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?

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.

howFar Focus Countries Top 2010 Global Hunger Index

Two of howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundations focus countries, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rate among the worlds highest Global Hunger Index scores.

Simply put, these two countries have some of the highest rates of malnutrition in the entire world. To further simplify the situation we could say that they go to bed hungry more often than 95% of the worlds population. (See GHI methodology below.)

"As the world approaches the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which include a goal of reducing the proportion of hungry people by half – the 2010 Global Hunger Index (GHI) offers a useful and multidimensional overview of global hunger. The 2010 GHI shows some improvement over the 1990 GHI, falling by almost one-quarter. Nonetheless, the index for hunger in the world remains at a level characterized as “serious.”

The result is unsurprising given that the overall number of hungry people surpassed 1 billion in 2009, even though it decreased to 925 million in 2010, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.-nine countries still have levels of hunger that are “extremely alarming” or “alarming.”

The countries with “extremely alarming” 2010 GHI scores – Burundi, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eritrea – are in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Most of the countries with “alarming” GHI scores are in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The largest deterioration in GHI scores was seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, largely because of conflict and political instability." (Source: Deutsche Welthungerhilfe (German AgroAction); International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI); Concern Worldwide - 2010)



The GHI is a multidimensional approach to measuring hunger. It combines three equally weighted indicators:

1. the proportion of undernourished as a percentage of the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient dietary energy intake);
2. the prevalence of underweight in children under the age of five (indicating the proportion of children suffering from weight
loss); and
3. the mortality rate of children under the age of five (partially reflecting the fatal synergy between inadequate dietary intake and unhealthy environments).

This multidimensional approach to calculating the GHI offers several advantages. It captures various aspects of hunger in one index number, thereby presenting a quick overview of a complex issue. It takes account of the nutrition situation not only of the population as a whole, but also of a physiologically vulnerable group – children – for whom a lack of nutrients creates a high risk 10.0–19.9 serious of illness, poor physical and cognitive growth, and death. In addition, by combining independently measured indicators, it reduces the effects of random measurement errors.

The index ranks countries on a 100-point scale, with 0 being the best score (no hunger) and 100 being the worst, though neither of these extremes is achieved in practice. Values less than 4.9 reflect low hunger, values between five and 9.9 reflect moderate hunger, values between ten and 19.9 indicate a serious problem, values between 20 and 29.9 are alarming, and values of 30 or higher are extremely alarming. (Source: 2009 Global Hunger Index)

howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation are currently seeking partnerships with hunger and nutrition focused NGO's to make measurable progress towards improvement in Global Hunger Index scores in Burundi and the DR Congo.

"Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.'"
Matthew 25:41-43

Bible Conferences at Gihara/Kigina, Rwanda

The primary work of howFar will always be the teaching of God's Word. Our desire is to see Bible-believing churches planted, the lost redeemed and the flock feasting on the Word of God, growing and maturing.

"You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:17,18

On Saturday, January 15, two Bible Conferences were held on the howFar Ministries / Crimson Academy Campus.

Renee Maynard led a women's conference entitled, "What Every Christian Woman Needs to Know". She taught the women about what it means to be a Godly woman, wife and mother.

A few days after the conference Pastor Augustine's' wife, Betty, told Renee that one of the women who attended the conference was not a believer. "The mother was so moved by the teaching that she came to church the following Sunday with her five children on tow!"

In another classroom on the campus Mark Maynard led a men's conference. The topic, from Luke chapter 6, was "What is True Christian Character?"


Pastor Vinesti, who is the primary pastor at the Kigina/Gihara Church, is very enthusiastic about what God is doing in the village of 250 families. "People are changing", he said. They are leaving witchcraft, they don't get drunk anymore. They are coming to church and it is growing".

