The King is Coming!

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

(Click on image to enlarge)

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Church construction to begin at Myramvya, Burundi

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

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

"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

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

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

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

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

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

Click Image To Enlarge

Creation....

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.

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

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....

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URGENT NEED: Car for East Africa Mission

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

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

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

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.