On prejudice, slander, and anti-Fulani sentiment...

Anti-Fulani sentiment is the hostility that exists towards the Fulani people in Nigeria and the discrimination that they are subjected to as a result of it.

Fulani people have been accused of supporting Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram even though they themselves are often victims of terrorist attacks. These accusations have emboldened various groups in Nigeria to spread anti-Fulani rhetoric. In 2016, in response to a rise in conflicts with Fulani herders, the hashtag #fulaniherdsmen trended among Nigerian social media users, accompanied and fueled by anti-Fulani rhetoric. Online media and fake news have depicted Fulani herders as bloodthirsty murderers or terrorists, further inciting anti-Fulani sentiment.

(This is straight out of Wikipedia, folks!)

There was a recent slaughter in a church in Owo, Nigeria, in which 50 precious souls lost their lives. Locals blamed the Fulani, though police and state authorities did not. This is one of many examples where the Fulani people are blamed for something they are not guilty of. The Fulani have LONG been Nigeria's scapegoat, supposedly causing most of all problems in Nigeria. Even narrow-minded pastors in Nigeria have advised us to stay away from them!

Who will take the time to know them, to care for them, to love them?

Who will find out the truth before assuming the worst?

The Fulani follow a code of behaviour known as pulaaku, which consists of the qualities of patience, self-control, discipline, prudence, modesty, respect for others (including foes), wisdom, forethought, personal responsibility, hospitality, courage, and hard work.

The Fulani people need help! They need love and support!

We will love them as God loves them.

We will support them.

  • We will build schools to educate their children.

  • We will build healthcare clinics to meet their excruciating physical needs.

  • We will build grazing reserves to help them retain their culture and provide for their families.

  • We will boldly share the love of Jesus with them!

We need YOUR help.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

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What's YOUR story??

Each one of you has a story to tell about your connection with Phyllis Sortor and Schools For Africa.

We want to hear yours!

WHY is this cause near and dear to you?

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Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for Phyllis and the SFA team, for physical health and safety as they travel, and for wisdom.

  • Pray for favorable grant outcomes and increased monthly givers to fund God's work in Nigeria.

  • Pray for the milk collection project as it takes shape in Imala. There is MUCH work to do!

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African art brings revelation

An encouraging note from Phyllis:

Greetings friends,

Recently I had the privilege to take Bishop Matt Whitehead on a visit to WATS – West Africa Theological Seminary – in Lagos. In the hallway of one of the buildings were several paintings, but one especially grabbed my attention. It was a depiction of the account in the Bible of faithful friends who had broken through the roof of a building where Jesus was teaching and lowered their crippled friend to Jesus, to be healed.

I began thinking of other instances in the Bible in which people brought friends to Jesus. The Samaritan woman, after hearing of the Living Water, went back to her town and brought her friends to Jesus. When Jesus called Andrew to follow him, Andrew first went and brought his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. A father brought his very ill son to Jesus for healing.

In Luke 18:15-16 I read about parents bringing their children to Jesus. "Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me and do not forbid them, for of such is the Kingdom of God.”

These are real events from the scriptures in which men, women and children were saved, because their friends brought them to Jesus.

In Nigeria, in our schools and clinics ministering to children, men and women of ALL tribes, our primary purpose too, is to bring them to Jesus. Thank you for being a part of this most important ministry! Thank you so much. May God richly bless and keep you until we meet again.

Phyllis Sortor

Calm continues - Bobi Reserve is safe!

We thank God for His grace and mercy!

Everything is going well on Bobi Reserve! Teachers are teaching. Children are learning. Both healthcare clinics are open and nurses are treating patients.

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Help us to bring MORE friends to Jesus!

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Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for continued peace on Bobi Reserve.

  • Pray for the developing milk collection project in Imala.

  • Pray for Schools For Africa, for wisdom in making decisions, and to steward this ministry well.

Remembering and honoring Reverend Jacob Ahiaba, 1955-2020

Rev. Jacob Ahiaba was born in Kogi state, Nigeria on the 10TH of May, 1955. His father was a strong Christian, a convert of early missionaries who ministered in the area. Rev. Jacob testifies that he became a Christian before the age of seven, always enjoying being alone with God. He was a man of dreams and visions, experiencing revelations from God and visitations by angels from his earliest years, continuing to enjoy this holy relationship with God throughout his life. He refused to be disobedient to the Word of God and in his own words, was addicted to reading the Bible. Seldom was Rev. Jacob seen without his Bible in his hand.

Facebook reminded me that Rev. Jacob's birthday was last week... I met him briefly, but he had the same powerful impact on me that he had on many others. Reverend Jacob loved Jesus deeply, and that love poured out onto the people around him. I loved him, as did many. ~Carisa Haven

Rev. Jacob became known to missionaries Jim and Phyllis Sortor in 2006 when they started building the first school for Fulani children in Emiworo, Kogi State. The Spirit of God had revealed to Rev. Jacob back in 1985 that a couple was coming to establish a school along the Niger River, right across from his stone quarry - a couple who would need his help.

