Saturday, December 17, 2016

Crusade in Tanzania

Our team in East Africa, led by Bishop Reuben who oversees all of the howFar churches in Kenya and Tanzania and Pastor Emmanuel who oversees our churches in Tanzania, will hold a huge 5 day crusade ending in Christmas Day.  


Their faithfulness has resulted in the planting of 18 churches and two christian school's since 2004.

To support their work go to www.howFar.org. howFar will you go?

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

A Message and Update from our howFar Orphanage

Pastor John has let us know that our team in the Congo has received the monthly funds for the howFar orphanage.  Your donations have provided clean drinking water, food and another month of living for the orphans and caretakers living in our howFar orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Pastor John writes,
"We have received the funds for food at the orphanage and children were too excited to receive it!  However [and], they prayed more blessings to you."

We are so thankful for your partnership in caring for these children, and helping us to spread the Gospel throughout Africa.  

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Pastors in Kenya and Tanzania Receive InTouch Messengers


The howFar team gave twelve solar powered digital audio players to our pastors in Kenya and Tanzania.   

Pastor Emmanuel gives Maasai Pastor an InTouch Messenger.
An InTouch Messenger from Dr. Charles Stanley.

The Messenger, from Charles Stanley, allows pastors to listen to sixty sermons, the New Testiment, Psalms and Proverbs in their own language (Maasai and Swahili), so that they can study and prepare for their own church services.  

Friday, July 22, 2016

Kilimanjaro Climb Update

They did it!  Mark, along with howFar board President, Jim Kelly, and a team of friends, completed their goal of reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.  They climbed 19,341 feet, hiking through five different climate zones including rainforest, heath, mooreland, alpine dessert and arctic.

At the "Rooftop of Africa" - the highest point in Africa.

For Mark, this climb was special for many reasons - since 2002, when he first saw Mount Kilimanjaro, Mark dreamed of one day climbing the incredible mountain.  His wish was to be able to look down over the land, into all of the areas where howFar has planted churches and schools, and to pray that God would call many to Himself.

Jim and Mark with their team and guides on Day One

Fast forward to 2016 and this dream became a reality. Mark chose to climb the mountain for an additional reason.  To raise the funding necessary to send all 120 of our orphans at the howFar Orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo to school.

After an incredibly challenging week, the team made it to Uhuru Peak, which many call "The rooftop of Africa".

Incredible views from Kilimanjaro.

Mark explained,
"Cimbing Kilimanjaro was one of the most incredible experiences of my life...and one of the hardest things I have ever done.  Without prayer and the drive to accomplish this task for the orphaned children, I don't know that I could have made it through the final seven hour nighttime trek to the top".

"Sunrise on Kilimanjaro was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen."

The final push to the top!
The huge glaciers are awe inspiring.

Through our GoFundMe campaign we raised nearly $5000, which is enough to educate 22 Congolese orphans out of the 120 that are in our care.  This is a tremendous start and we can't wait to see how this will impact the children.

In January when the new school year begins, we will send the 22 oldest children to school so that they are able to catch up, and then eventually help the younger children when they start school.  We plan to leave the GoFundMe campaign live until January in the event that anyone still wants to give to that specific fund.

Our children at the howFar Home in Goma, DR Congo

By giving to this campaign, you are helping us break the cycle of destruction that the Congolese people face.  The UN has stated that the Congo has the largest poverty rate in the world, and through first-hand experience, we at howFar know that there is still serious ongoing warfare and conflict. By taking children off of the street, loving them, and educating them, we are bringing about big changes to the culture - one village at a time.

Thank you for partnering with us!

howFar will you go?

Monday, July 18, 2016

Visit to Lossimingori Church, Tanzania

After their climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, Mark Maynard and his team visited our Lossimingori church.  Lossimingori was the first church that Mark and Renee planted in Tanzania, and was founded in 2007.

