Feb 15th, Port Harcourt update

Port Harcourt - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Our primary school in Port Harcourt, New Town Primary, was reduced to rubble, along with all the surrounding buildings on this estate. We had permission to use this land and the buildings, but the government showed up unannounced and began to tear them down, to build army barracks here. Phyllis is looking now for land to purchase, enough for our friends to live, graze their cattle, and have a new school and clinic. It hasn't gone well, yet. We're looking for land, but any place near or around Port Harcourt is terribly expensive. Land owners have not been receptive to new Fulani neighbors, even blocking sales. Please join us in praying for God's direction and favor, and OPEN DOORS for our Fulani friends. We are trusting that the Lord is in the process of working it out!

Meanwhile, check out these cute photos of the family there! There were 140 children displaced from school there! Incredible donors have raised $57,738 for the land so far. Follow the links below to help us fund this purchase, so that these families will NEVER be displaced again.

SPOILER ALERT - WE FOUND LAND!

Leaders Of Tomorrow New International High School Update! 

We had a great football match this week between our building team and the local Durgu men! Painting of the interior and exterior walls has begun, and the school signboard is ordered and almost ready! Carpenter Yahaya is building desks, tables, chairs and cupboards! Whew!! This is not a small project!!

Dr David Tsado, Director of the Bobi Reserve, is setting a date for the commissioning event - in early July!

WELCOME new SFA board member, Shane Verschelden!

Shane has been a dedicated supporter of SFA throughout the years. Working alongside Phyllis in Nigeria, he has made significant contributions to SFA’s initiatives by aiding in the planning and construction of multiple schools, clinics, dams, and boreholes. His work has been instrumental in the accommodations of project teams and hosting training sessions on rotational grazing. In addition, Shane has coordinated stateside donations and transport logistics, as well as assisting in grant writing, developing newsletters, blog content, and managing the organization’s website. Shane is committed to advancing SFA’s mission and values and looks forward to helping out where he can.

(AND he's Phyllis's grandson!!!)

SO glad to have you on the board, Shane!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

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So much good news to share!

Visiting churches was an absolute DELIGHT!

Phyllis and Team SFA visited many churches in January. It is always so special to reconnect with church families, seeing LOTS of familiar faces and old friends. Thank you all for joining us, greeting us, and saying hello! Phyllis shared a powerful testimony about what God has been doing in Nigeria. If you were not able to join us, you can watch Shoreline FMC's recording HERE! OR watch Northlake Christian Church's recording HERE! :)

Phyllis is home safe in Nigeria, with LOTS of plans for 2025!

  1. Secure land for Mogodi and family in Port Harcourt, rebuild school and settle family

  2. Hire teachers and open the Leaders Of Tomorrow High School near Bobi

  3. BUILD Idako School and Healthcare Clinic, where the villagers bought land, and a donor is funding the school!

  4. BUILD Enugu High School in Enugu State - build on existing foundation, drain soggy land for play yard, and hopefully build an admin/student exam building!

  5. BUILD Bauchi State School and Healthcare Clinic

SFA Secretary Carisa Haven supported Phyllis at churches we visited, setting up a table w/ books, DVDs, and sign-up sheets!

Friend Carol Schaper, Shoreline FMC, brought baby hats, knitted by a friend, for Phyllis to take home to Nigeria!

Look what happened in Nigeria while Phyllis was here in the US! Leaders Of Tomorrow High School near Bobi Grazing Reserve is almost complete, thanks to our experienced and competent building team! Phyllis will go there soon to hire teachers and they will open immediately! Thank you, God!

Introducing a sweet friend of Phyllis's, Doris Heritage! Phyllis and Doris both went to Seattle Pacific University! Doris and husband Ralph live in Stanwood, and we were able to squeeze in a quick hug with these beloved friends on our way out of town!

Andy Yardy (pictured above with Doris) is the same friend who made Phyllis's BEAUTIFUL film, Kidnapped Redemption, has completed an incredible film about Doris, called Last Lap! These two beautiful women sat on the couch together and argued about who was MORE FAMOUS! LOL! I (Carisa) was absolutely HUMBLED to sit on the couch with these two 'Pillars Of Faith'. I hope I can be like them when I grow up! Thank you Lord, for friendship and shared faith!