AND THEY DID COME, JUST LIKE THE LORD SAID!

Jacob went to meet Jim and Phyllis, making many subsequent visits, always when they needed him the most. Whenever they were having a problem or challenge, Rev. Jacob would show up at the door and ask,

"Is there something I can do to help you? May I pray with you?"

Rev. Jacob opened his heart to Jim and Phyllis and to the Fulani people with whom we work.

Thank you God for such a powerful example of how to live our lives for Christ!

Let US be addicted to reading the Bible!

We are thanking God for a most successful two weeks with Bishop Matt Whitehead, hosting him through four Conferences, from Abuja, (Northern Nigeria Annual Conference,) to Enugu, (Middle Belt Conference,) to Akwa Ibom State, (Pioneer Conference and South Central Conference,) to Imala where Bishop met the Kabiyesi and dedicated the Good Shepherd School at Peace Village (pictured below). The 'Grand Tour' ended wonderfully in Lagos, at West Africa Theological Seminary, WATS, where Bishop preached at Chapel and we had lunch with WATS Founder, Dr Gary Maxey and his wife.

I am so grateful to God for a safe trip and successful meetings all the way through! WOW. God is so good. ~Phyllis

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Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for PEACE in Nigeria.

  • Pray for the Fulani people and surrounding tribes to come to a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.

  • Pray for our work in Imala, and the people we love there.

Telling the story of what God has done!

Tell the story of what God has done!


And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11

These children are SO PRECIOUS! They are sweet, loving, outgoing, curious, and bright! There are THOUSANDS of children on Bobi Reserve. Before SFA built schools there, not ONE had ever been to school.

Imagine that none of the children had ever seen a world map, or realized that there are others who live on this planet. Not one child had ever seen a picture book about dolphins or whales swimming in the ocean. They had never colored a picture, put together a puzzle, or played with blocks. Not one had ever heard stories of Jesus, who loves them so much, and gave His life to save them.

We are happy to report that all Bobi Reserve schools are open, and doing well. Attendance will continue to climb until the schools are at full capacity and bursting!


Our precious Fulani children (and others!) are getting an education, and they are learning SO MUCH!

They are learning to live at peace together!

Praise God!


We need to grow in monthly support to coversalary costs for teachers.

Will you consider joining us?

Click here to give:

https://phyllis-sortor-schools-for-africa.org/donations

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for continued peace and safety on Bobi Reserve.

  • Pray for increased monthly support for teachers and schools.

  • Pray for our big projects on Imala Reserve, as the development continues!

  • Pray for God to intercede powerfully in the lives of the Fulani people and surrounding tribes.

THANK YOU for your prayers and support!

God REALLY wants a school in 'New Okigwe'!

From Phyllis: Some time ago we were driving through Okigwe, Imo State, Nigeria. We were stopped at a road junction when a Fulani man came to the car, introduced himself as Yusuf, a relative to Mogodi, and asked us to visit their camp. He knew about Hope Academy in Kogi State and begged us to build a school for them in Okigwe.

More time had passed when my friend Mrs. McKay contacted me asking whether we'd built that school for the Fulani children in Okigwe. Mrs. McKay's father had recently passed, and she wanted to build the Okigwe school in his memory.

I phoned my Fulani colleague, Mogodi, asking about the situation in Okigwe.

Mogodi advised me NOT to go there, that the area was very hostile towards Fulani. All the Okigwe Fulani had fled the area. I had to tell my friend we couldn't build a school for the Okigwe Fulani; they'd left the area and I had no idea where they'd gone. We'd need to think about choosing another group of Fulani who need a school.

Next, our SFA staff member Haruna asked if, on our way south, we could stop at a Fulani village near Itobe, just minutes from Hope Academy, as his friend there had told him of hundreds of children with no school.

I said sure, we could stop by.

We would pick up a guide, Haruna said, as the village was hard to locate.

The guide was waiting along the Itobe Lokoja road. He got in the car, reached over and shook my hand. "Do you remember me?" he asked. "I'm Yusuf, the one you met on the road in Okigwe. All of us from Okigwe had to leave the area because of persecution. We've settled in a village near here. We have something like 500 children who need a school. Will you help us please?"

And THAT, my friends, is a bona fide April 2022 miracle!

I would say God REALLY wants that school in 'New Okigwe'!

The road in to the village near Itobe - we were thankful for a guide to help us find the village!

Meeting with the Fulani men in the village to discuss their great need for a school!

A few of the MANY precious children needing a school!

