murry, Scott Gates.

Ranong borders Myanmar to the west, and is the smallest province in Thailand. It receives the greatest amount of rainfall in all of Thailand keeping its mountains lush and green year around. Beautiful forests, waterfalls, hot springs and views are everywhere. The reported population of the city of Ranong is approximately 25,000 but the real number is four times greater when the illegal Burmese refugees are added in.

Punya Ban - Only the first of three falls can be seen from the bottom.

Myanmar, shrouded in clouds, lies across the Par Chan River.

Sunday morning we worshipped at the only evangelical church in the city of Ranong. The Thai believers met first followed by the Burmese church. Together there are approximately 200 followers of Jesus Christ.

Ranong Full Gospel Church

Burmese Pastor Cho Gyi works tirelessly to take the gospel message to the Burmese refugees along the western coast of Thailand.

Sunday afternoon we drove about an hour and one half south to a fishing village called Pac Chompun. This village was virtually wiped out during the Tsunami. We worshipped, preached, shared testimonies and praises with the small body of believers. A Thai woman named Joy works with the Burmese refugees although she cannot speak their language.

The church treated us to a seafood feast. One that I am sure they would never have had except for our visit.

So good going down...

We're not entirely sure...but we suspect that it was this fish sauce that caused Scott and me a great deal of discomfort!

The majority of evangelism with the Burmese has to be done in the evenings. They work very long hours seven days a week on fishing boats, in canneries, on banana and rubber plantations, and as laborers. We visited several house churches all around 6:30 in the evening.

Monday morning we had planned to go to Myanmar but our plan was changed the night before. Pastor Cho Gyi informed us that a woman from one of the island churches had died and asked us if we would go to the funeral to encourage them. The Moken people, also known as Sea Gypsies, live on the hundreds of islands along the Myanmar and Thai coast. They have been evangelized and many are Christians. Buddhist culture generally demands that the dead be cremated. But the Moken believers bury their dead on an island set aside specifically for that purpose.

Scott Gates is an executive with Ryder and a Board Member of howFar Ministries.

Khoa Lao - also called Khoa Pii (Spirit Island)

Monday evening we drove about and hour and one-half north of Ranong. Our destination was a house church on a rubber plantation in a place called Kraburi. The man who leads the church, which is primarily his wife, children and grandchildren, is U Mynt Soe. We were thrilled to be present on the evening the Pastor Cho Gyi and the missionary installed him as a junior pastor. Pastor Soe's house church is the last one in the north of the province that the missionaries know of.

Pastor U Mynt Soe (on right) receives his Certificate of Ordination from Pastor Cho Gyi

Preparing to take The Lord's Supper

Pastor Soe's family harvests the sap from the rubber tree. The raw rubber is dried in flat strips and then hung from the ceiling to dry.

Faces of children and women are painted for beauty and to keep the skin soft.

Tuesday morning we made the 35-minute ride in a long-tail boat to Myanmar. There are two checkpoints that tourists must stop at before entering the country. The first is to to check passports, where they are collected and returned to the owner on the way out of the country, and the next is for inspection. Both of the checkpoints are on small islands in the Andamann Sea. Once these two steps are completed then you must go through immigration upon entering the southern most island of the Union of Myanmar. Our hosts were all amazed that the guards at both checkpoints barely looked at our passports, or at us.....and just waived us through. We knew that God had answered the prayers of the saints and had made our way swift and sure.

Checkpoint Two Ahead

Graven images of a lifeless Buddha can be seen everywhere.

Union of Myanmar (Formerly Burma)

Our constant companions linger in the background. They called themselves "tourguides" ...we knew them to be something else.

Scott and I prayer-walked through the streets of Victoria Point on Kho Thang, an island off of mainland Myanmar. Tourists are not allowed to go past the island to enter the mainland. We passed out many tracts and wished that we had more.

