THANKFUL for what we've accomplished together!

Count your blessings, name them ONE by ONE!

Count your blessings, see what God has done!

COUNT your blessings, name them one by one.

Count your many blessings, see what God has done!


We are counting our blessings, and not just because of Thanksgiving. We are continuously ASTONISHED by God's GOODNESS! He is building His kingdom in Nigeria, and we are SO BLESSED to have a front row seat. Schools For Africa has been blessed to partner with God in many projects across Nigeria, where His name is lifted high, precious souls are coming to Christ, and believers are growing in Christ.

We made a list of the many places we've partnered with God in Nigeria. It is a precious document detailing MANY of the things that God has done! We're humbled, proud, blown away, and SO THANKFUL that God would use US and YOU to further His kingdom. Check out the list below!

1. Kaduna State: Kachia Grazing Reserve, 60 nomadic school supported by SFA

2. Niger State: Bobi Grazing Reserve, 7 SFA schools, 1 FM church

3. Nasarawa State: City of Refuge for converts from Islam, 2 SFA schools, 1 clinic, 1 FM church

4. Kogi State: Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve, 3 schools, 3 FM churches, 1 clinic

5. Ondo State: 1 school

6. Ogun State: Lafiya Grazing Reserve, 1 school, 2 clinics

7. Rivers State: 1 school, 1 FM church

8. Akwa Ibom State: 4 SFA schools, many FM churches

9. Taraba State: 60 nomadic schools (on the Mambila Plateau!) supported by SFA

Note: We have a close relationship w/ the Nigerian Free Methodist Church, in an effort to build God’s kingdom in Nigeria! SFA does not give monetary monthly support, but we often support churches through new construction and building repair, purchasing land, funding church repairs, etc.

Project List by State:

  • Kaduna State: Kachia Grazing Reserve, 60 nomadic schools

A. Kachia Grazing Reserve - We drilled several boreholes there, and repaired a dam. We taught rotational grazing there, and the project is still in use and operational. 

B. 60 nomadic schools - government run, barely functioning, SFA supports the schools through teacher training (twice, now  suspended due to insecurity), and school supplies

  • Niger State: Bobi Grazing Reserve, 7 SFA schools, 2 clinics, 1 FM church

A. Bobi Grazing Reserve - 76,889 acres, drilled 5 boreholes, repaired 2

B. 7 SFA schools - often plagued by bandits, total of 26 teachers, 416 students (down from 700!) as of 10/22, supervised by Superintendent Reverend John Raji, SFA Assistant Director, and his wife, Josephine, reading workshops taught here

1. Courtney Carleton Memorial Primary School - near Alhaji  Buba's compound, in Kilishi Village, 109 pupils and 6  teachers

2. Bailey Robinson Memorial Primary School - 15 pupils and 2  teachers, within Sariki Ahijo's domain, a fairly remote area  deep inside the reserve. Dam Erga is here.

3. Big Dam Primary School - 76 pupils and 7 teachers

4. Bobi #4 - 54 pupils and 2 teachers

5. River of Life Nursery and Primary School - 62 pupils and 4 teachers

6. Bobi #6 - 33 pupils and 1 teacher

7. Bobi #7 - 67 pupils and 4 teachers

C. 2 Clinics - One is halfway between Sariki Bello's compound and the main road, where there is a working borehole w/ solar pump and electricity. Two Sisters Maternity clinic - small office, exam, labor and delivery, recovery rooms, in memory of Sariki's daughters, water funded by Brenda Mason Young @ Cornerstone Church in Akron, Ohio. Incorporated into the state's healthcare system! 13 women successfully completed training to become CHEWS,(Community Health Extension Workers) 10 more will continue to study. Rev. John, Hauwa, and Faith oversee CHEWS. The community health program is a great success, and has received high praise from the community.

D. FM church

  • Nasarawa State: City of Refuge, 2 SFA schools, 1 clinic, and 1 FM church

A. City of Refuge - 7 rooms next to the church, for converts from Islam, to find safety, converts receive a christian education and a new career

B. 2 SFA schools

1. Apiawe Primary School - located next door to City of Refuge, has over 100 Fulani children registered! Pastor Joseph and Pastor Abednego, both FM pastors, teach and oversee the Apiawe Primary School. They have enrolled nearly 80 NEW Fulani children this past year, through their visits with parents in the local communities. Total of 189 students 

2. Apiawoyi Secondary School - completed build 10/22

C. Bowmans Creek New Life Clinic - completed 10/22

D. City of Refuge FMC - pastored by Pastor Joseph, Pastor Abdullahi, and Pastor Abednego

  • Kogi State: Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve, 3 schools, 1 clinic, 3 FM churches

A. Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve - in Afad, a small community 15 minutes from Emi Woro, the first teaching rotational grazing reserve in Nigeria! 2,500 acres, Pastor Wisdom manages, 2 boreholes, mainly level, very fertile, rivers and streams, w/ hundreds of additional undeveloped hectares available for purchase.

