Two Sisters

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

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

(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

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

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howFar Receives Donation

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.

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Construction Nearly Complete In Rwanda

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

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