Our SFA Board of Directors met last week for a board meeting. It was very nice to be together! We celebrated all that was accomplished last year, and looked ahead to our hopes and dreams for this year. We approved the budget for projects this year. We have a strong board, and we are working on getting even stronger! We are building board health through culture and prayer. We built a Salary Committee to investigate teacher salaries, to ensure we are paying our teachers well. We enjoyed lunch together, and the whole board was in attendance, either in person or on Zoom. I WISH we would have taken pictures! We are SO THANKFUL to have such a supportive board to work with!

MANY THANKS to retiring SFA Board Member Betty Buzitis!

Betty did SO much to help Phyllis - she was instrumental in helping Phyllis build a new NGO called Schools For Africa! Her support here in the states, her work writing grants, and her service on the board has meant A LOT both to Phyllis and our US team, AND to the Fulani people in Nigeria.

Thank you, Betty!

WELCOME to a new SFA board member, Phil Aronson!

Phil Aronson retired as the Vice President of Industry Relations at ADT Commercial in January 2022. Phil was President and CEO of Aronson Security Group (ASG) for 30 years before the company was acquired by ADT in 2018. During his time at ASG, Phil grew ASG from a small local integrator to one of the largest and most influential Security Risk Management Services (SRMS) companies in North America. Phil has been married over 40 years and the father of two daughters. He resides in the small community of Stanwood North of Seattle, WA. When he is not boating, fishing, hunting or playing with his grandchildren he is advising, coaching and mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Pictured above, from left to right: SFA Board Chair Larry Nyland, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven, Newest SFA Board Member Phil Aronson, long-time friends Martha Smelser, Brian Smelser, Art Smelser, SFA Director Phyllis Sortor, and SFA Board Member Steve King. We enjoyed a lovely lunch at the Aronson's home - many thanks to Phil and Susan Aronson!

PROJECT UPDATE onEnugu SCHOOL!

All great news! Phyllis and Carisa met with a team of builders in Arlington to talk about the current foundation. We shared blueprint plans and pictures, and the concensus was that if we build a ground floor and second floor only, we would be safe to use the current foundation! This is wonderful news, and does not waste the initial investment already in the ground. Our first priority is of course safety for the children and teachers. This plan will only cost about $20,000!

To register the high school with the government, the school will also need an admin building / student exam hall. This will cost an additional $20,000. If the Lord provides the funds, as He usually does, we will build it! Please pray that the funds will indeed come in, and we can help and support this wonderful Reverend/Principal and his school.

Rev. Mathias is very pleased with this plan, our help, and your prayers. They will be SO BLESSED to facilitate the further education of their primary students! Praise God!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

Phyllis visits more churches!

Phyllis is HOME in JANUARY, visiting Seattle-area churches!

Phyllis is home for the holidays, and got to spend some great time with family in December. In January, she will be visiting MANY Seattle-area churches. We would love to have you join us!

Please come to church with us, and stop by our table to say hello!

  • January 19th, Phyllis will be sharing at Northlake Christian Church in their 9:30am service, 19029 North Road Bothell, WA 98012. Join us after the service for a Meet & Greet, 11:15-12:15, upstairs in rooms 231/232. Watch LIVE HERE!

  • January 26th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Church. She will share highlights for 15 minutes in both the 9:30am and 11:00am services. She will move to Soulcrafters Class at 9:45, to share more at length. Start at Soulcrafters at 9:30am (in the Wesley building), then join us for 2nd service, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.

HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

ANOTHER SECONDARY SCHOOL in Enugu!

Enugu is the capital of Enugu State. There is currently an ICCM school there, run by Superintendent Reverend Mathias and his wife Nse. Also in Enugu is a wonderful Free Methodist Church, AND the Free Methodist Middle Belt Conference Headquarters. Reverend Mathias and Nse, a faithful Christian couple, have a very successful primary school. As their students got older, they tried to open a secondary school on the 2nd and 3rd floors of their building. Sadly, they were denied registration with the Nigerian government, because the primary and secondary schools are not allowed to be in the same building.