B. 3 SFA schools

1. NewPointe Primary - on Ero Mountain Reserve, Pastor  Wisdom, Assistant Superintendent of the Northern Nigeria  Annual Conference, and wife Victoria teach and oversee the children, over 150 Fulani and farmer's children in attendance. Over 50 are bussed in from a distant  mountainside.

2. Bright Hope Christian Academy (aka Hope Academy) - Emi Woro, the first school Phyllis opened with ICCM, 433 children, after ICCM left, the school was handed over to John Raji, who has handed over the management of the school to SFA! John,  Josephine and Phyllis opened the school back in 2008, and have worked together ever since. Total monthly salary at this school is $1,500, to cover expenses at the school, such as drugs for the clinic, fuel for the school bus etc. There are nine classes in operation and ten teaching staff, and one Youth  Corps member who is teaching.

3. Little Lambs Nursery School - an extension school on the  way to Jouro’s camp, w/ a wonderful teacher, Samuel Tassa.  When the children finish primary 3, they are bussed to BHCA  campus to complete their education.

C. 3 FM churches

D. 1 clinic 

  • Ondo State: 1 school

A. Bright Hope Christian Academy - Etiose, Rev. John Raji is Superintendent, 88 students, 5 teachers, $291.43 monthly

  • Ogun State: Lafiya Grazing Reserve, 1 school, 2 clinics

A. Lafiya Grazing Reserve - We have 400 acres where we are demonstrating rotational grazing, and 1600 acres farther up the river for grazing reserves.

B. The Good Shepherd Nursery Primary - Peace Village, on our 400 acres, has 200 students, Fulani, Yoruba and Hausa students, all learning together. Head Teacher Mr. Ojo and wife Seun are both of the Yoruba tribe, the predominant tribe in this area, and speak the language of the Imala people. They are teaching  and managing the new school very well. Mr. and Mrs. Ojo and Seun are strong Christians, as is the third teacher, Miss Kemi. A fourth helper, Aishat, is a Muslim woman.

C. 2 clinics in Imala - trained 20 Fulani women as CHEWS (Community Health Extension Workers)! The two clinics are connected and will be registered together with the government.  Two nurses will be hired and medicines purchased, all further expenses will be shared 50/50 with Christian Development Foundation, an organization directed by Dr. James Rose.

1. Butterfield Memorial Clinic - located at the school in Peace Village

2. Imala Town Clinic 

  • Rivers State: 1 school, 1 FM church

A. New Town Primary School - the supervisor is Mrs. Itoro Idongesit Micah. She and her husband have successfully managed an ICCM school in Port Harcourt for many years. 100 children and 4 teachers, 3 classes in an abandoned building, and a strong parent-teacher association made up of Fulani leaders. This school is located in one of the estate's abandoned buildings. We've been given permission by the estate agent to use it. It's rough, and the teachers have asked to relocate the school into town, but we won't do so, as we'd lose our Fulani children.

B. FM church

  • Akwa Ibom State: 4 SFA schools, MANY FM churches

A. 4 SFA schools, all former ICCM schools

1. Bright Hope Christian Academy - Ikot Ntuk, Supt. Odu, 238 students, 23 teaching staff, staff salaries $1,000 monthly

2. Bright Hope Christian Academy Esa Ekpo - Supt. Rev Odu Nkanang, 216 students, 20 teachers, $920.04 monthly

3. Bright Hope Christian Academy Udung Uko - Supt. Rev Odu  Nkanang, 380 students, 35 teachers, $1041.67 monthly, near the Jesus Bridge

4. Bright Hope Christian Academy Ikot Obonama - Supt. Rev. Odu Nkanang, 182 students, 12 teachers, $674.37 monthly

B. MANY FM churches

  • Taraba State: 60 nomadic schools on the Mambila Plateau, we are supporting with school supplies. This is an incredible opportunity for witness, as this place is listed as ‘unreached’! The Mambila people asked for three things in our first meeting: help with their schools, provision of boreholes, (water is a big problem) and training for cattle rearers in how to manage their animals as a business. Most of the buildings are barely standing, in fact, one had recently collapsed. With so many schools, SFA would like to donate school supplies and reading materials to each school. We would also come early next year and hold a reading workshop for the teachers. If possible, if God provides the funds, we may drill boreholes at those school locations very far from water. We will talk with Friesland Campina about working together on a milk collection center on the Plateau. We can't do this alone; but with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

This extensive work will continue, with God's special grace! Schools For Africa continues to build a team of Nigerians to work with us. We are a listed NGO in Nigeria, and our goal is to be sustainable in our current work, with an eye towards the future!

We continue to receive requests for schools and clinics. Just this week a report came in from the Kachia Reserve regarding their government schools.

There are 28 teachers for 10,000 pupils.

HOW CAN WE??? WHAT DO WE??? GOD, HELP.

Seeking Monthly Givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June! We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD! Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

**God is MOVING! He is meeting our needs!**

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

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Give $35 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $50 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $100 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $125 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $150 monthlyDOUBLED

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the grand opening celebration at Peace Village, Imala, Ogun State.

