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 Ministries, Inc and The How Far Foundation, Inc. Serving in Haiti, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Thailand
Monday, July 11, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
HowFar Awarded Water Grant
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.
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.
Monday, June 20, 2011
You Buy - We Train!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Team to Speed Summer at Crimson Academy, Rwanda
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).
Thursday, May 19, 2011
All The Way To Africa...Golf Tournament Update
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?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
New Ride for Africa?
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
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)