Back to Thailand

That night we drove an hour south of Ranong to Amphore Kapoe. (The village of Kapoe). Ben is blessed to have a nice four-wheel drive vehicle which easily gets him to remote areas beyond the roads. The rain was coming down in torrents as we weaved our way through the plantation. In the distance we saw a dim light and knew that it was our destination.

We were warmly welcomed into a 12' x 12' raised bamboo hut. Twenty, or so, mostly women and children, sat crossed-legged on a woven mat covering the bamboo floor, waiting to hear from the Achan (A-jahn) - teacher. Occasionally, one of the old men, smoking a long narrow cigar, would sit in the open window...listening...hearing the life-saving message...and then silently slipping away.

The rain let up as we left Kapoe knowing that the several saints had been encouraged and that the seed had been planted among the others and praying that it would fall of fertile ground.

During our mission we prayer-walked through several outdoor markets passing out Thai and Burmese tracts. Often the recipient would look at us, puzzled. Do you speak Burmese they would say? They all received the Gospel Message or the Book of John in their native tongue.

The next day we drove south toward Phuket making an unscheduled stop at Pae Champun, where we had visited earlier in the week. We often plan our way...but always know when it is God who is directing our steps.

Our friend, Joy, began to walk us through the village to show us the remains of the devastating Tsunami. We walked across a bridge and, one-by-one, the people invited us into their homes to pray for them. One, then two, then three...all hearing the gospel message.

The man and wife on the left are believers but the three men on the right heard the gospel for the first time.

Nothing remains except the concrete slab.

We continued driving south to a place called Ban Nam Chem where we met with another small group of believers led by a man named Goo Uu Goo. We met in a borrowed store front where everyone quickly took a seat on the concrete floor. Pastor Cho Gyi looked at me and I prayed and presented the gospel...from Genesis to Revelation.

It is not my practice to give an alter call. It is only my duty to present the gospel and God will call to Himself those whom He has chosen for His Son. To hear the wonderful end of the story see the article entitled "Ranong Update, Saturday, November 1".

A young woman prays for salvation!

The west heard most of the news from Phuket because of the western tourists who congregate there but Ban Nam Chem was "ground zero" for the tsunami in Thailand. It took the greatest blow from the monstrous waves. Most of the area was literally flattened. Remnants of the destruction can still be seen today. We learned the full history of the event during our visit to the Tsunami Memorial.

A sixty foot military ship rests nearly one and a half miles from the ocean.

On the way down to Phuket, where we hoped to prayer-walk through the outdoor markets, we stayed at Khaa Lak Bay Front Hotel. The beaches along the coast are spectacular and lined with incredible resorts. We were able to take advantage of the off-season rates paying only $53 USD per night rather than the high season rate of $300 which started the next day!

Phuket draws tourists from around the world. The beaches are fantastic, the cost of food and goods are cheap....but it is a modern day Sodom and Gamorrah. We stayed at a small guest house called the Paradise Hotel in the tourist district near Karon Beach. We walked the streets in the afternoon and evening passing out tracts and praying for the people.

After a day of rest Scott and I prepared to head back to Bangkok. One final meeting with Ben and Brenda to debrief our mission and to pray and discuss our future work in Thailand. We plotted the locations of field IMB, and other, missionaries on a large map of southern Thailand, as well as , the places that house churches currently meet. Our goal was to see where there are no missionaries and no known churches.

Ben and Brenda Murry - The hardest working missionaries I've ever met. Awesome!

We decided to focus our efforts on the northern Ranong and Chumphon Provinces. To our knowledge, there is only one house church to the north and just two small house churches in the entire Chumphon provence.

Chumphon is located on the Isthmus of Kra, the narrow landbridge connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Thailand. To the west are the hills of the Phuket mountain range and its northern continuation, the Tenasserim chain. It is bordered by Myanmar along its northern border and the Ranong Provence of Thailand on its southwestern border. The east is more flat land with beaches along the coast on the Gulf of Thailand. It is 6000 square kilometers (1.5 million acres) with a population of approximately 450,000 people.