Instead, they began building the unfinished school below. They did their best, but ran out of money, and the project was canceled. NOW, the children are in desperate need of a GOOD, quality secondary school to continue their education! We hope to build a new secondary school for them in 2025. The cost is $80-100K, and we are waiting to see how the Lord will provide those funds! Our sweet Lord has continued to provide for our EVERY project, and for our EVERY need, we are certain this will be no different!

Enugu is in the middle of Nigeria, and the area is very safe. We hope to send a team of builders to Nigeria in September, to assist our Nigeria team in building! Wanna COME?

Here is what WE NEED:

  • A church to fund, partner with, and pray for this school

  • a team of builders to come over in September to build the school!

  • prayers for the existing ICCM school, and our wonderful leaders there

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

Phyllis is home for the holidays, and visiting Seattle-area churches!

Phyllis is HOME for the holidays, visiting Seattle-area churches!

Phyllis is home for the holidays, and got to spend some great time with family in December. In January, she will be visiting FOUR Seattle-area churches. We would love to have you join us! Please come to church with us, and stop by our table to say hello!

  • January 5th, Phyllis will be sharing at the Samaritan Sunday School Class at 11:00am, right after the 10:00am main service at Seattle First Free Methodist Church, 3200 3rd Ave. W. Seattle, WA 98119.

  • January 12th, Phyllis will be sharing at Shoreline Free Methodist Church, in their 9:45am service, 510 NE 175th St. Shoreline, WA 98155. Watch LIVE HERE!

  • January 19th, Phyllis will be sharing at Northlake Christian Church in their 9:30am service, 19029 North Road Bothell, WA 98012.

  • January 26th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Church. She will share highlights for 15 minutes in both the 9:30am and 11:00am services. She will move to Soulcrafters Class at 9:45, to share more at length. Start at Soulcrafters at 9:30am (in the Wesley building), then join us for 2nd service, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA 98292.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Butterfield Memorial Clinic is SAVING LIVES!

Dr. Godfrey recently sent us the BUTTERFIELD CLINIC 2024 ANNUAL REPORT! MAN - we are blessed! WOW. Thank you Jesus! This report made me (Carisa) cry! The clinic is serving several patients each day, and running smoothly. There are some examples of life-saving treatments below, and I am so pleased to get to share with all of you this awesome report. It is an easy way to see how SFA is making a difference in the lives of the Fulani people! Praise God! Butterfield Memorial Foundation has granted us the money to build AND EXPAND this clinic, as well as purchase medical supplies and lab equipment. Clearly, Phyllis named the clinic for them. What an incredible BLESSING Butterfield has been to Schools For Africa AND the Fulani in Nigeria.

A case report of severe malaria complicated by an acute abdomen

An acutely ill-looking 37-year-old man, conscious, and in painful distress presented with a 2-day history of intense and intermittent lower abdominal pains which according to him did not respond to tablets (Ibuprofen and Flagyl) taken since the onset of the pains. On the second day before his consultation, he developed nausea and had 3 episodes of vomiting. He had a medical history of intestinal amoebiasis treated with flagyl on several occasions and peptic ulcer disease which worsens whenever he eats maize, bread or takes ibucap. On clerking the patient, we noted that he had passed 3 days without toileting but emitted gases as usual. The abdomen was tender on a slight palpation. His heart and respiratory rates were unusually raised. Other parameters like the body temperature and blood pressure were within the normal ranges on arrival. No lab test was done. Spasmolytic (hyoscine IM and then IV), intravenous fluids (Dextrose saline), paracetamol and diclofenac injections were given. On stabilisation, he was given bisacodyl tab 10mg per OS. The following day, he developed a severe fever with a temperature of 39.7oC and another episode of vomiting. He was later diagnosed with complicated malaria in which artemether IM was given for 3 days. He was discharged after 3 days of hospitalization. Praise GOD! His life was saved!

A chronically malnourished woman presented with other differentials

A chronically ill-looking 28-year-old woman, 5 months post-partum, presented with severe malnutrition and pellagra characterized by cachexia, emaciation, diarrhea, and paleness. The patient being abandoned by her husband in the course of her ill status developed severe depression and confusion. On arrival, she was hyperthermic and tachycardic. She was diagnosed in adjunctive with gastroenteritis, UTI, severe malaria and moderate anaemia. The initial EUCr test elucidated electrolyte imbalance. The initial EUCr test elucidated electrolyte imbalance. Her PCV was 29%. She spent about 15 days in the clinic for the correction of her electrolyte disturbances and careful nutritional rehabilitation. Also, the associated differentials were managed with antibiotics, antimalarial drugs and hematinics. She was counseled on her daily diet. Praise GOD! Her life was saved!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

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Port Harcourt UPDATES, National Modeling, and our 2nd high school this year!

