SFA PROMOTES PEACE BETWEEN FARMERS AND HERDSMEN!
Recently several of you have received news reports of rampant killings of Nigerian farmers, (or Christians,) by Fulani herdsmen and have asked me for an explanation. From all I’ve learned from my Fulani friends, I can say first that for the localized killings, especially in Kaduna State, something happened perhaps generations ago that sparked years of hatred, killings and revenge killings on the part of both the farmers and the herdsmen. Sadly, the news never reports the great numbers of herdsmen who are killed by the farmers.
Secondly, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, and corrupt politicians seeking to destabilize the government pay for and use young, uneducated, and desperately poor Fulani youth to do their dirty work for them.
All I can tell you is, the Fulani herdsmen with whom I have become acquainted over these past fifteen years are peace-loving and gentle - people who would never organize and attack men, women and children of their farming neighbors. Rather, these herdsmen have welcomed farming tribes into their lives and their children into their schools.
The solution to the violence in Nigeria between farmers and herdsmen lies in SFA’s Mission Statement and most importantly in James 3:18:
‘To restore life, health and peace to indigenous farmers and nomadic pastoralists in Nigeria through the settlement of pastoralists onto protected, ecologically sound grazing reserves
with healthcare and schools provided for their families.’ (SFA Mission Statement)
‘Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.’
(James 3:18)
SFA PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE CONTINUED IN THE OPEN-AIR!
The first year Junior High and first year High School students have been asked to resume classes effective Monday, 10th August, 2020. All other children will remain at home for now. For those resuming, all eyes will be on them, all efforts made to ensure that Covid-19 doesn’t spread, as that is what will allow all other students to resume.
After receiving the following news from our partner in progress, Mrs. Zainab, we have heard strong rumors that schools may be reopening as early as September 7th, 2020. We expect that very soon, children and their teachers will move back into their classrooms.
The government wants to be sure of the safety of all students before everyone is allowed back in school, and has made PPE required before re-opening. If you would like to help out with providing these necessary supplies, please click the donate link below.
CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE ON THE PRIMARY SCHOOL AT THE CITY OF REFUGE AND HAS BEGUN ON ‘RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL’ ON BOBI GRAZING RESERVE!
We’re very excited about these two new schools opening up at the City of Refuge and on the Bobi Grazing Reserve!
At the City of Refuge, we are collaborating with the State Government, sharing the campus and also the leadership of the school. When we first visited the school and found not one Fulani child in attendance, and subsequently met with the Fulani community and learned that they would gladly send their children to that school if SFA were involved, we signed an agreement with the State, built a two-classroom building and enrolled fifty-seven Fulani children for school! Two Free Methodist pastors, Pastor Abednego and Pastor Joseph, both of whom serve at the City of Refuge, are qualified to teach and will handle this new school program!
The River of Life Christian Primary School on the Bobi Grazing Reserve is now under construction! This will be our largest school to date, with at least three hundred children of farmers and herdsmen in attendance. I will be traveling back asap to hire teachers and open this new school!
NIGERIA’S AIRPORTS TO REOPEN TO INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS ON SEPTEMBER 5TH!
I’ll be booking a flight to Nigeria this month of September. A certificate showing negative results for Covid, a week of quarantine in Nigeria and a Covid test one week after arrival are the requirements now in place.
NEW WORK IN OGUN AND KOGI STATES AND PLANS FOR IMPROVED TRAVEL AND SECURITY
I’m so thankful for the work accomplished by our dedicated Board members – I couldn’t manage without them! And so very thankful to all of you, my faithful partners in ministry, for continuing to care for and support our work in Nigeria. Your emails and messages are so encouraging; please continue to write us with your news! Pray for our teachers, the children and their families, the pastors and their work. We need your prayers. God has been so faithful in His care and provision for this work. To Him all the glory and honor for ever and ever, Amen!
Our dedicated SFA Board members have been working with Christian Development Foundation’s leader, James, to arrange a partnership in air travel to facilitate not only my work but also that of visitors and doctors. This will greatly reduce time spent on bad and dangerous roads.
From Ogun State, I’ll visit Kogi State, where there is a similar situation - a large Christian community, Hospital and campground adjacent to a large Fulani settlement. I look forward to meeting these leaders and sharing what SFA can do to help and bring peace, dignity, prosperity and hope to their people.
One of the first stops when I return to Nigeria will be in Lagos where I hope to meet with Dr. Gary and make a preliminary visit to Ogun State. There are large numbers of Fulani herdsmen in the area, and SFA has been asked to help maintain the peace by attending to those things needed by the Fulani for a ‘good life’ – ie – schools, health care, water and grazing solutions.