  • Pray for the Lord to lead our efforts with the MANY nomadic schools in Tarawa and Kaduna states.

  • Pray for uprisings to cease so that our work can continue in Kogi State.

Polio NO LONGER endemic in Nigeria! Praise God!

Since 1988, the incidence of polio has been reduced by more than 99 percent, according to the World Health Organization. At that time, more than 350,000 children were paralyzed every year, in more than 125 endemic countries.

WHAT IS POLIO? Click HERE to find out...

In Nigeria, there are over 11 MILLION polio survivors. Nigeria has the MOST polio survivors of any country in the world! The virus has now been eradicated; there've been no NEW victims in Nigeria for 6 years, thank God! Today, polio is endemic in only two of the world's countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Even in these locations, aggressive vaccination efforts have dropped the number of cases to a handful a year. To learn more, click HERE to read about Nigeria's journey to ZERO new polio cases in 2020.

There have been ZERO new polio cases in the United States since 1979, until a New Yorker was recently diagnosed. An unvaccinated young adult experienced severe symptoms, including paralysis, and was hospitalized. Read more about New York's state of emergency HERE.

We are SO PROUD of Schools For Africa board member, Dr. Ronald Rice, who founded Wheelchairs For Nigeria. They manufacture wheelchairs in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. There are many employees here who are polio survivors. In October, Dr. Rice and his team distributed 700 wheelchairs to people with disabilities throughout Nigeria! Missionary Phyllis Sortor traveled with Dr. Rice, distributing wheelchairs in SEVEN different locations. You can read an update letter from Dr. Rice HERE.

See MORE incredible pictures from wheelchair distributions

at the bottom of this email!

Seeking Monthly Givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June! We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD! Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!


**God is MOVING! He is meeting our needs!**

NEW monthly donations total $1,905.18 monthly

since June! WOOP WOOP!


THANK YOU for your NEW monthly gifts:

Sandy / R. and R.

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

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Give $35 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $50 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $100 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $125 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $150 monthlyDOUBLED

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the flooding in Nigeria, and our friends affected by the damage.

  • Pray for Bishop Whitehead, Phyllis and team, as they finish up the annual conference tour.

  • Pray for the 20 MILLION out-of-school children in Nigeria. SFA's goal is to TRIPLE the number of schools we manage, to help meet this need.

Are School Uniforms Worth The Expense?

Research shows that when schools implement a uniform policy like we have, it improves grades and reduces tardiness. Those are great reasons, but here are a few more reasons for uniforms that we REALLY LOVE:

School uniforms downplay differences between shepherds and farmers. Uniforms can hide economic differences between students and tribes, that would otherwise be more apparent. When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive clothes can be eliminated. Research found that 83% of teachers thought a good school uniform could prevent bullying based on appearance or economic background. Students build relationships, and we begin to repair the damage done by the rampant ANTI-Fulani sentiment throughout Nigeria. 

School uniforms can instill a feeling of community among students and parents. Uniforms put all kids on the same playing field in terms of their appearance. It gives them a sense of belonging and a feeling of being socially accepted. Wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, and creates an identity for a school. Wearing a school uniform says we’re all in this together. One study found that 83% of school officials believed that uniforms improved the school’s image in the community. If the school has a uniform, it is perceived as being more upstanding, unified, and disciplined. We want to build good reputations in the communities of EACH school!

School uniforms encourage kids to STAY in school. Attendance can actually DOUBLE when shool uniforms are used, and lowers girls’ AND boys’ dropout rates.

School uniforms prevent early pregnancy in girls. Studies show that teen pregnancy was reduced by 67% in girls who attend schools with uniforms! Early pregnancy can also lead to early marriage and prematurely dropping out of school.


Choose YOUR favorite school uniform! 

Do you follow Schools For Africa on Facebook? You can go there to vote on YOUR favorite school uniform! 

Follow Schools For Africa, and VOTE on Facebook!

Do you follow Missionary Phyllis Sortor on Facebook? If you want to see what she's up to in Nigeria, THIS is the best place! She often posts about her adventures!

ADD Phyllis as a friend on FB!

Seeking Monthly Givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

**God is MOVING! He is meeting our needs!**

NEW monthly donations total $1,819/monthly

since June! WOOP WOOP!

THANK YOU Cheryl for your NEW monthly gifts!

It's a BIG goal, we know. 

BUT we serve a BIGGER God. How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

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

Give $35 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $50 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $100 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $125 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $150 monthlyDOUBLED!

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for an airplane, to get Phyllis and our team throughout Nigeria quickly and safely.

  • Pray for Bishop Matt Whitehead and our team as they drive to annual conferences.

  • Pray for the sweet children and families in our schools and grazing reserves , that they would come to Jesus.

Sign up to stay in touch!