Can you help to build a school?

SO MANY ARE NEEDED!

Can you give monthly to maintain a school?

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GREAT NEWS!

School has reopened on Bobi Reserve, at all seven schools! It has been peaceful since the Nigerian Air Force attacked the bandits there. SFA will request a permanent base on Bobi Reserve, for continued protection and support!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the New Okigwe school to be built quickly!

  • Pray for the precious children, families, and teachers on Bobi Reserve - for their continued safety!

  • Pray for travel mercies in April as Phyllis and Bishop Matt Whitehead travel to churches throughout Nigeria for annual conferences.

Our Kidnapped Redemption film is doing very well at film festivals! !

Did you hear that Pastor Mike Henry has produced a documentary about Phyllis, her kidnapping and her ministry?

The Kidnapped Redemption film is doing VERY WELL in film festivals! Gaining entrance into a festival is an accomplishment in itself, but our film has won several awards and recognitions!

This does extend our release date to YOU and the public, which is SO HARD! We KNOW that you are super excited to see it, and we are SUPER excited to release it to you!

We promise to keep you posted on the release. :)

Watch the official trailer below!

Producer Mike Henry has worked with missionary Phyllis Sortor in Nigeria on several occasions and knew that her story needed to be portrayed in a movie. "As my first time producing a film, I simply recruited smart, talented people to help. I am a retired pastor and missionary and now the author of adventure/spiritual thriller novels. I love a story of high risk when only divine intervention can bring the resolution. And Kidnapped Redemption is just that, a true-life story that will inspire courage and faith."

Click HERE to read more about the film.

The Kidnapped Redemption film was created to share Phyllis's story. Any proceeds from the film will go directly to Schools For Africa and the work God is doing there.

Give monthly to sustain what the Lord is doing for His beloved people in Nigeria!

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Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for favorable grant funding for new school projects.

  • Pray for Phyllis and the team as they travel dangerous roads throughout Nigeria.

  • Pray for the Kidnapped Redemption film to reach influential people at festivals, and for a widespread reach!

  • Pray for the Imala project development to move forward smoothly and quickly in God's timing. :)

Healthcare clinics save lives in Nigeria!

Schools For Africa saving lives, one clinic at a time!

Healthcare Clinics change EVERYTHING!

In communities with healthcare clinics:

  • Mamas and babies are surviving, and THRIVING!

  • Healthy children attend school!

  • Injuries and diseases are treated promptly!

  • Families feel loved and cared for!

1st and 2nd clinics in Imala, Ogun State

SO FAR, we have built a clinic at Bright Hope Christian Academy in Kogi State, two clinics on the Bobi Reserve in Niger State, and two clinics on the Imala Reserve, in Ogun State. The clinics are staffed with nurses and stocked with medicine and supplies. Community Health Extension Workers, or CHEWS, are trained to advocate in the communities surrounding the clinics. CHEWS bridge the gaps between local communities and the clinics, and help connect shy tribal people to life-saving services.

Our healthcare clinics save lives in Nigeria!

One of the primary overall objectives of Schools For Africa is to improve healthcare for the Fulani people, and reduce the number of deaths of Fulani children in Nigeria. The most dramatic and urgent issue is to reduce the deaths of children, birthing mothers and babies. Other primary healthcare issues include malaria, diarrhea, and dehydration from malnutrition and lack of clean drinking water.


Schools For Africa has successfully opened, trained, staffed, and continually stocked with necessary medical supplies FIVE clinics SO FAR! These services have improved the overall health of our Fulani communities tenfold, as well as helped educate and empower Fulani communities to pursue healthcare for their families. Clinics complement our schools and grazing reserves by providing comprehensive healthcare for the Fulani to thrive!

Saving lives!

Clinics cost around $15,000 to build and supply. Operating costs are low thereafter, and are funded through monthly giving!

Can you help?!

Please give monthly to sustain what the Lord is doing for His beloved people in Nigeria!

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How does Schools For Africa share about Christ?

PRAYERFULLY

and

CAREFULLY!


Click HERE to read more!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for Phyllis and the team, as they travel throughout Nigeria, supervising this amazing work!

  • Pray for security and safety on Bobi reserve, so that we can reopen schools there.

  • Pray for favor in an upcoming meeting with a high government official!

  • Pray for an upcoming medical/dental trip to Nigeria- doctors, nurses and dentists needed!

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Reaching the unreached in Mambila!

The Mambila are listed among the world's unreached people groups. We have been invited to open schools for them and the Fulani there!

What an amazing opportunity!

Our longtime friend, M.M. (right), has moved his family to Mambila, built a house and put his children in school there. He is the one who invited Phyllis to Mambila! It is THIS friendship that the Lord has used MIGHTILY to create new opportunities for ministry in Mambila!