Pastor U Mynt Soe

Our initial plan is to work with Pastor U Mynt Soe in Kraburi to develop an evangelism and church planting strategy with a view to plant house churches throughout the provence.

Once back in Bangkok we used our last day to visit our friends at The Well, a prostitute rescue mission. Last December Renee and I took a team from the US there to present the true Christmas Story. By many accounts, it was one of the most significant and moving events in several of our team-members lives.

The howFar Foundation and howFar Ministries has committed to financially assisting The Well as often as possible. Recently, Renee worked with the women's ministry at The Family Church, First Baptist Sugar Hill to sponsor a jewelry and greeting card sale. All of the goods are handmade by the women at The Well and are their sole means of support for the mission. The sale netted $3,300.

Scott and I met with Jim Larson, Director of The Well, to catch up on how the ministry was going and to get an update on some of the women and girls that we had met last December. The Larson's asked that I pass on their sincere appreciation for the financial support from howFar and the women at The Family Church.

While I was at The Well I ran into Fern, a young women who we had met on our first visit. Fern was never a bar girl but was clearly in the "at-risk" category. When we met her, and listened to her salvation testimony and calling, our team was greatly moved. There are so few real opportunities for many of the young women in Thailand that we were encouraged to hear of her desire to attend a three-month Basic Training Program with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) in Chang Mai. Some of our team members immediately gave the needed funds for her to go.

When our visit at The Well was nearly over, Fern came to me, and with tears steaming down her face, said, "I have something to say to you. When you, and your team came last year, you did not know that I was almost ready to give up and go back to my old life. I could not see how I could do anything with my life or get the money to go to the YWAM training program. But you gave me the money and my life has been changed forever. I am doing well, even though it is still difficult to get the money to live in Bangkok because it is expensive here. I am in a two-year training program to learn how to counsel people. When I finish I want to work with Burmese refugees."

Fern with Mark Maynard

We never know when God is going to give us an opportunity to minister to one of His children. For Fern, a precious young woman in a desolate land, an encounter with a group of fellow saints from the other side of the world... made a world of difference in her life.

I couldn't help but to give her a hug and say, "Did you know that we are working with the Burmese refugees near Ranong?" She just looked at me, nearly in shock, and we both realized that maybe we would be working together one day for the glory of our Lord. I hope so.

It's always a difficult transition back to life in the US for me. My mind is filled with the faces of those whom God has called to Himself and of those who have heard the gospel message.

All we can do is pray for the saints and thank God for answered prayer.

The first few verses from John's Gospel in the Judson version, first published in Burmese in 1890 by ABMU, (American Baptist Missionary Union), Rangoon.

Members of the tiny church at Ban Wan, Chumphon Provence.

My newest heroes!

Patrick and Diana pastored a church in North Carolina until he was 70 years old. Did he retire? Not Patrick. They have signed up for a two-year tour in Ranong and expect to keep renewing as long as the IMB will have them. In the short time I was with them they blessed me in ways they will never know.

"...Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ." Col. 4:3

Mark Maynard
howFar Ministries

Ranong Update

2008-11-01T03:54:00.020-04:00

The young woman slowly raised her hand after the gospel was presented. She had heard the gospel message...and it's incredible power...was calling her to salvation. I was so moved to see God call this young woman to himself...when so few...of over a million Burmese refugees...have even heard the good news.

It was what happened next that caused me to weep. A young Burmese pastor knelt down before her and, with the flick of the knife, cut an amulet from her wrist. The amulet that she had worn from birth. The amulet that was meant to protect her from evil spirits. The amulet that held her captive to the Buddha. He prayed..."it is only Jesus Christ who is able to protect and bless you".

The angels rejoiced and one new child of God moved from the darkness into the marvelous light.

A fishing boat weaves its way through hundreds of islands on its way to the Andaman Sea.

We ran through the pouring rain to a raised floor bamboo hut lit only by candlelight. Twenty-five Burmese laborers on a banana plantation heard the gospel for the very first time.

Watch for our full report on how God is working here when I return from southern Thailand.