Clear Blue Global Water Project

Today we celebrate our friends and partners at Clear Blue Global Water Project! Phyllis first met founder Brenda Mason Young years ago, when she was first was asked by the Nigerian Federal Minister of Agriculture to manage three grazing reserves in Nigeria! Brenda's brother, Pastor Dwight Mason, has been supporting our school in the Ero Mountain Reserve for quite some time. Clear Blue has funded at least 20 boreholes and pumps for first ICCM projects in Nigeria, then SFA projects, in more recent years. They are providing clean, easily accessible water for thousands of children, families, and cattle. They've also supported the repair and building of several dams in Niger and Kaduna States. They are amazing friends and followers of Jesus.

Check out their website HERE!

2022 Clear Blue Day Project

From Clear Blue: This year for Clear Blue Day, we have selected a special project! In Nigeria, our close contact, Phyllis Sortor, is in need of two new boreholes for a large upcoming project this spring. These two boreholes will be in the Imala area - one on a 1,600 acres piece of land given to them for grazing and the second across the Oyo River - both locations with thousands of Fulani residents that do not have clean water. This project is projected to cost in the $16,000-$20,000 range. We began raising funds for this project a couple of months ago for World Water Day, but we did not reach our goal. Will you help us raise enough money to fund this project by July 3rd?

You can click HERE to give now.

How Much Does A Well Cost?

Wells vary greatly in price, based on the availability of qualified drillers, the depth of the well, the kind of well, the location, and several other factors. Clear Blue gets a price quote from every well before it is sponsored. Here are some samples of average costs:

Malawi - $8000

Uganda - $9500

Haiti - $5000

Myanmar - $4800

Nigeria - $9000

Clear Blue has had wells cost as much as $17,000 in difficult areas, where problems occurred. A hand-dug well in Vietnam cost as low as $450!

What does it mean to have clean water?

One out of every three people worldwide is still unable to access clean water. One human being dies from dirty water every ten seconds. That means by the time you finish reading this article, 20 people — mostly children — will have lost their lives from waterborne illnesses. These are lives that would be saved if they had access to clean water. Clean water prevents not only deaths but also severe illnesses that cause painful cramping, diarrhea, vomiting, fevers, and other symptoms. Dirty, unsafe water that’s laden with feces and bacteria leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, Escherichia coli, and salmonella.

Which glass of water would YOU like to drink?

Seeking Monthly Givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

**God is MOVING! He is meeting our needs!**

NEW monthly donations total $1,779/monthly

since June! WOOP WOOP!

THANK YOU Kathy and Christopher for your NEW monthly gifts!

It's a BIG goal, we know. 

BUT we serve a BIGGER God. How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

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

Give $35 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $50 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $100 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $125 monthlyDOUBLED

Give $150 monthlyDOUBLED

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the dangerous travel that our Nigeria team endures - impossible without God's protection!

  • Pray for Clear Blue Global, for their impact around the globe, and specifically in Nigeria!

  • Pray for Dr. Ron Rice, SFA board member, in Nigeria this month to distribute wheelchairs with his NGO, Wheelchairs For Nigeria.

Sign up to stay in touch!

The City of Refuge

a place where Muslim converts to Christianity can begin to rebuild their lives...

From the pastors at The City of Refuge:

The moment a Muslim gives their life to Christ, they become an infidel according to Islam. Death or rejection is considered the best way to handle anyone who converts.

Pastor Joseph’s mother was a Muslim convert many years ago. She was received by the church after her father disowned her for the new faith she chose. She held on to her faith, and Pastor Joseph says, “Today I am now a pastor because she stood firm in her faith.”

Musa had cows, and the moment he denounced Islam and converted to Christianity, his family stole all the cows he had as an inheritance, and chased him out of his own house and village. He was persecuted to stay away without food, until we brought him to City of Refuge.

Suleiman was also sent out of his village. His mother loved him dearly as her only son, so he was sent out, but not killed.

Usman faced a great challenge when he coverted to Christianity. He was cut severely, and in his pools of blood he was left half dead. A Christian brother took him to the hospital for treatment. God intervened, and after many days in the hospital, he recovered and was brought to the city of Refuge.

Ahmodu gave his life to Christ, and had to run away from his State. We accepted him at the City of Refuge. He continued there for some months, until one day he was threatened by some Muslims to change His religion. His faith was not strong enough to face the challenges and pressure, and he later went back to Islam. 

Please pray for these brothers! 

Pictured are Pastor Abednego, Missionary Emmanuel, Pastor Joseph, and Pastor Abdullahi. They call Pastor Abdullahi BABA FULANIS, because of his work with the Fulani there.

The City of Refuge has seven rooms to house new converts, next to the church. Converts often lose their job, wife and family, cattle, EVERYTHING! They begin to put their lives back together here. Discipleship classes build up their faith in Christ. Converts are trained in new jobs such as welding, shoe making, and tailoring.

The New Hebron Free Methodist Church has 62 members. Their sign outside the church says “Where we love God, love people, and make them disciples of Christ!” They have Bible Study Tuesday night, Prayer Meeting Thursday night, Evangelism on Saturday, and then a Sunday morning service! Oh man, if you haven’t seen worship in a Nigerian church, it is NOTHING like ours! They are LOUD, and filled with the Spirit, and FULL of JOY!