Left to right: Pastor Emmanuel, Mark Maynard and Pastor Reuben

While there, two of our pastors were able to meet the team at Lossimingory, and they are pictured above with Mark. Pastor Reuben is Bishop over all of the churches in the howFar ministries network throughout Kenya and Tanzania, and pastored the first church that Mark and Renee ever planet in Africa.  Pastor Emmanuel pastored the first church planted in Tanzania, and oversees all of the Tanzanian churches.

During this visit, the howFar team was able to connect with the Maasai in a time of worship and celebration.



When two cultures are able to come together with one purpose like this, the outcome is always incredibly special and bond-forming.  

Four New Maasai Churches Planted in Tanzania

This year our Tanzania leadership team has planted four new churches. They are Negero Church, Kwakonkji Church, Eunoto Mukulat Church and Kwa Luguru Church.

This brings the total of howFar Maasai churches in Tanzania to twelve.

Pastor Emmanuel worshiping in Lossimingori Church

Kwa Luguru Church

Negero Church

Pastor Emmanuel is the overseer of these new church plants, and cares for all of our churches in Tanzania.  We are excited to see that the reach of howFar is still expanding to new areas and villages of Sub Saharan Africa, and we pray that it doesn't stop there.

Monday, July 11, 2016

howFar Provides Solar Powered Lights to Students in Rwanda

The How Far Foundation, through the leadership of Board Member Rob Boogaard, has forged a strategic partnership with Maurtis Groen's Waka Waka Agents of Light iniative. Waka Waka is a social impact company on a mission to provide universal access to the abundant energy of the sun. (http://us.waka-waka.com)

The initial project provided solar powered lights to students attending howFar's partner school, Crimson Academy, in Kigina, Rwanda. The school was founded, in 2011, by The How Far Foundation and Crimson Foundation to provide an education to marginalized Batwa Pygmy children.

Crimson Academy Students in Rwanda.

Welcome signs from eager students at Crimson Academy. 

Rob, and Waka Waka, sponsored all 450 students of Crimson Academy, giving them something they have never had - light!

howFar Board Member, Rob Boogaard, with Crimson Academy students.

Maurits Groen, CEO of Waka Waka, explaining the device to students.

By 6 pm the village of Kigina, where Crimson Academy is located, is pitch dark, leaving the children with no way to study.  The solar powered lights allow the children to continue their studies after dark, giving them much more time to learn and grow.   

Light shines in a dark classroom filled with students that are excited and eager to learn.

A student continues to study after dark in his home.

About howFar  - The How Far Foundation, Inc., based in Buford, Georgia, is a 501c3 Non-Profit.  The How Far Foundation is an International Humanitarian Aid Agency. We partner with marginalized and in-crisis people groups across sub-Saharan Africa.  Our goal is to provide training and resources that empower individuals and communities to improve their quality of life.

Friday, June 17, 2016

howFar Medical Clinic in Need, as Illness Spreads in the Congo:

We have received a message from Pastor John, who does much of our work in the Congo:

"Hello Executive Director I had the Church services at Mudja last Sunday , whereby I also profited to visit our clinic. It was by Great peaty (pity) that I met (found that) there has broken a heavy diarrhea which has affected all Mudja people. Consequently, there is no more medicines in the clinic and the patients sent me to tell you that you have become the only one to help them as you always do. I met children, men and women are getting treetments at our clinic and at least two persons are on the bed. Nurses told me that 25 patients have been coming in per day. The fellowers have decided 2 days’ prayings that God provides you more for this issue before some of our vulnerable mudja people and pygmies die. God bless you and your team. Here below are photos of patients receiving treatment at our clinic.
Pastor John KILIMBANYI MUNDOLA"


We were able to send $600 to Pastor John, and he has restocked the clinic with much needed supplies.  We are saddened by their suffering, but we are so blessed to be able to care for the people of the Congo.  What a heartbreaking, yet encouraging message: "you have become the only one to help them as you always do".