Port Harcourt UPDATE

You may have read that our dear friend Mogodi and his family were suddenly evicted from their homes. The land where Mogodi and his family have been living for so long was always land that belonged to the government. The Fulani were squatters, with permission of course, and our school was making use of an abandoned building at that place. The government apparently and suddenly has decided to use the land for military barracks, and so has evicted everyone and is tearing down the buildings, including the one we used for our school. 

Now, we are going to purchase our own land - land that will belong fully and forever to SFA. No one will be able to evict the Fulani from that land, as we will make it available to them in perpetuity, for living, farming, and grazing their cattle. The school we build there will belong to SFA - no one will be able to close it down.

We would greatly, greatly appreciate your help to buy the land needed, a piece measuring some 143 acres, in the outskirts of Port Harcourt. We would greatly appreciate help to build a small school there for the hundreds of Fulani children. SFA Manager Lawal is now in Port Harcourt with Mogodi, to see the land and meet its owner, and negotiate a good price. We are expecting the costs to reach $75-100K. Praise God, we have raised $23,603.43, with a couple of other promising donors hoping to help.

Unfortunately, Lawal emailed that the owners of the 143 acres are no longer willing to sell us that land, even at our best price. Why? Of course... because they don't want Fulani families living there. Such hatred towards the Fulani, I've never seen. Lawal told Mogodi to look for another place. They have nowhere to go. Mogodi is desperately searching for land for his family to settle on. Please pray for an immediate solution! Lord, help!

Pictured below is Phyllis with Mogodi, the very first Fulani man she met in Nigeria. He has been a champion and friend to our ministry!

National Modeling!?!

World Bank has advised Dr. Bolarin to focus all his efforts on building up Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve!

In case you didn't hear why World Bank is partnering with us, it stems back to a friendship with Dr. Femi Bolarin, then with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. We worked together setting up grazing reserves in Jigawa, Kaduna and Niger states.

Now Dr. Bolarin is Head of World Bank for Kogi State. He decided to come in as a partner and assist the work on the Ero Mountain ranch making it a model ranch and grazing reserve, and use it as national center for cattle registration and vaccination!

What World Bank is doing for SFA is AMAZING!! They've drilled a borehole, built and erected this fabulous water tank, plowed ANOTHER paddock and are planting MORE grass seed, AND are planning to set up a sprinkler system for the paddocks!!

Thank you Dr. Bolarin and Vet Mogauri (pictured above)! You are the BEST!!

THIS IS BIG! This could be the beginning of national modeling, our goal and purpose for the Fulani people!

Meanwhile, over on Bobi Grazing Reserve... We're making headway on the BIG 'Leaders of Tomorrow High School' project!

The looong perimeter fence! Still a long ways to go! The fence is costly, but very necessary to prevent encroachment. Also much needed for security!

Our borehole was dug, we found water, Praise God! It doesn't look like much yet, but soon a large water tank will benefit the school & surrounding community!

The first building will be what we call a 'bacha' - a storeroom for the cement and other building materials we keep on site. The bacha is taking shape!

Here's a mighty team! Left to right, Mason Bello, SFA Manager Lawal, Bobi Reserve Director Dr. David Tsado, Mason Wada and Carpenter Yahaya.

The government is still clearing our land, as maize and beans were planted here. It's ours - as soon as they are done harvesting. :)

Sariki Bello, Kiri Bauchi and Sarki Ahijo, Fulani leaders on the reserve. We had a wonderful meeting, together with leaders and staff, about the school.