The Apiawe Primary School started very small, with only around 50 kids. Pastor Joseph and Pastor Abednego oversee this school. Through their visits with parents in the local communities, the pastors have enrolled a total of 230 new Fulani children this past year! This brought the need for a secondary school, as children progress through grades!

The Apiawoyi Secondary School is being finished this month! More teachers will be hired, and more children will be enrolled. School growth also brings church growth, as the pastors and teachers minister to the community. 

God continues to BLESS this community at The City of Refuge.

Bowman's Creek NEW LIFE Clinic is being built this month as well! This is the foundation of a clinic the community desperately needs and tried to build, but stopped for lack of resources. Phyllis talked to the Apiawoyi Chief, asking if he'd like us to continue our partnership there, with the successful completion of a clinic! He is over the moon!!

What does it mean to have a healthcare clinic nearby?

It is SUCH a huge blessing to the community! Nigeria has terrible health care, really non-existent, but they ARE working on it. And while they work on it, it shows great MERCY and LOVE to build our own healthcare clinics there! This is a desperate need among our people. We could share story after story of lives saved, terrible skin diseases cured, life-threatening infections cured with antibiotics, malaria treated with medicine! Our beloved people receive the care they need, from clinics that we’ve built. Most Nigerians are not used to modern medicine - in fact, they rely on witch doctors and voodoo! SO, in addition to hiring trained nurses to staff our healthcare clinics, we train Community Health Care Workers - or CHEWs- to bridge the gap between our modern clinics and shy tribal people. We will build the clinic with a waiting room, patient rooms with beds, and a locked storage room. The building will be simple, but will be stocked with life-saving medicines to be administered by trained professionals.

Pastor Joseph reports that their current prayer requests are for their congregation to have a better prayer life, and for more souls to join the kingdom. He prays for financial help to reach the unreached with a sound system, a bus, and for two of the churches in his conference who don’t have a building yet.

He said, “We give thanks to God because He's in control.”

Two SFA board members recently traveled to The City of Refuge to do some pastoral training. They trained specifically in reaching the Fulani for Christ. They are collaborating with Nigerian locals to build a coalition of trainers. The participants went by twos to visit homes and shops throughout the neighborhoods and village. Several confessed Christ as Savior, and at least one backslider got right with God! More than a half dozen community folks came the next day to our training to find out what was going on that made these people so excited and vibrant about Jesus! They stayed most of the day because the participants loved on them and affirmed them so genuinely. This was God's doing!!

The dozen or so Fulani believers among us cheered and could hardly believe their ears when they heard a trainer speak in their mother tongue, Fulfulde! He affirmed and highly respected their preciousness in the eyes of God and taught all of us how to treasure these unique and beautiful people. You see, Fulani are despised people. Virtually nobody can be bothered to learn their language or culture. 

WOW. God, I have to stop right now and BLESS YOUR NAME for the work You are doing at The City of Refuge! You care for Your beloveds more than we can! You reveal Yourself to converts, provide for them, and make a way for them. THANK YOU for the healthy and thriving church at New Hebron! Thank you for the pastors, who care so much for their community! Thank you for the children who attend our schools, and for their families! May them come to know You through our efforts! Thank you for the people at Bowman's Creek FMC, who donated $15,000 to build a healthcare clinic! May they tangibly feel Your blessing for their generous gift. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!

Seeking monthly givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June!

NEW monthly donations total  $1,500/monthly since June! WOOP WOOP!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

God is MOVING! He is meeting our needs!

THANK YOU Dwight, Virgil, Richard, Craig, Bethany, Jerry, Judy, Anonymous - $500/mth!

for your monthly gifts! WOOP WOOP!!

It's a BIG goal, we know. BUT we serve a BIGGER God.

How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

$24,000 Matching Challenge!

This means that your NEW recurring monthly gift is DOUBLED through the end of the year!

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

Give $35 monthly DOUBLED

Give $50 monthly DOUBLED

Give $100 monthly DOUBLED

Give $125 monthly DOUBLED

Give $150 monthly DOUBLED

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the many projects we have in the works right now, for wisdom, and for God's glory.

  • Pray for the safety of our team as we move about the country of Nigeria, doing God's work!

  • Pray as we visit the six former ICCM schools, and buy and distribute school supplies as far away as the Mambila plateau! Crazy evangelism opportunities!

  • Pray for The City of Refuge, and for MORE converts!

The Jesus Bridge, repaired!

Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matt 11:28

The Jesus Bridge, repaired! 

In 2016, there was a new bridge built, in partnership with a church in San Jose, CA, DEEP in the palmetto jungles of southern Nigeria. The bridge spanned over 300 feet of water and impenetrable swamp. It is a bridge from today's world to an ancient, primitive place where homes are of rushes and mud, men wear wrap-arounds, and children run naked and free. The village knew only fishing, hand-carved canoes, nets, hooks, bait and racks of smoking fish. 

Then, for the first time, there was a bridge connecting Esuk Ekong fishing village to the mainland. It is the Jesus Bridge. 

The bridge brought income opportunities to families, education to many children, and a strong connection to a local church.