Mark Maynard
how Far Ministries, Inc.
Phuket, Thailand

Thailand/Myanmar Mission - October/November 2008

2008-10-13T10:39:00.016-04:00

A small team from howFar Ministries will be working along the southern Thai/Myanmar border in late October. For our own safety, and for the safety of our friends on the ground, I can't share additional details.

Our mission is to seek out, and share the gospel message, with Burmese refugees who are living illegally in Thailand. We will be visiting several house churches along the border and moving into new territory where no mission teams are working.

Our long term plan is to assist them in the planting of additional house churches and in teaching, training, and discipling Burmese men so that they can go back to their homeland with the "good news"

(Photo:Reuters)

Please pray with us as we "...go and make disciples".

Mark Maynard
how Far Ministries, Inc.
A non-profit Mission Agency

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2008-09-19T14:43:00.002-04:00

2009 Mission Opportunities

(Click on image to enlarge)

2008-09-16T19:09:00.000-04:00

UPDATE: East Africa Church Plant and Project Map

2008-08-29T15:21:00.010-04:00

Seventeen churches have been planted through how Far Ministries in East Africa since June 2005.

Three New Church Plants

2008-08-15T10:43:00.016-04:00

New churches continue to spring up along the Kenya and Tanzania border, and for the first time, in Burundi.

In Kenya, Isinet Baptist Church was planted in July 2007 and Illasit Baptist Church in December. There are now a total of fourteen church plants along the border. All of them planted since July 2005.

"Illasit Baptist Church, Kenya. (l-r) Pastor Kevin, Mark Maynard, Reuben ole Tiges, Associate Pastor Moses and a member of the church."

(Click on your favorite photo to enlarge.)

We also had the great joy of planting our first church in Burundi at Muramvya. This church was planted in partnership of Kingdom Fellowship Church in Kigali, Rwanda. My friend, Pastor Augustin Niyonsenga, will provide the pastor and oversee the new church.

The Muramvya Church was planted among the Batwa Tribe and is a sister church to the one planted last year amoung the Batwa in Gihara, Rwanda.

"A temporary home for Muramvya Baptist Church, Burundi."

(See the article dated August 15, 2007 for more on the Batwa Pygmi Tribe of Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.)

Plans are underway to plant an additional church in Kenya near Rombo and two in Burundi - one among the Batwa, in a slum near Bujumbura, and the second in a remote village in the center of of the country called Bisoro.

"Members of Enderkesi Baptist Church, Kenya, Construction will begin on their church this month."

God continues to build His church...in places were there are no evangelical churches and among the forgotten...the poorest of the poor.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." The Lord Jesus Christ quoting the words of the prophet Isaiah who was speaking of the nation of Isreal. - Luke 4:18-19 NIV

Mark Maynard
how Far Ministries, Inc.
Duurstede, The Netherlands

A Few Photos From the Field

2008-08-11T03:19:00.025-04:00

"Demonstrating a WAPI, Water Pasturization Indicator, in a village near Bujumbura, Burundi. Clean water is a critial issue here...children still die because of bad water in this village." A joint project of The how Far Foundation and the Rotary Club in Buford, Georgia.

"One well that barely works...for 6000 people." Butererre Slum, Burundi

"A mountain river where five were baptized from a Batwa village in Burundi."

"Ten from the Batwa Tribe were baptized near the village of Gihara, Rwanda."

"Clif Knight and Reuben ole Tiges lead worship at Iltudui Baptist Church, Tanzania. "It is you Lord, it is You who are here", is the beautiful chorus.

"Sharing the gospel message with a group of children outside of Kagali, Rwanda. All have lost their parents to AIDS and many have HIV themselves. Where will their hope come from?"

"Dedication of the new building at Lossimingori Baptist Church, Tanzania."

"New building dedication at Python Hill Baptist Church, Kenya."

"Praying with members at Nondomito Baptist Church, Tanzania"

"Our pastors assembled for a conference at Taveta, Kenya"

With the completion of the East Africa Mission our attention will turn to fundraising. Our personal support account is nearly empty. To continue on we will have to raise nearly $2000 per month from new supporters.