Come Thou Fount Lyrics

Come Thou fount of every blessing

Tune my heart to sing Thy grace

Streams of mercy never ceasing

Call for songs of loudest praise

Teach me some melodious sonnet

Sung by flaming tongues above

Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it

Mount of Thy redeeming love

Here I raise my Ebenezer

Here by Thy great help I've come

And I hope by Thy good pleasure

Safely to arrive at home

Jesus sought me when a stranger

Wandering from the fold of God

He to rescue me from danger

Interposed His precious blood

(Precious blood)

Oh, that day when freed from sinning

I shall see Thy lovely face

Clothed then in blood washed linen

How I'll sing Thy sovereign grace

Come my Lord, no longer tarry

Take my ransomed soul away

Send Thine angels now to carry

Me to realms of endless days

Oh, to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him in the work He is doing all over the world. What a delightful blessing it is to work together for Him.

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

This Christmas season, please prayerfully consider giving to Schools For Africa. To learn more about how your gift impacts God's kingdom, reach out to SFA Secretary Carisa Haven, through email at carisahaven@gmail.com. You can give online with the buttons above, or mail a check to: Schools For Africa, c/o Don Standley, Treasurer, 1010 Silver Springs Way, Stanwood, WA 98292.

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers this year!

May you feel the presence of Jesus this Christmas season.

WOW! Praise Your Name, Jesus!

SO Thankful! Praise Your Name, Jesus!

From Phyllis: It's amazing... but I've never felt better in my life! And so, so blessed and happy! I'm just bubbling... God is showing Himself able and mighty, every single day! Every situation is just turning out right! Amazing God. What a privilege to be here in this country I love, with these people I love, doing the work that I love!

Thank you, Jesus!!

INCREDIBLE NEWS! Remember Pricipal Ojo and his wife Seun, fromFriends and Neighbors High School!?? They had a motorcycle accident last week, and are recovering well. He is going to plant a church at Friends and Neighbors High School, using the new canopy we're building as the sanctuary!!! Praise God! They just sent Phyllis a wonderful message!! Check it out below!

Good morning Ma, how are you doing today? I am recovering fast Ma and my wife is also fit to be at work tomorrow. I will also be at school tomorrow. The hand of the Lord is so strong on me. Can we start a Sunday Service at our new centre in the school by next week Sunday? The work will be finished then. I have the call of God for Salvation of souls and I would like to discuss this with you more when you are back. Thanks for all you do. 

THANK YOU LORD!!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily, just like in the story above with Principal Ojo and Seun! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him in the work He is doing all over the world. What a delightful blessing it is to work together for Him.

As we move rapidly towards the end of the year, would you prayerfully consider making a year-end gift to Schools For Africa to help continue this incredible work? Schools For Africa continues to grow through schools, healthcare clinics, and grazing reserves - ALL of these are making a huge impact for Christ and His Kingdom. With your support, we will be able to continue the work God has given us! For 2025, we are already prayerfully planning a school and healthcare clinic in Bauchi State, and a high school in Enugu State. May Christ be made known in Nigeria!

Principal Ojo and his wife Seun ride together on a moto every day to work. At this new place of work, Friends and Neighbors High School, the opportunity to share Christ has just exploded into regular Sunday morning church services! Praise God! The school, these jobs, and regular church services would not be possible without your support. We invite you to partner with us to bring schools, clinics, and grazing reserves to our beloved Fulani and other tribes in Nigeria. Most importantly, we invite you to help us bring CHRIST to our beloved Fulani and other tribes in Nigeria.

This Christmas season, please prayerfully consider giving to Schools For Africa. To learn more about how your gift impacts God's kingdom, reach out to SFA Secretary Carisa Haven, through email at carisahaven@gmail.com. You can give online with the buttons above, or mail a check to: Schools For Africa, c/o Don Standley, Treasurer, 1010 Silver Springs Way, Stanwood, WA 98292.

Thank you for your faithful support and prayers this year!

May you feel the presence of Jesus this Christmas season.

Remember our partners and friends at Wheelchairs For Nigeria? Pastor Ron Rice is on our SFA board. He and his wife Sharon had to cancel their annual October trip to Nigeria. It has become too dangerous. Ron's partner Ayuba is trying to schedule distributions in safer areas. Check out the AWESOME update below!

CHIEF AYUBA GUFWAN APPOINTED - FEDERAL OFFICE!