Kigina, the location of the church and school, is in the Gihara Sector of Rwanda. Population is measured by homes, or family units. The 250 homes can be multiplied by an average of 6 to arrive at a total population of approximately 1,500 Batwa. The inhabitants fall into one of three categories: Animists, cultural Christian (Catholic), and cultural Muslim. Only a small percentage of the Batwa attend any organized church or assembly.

But, according to Pastor Venesti, "That is changing. People are hearing the Word of God. The new school, Crimson Academy, is drawing people into the church because of the Bible teaching that their children are getting". A regular part of the curriculum is memory work through Scripture Union.

"After you came and did the conferences and preached in January thirteen people accepted Christ and joined the church", said Pastor Augustin. Pastor Augustin Niyonsenga is Overseer of the four howFar Ministries churches in Rwanda, Burundi and DR Congo.

"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, 'LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD'". 1 Corinthians 1:30,31

Meet the Staff @ Crimson Academy - Kagina, Rwanda

Henry Ngolobe - Head Master

Family Background
I was born January, 26th, 1985 in Jinja District, Uganda. My mother's name is Anyango Topister and my father's name is Egesa Christopher, who passed away in 2007. My family and I are Christians.

My Plans for the School
Produce productive, disciplined, God fearing children.
Provide guidance and counseling to teachers and children
Promote and instill leadership skills within the children
Conduct continuous professional development studies for teachers
Promote environmental conservation activities


Scovia Mukamutara - Teacher/Faith

Family Background
I was born in 1988 at Uganelo in a Christian family and I have 6 brothers and sisters; 3 boys and 3 girls in Umutara, the eastern province. My father died in 2004 and life has been difficult without him, but God is greater and He has become our father caring for each of us.

My Plans for the Children
I will teach the children to follow God with all their hearts. I will also educate and advise them in all areas of learning. I will encourage each child to be respectful and honest. In addition, I will teach them about the world and the possibilities they have.


Nsabimana Jean De Dieu - Teacher/Sports

My Family Background
My name is Nsabimana Jean De Dieu and I was born in 1984 in the Gasabo District Rwanda. My career objective is to be honest, sincere, pro-active and promote professional value that foster team work.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach mathematics Primary 3 and 4
I will teach science Primary 3 and 4
I will coach the Soccer Team
I will teach them good morals


Nalule Jesca - Teacher/Discipline

My Family Background
My name is Nalule Jesca and I am a born again Christian and single. I was born in Uganda in Mukono District, 1988 June 23rd. We are 8 in our family, four girls and four boys. My parents are all alive and well.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach mathematics
I will teach science
I will teach them English
I will teach them good morals


Benon Muhwezi - Teacher/Music

My Family Background
My name is Benon, I am 25 years old and I was born in 1985 in Uganda. My father's name is Paul Mbonigaba and my mother's name is Belina. My parents have a total of three children; 1 girl whose name is Joy and 2 boys including myself and Steven.

My Plans for the Students
I will teach them to know the word of God.
I will teach them about Rwandan culture.
I will teach them to study and work hard in school.
I will teach them great social skills.
I will teach them to be responsible.


Guy Claude Mugunga - Treasurer

My Family Background
I was born in September 28th 1990 in a family of 7 children; 3 brothers and 3 sisters in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My father and mother were both Rwandans but they were in Congo as refugees because of ethnic conflict which was in Rwanda during the year 1959-1994. We come back in Rwanda after the genocide.
.
My Plans for the Students
Promotion independence and self efficacy within each child.
Promotion solution and practice based education methods that will help the children retain course material.
Instill within each child good time management skills.

Students Celebrate Opening of Crimson Academy

During the opening ceremonies of Crimson Academy, on January 14, 2011, students celebrated with traditional Rwandan singing, drumming and dancing.

The school, a partner project of Crimson Foundation for Education, howFar Ministries and The How Far Foundation, will sponsor a traditional competition dance team? The team will compete in the cultural exhibition at the local level with the goal of advancing to the national competition.



To sponsor the Crimson Academy dance team contact The How Far Foundation at mark@howfar.org.