Please pray about joining us in our "Great Commission" ministry of faith.

Mark Maynard - Missionary
how Far Ministries, Inc.
Submitted at Duurstede, The Netherlands

From the field....

2008-07-30T13:38:00.014-04:00

The Mission is going far better than anticipated. Three new churches, many saved and baptized.

Watch for the full report in mid August when I return to the US.

Mark Maynard
Bujumbura, Burundi

MINISTRY & MISSION UPDATE

2008-06-04T10:02:00.031-04:00

These are very exciting times...

Our Ministry

Our work continues across East Africa, and now, in Thailand. Fourteen churches have been planted in three countries since 2005. According to Pastor Reuben son of Tiges, our head Maasai pastor in Kenya, over one thousand people have come to salvation!

To keep up with the growth of our work we have formalized our mission and ministry. Maynard’s on Mission is now two brand new entities: howFar Ministries, Inc, and The howFar Foundation, Inc. Both are Georgia non-profit corporations. Additionally, we are in the process of applying for our 501(c)(3) non-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service.

Our primary emphasis will continue to be evangelism, church planting, and discipleship and will be done through howFar Ministries, Inc. We have also organized The howFar Foundation, Inc. so that we can apply for grants and seek donations from secular organizations to fund humanitarian aid projects in the villages that we are working in.

Under this new structure we will be an independent Mission Agency but will continue to work with The Family Church, FBC, Sugar Hill, and other mission- minded churches, as a “Great Commission” ministry partner.

Our Mission

"A young Massai girl worships the Living God"

As you know, Kenya was thrown into political and tribal turmoil this past December due to a flawed presidential election. Thousands were killed and nearly 500,000 people were displaced. Things have finally stabilized, with the implementation of a bipartisan government, but the people remain deeply divided and the economy has been devastated. Costs have skyrocketed and life, if you can imagine, has become an even greater daily struggle. The need for a strong Christian presence is greater than ever!

I am returning to East Africa on July 9, accompanied by my friend and mission partner, Clif Knight. Clif will return on July 23 and I will stay until August 6.

Here are a few of the things that we need to get accomplished:

• Visit 12 of our 14 church plants in Kenya and Tanzania. (See the map below for their locations.)
• Dedicate 5 new church buildings, three in Kenya and two in Tanzania.
• Lead a pastor’s conference in Taveta, Kenya for all of our lead and associate pastors.
• Visit the site of our future East Africa Bible College in Mombasa, Kenya.
• Dedicate a new church plant and orphanage project in Miritini, Kenya.
• Dedicate a new Batwa church plant in Gihara, Rwanda.

We just received word this week that we are to have the privilege of baptizing 50 new believers from the Batwa Tribe!

"God is molding him into the Image of Christ"

• Visit the site of a new school project in Gihara, Rwanda.
• Visit our primary school in Orkung’u, Kenya.
• Visit the orphans we support in Mtongwe, Kenya.
• Visit sites in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi where we hope to plant churches this year. (Visas pending)

In November, I plan to return to Thailand with a small evangelism team. We will be witnessing to Burmese refugees along the Thai / Myanmar border near Ranong, Thailand. Ranong is just across the border on the very southern tip of Myanmar. Our long-term goal is to plant Burmese churches along the border in Thailand and, ultimately, send Burmese nationals back into their own country to share the gospel of hope.

"A Burmese refugee suffers in silence"

Looking forward, Renee will lead two women’s evangelism teams next year. The first team will return to Thailand to continue our work at The Well, a prostitute rescue ministry. She has also been invited to teach Biblical health and hygiene to Maasai women with the goal of eradicating their tradition of female genital mutilation.

As you can see, there is much to do in our Lord’s field. God is growing his church and we are tremendously blessed to be a part of it. (Matthew 16:18)

Thank you for your prayers and financial support as we take the Gospel of Hope and Reconciliation to the world.