The President of Nigeria has appointed Ayuba Gufwan, head of Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Center and Ron's partner for 25 years, as the Executive Secretary of the National Commission on People with Disabilities. Ayuba will supervise 128 agency staff and represent the needs of 35 million disabled Nigerians before the federal government. It is an amazing honor and achievement for a polio survivor who didn't start 4th grade until he was 19, when his uncle built him a wheelchair, and with great effort graduated from the Law Faculty of the university of Jos. Ayuba has built Beautiful Gate into the largest wheelchair ministry by far in this huge country of 220 million.

Lord, BLESS Ayuba in this work!

Fulani Prayer Focus - Adamawa Fulani

In the 1800s, Modibo Adama, a scholar and Muslim holy warrior, led a jihad in what is now Cameroon and Nigeria, opening the region up to Fulani colonization. He continued his campaign, eventually conquering many villages and founding his own empire, which he named Adamawa after himself. His Fulani people established Islam as the religion in the region. New converts learned classical Arabic in order to study the Koran. There are also Fulani found in Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, Cape Verde and Sudan, that can trace their origins back to the Adamawa Fulani of Nigeria.

There are many "taboos" within the Fulani culture. For example, they are forbidden to call a first son or daughter by name. When in public, wives must stay at a distance, but are watched over by their husbands. Goat meat may not be eaten and beef is only eaten at formal ceremonies.

The Fulani traditionally remain both physically and psychologically distant from non-Fulani. They are very reserved and show no strong emotions. In fact, their only emotional ties appear to be with their herds. It is said that no one really knows what a Fulani is thinking. He is gentle yet shows disdain towards outsiders.

The Fulani are a proud people who teach their young children to have dignity. The Adamawa Fulani are expected to follow a code of high moral behavior known as Pulaaku. Pulaaku extols virtues such as kindness, bravery, patience, tolerance, perseverance, honesty, diligence, generosity and dignity. To be reserved is part of being dignified; thus, they are shy and modest in public. A mother does not show affection to her infant son. In fact, she never even calls her firstborn by his name all throughout his life.

In terms of spiritual beliefs, the Adamawa Fulani are almost entirely Sunni Muslim with many animistic beliefs blended in. They seek to control the spirit world through animal sacrifices and by wearing fetishes.

Prayer Points

·        Pray for the Lord to humble Adamawa Fulani leaders and lead them to humble devotion to Christ.

·        Pray for the Lord to intervene among the Adamawa Fulani in such a way that they will become open to accepting the lordship of Christ.

·        Pray for the Lord to provide for the Adamawa Fulani's livestock so well that they acknowledge his goodness and power.

·        Pray that God will call those who are willing to go to and share Christ with the Adamawa Fulani.

·        Ask the Lord to give Adamawa Fulani believers boldness to share Christ with their own people.

·        Pray that God will open the hearts of governmental leaders to the gospel.

·        Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Adamawa Fulani.

·        Pray for a disciple making movement among the Adamawa that will spread to other Fulani groups.

Shared with permission from https://fulani-prayer-focus.epistle.org/

Happy Thanksgiving - We are SO THANKFUL!

Do you love stories?

Here's a wonderful story from Phyllis!!

We had conducted conference at Ikot Afanga and were on our way back to Uyo, when I asked Superintendent Odu if he could stop in Ekparakwa so I could snap a couple of photos of the location of my very first encounter with the people group known as the Fulani.

It was in front of this service station where I was standing, talking with one pastor, when a large herd of cows was herded past me by tall, beautiful men and women who, I was told, were 'dirty, dangerous, lived in the bush with their animals, couldn't speak our language and were Muslims'! And, I should stay away from them at all cost.

God hit my heart that day, and I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that these were the people for whom He had sent me to Nigeria.

So today, I asked Odu to stop and let me snap photos of this place that means so much to me. As I was taking the pictures, suddenly two of my Fulani 'children' ran right at me, hugging me, laughing, as amazed to see me as I was to see them, in that very place of our first encounter years ago! They grabbed me by the hand and ran me over to where others of my Fulani family were living, including Mogodi's brother!

It was such a sweet, completely unexpected encounter! I'm going to see them again tomorrow!

RIGHT HERE is the exact spot where I first laid my eyes on Fulani men and women! Praise God!

JOIN US in what God is doing in Nigeria!

Your monthly gift goes directly to Nigeria, to support the salaries of our WONDERFUL teachers and nurses! One-time gifts are also welcome!

Donate NOW!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY! NEW BELIEVERS!

