May 17 - May 29, 2021

Imala Diary, continued.

Saturday’s Wheelchair Distribution

137 wheelchairs were distributed at the Imala, Government Primary School today, given freely by Wheelchairs for Nigeria, a non-profit run by Dr. Ron Rice, (SFA Board member!) and his partner Ayuba Gufwan. Ayuba is a polio survivor himself, but has in his life overcome his condition, graduated from university, has a law degree and is helping so many thousands of others in Nigeria by directing the building and distribution of these chairs.

Meeting with pastors in Angbado Village

BTW, I’m trying to learn the names of the nearby villages; the Yoruba language is so foreign to me that it’s taking some doing! We live in Angbado Village, (for now,) nearest villages to the north and south of us are Olorunda, Idi-Emin and Obada. Writing these down will hopefully help me remember!

Today, Sunday May 18th, we were planning to attend the service in Imala commemorating the Kabiyesi’s sixteen years as Traditional Ruler in Imala. On the way, we were flagged down by Dr. Eric Ighalo, the Imala Director of CDF, who was in his bus along with a group of eight men. Dr. Eric asked us to return to our rented house in Angbado Village as he wanted to have a ‘little chat’ with us! Hmmm!

We parked in front of our ‘boarding house’ and quickly brought out enough chairs and benches for everyone to be seated in the shade of one tree close to the road. After introductions all ‘round, Dr. Eric asked me to explain my work with the Fulani people. These were all local pastors, he told me, who had real concerns about our project. Because of the worsening situation in Nigeria, in particular between the Igbo people and the Fulani, these pastors wondered what we were doing and how it could possibly help the situation.

I told them the whole story of our work and answered their questions to the best of my ability.

When they began talking about the Fulani as ‘bad people’, massacring whole villages, kidnapping and killing women and children, I turned to Haruna, our Fulani staff member in SFA, asking if he’d like to respond to that issue. Haruna talked very well, defending his people and, using his own amazing story, emphasizing the importance of educating Fulani children and youth on into university or vocational schools, so as to avoid joblessness and criminality in the future.

The meeting went well, one pastor closed in prayer, we took group pictures then piled back into our cars and drove to Imala arriving in time for the church service!

The service was good, but very hard for us northerners as we don’t understand Yoruba and knew none of the songs and choruses! But God was there and we worshipped Him. That’s all that counts.

Work at Peace Village

The work on the SFA site, Peace Village, is going forward quickly! The staff house and teachers’ quarters are almost finished; we’ve marked out and dug the foundation for the school. Clinic plans are in hand – we will build that as we also build the school. Six thousand 9” blocks are molded and ready for use for these next two buildings.

Staff house almost done, ceiling going in now

Today we were visited by Dr. Maxey, Emma Lou and their grandson! I took them round the site, showing and explaining the work to date, pointing out where we’ll build the guesthouse, and finally, serving them lunch under our favorite shade tree down by the river! I hope they enjoyed the visit as much as I did!

BTW, we all saw Red Bishops today! The male bird is an iridescent scarlet with black markings on the face and chest, while the female is grey and yellow! Both male and female birds presented themselves to us, perching on the tops of some flowering grasses near the path! So lovely!

SFA Boreholes

The news that is not so good regards the SFA borehole situation, which is the same as it has been all along. There is still NO borehole on the site, and no second borehole either. According to Officer Jacob, who was on duty here at the site yesterday, (while I was in Abeokuta buying supplies,) the men digging the borehole met up with rock and left. They’ve not been back, and I’ve had no report from the man in charge. This was the second attempt by Sharjeel, the missionary James contracted with for this work. Both attempts have failed.

The boreholes were paid for in full back in March; it’s now May ending, and we have no water. Thank God for the river nearby and the farmer who has a water pump and long hose! Officer Jacob and Sani drive to the river multiple times a day in the pickup, with four water barrels, which the farmer fills for us. As you know, for building blocks and mixing cement, water is pretty much the biggest need around.

So, considering this most urgent need for water, I’ve asked that the SFA money deposited in March for two boreholes, solar pump and overhead tank be refunded to us. This will permit us to go ahead and contract with commercial drillers to get the work done quickly.

AND….the money has been refunded and with Lawal’s help we’ve contracted with a professional driller from Abuja who is even now on his way to Imala. He sent a project proposal which includes two boreholes, one solar pump, one hand pump, an overhead tower and 3,000 litre tank and all the plumbing and taps involved, all for $3,700 LESS than the failed, CDF boreholes would have cost us!

So, thank God.

When will the Fulani families arrive?

Haruna, Alhaji Bature, Lawal and I met with Prince on Monday afternoon and heard what the Kabiyesi has in mind for our work among the Fulani. We understand that it’s only the Fulani living in the Imala area who are invited to live around the SFA site and graze their cattle in the 400 acres which will be provided for them. We understand that any Fulani wanting to live here will have go through Alhaji Bature and be approved by the Kabiyesi. Prince also intimated that 1,600 acres of grazing land would be made available at some point, across the river. (I do hope this will be sooner rather than later!) Alhaji Bature made an appointment to see the Kabiyesi this Thursday to gain final approval for packing with his family to live near us, with their cattle, on the 400 acres designated for this purpose.

Training in Managed Rotational Grazing and Commercial Milk Production.

As soon as Alhaji Bature is situated on our land, we will plan for a week’s training in rotational grazing for him and other heads of families and begin marking out the needed paddocks. When I told James about Friesland Campina’s commercial, milk-collection project on the Bobi Grazing Reserve in Niger State, he was very interested in having the same project here, side by side with the rotational grazing. The two plans are quite different – one completely holistic, the other very much commercial - but having both would serve to compare the choices available to herdsmen and businessmen. James’ people will attend the training as well.

Finally – Big Blue!

Our SFA boat/bus, fondly nicknamed ‘Big Blue’ while officially named ‘The Good Shepherd’, is still docked at the fishing village where it was built. The engine we bought in Abeokuta is not working properly yet; a mechanic has promised to come tomorrow to put it in good order, then we’ll bring it over and pull it up to shore in front of Peace Village.

Thank you, Lord Jesus!

When Gary Maxey and James saw what we have here at Peace Village, they are both overwhelmed – as am I – with what God has given in this place. James has already taken steps to annex a CDF retreat center and prayer garden to the SFA Guest House location; we will keep as much natural woodland as possible as a natural haven for birds AND humans. It will be wonderful. So thankful to have a small part in this amazing development.

Thanks to all of you for your continued prayers and support. Please pray that all we do and say will reflect the love Jesus has for these dear Fulani and Yoruba people, and that many will come to accept Him as their only Lord and Savior.

Phyllis Sortor