Mark Maynard

UPDATE: East Africa Church Plant and Project Map

2008-03-11T10:26:00.012-04:00

(Click on map to enlarge)

March 11, 2008

Update

The East Africa church plant and project map has been updated to reflect our newest projects. The following have been added.

1. East Africa Bible College - Mombasa, Kenya
2. St. Patrick's Orphanage - Mtongwe, Kenya
3. Miritini Church and Orphanage - Miritini, Kenya
4. Batwa Church and School - Gihara, Rwanda

To contribute to the completion of these ministry projects contact the Maynards at mark@howFarMinistries.org.

Kenya's Ethnic Challenge

2008-02-14T13:37:00.014-05:00

Fierce tribal clashes brought on by the disputed Presidential election have nearly ceased. At least 1,000 people were killed in the violence that followed the poll. A reported 600,000 Kenyan's have been displaced and over 60,000 are now in refugee camps across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

There are encouraging reports of a possible agreement at talks between the government and opposition. Mediator Kofi Annan will give details of an agreement between the two sides on Friday.

Here is a picture of Kenya's larger tribes and the regions that they inhabit.

Source: BBC News

Our team, led by Daren Wise, will visit several of our churches and projects in Maasailand along the Kenya/Tanzania border in July.

COMING SOON...

2008-02-14T13:21:00.008-05:00

A new 501c3 Non-Profit Mission Agency

On A Personal Note.....

2008-02-01T14:24:00.000-05:00

Renee and I are proud to announce the arrival of....two more grandsons!

Caleb William Koerber was born to Mike and Sharon on January 3. He weighed in at 8 pounds even.

"Grandma and Grandpa with Caleb"

Mark William Maynard was born to Mark and Adrienne on January 18. He weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

"Mark III...'Hey Grandma, where'd my bottle go?'"

Renee and I were able to be in Boston to meet Caleb just hours after he arrived and then we were off to Kings Bay, Georgia to be there just after "littlest" Mark's birth.

Neither made the deadline for 2007 deductions but we're sure glad they're here!

COMING SOON...

2008-01-27T15:23:00.000-05:00

A 501c3 Non-Profit Humanitarian Aid Foundation

Turmoil in Kenya

2008-01-26T21:08:00.002-05:00

Many of you have expressed concern for the safety of our churches, pastors and friends in Kenya due to the political turmoil in the country. It was just one month ago that the disputed presidential election caused the country to explode into violence. Although reports of isolated violence continue to make headlines recent reports assure us that our people are all safe. Life appears to be beginning to return to normal in most of the affected areas - the Nairobi and Mombasa slums and in Western Kenya.

On the east coast, near Steadfast Baptist Church and St. Patrick’s Mission School, hundreds were displaced by the chaos and violence caused by tribalism. According to Pastor Patrick Marisia in Mombasa, “Many of our church families have left the Mtongwe area and have gone to places where it is safe. Our family did not see the light of the sun for four days but we are beginning to move around now. Food is hard to find but we are okay”. The church and school were closed due to the clashes but reopened last week.

"Frightened Kenyans flee the violance."

Here are a few excepts from an email just received from a dear pastor friend in the Bangladesh slum, near Mombasa.

“Thanks very much for your prayers and concern. I and my family are fine. However the church was grossly affected by the post-election violence that rocked our country. We have been forced to move and relocate for security reasons. This is because I happen to be coming from the larger dominant tribe the Kikuyu which is where the presidential winner comes from. The lesser Luo tribe has the opposition and Bangladesh is largely and by far Luo zone and they were in the opposition until the disputed presidential elections. The members [of my church] warned me not to go to Bangladesh for at least two Sundays. They made it clear that I was going to be in danger for they felt robbed of victory in the disputed just concluded elections and they were venting their anger and reactions to the tribe of the announced president who won narrowly. This also led to the owner warning me also to get another place for he received threats for at least three times that the premises would be burnt. Now we were left with no other option apart from finding another meeting place. We have secured a classroom in a primary school near where I live where we have been accommodated temporarily. Calm is slowly returning but tension remains high in some parts. We have high hopes of purchasing land in this part of town where people are resettling and have been offered land that can fit a church and an orphanage for at least $1800. We have negotiated to pay in three equal installments of $600 respectively. The first front will be this month of January and the next in April while the remainder will be completed sometimes in August. This will pave way for us to construct a church building immediately. We honestly believe this s God leading us towards that direction and we do covet your prayers very much. To us our being affected during the violence that hit our country was a blessing in disguise. Keep praying for us but we are happy to be able to pay the first amount and we believe in God's provision to come in the near future. Thanks once again for your concern for us. God bless you.
SERVANTS LIKE YOU,
JOHN & FAMILY”