After many years of regular use, the bridge fell into a state of disrepair. 

Funds were raised to repair the bridge, and PRAISE GOD, the Schools For Africa team will complete the work! We will work on this bridge in September, to ensure safe crossing for our school kids and their families. Signs designating the Jesus Bridge point the way to Christ!

Pictured at the bridge are David and Lavone Kendall

Check out the video from the 2016 team that built the bridge!

WATCH VIDEO HERE!

Phyllis Sortor once said, "Why would we not do good, if it's within our ability to do so? YOU have the opportunity to impact a community for GREAT good, by giving funds that can help repair a bridge, or support a school, or build a healthcare clinic."

Seeking monthly givers!

We have a big goal. 

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 8 new schools we took on in June!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, 

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US? 

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

THANK YOU Wesley, Clare, Jennifer, and Peter for your monthly gifts! WOOP WOOP!!

It's a BIG goal, we know. BUT we serve a BIGGER God.

How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

$24,000 Matching Challenge!

This means that your NEW recurring monthly gift is DOUBLED through the end of the year!

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

Give $35 monthly DOUBLED

Give $50 monthly DOUBLED

Give $100 monthly DOUBLED

Give $125 monthly DOUBLED

Give $150 monthly DOUBLED

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for our friends in Kogi State, as the unrest in that area continues.

  • Pray for the many projects we have in the works right now, for wisdom, for God's glory.

  • Pray for the safety of our team as we move about the country of Nigeria, doing God's work!

Trouble in Kogi State!

Trouble in Kogi State

Last week, 3 policemen and 5 vigilantes were killed at a bus stop where our driver brought students to and from school. There was another killing of some policemen and one civilian in Ajaokuta a few days ago. As a result of these killings, security in Kogi State has declined alarmingly. One of our beloved pastors reported fighting and killing around our school in Emiworo and our Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve and school.

Today, the pastor wrote that soldiers entered the reserve and burned villages of our Fulani families. They arrested one of our workers. All the Fulani chiefs have been arrested, and everyone else is restricted from entering the bush. The chiefs are being instructed on security and given four weeks to set up security measures in their areas. Even President Buhari has been given 4 months to stop the killing and kidnapping, or there will be talk of impeachment.

We're moving all of our cattle and sheep from Ero Mountain Grazing Reserve over to the Hope Academy School campus until arrangements can be made to truck them down to the Imala Reserve. There is a very high possibility that the livestock would be stolen if returned to Ero Mountain at this time. We are also sending non-essential workers home. The area is HOT with violence and unrest. Local officials are urging people to avoid the area. The roads are very dangerous right now.

Phyllis has asked Reverend John Raji to do findings and write an official report/complaint, distributing it to local chiefs and police chiefs in the greater Lokoja area. Please join us in prayers for peace as our security guards, herdsmen, and families are understandably frightened.

So, we're avoiding the hot spots for now...

Because of the serious insecurity in Kogi State, we're shifting the schedule around and going to Akwa Ibom this month to visit schools and repair the Jesus Bridge! We had planned to go in September, but instead we will be there in about two weeks.

From a Pastor in Nigeria: Thank you for your prayers and love for us in Nigeria. Please, I want you to continue to pray for our nation. Nigeria insecurity is a serious problem. There is no where that is safe, people are being killed and kidnapped everyday. People are living in fear, we can not move freely anymore. God is our only hope. We seriously need the help of God in Nigeria.

Some good news!

Work has started on the Apiawoyi Secondary School! This school is adjacent to the City of Refuge, and serves nearly one hundred Fulani children, and many other tribal children in the area! The schools are overseen by a couple of our precious pastors. They have enrolled many children through their visits with parents in the local community, SO MUCH that a secondary school is needed!

See the great work begun BELOW!

Seeking monthly givers!

We have a big goal.

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 7 new schools we took on in June!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses,

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US?

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

It's a BIG goal, we know. BUT we serve a BIGGER God.

How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

$24,000 Matching Challenge!

This means that your NEW recurring monthly gift is DOUBLED through the end of the year!

THANK YOU

Judy W.

Dwight G.

Ralph H.

for your monthly gifts!

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

Give $35 monthly DOUBLED!

Give $50 monthly DOUBLED!

Give $100 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $125 monthlyDOUBLED!

Give $150 monthlyDOUBLED!

NEW RECURRING MONTHLY DONATIONS WILL BE DOUBLED THROUGH 2022, UP TO $24,000!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for our friends in Kogi State!

  • Pray for the upcoming presidential election in February 2023. Political upheaval is already causing major waves.

  • Pray for the safety of our team as we move about the country, doing God's work!

We have a BIG job to do!

We have a BIG JOB to do!

ALL in the next three months, we hope to:

  1. finish the paddocks and borehole in the new Imala grazing area we call 'Lafiya' (which means PEACE, in the Hausa language!)

  2. build a school for 300 children in Jouro's camp (see a picture of Jouro below!)

  3. repair the Jesus Bridge (THANK YOU Oasis Church!)