Phyllis was invited to a meeting of the FUDECO Association, the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization. This group of highly motivated, educated Fulani men and women mentioned three ways SFA could work together with them in Mambila! We could help with their schools, provide boreholes, and train herdsmen in how to manage their animals as a business.

We hope to help!

There are over 50 schools in this area! EACH serving a minimum of 250 children! Can you imagine? None of the teachers have textbooks from which to teach. None of the children have supplies of any kind. WE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN THESE SCHOOLS, WITH THE SIMPLE PROVISION OF SUPPLIES AND TEXTBOOKS! We would like to donate school supplies and reading materials to each school. Phyllis will buy supplies and distribute them in September before schools resume.

Most of the school buildings on the Mambila Plateau that Phyllis saw were barely standing, NOT safe for children! In fact, one had recently collapsed, though thank God no one was hurt! We have asked for a grant to help repair the schools. The damaged schools that we’d like to repair are those where the parents have already contributed their own efforts. For example, the collapsed building was due to lack of proper cement blocks. Mud blocks were used by the parents, but they couldn’t hold up the roof. We’d like to help support and encourage these parents who have done their best for their children.

Lack of water is a big problem in this area. If God provides the funds, we would be so happy to drill boreholes at those school locations that are very far from water.

We would love your help to fund this project! (Click HERE to GIVE!)

We will also talk with our partners at Friesland Campina, the largest producers of milk products in the world, about working together on a milk collection center on the Mambila Plateau. This will help herdsman to better provide for their families!

With God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

This Fulani matriarch is 100 years old! She couldn't stay out in the bright light for long because the sun bothered her eyes. We finally got a good picture of her lovely face.

EVERYONE wanted a picture taken with Phyllis! These guys were so cute! They'd never seen a white person before!

Give monthly to sustain what the Lord is doing for His beloved people in Nigeria!

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Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the unreached people in Mambila, and for SFA opportunities to share the love of Christ!

  • Pray for funds to provide boreholes in Mambila, where water is greatly needed.

  • Pray for the Fulani herdsman and their partnership with Friesland Campina - that they would gain knowledge to better support and sustain their families.

Praying BOLDLY, for God's GLORY! after receiving very bad news...

WE ARE PRAYING BOLDY, FOR GOD'S GLORY!

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To read our email update from today, go here:

https://conta.cc/3ujlsWH

We received news from Bobi Reserve, and the news is worse than initially reported. Bandits with guns attacked our church service on Bobi Reserve around 10:00am Sunday, Nigeria time. MANY men, women, and children were kidnapped. These are our friends, our beloveds, our brothers and sisters in Christ, including 2 SFA teachers and a SFA nurse. Lives were lost, cattle and money stolen, and homes were burned to the ground.

We are heartbroken, sad, worried, BUT GOD! God is faithful, and He knows all things. He knows where are friends are, He knows the outcome, and HE WILL BE GLORIFIED! We are praying that no weapon formed against us will prosper! We are praying that, like other Muslims WE KNOW, that JESUS would appear to these bandits in a dream and reveal Himself to them! We pray AGAINST this attempt to distract and disrupt what God is already accomplishing on the Bobi Reserve, in Jesus' name! God is breathing Life, Breath, and Truth into the Fulani people! His kingdom WILL move forward, for His glory.

Father, lead Schools For Africa in Your will!

Director Phyllis Sortor is in Niger State today, meeting with the Governor, Commissioner of Police and Commissioners of Agriculture and Education, requesting immediate help in the locating and release of our kidnapped comrades. We thank God that our two teachers were able to escape. We are requesting that the Governor DO SOMETHING about these bandits who are wrecking this reserve!

The bandits are an army... fully equipped with weapons, transport and informants! As long as there are none to oppose them, they will continue to pillage, kidnap and kill.

Phyllis is pointing all this out to officials and strongly requesting an army of our own! From Phyllis: "God is our Commander and Chief. May He lead, guide, give wisdom and favor before these officials today. We need serious prayer."

This comes in the midst of SO MUCH good stuff!

Just 90 minutes before the kidnapping was reported, SFA Director Phyllis Sortor emailed our SFA team with an email titled "JOY". The email detailed the many new requests for schools, details of new churches we are building, and new partnerships with old friends. Phyllis wrote, "I'm so happy to be here, doing all I can, with YOUR help, to plant seeds of peace and faith in Jesus among all these precious people God brings into our lives!"

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the families of those who lost their lives in the recent bandit attack - number not yet known.

  • Pray for the safe and speedy return of all kidnapped from the Bobi Reserve - number not yet known.

  • Pray for our great need for ongoing security on Bobi Reserve, to continue the good work there.

Give monthly to sustain what the Lord is doing for His beloved people in Nigeria! Click HERE to set up monthly giving.