Pastor John Ndebe has served God for many years in Bangladesh where thousands of children, orphaned by the AIDS pandemic, roam the streets.

According to our sources little of the violence reached the Kenya/Tanzania border where several of our churches are located. Pastor Reuben ole Tiges, of the Lake Jipe Orkungu’ Church reported that things are stable there.

The violence that occurred in Kenya was not directed toward Americans, nor is anti-American sentiment prevalent. The violence was racial (tribal) and between two of the largest tribes – the Luo and Kikuyu. Once thought to be one of the most peaceful nations on the African continent Kenya has spiraled into political unrest caused by tribalism. It is a tragic reminder of the need for God's grace. Our prayer for the people of Kenya is that they recognize that their true identity can be found in Jesus Christ, not in their tribal ancestry. Now, more than ever, we must reach out to the people of Kenya with the hope and love of Jesus Christ.

"Women weep over what has happened in their country."

For more on the situation in Kenya view the IMB slide show entitled, Kenya's' Hatred: taming the 'demon set loose'.
http://www.imb.org/main/news/packageviewer.asp?xml=http://media1.imbresources.org/files/43/4365/4365-23925.xml

Kenya Medical & Evangelism Team: July 11-22, 2008. This team of 12 will visit and encourage our Karantini, Mailiatatu, Esukuta and Enderkesi church plants near the eastern slope of Mount Kilimanjaro. We hope to offer medical clinics and women's, men's and children's programs. The trip will end with an incredible two-day safari at Amboseli National Park. Approximate Cost: $3400. For information contact East Africa Missionaries Mark and Renee Maynard at mark@mysugarhillchurch.com.

UPDATE: East Africa Church Plant Map

2007-12-24T01:45:00.000-05:00

<
Click on map to enlarge.

"Twelve new churches and nearly 1000 new saints..."

"Renee with some interested Maasai Moran (warriors)"

Update from Thailand

2007-12-24T01:19:00.000-05:00

We have completed the first week of our time here in Thailand and the team of 9 from The Family Church, First Baptist Sugar Hill has returned to Atlanta.

"Children from a government school answer questions asked about Jesus."

We had the privilege of sharing the story of the birth of our Savior with over 1400 children in three schools....twice as many as we thougt that we would see!

Our team endured 95 degree temperatures and 85% humidity to prayer walk through three areas in the Chaing Noi community and two Buddhist temples and the Royal Palace in Greater Bangkok.

"Bangkok Mission Team from The Family Church - FBC, Sugar Hill"

We had the unique privilege to spend a day at The Well, a rescue ministry for bar girls. The testimonies we heard from two of the women broke our hearts. We shared the true Christmas story with 35 women, worshiped with them (they in Thai and us in English), sang Christmas carols and shared testimonies. At the end of our presentation we were blessed to see a 14-year old bar girl give her life to Christ.

"A rescued prostitute accepts Christ as Lord and Savior."

Our family will be in Bang Sean for one week visiting Renee's brother, Richard, and his family and will return to Atlanta on the 30th.

Watch for the full story, with photos, of God's goodness and provision upon our return.

Mark, Renee, John and Hillary
Bang Sean, Thailand

2007 Christmas Letter

2007-12-10T09:23:00.001-05:00

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! We have so much to be thankful for and are so grateful to God for each day, experience and opportunity He has given us in 2007.