  4. build a low wall around the City of Refuge

  5. build six additional classrooms for the growing numbers of Fulani at Apiawoyi Primary school

  6. build a new clinic in Kogi state (THANK YOU Bowman's Creek FM Church!)

Thankfully we have an amazing, strong team (including masons, carpenters and overseers) that we can divide into three groups doing the various projects simultaneously!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TEAM!

Pictured is Director Phyllis Sortor with Alhaji Jouro, a STRONG advocate of education for Fulani children. Four of his kids are presently at Hope Academy, Emiworo. Jouro, a Fulani chief living some distance from Hope Academy, has offered SFA land and requested a school in his area for the over one hundred children living there. How can we say no?!

Schools For Africa at Arlington Free Methodist Church August 14th!

Several SFA board members will be present to share a brief ministry update Sunday morning at 10:00am. We will have Phyllis's books available to purchase! We will present the Kidnapped Redemption film Sunday evening at 5:00, following a BBQ!

Hope you can join us!

Arlington Free Methodist Church

730 E Highland Drive

Arlington, WA 98223

Check out the OFFICIAL film trailer!

Would you like a copy of Phyllis’s books? Email us at carisahaven@gmail.com to order. They are $20 each plus shipping.

Seeking monthly givers!

We have a big goal.

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth to cover the 7 new schools we took on in June!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income, so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses,

before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US?

We need MORE MONTHLY GIVERS!

THANK YOU BETTY B. for your monthly commitment!

It's a BIG goal, we know. BUT we serve a BIGGER God.

How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

$24,000 Matching Challenge!

This means that your NEW recurring monthly gift is DOUBLED through the end of the year!

CLICK BELOW TO GIVE!

Give $35 monthly DOUBLED!

Give $50 monthly DOUBLED!

Give $100 monthly DOUBLED!

Give $150 monthly DOUBLED!

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

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for our monthly giving to increase MIGHTILY!

  • Pray for SFA board chair Larry Nyland, in Nigeria with Phyllis this month.

  • Pray for our MANY projects - for wisdom, safety, and special grant funding.

  • Pray for peace with surrounding tribes.

Sign up to join our community!

A $24,000 Matching Challenge!

Seeking monthly givers!

We have a big goal...

We need to increase monthly giving by $6,000/mth

to cover the 7 new schools we took on last month!

We receive many BIG financial gifts throughout the year, which enable us to take on new projects - new schools, clinics, and grazing reserves! Praise GOD! In fact, thank you to the So---s for your generous gift!

**Recurring monthly gifts help us to rely on a secure monthly income - so that we KNOW that we can cover our expenses, before we move on to more projects.

CAN YOU HELP US?

We need MORE monthly givers!

Through the end of the year, we will be tracking NEW monthly givers, and celebrating EACH and EVERY one!

THANK YOU ROSALIE G. for your monthly commitment!

It's a BIG goal, we know.

BUT we serve a BIGGER God.

How can we set a small goal when we serve a BIG God?

$24,000 Matching Challenge!

A generous donor has offered a HUGE matching challenge for NEW monthly givers! This means that your NEW recurring monthly gift is DOUBLED through the end of the year!

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

Give $35 monthly

DOUBLED!

Give $50 monthly

DOUBLED!

Give $100 monthly

DOUBLED!

Give $125 monthly

DOUBLED!

Give $150 monthly

DOUBLED!

MANY employers will MATCH your gift!

Check with YOUR employer to see if they will match your charitable gift!

Check out this list of 30 employers who match charitable gifts!

Matching Gift Company, Match Ratio, Maximum Match Amount

Apple, 1:1, $10,000

Google, 1:1, $10,000

The Home Depot, 1:1, $3,000

Disney, 1:1, $25,000

Coca-Cola, 2:1, $20,000

General Electric, 1:1, $5,000

BP, 1:1, $5,000

Microsoft, 1:1, $15,000

JPMorgan, 1:1, $1,000

Verizon, 1:1, $5,000

Soros Fund Management, 2:1, $100,000

Johnson & Johnson, 2:1, $20,000

ExxonMobil, 2:1, $7,500

IBM, 1:1, $7,500

State Farm, 1:1, $3,000

Chevron, 1:1, $10,000

Starbucks, 1:1, $1,500

American Express, 2:1, $8,000

Merck & Co., 1:1, $30,000

State Street Corporation, 1:1, $10,000

Baxter International, 1:1, $5,000

Gap Corporation, 1:1, $10,000

Salesforce, 1:1, $5,000

Visa, 1:1, $5,000

Cisco Systems, 1:1, $10,000

HP, 1:1, $2,500

Dell, 1:1, $10,000

Intel, 1:1, $10,000

General Mills, 2:1, $1,000

Motorola Solutions, 1:1, $7,500

Do you know anyone who works at these companies?

Let us know if you want help filing a charitable gift match with YOUR employer! :)

LET PRAISE AND WORSHIP TO OUR MIGHTY GOD POUR OUT OF THESE BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE!

Two churches in Akwa Ibom State are repaired and now open for worship, AND one brand new church was built there, too!