We are truly thankful for your donations and support - we couldn't do this without you.  Your donations are being used to heal sickness, and change lives.  

Pastor John (far left) giving supplies to the howFar Clinic Staff


Families wait to be treated 

Villagers being treated for dehydration

The howFar Clinic, with Congolese patients awaiting treatment


To help us replenish the howFar Clinic funds, click on the "donate" button on the left side of this page.

Written by: Hillary Mackay, howFar Social Media and Marketing Specialist

Monday, June 6, 2016

Teaching Congolese Women The Skills Needed To Survive And Provide

howFar operates five Women's Development Centers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where in-crisis widowed and abused women can receive support.  At these centers, women are given the chance to learn life-changing skills, like sewing, so that they are able to provide for themselves and their children.

A Congolese Woman Practices Sewing in our howFar Women's Center

This opportunity is one that would not be possible without help from howFar and our generous supporters.  We provide sewing machines, along with the needed materials for the women to learn the trade.  Once they master the skill, they can use the items, or sell them to feed their families.  

Your donations help support women who cannot help themselves.  howFar will you go? 


Written by: Hillary Mackay, howFar Social Media and Marketing Specialist

Friday, June 3, 2016

Bringing the Gospel to Haitian Orphans

howFar provided "The Most Important Story" books to orphaned children in Haiti.  The name of the book says it all - these children are learning about the most important story they will ever hear, and are being introduced to the gospel, so that they can know their Heavenly Father who loves them unconditionally.

Orphaned Children in Haiti, reading their new book - "The Most Important Story".

The Children were so excited to have something of their own, and especially excited to have something in their own language.  The books will strengthen the children mentally, but most importantly, it will strengthen them spiritually.  To learn more, contact howFar Board Member, Diane Moffi at dmoffi@me.com, or to donate to this project click the donate button at howFar.org.

Written by: Hillary Mackay, howFar Social Media and Marketing Specialist 

Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Crimson Academy Students to Receive Solar Powered Lights



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Hillary Mackay, Social Media and Marketing Specialist
The How Far Foundation, Inc. and howFar Ministries Inc.
Hillary@howFar.org


Crimson Academy Students to Receive Solar Powered Lights


Buford, Georgia, Thursday, May 05, 2016 - How Far Foundation Board Member, Rob Boogaard, has been working on an innovative project that will allow primary age students in Rwanda to do something they have never been able to do – study after dark! 

Mr. Boogaard, in partnership with Phillip Haynes of Crimson Academy of Rwanda and Maurits Groen of Waka Waka, will provide solar-powered lights with USB power chargers to 450 students at Crimson Academy. Waka Waka, which means “shine bright” in Swahili, is a social impact company on a mission to provide universal access to the abundant energy of the sun.


The Waka Waka device that the children will receive


In order for the students to get a Waka Waka solar charger, they must go through a process that will help them to build skills for the future.  First, they have to take part in a community service project to work for their device.  Second, they will learn about how contracts are used and why they are important, and they will sign a contract stating that they will care for their device.  Third, there will be a special ceremony, where the teachers and leaders will celebrate the child’s efforts, so that they feel important and excited about what they are learning. 


Not only will this project help the children with their studies, but it will also empower them and prepare them for the future. 

Waka Waka’s mission statement: “Our mission is to share the abundant power of the sun with more than a billion people worldwide who don’t have the luxury of a light switch and another billion who don’t have reliable access. Waka Waka is in the business of empowering lives” (http://us.waka-waka.com).

About howFar  - The How Far Foundation, Inc., based in Buford, Georgia, is a 501c3 Non-Profit.  The How Far Foundation is an International Humanitarian Aid Agency. We partner with marginalized and in-crisis people groups across sub-Saharan Africa.  Our goal is to provide training and resources that empower individuals and communities to improve their quality of life.


Written by: Hillary Mackay, howFar Social Media and Marketing Specialist