"Power Equal To The Task" - Departing for Africa

Helen Keller once said, "It is for us to pray not for tasks equal to our powers, but for powers equal to our tasks, to go forward with a great desire forever beating at the door of our hearts as we travel toward our distant goal."

Her words profoundly resonate with me as I prepare to return to sub Saharan Africa. 

The tasks of making disciples in people groups who are just beginning their walk with Christ and of taking the gospel to tongues and tribes who are yet to hear is daunting.  It is a task for which I must ask for power equal to the task.

And as I do, I am reminded of the promises made to us. 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)

Please pray for me as I work in Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo from March 28 - April 12.  Here are a few of the projects that I will be working on.

• Interviewing and hiring a Chaplain for Crimson Academy of Kagina, Rwanda. The primary school was born out of a church that we planted several years ago. Construction will start on a Secondary School within the next three months so that graduating students from the Primary School can continue their education. A Secondary School education is Rwanda is rare and only goes to the wealthy and to the highest performers. The Chaplain will minister to the spiritual needs of the children, their parents, and to the community at large. Please pray that God brings us the perfect man for the job. 
• Meeting with local government officials in Kagina, Rwanda.  It is very important for us to have a good relationship with the local government officials - particularly with other, more radical, groups moving into the area. Our goal is to partner with them to meet the needs of the local community; spiritual and physical. The government is very happy that we have brought a church to the community, a community center, a Primary School, and Rain Water Harvesting System and soon, a Secondary School.
• Visit Church Construction in Burundi.  After three years of delays we have finally started construction on a church in the Batwa Community at Muramvya, Burundi. Lord willing, the church will be completed the last week of March and I will dedicate it while there.
• Pastoral Training Partnerships.  I will be meeting with representatives from International Training  Center ( A division of Walk Through The Bible) to discuss enrolling our indigenous pastors in the Pastoral Training Programs. ITC has a campus in Rwanda and are developing them in Burundi and DR Congo now.
• Visit Mudja Church. I hope to obtain a VISA to enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo so that I can visit our church at Mudja. You will remember that the Batwa village was decimated by M23 Rebels in February. My goal is to encourage them, assess the situation and make plans to strengthen Mudja Baptist Church and to offer humanitarian aid. We will visit the HowFar Medical Clinic in Mudja and thank the team for their hard work. We hope to take an expanded Medical Mission Team to the Mudja area in July. 

Your prayers and donations make our evangelical work possible. Your gifts are changing peoples lives here and into eternity!

CLICK HERE to make a special directed gift to help the people of Mudja rebuild their community!

Mark Maynard
Founder & Executive Director