A big thanks to our generous donor for this renovation/building project, and to SFA Manager Lawal and Officer Saidu for getting the work done!

John 4:24 God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

SFA Board member Reverend Nelson Reed is visiting Phyllis in Nigeria for two weeks. Phyllis took him to Apiawe Primary at the City of Refuge.

Pictured are FM pastors, teachers and a missionary to the Fulani.

Gotta love these beautiful kids!

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for our monthly giving to increase MIGHTILY!

  • Pray for SFA board members Jon Banke and Nelson Reed, both in Nigeria with Phyllis this month.

  • Pray for the developing Imala project - for wisdom, special grant funding, and peace with surrounding tribes.

SEVEN new schools and church tours!

SFA has acquired SEVEN new schools!

LAST MONTH Schools For Africa faced a major decision.

SEVEN schools throughout Nigeria that we know and love through another ministry lost their funding. The school doors were closing forever! Education opportunities were ending for 1635 Fulani children! Work opportunities were ending for 146 teachers! It was difficult, even devastating news for all involved.

WE PRAYED. What would God have us do? Could we take on that many schools all at once? Could we raise the funds monthly to support these schools?? There were many questions...

GOD ANSWERED. SFA Director Phyllis Sortor knew that the Lord would want us to take on the administration and financial responsibility of these schools. The Schools For Africa board members prayed, and met twice in June to discuss the details. It was a bit overwhelming to consider!

SEVEN NEW SCHOOLS ALL AT ONCE?!? Could we do it? Here's the thing... our SFA team has seen God's great ability to get things done, in HIS strength and for HIS glory. God has moved miraculously through Phyllis, the SFA team, and the Fulani people to change hearts, families, even the nation of Nigeria! This new adventure will be no different. We expect God to move on their behalf and ours.

MOVING FORWARD, we are wildly optimistic because of who God is and what He has done! We know that He will lead us. He will give us wisdom as we set up a network of administration for the new schools. He will provide the funds, as HE is the ONE who created all the wealth in the world! We are humbled to get to facilitate this move of God.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! The cost to run all seven new schools is only $6,000-7,000 a month, for 1635 students! This may not seem like much, but it is a large increase in our current monthly expense budget. We are seeking monthly givers to help us cover the costs. Please consider giving monthly to support these new schools, and the work that God is doing in Nigeria! Scroll down to the RED bar, and set up a recurring donation or a one-time gift to help support our new schools, administration and teacher salaries.

Schools For Africa is going on tour!

Phyllis is CLEARLY busy in Nigeria, so SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be touring churches and presenting the Kidnapped Redemption film starting this fall! Our goal will be to raise monthly support for the new schools, update current supporting churches about our ministry, and recruit new churches to partner with us! Mark your calendars to join us!

Here's our SFA church tour schedule so far:

-Aug 14th, Arlington Free Methodist Church, Arlington, WA

-Aug 28th, Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, Stanwood, WA

-Sept 11th, Bowman's Creek Free Methodist Church, Monroe Township, PA

-Sept 18th, Shoreline Free Methodist Church, Shoreline, WA

-Oct 2nd, Murphy Free Methodist Church, Murphy, NC

We are working on planning with several other churches as well, so watch for more details in the coming months! If you would like us to plan a ministry/film presentation at YOUR church, please email us below!

CLICK HERE TO email us about a presentation at your church!

CLICK HERE TO check out the Kidnapped Redemption film trailer!

We received a grant for $75,000!

How incredible is that!? Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Our friends at The H. Foundation have blessed us again, with a very large gift to continue God's work in Nigeria! They have partnered with us in the past, and we are very grateful for their continued support. 

Now, I KNOW that you are thinking, "SFA can use that money for the new schools!" When grants are written, the money is requested for SPECIFIC projects. When a grant is received, the money is spent on those projects. When the work is complete, we provide a report to the foundation that the money was spent EXACTLY as planned. This money is designated for some amazing, specific things! 

  • It will help fund the Imala North School and Ranching/Grazing Project in Ogun State. We will build an urgently needed ferry for transporting building materials, vehicles and workers, then school children. It will hep fund the outer fencing of the 1,600 acre grazing reserve, and inner fencing of grazing paddocks. 

  • It will fund the support of some schools and learning materials for the remote Mambila area, where the people are largely yet-unreached for Jesus! What an incredible opportunity we have to build relationships there! 

  • It will fund other specific opportunities that we lined out in our grant application, and we will report back to The H. Foundation that we spent the money as planned. :)

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

Give $35 monthly

Give $50 monthly

Give $100 monthly

Give $125 monthly

Give $150 monthly

Prayer Requests:

  • Pray for the administration, teachers, and children in our new schools. May we be a blessing to them!

  • Pray for our SFA team in the US, and the church tours, that they would be fruitful in building relationships and monthly donors!

  • Pray for Phyllis and the team in Nigeria, for their continued health and safety in our ministry for Jesus!

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A story about the GOOD LIFE in Nigeria...

 

Schools For Africa | 509-669-1438 | carisahaven@gmail.com | Website

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