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Fulani Prayer Focus, Knowing Jesus As Savior

Written by a friend...

A few months ago, I travelled with a few African Christians to meet Fulani in a country with no known Gospel witness among the Fulani. We hoped to sit with them in their bush camps and spend some time sharing the Good News of Jesus.

However, a series of violent events prevented this. Even sitting together in the nearby town proved difficult. We were grateful that we were able to meet a few men in the market, get to know them a bit, and exchange contact information.

The evening before we were to leave that town, I was engulfed by the weighty realisation that countless of these dear people daily pass into unending darkness. They know the name of Jesus – but not what he did for them, for all of us.

Jesus himself feels this far more than any of us ever could. We believe that God ordered our steps, and we trust Him with the ultimate outcome of this trip.

Would you stop and pray for the millions of Fulani who have yet to hear?

EPISTLE, OCTOBER 16TH

Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel James Jwantu

Principal & Supervisor, Solid Rock Good Life Academy

My name is Mrs. Victoria Jwantu E.J. (Emmanuel James). I was born to the family of Chaplin Rev. and Mrs. Yohanna Chetden in 1974, from the Kerang Village of Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. I graduated with an upper credit in Information Technology from the University of Jos, Advanced Diploma. I am a researcher from the department of planning research and statistics.

I got married December 16, 2000 to Mr. Emmanuel James Jwantu. The union is blessed with four children. We also have a niece that we take care of - every responsibility including her education. My first son is Obed James Jwantu, a graduate of University of Jos Plateau State. My second child is a daughter, Chinplang Emmanuel James. She is a three hundred level student from Bokkos University, studying Economics. My third is Turret Emmanuel James Jwantu, a senior secondary student. My last child is Wisdom, a junior secondary school student. My niece also graduated from Bokkos University in Plateau State. She studied Micro Biology, while Obed, my firstborn, studied Criminology.

I am the supervisor of Solid Rock Good Life Academy, Kampala Jos. My husband, Mr. Emmanuel James Jwantu is the principal. He has lead many schools, including Federal Staff School Secretariat Jos, Sharon Rose School, Little Lamp etc,.

Generally, I love children and I have been teaching in Sunday School for more than thirty years, including AWANA Bible Club and Word Of Life Bible Club. I have held many positions in the church, including Sunday School Coordinator and Women's Fellowship Leader. I was supervising another school when I accepted to supervise at Solid Rock Good Life Academy.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR MR. & MRS. E.J. JWANTU! May God continue to bless your family!

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW At

Leaders Of Tomorrow New International High School On Bobi Reserve?

This school was fully funded by some faithful supporters in Washington State! Thank you Lord! We start building the first week of November! Lawal and our building team will break ground, starting by building the perimeter wall around the property to secure it. Phyllis will definitely send lots of photos all through this time! Reverend John Raji will be holding interviews for teachers at the new high school, so that as soon as the school building is complete, we will open our doors for enrollment! We have an amazing and very capable staff who can do this even when Phyllis is not physically on site! Please be praying for the builders and the local community there!

JOIN US in what God is doing in Nigeria!

Your monthly gift goes directly to Nigeria, to support the salaries of our WONDERFUL teachers and nurses! One-time gifts are also welcome!

Donate NOW!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  • Pray for Fulani people to come to Jesus.

  • Pray for the continuing work of our 2nd high school this year! Pray for the safety of the builders. Pray for the hearts of the locals to be open to the school, and to Jesus!

  • Pray for Victoria and E.J. Jwantu, as they lead a whole SCHOOL full of beautiful children!

Introducing Principal Ojo and Headmistress Seun!

I, Mr. Olanrewaju Ojo was born to Dr. and Mrs. Ojo, a medical doctor and a nurse from Ekiti State on May 29th, 1984. We are of the Yoruba Tribe. I had my nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary educations in Ondo State and Ekiti State. Mrs. Oluwaseun (Seun) Ojo was born to Mr. and Mrs. Alade - both are teachers from Ondo State. She was born on October 21st, 1986, also of the Yoruba Tribe. She also had her nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary education in Ondo State and Ekiti State.

We were joined in Holy Matrimony at Saint Luke's Anglican Church Idi Agba Titun Akure, Ondo State on August 23rd, 2014. We are blessed with two boys, Testimony who is 8 years old and Goodness who is 6 years old.

