New Churches in Tanzania 2022

While in Tanzania, Renée and I had an opportunity to worship at two of the six new howFar Ministries churches in Maasailand. 

We visited Namayiani Baptist Church and Jerusalem Baptist Church, both in the Mundoli area.

We are always amazed at how God continues to bless the work He began through us 20 years ago.

howFar will you go?

Tanzania howFar Pastors Training Center Graduation

In September, Renée and I had the tremendous joy of attending the gradution ceremony of the inagural class at the howFar Ministries Pastoral Training Center and Bible College.  In partnership with the Baptist Churches of Tanzania, and under the leadership of howFar's Country Director Emmanuel Laizer, twelve Maasia men graduated with a certificate in Pastoral Ministries. 

For us, this is the realization of a prayer that we first offered up as early as 2002. That God, through howFar Ministries, would allow us to train indigenous men who, in turn, would disciple, train and pastor their kinsman in rural churches.

Students at the howFar Pastors Training Center and Bible College

This first cohort of 12 will, in some cases, return to the church they already pastor, and others will begin new churches.

Professors From Tanzania Baptist Seminary Pray and Ordain the Graduates As Their Wives Stand With Them

Mark Maynard Preached On Being A Useful Vessel in God's Church

Over 1,000 church and community leaders and members of howFar Ministries churches, including the Bishop of the Baptist Churches of Tanzania, attended the graduation celebration on the Bible School campus at Lossimingori, Tanzania.

Presenting a Plaque Recognizing Major Donors to Pastor Emmanuel Laizer (Center) and a Graduate

Sixteen men, 12 from Tanzania and 4 from Kenya, are enrolled for the 2022-2023 school year.  They are all from howFar Ministries churches.

A Free Education

Your financial support makes it possible for an indigenous Maasai leader to recieve a FREE education preparing them to teach the truth of God's word and to plant new churches.

Bishop Reuben ole Tiges, Overseerer of howFar Churches of East Africa, with Emmanuel Laizer, Overseer of the Churches of Tanzania, and Founder, Mark Maynard

To ensure that we continue in this important work, please donate at www.howFar.org today.

howFar will you go?

Burundi Update 2022

Pastor Renovat Barutwanaya Talks With The Batwa Community

We first shared the gospel with the Batwa people in the village of Muramvya, 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. 

Burundi 2008

See the original story HERE.

howFar Ministries Murumvya Church, Central Burundi

Today there are three howFar Ministries churches in Burundi. They are in Muramvya, Bujumbura, and Ngozi. And they are not only sharing the gospel with Twa Pygmies, but with many other tribes. 

howFar will you go?

First In Class Returns As Campus Pastor!

Many of you will remember that in 2007 we accepted an invitation to visit a Batwa Pygmy village near Gihara, Rwanda. We learned that there were no schools for the Twa children and that few ever received an education.

Our Board of Directors decided to plant a church and school in the village to reach the Twa people and to educate, train, and prepare a generation of children to evangelize their own people.

Batwa children at Gihara Village, Rwanda 2007

In 2010, Crimson Academy was launched.  One of the members of the first class was Lambert Uhirwa.  Lambert worked hard and was the #1 student in the school graduating in 2013. Lambert earned a spot in a prestigious Secondary School because of his high academic achievement.

Lambert's Graduation Ceremony at Crimson Academy. First In His Class. 2013

Today, Lambert has returned to Crismson Academy as Campus Pastor, fulfilling our dream of preparing men to return to their village to reach their own people for Christ! 

A Young Pastor Returns to Teach Where He Was Taught About Christ

Congratulations to Pastor Lambert. 

Thank you to everyone who made it possible for us to take the gospel message to Gihara, Rwanda in 2007.

howFar will you go?

Goma DR Congo Orphan Care

Hello Dear Executive Director. 

We pray you are doing fine. We also are doing fine here despite the insecurity in Goma and around it due to the ongoing attacks by M23 rebels. 

Children and my family are safe and send particular regards to you, mom Renee and all your team. 

However, we praise the Lord for we have used the funds and were capable to cover the orphan's expenses for this first term of 2022 though these last two months the price has increased in the market. From now there is no more money left in the orphan's account. 

Able and his wife care for 7 orphans in their home along with their 2 children.

Children are preparing the last examinations for this school year and still are determined to work harder. 

Thank you very much for your continuous caring for vulnerables and particularly war-orphaned under my responsibility. 

God bless you so much. 

Barhashishwa Mastaki Abel

New Mill Dedicated in Tanzanian Massailand

The HowFar Foundation was able to celebrate a great milestone this week with the dedication of our brand-new Grain Mill in the village of Losimingori, Tanzania. 

The Grain Mill was fully funded by The HowFar Foundation. The Mill will provide a much-needed service to this area and will be a nice complement to the improved planting program that The HowFar Foundation initiated a couple of years ago. 

The Mill will not only provide jobs, but we will also be able to use the profits to subsidize maize flour to many less fortunate families in the area. 

Many thanks to Pastor Emmanuel Laizer our HowFar Foundation partner in Losimingori for all his efforts and oversight in getting this project accomplished.

howFar will you go?

Jim Kelly

Board President

The How Far Foundation, Inc.

Tanzania 2021 Update

Pastor Emmanuel Lazier
Tanzania Country Director

Dear brothers and sisters. May I share with you my joy this last year has been a one of the good year ever in my ministry. God has put a smile on my face. U know planning a thing and see it successful makes you happy? Isn't? Even me there are many things (miracles) I have seen on my eyes and I always bless the Lord with all my heart. 

Pastor Emmaul's Family

1. CHURCHES. Last year we have 7 churches which I am overseeing them. And I am glad that all of them are active and doing well. Though there are sometimes ups and downs but they are growing. And God added joy to us that one of our brach church, Endarara has recently started a new centre, way far from that church. Early Feb they invited me to officially open the first service. 

Our new baby (Church) in Engaruka, with Pastor Augustine with the white t-shirt with black color.

2. BIBLE SCHOOL. as you know that by the grace of God we started a Bible School last year April 7th, 2021. With 12 students and now we have 14 students. All of them are boarding. And our young pastors come and get training there. And is 100% free for them so they are able to study very well. We provide everything. And we hope to get our first graduation party September or October. (We are waiting on your dates arrival so we set the exact dates). The graduation party will go with ordination. 

Also may I use this opportunity to tell you that already we have another class which are ready to start April 2022, it depends on our ability to take them. So please pray about it. Because we want every April will be our intake and Sept or Oct will be graduation. 

Pastor Emmauel speaks to faculty and new students on opening day at Pastors Training Center.

3. MICRO LOAN PROGRAMS 

Also How far have been supporting the poor families in Losimingori village with the micro loan program where right now we have 30 families benefiting from this programme, is still going well and we bless the Lord is helping them a lot. 

4. MILLS MACHINES. 

Dear brethren, end last year we started building and is continuing building a corn flower machine. For two reason. One is provide services to the community because there is no machine around and second is generate income.  The money we make from this project will go direct to support the programs we have now. I will detail you more when is done, right now we are 75 % of the work. 

How far has done a lot of community service both spiritual and physical. 

Bishop Reuben ole Tiges, Emmanuel's Father and Pastor Emmanuel

But last may I mention that last Christmas God gave me a biggest gift ever in my life, my father accepted Christ as his Lord and personal serviour, and we baptized him during Christmas Day. 

And because of him we baptized 7 more people in our church.