"Mark with the kids, and a pregnant daughter and daughter-in-law, at Thanksgiving"

Mark enjoyed a full year of travel here, there and everywhere, and we joined him as often as possible. In February, Mark and Renee took a vision tour of Bangkok, Thailand in preparation for many trips to come with mission groups. We celebrated our 17th anniversary there, and were able make some wonderful memories with Renee’s brother, Richard, sister-in-law, Noi, and their children. In March, Mark attended the Shepherd’s conference in CA with Brian, courtesy of his four sons. In April, Mark and Hillary joined our youth group in Baltimore, MD to assist a new church plant, and when they returned to GA, Mark left for Africa. Mark and Renee led a group to Africa in July, and Mark returned to Africa again in September/October visiting Rwanda for the first time. Mark, Renee, Hillary and John will leave December 14 for 15 days in Thailand. We will lead a group from our church over, but will remain through Christmas with Richard, Noi and the kids.

God is doing amazing things in East Africa and Thailand, and we are blessed to be able to view it all firsthand. (See the rest of our blog for the complete story).

We were pleased to have 5 out of six kids with us for Thanksgiving, along with our son-in-law and daughter-in-law. Here’s a short run-down on all the kids.

"Hillary and Renee"

Sharon and Mike are still in Boston while Mike completes his last year of seminary. They are expecting their first child on January 18. When Mike finishes in May, they will most likely accept a position with Janz Team to open the first US office…in Minnesota. Burrrrrr! Mark and Adrienne live in Woodbine, GA, and are expecting their first child on January 16. Mark is stationed at Kings Bay Naval Base. Brian is in CA, working full-time for Xerox while attending The Masters College full-time in pursuit of his Masters in Biblical Counseling. Thomas is living and working in Tampa, Florida. John is living in Atlanta, attending Georgia State, and working for Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. Hillary just completed her fourth year as a Georgia Force High School cheerleader, and is attending Heritage Academy on a part-time basis.

"Renee with some of her Maasai kids at Lake Jipe Orkung'u, Kenya"

After much prayer we decided to start an internet based business to supplement our income. We are still depending on God to provide, as faith missionaries, but believe that it is Biblical to work as well. The business is Safari Travel, an internet travel booking portal. It is as good as any travel engine on the net and....100% of the proceeds go to support our ministry and mission. Please take a look when you get ready to travel. www.ytbtravel.com/maynardsafaritravel

We hope that your year has been terrific as ours has been and look forward to hearing from each of you. (Send us a note right here on our blog!)

May God richly bless you in the new year,

The Maynard Family

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ..." Colossians 4: 2-3a

COMING SOON...

2007-11-29T15:31:00.001-05:00

Four new churches funded!

2007-11-28T15:11:00.000-05:00

We just received word that a gift of $6000 has been given to build four new church buildings. The new structures will be placed in Esukuta and Mailiatatu, Kenya and in Lossimingori and Iltudui Tanzania.

Construction will begin as soon as the rainy season ends and will be completed by the end of March 2008.

"The design of the four new church buildings will be the same as the Esukuta and Python Hill churches"

We are so grateful for the generosity of our donor and are praising God for his perfect provision.

"God has given 12 church plants since 2005" (Three new Tanzania churches and one new Kenya church to be added to map)

"...I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it." The words of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:18 KJV

Upcoming Thailand Mission

2007-11-14T15:08:00.000-05:00

"Spirit House"

Renee and I, along with John and Hillary, will be leading a mission team of 13 to Bangkok, Thailand December 14 - 23. We'll have the great privilege, and rare opportunity, to visit three schools in the Chang Noi area to present the real Christmas story.

"Bowing to graven images"

Our team will also prayer walk through the Chang Noi area and through several Buddhist temples. To learn more about the area go to: www.chang-noi.org

"Boys swimming in a Bangkok canal outside a Buddhist Temple"

Please join us in praying that our work will be pleasing to the One true God.

Mark & Renee Maynard