We had our NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) in Rivers State and Oyo State 2011 & 2012. We later settled in Port Harcourt and worked at a private school - until I met SFA Director Phyllis Sortor. She was staying at a hotel just beside our church at Eleme. 

Phyllis hired me to work with Schools For Africa at Mogodi New Town Camp School from September 2018 till July 2021. I then requested a transfer to Ogun State SFA project at Imala. When my family and I moved to Imala, my wife Seun joined SFA as a teacher. We worked at Good Shepherd Nursery & Primary School, Peace Village Akala. We were living in a community called Ayetoro, several kilometers from Akala, because our children had classes in higher education there. We were riding a Moto to school daily. For the Glory of God, I served as headmaster and class teacher to our school. My wife also teaches the pupils along with other dedicated teachers at Peace village.

With the recent project of a new high school at Anigbado called Friends and Neighbors New International High School, I have been posted as the new principal there. My wife, Mrs. Seun, took over the leadership as headmistress at Good Shepherd Nursery and Primary School Akala.

Our mission work has been a great success among the Fulani, Tiv, Yoruba, Ori, Igede, and many others tribes. The parents and our pupils live in peace and unity in the various villages and communities. We are grateful to our sponsors and SFA Board for all their support, prayers and help. God has used you mightily and may He reward you all mightily as well. Amen

Yours in Service, Mr. and Mrs. Ojo

Dear friends,

           This very interesting article on the state of Christian missions today is a summary of a report that was prepared for the Fourth Lausanne Congress which just concluded in Seoul Korea. More than 5000 evangelicals from over 200 countries gathered to celebrate and strategize over evangelism. My dear friend and colleague at the University of Jos in Nigeria, Dr. Danny McCain, was a delegate. Click the link below to read more!

Ron Rice, SFA Board Member

Join us in what God is doing in Nigeria!

Your monthly gift goes directly to Nigeria, to support the salaries of our WONDERFUL teachers and nurses! One-time gifts are also welcome!

Donate NOW!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  • Pray for the new high school, Leaders of Tomorrow New International High School, as we begin the work near Bobi Grazing Reserve.

  • Pray for Principal Ojo and Headmistress Seun!

  • Pray for Christians to work economically to reach the unsaved around the world.

School Has Begun!

Schools bring children and families together, and build bridges to PEACE as they learn together, eat together, and play together! We are SO proud of the teachers who work tirelessly to bring a quality education to the children in our schools. Our schools provide one of the highest quality of education in Nigeria! Whenever possible, we share our Christian faith. We are proud of our schools, and we couldn't do it without YOU, our supporters and prayer partners. Thank you for joining us in bringing Christ and peace to Nigeria!

Would you join us in praying for the students and teachers pictured above? This is only a sample of the many schools we are overseeing! Pray for their hearts, their families, their futures - that they would be grounded in Christ Jesus! AMEN!

THE ISSUE OF TERRORISM

In the discourse surrounding terrorism in West Africa, a prevailing narrative attributes the majority of these acts to a specific ethnic or religious group. The Fulani are very often considered the perpetrators. However, it is crucial for Christians not to subscribe to this notion and recognize that terrorism and persecution stem from various sources. While Fulani are certainly involved at times, they are often singled out as scapegoats. This is a dangerously "easy" conclusion to draw.

Sometimes, mere affiliation with certain people groups implies complicity in terrorism, much like how association with Fulani can equate to being labeled as terrorists. These are complex issues, and prayer is needed.

Pray for:

  • those who have been victims of this violence, for healing and restoration of their homes and livelihoods

  • the perpetrators of this violence, that they would hear and be transformed by the Word of God, that their hearts would be softened and that they would turn to Christ

  • the most violent fighters, that they would encounter the Prince of Peace and choose to follow Him

  • Jesus' love, peace, and forgiveness to reverse the spread of terror across the region

  • that more Fulani would come to know Jesus Christ through the lives and testimonies of believers in this area.

From Epistle

Join us in what God is doing in Nigeria!

Your monthly gift goes directly to Nigeria, to support the salaries of our WONDERFUL teachers and nurses! One-time gifts are also welcome!

Donate NOW!