BUSY BUSY BUSY!

BUSY BUSY BUSY!

From Missionary Phyllis Sortor, in Nigeria: I can’t remember when we, team SFA, have been this busy. Let me tell you what we’re doing right now!

In Anigbado, Imala area, we’re building the new high school, Friends and Neighbors. The building is coming along very well (see pics below!) – we should be finished in a couple more weeks. 

At Peace Village, 7 kilometres from Anigbado, we’re building the milk collection center, where herdsmen from miles around will bring milk to sell to Friesland Campina, WAMCO. WAMCO will train someone (we need to pray for just the right person!) to manage this project at Peace Village. I’ll make an announcement in church on Sunday regarding this opportunity, and regarding the need we’ll have for teachers at the high school in September. WAMCO will also provide all the equipment necessary – milk cooling tank, metal milk cans for the herdsmen, and more, and will pay the manager’s salary.

We have two CHEW (Community Health Extension Workers) trainings in June – one for Yoruba volunteers around Imala town, AND one for Fulani volunteers from Imala and Peace Village, with a total of 30 volunteers. For these trainings, we traveled to Lagos to buy medicines for the First Aid kits we’ll hand out, and equipment for the clinic in Peace Village. This CHEW training for 30 volunteers in Kogi will take place at Hope Academy. 

We still have another high school to build, in Niger State, for the children from our 7 Bobi schools graduating from Primary 6 this year. That will be in July/August. We will have to hire teachers for that school as well.

A big challenge in June will be the short-term absence of our two drivers, Sani and Lawal, who are heading home to celebrate the Muslim holiday, Salah. Not sure yet how we’re going to work around that one!

So you can see, we need your prayers! 

Thanks, and have a wonderful weekend!

Phyllis  

PS: Also in June, meetings at WATS (West Africa Theological Seminary) of the Governing Council, of which I'm now a member. Dr. Gary Maxey and I will travel together for these meetings. I told you we're super busy!! 

Meet the greatest, I mean THE GREATEST building team in Nigeria! Maybe in all of Africa! Left to right, Hassan - mason's helper, Yahaya - carpenter, Wada - mason, and Lawal - operations manager for SFA!! Just look what they have accomplished at Friends and Neighbors High School in just a few days!!

Guess who got married last week!!

Our own, dear Salihu - polio survivor, SFA school graduate, university student and now husband! He promises to bring his bride to Emiworo when we're there in July doing a training of 30 community health workers!!

Lord Jesus, THANK YOU for Salihu, his commitment to you, and his influence in his family. We pray for his new bride, that she too would enjoy a relationship with you. Let these young people have mighty favor and influence, for Your GLORY! Amen.

This is a pic of SFA Secretary Carisa and friend Heidi, with Salihu in 2011, practicing our reading together at Hope Academy, Emi Woro!

Supporter Highlight

How did you hear about Schools For Africa? Please share your story!

We met Phyllis many years ago at the Ballard Free Methodist Church in Seattle, WA when she was promoting International Child Care Ministries. We started supporting one child then. As our situation changed, we supported more and ended up supporting twelve. It was tight, but somehow we were able to continue supporting all twelve.

When Phyllis returned to Africa, we were on her email list. So from that day to this, we have been informed of all her adventures. When Phyllis was living at Warm Beach Camp, we were privileged to hear Phyllis speak in person 3 times. Thanks for keeping us informed. Virgil & Charlotte

THANK YOU BOTH for your loyal support and prayers!

 Donate NOW! 

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!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

  • Pray for SFA board member Nelson and wife Linda, visiting the Philippines May 20-June 7 for their grandson’s high school graduation, visiting former disciples, and church and missionary work.

  • Pray for SFA board member Ron and wife Sharon, visiting the Baltic States May 31 - June 24. This will be their 107th, 108th, and 109th countries visited! I'm sure they'll be sharing about Jesus as they go!

  • Pray for Phyllis and the Nigeria team, for stamina, endurance, and safety!

Friends And Neighbors New International High School!

Work has begun on Friends & Neighbors New International High School, just a few miles down the road from Peace Village! The fence is going up! Classroom foundations have been set, and walls are going up! The storage shed for cement, lumber, nails, etc. is built and secured, below!

This incredible opportunity to build a secondary school came from the local leaders of the area - they ASKED if we could build a secondary school. The school will be open to Fulani children, Yoruba children, and children of ALL TRIBES!

This picture below sums it up: cooperation between the Fulani Chief and the Yoruba Chief = PEACE!

There is a little nursery school RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET from our high school, and soon those children will attend our school! The children attending our school in Peace Village will also come to this secondary school!

As the walls and roof go up, please be praying for our workers, for their safety, and for an opportunity to tell them about Jesus! Bless them, Lord!

This school requires monthly support from individuals and churches! If your church might like to join us in supporting this new school, please email us HERE! :) Potential ongoing expenses are below, to total almost $700/month!

$6,000 - yearly cost for 12 teachers’ salaries

$1,000 - yearly cost for utilities for the school

$1,000 - yearly cost for security for the school

One huge blessing that is not usually provided would be $2,000 - yearly cost of books, paper, and writing tools. Another possible blessing could include $10,000 - for 2 buses, as children often walk a LONG way through the bush to school

WE PRAISE GOD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY!

WARNING: DO NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANYONE WHO CONTACTS YOU OUTSIDE OF SCHOOLS FOR AFRICA. NEVER GIVE MONEY OUTSIDE OF A KNOWN MINISTRY. IF YOU ARE CONTACTED BY AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMING TO BE FROM NIGERIA, IT IS NOT FROM US! DELETE ANY SUSPICIOUS EMAILS. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS HERE.

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve, with 630 students total and 26 staff!

School #7, Yabawa Primary School, 4 teachers @ $50/month = $200/month

Just LOOK at these precious little people! Please help support this school!

Supporter Highlight

How did you hear about Schools For Africa? Please share your story!

 We have been attending the Free Methodist General Conference for many years and first learned about Phyllis there. When we heard about her kidnapping, we prayed for her. When she wrote her book we read it. When she showed her movie at the last general conference, we watched it with her. We're amazed at her story and how the light of Jesus shines so brightly through her. We're happy to offer her our monthly financial support and prayers. Russell and Elizabeth

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!

PRAYER REQUESTS:

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

  • Pray for our partnership with World Bank - to God be the glory!

  • Pray for the community surrounding Friends & Neighbors New International High School, for open hearts and open minds!

BIG NEWS! Big Partners and Succession!

BIG PARTNERS!

Schools For Africa has been invited into a partnership with World Bank in Nigeria! Having noted our activities benefiting the Fulani herdsmen and their families on grazing reserves, World Bank initiated this partnership. We've had two meetings with them, represented by the World Bank Project Coordinator.

World Bank is coordinating with L-PRES to partner with us on Pasture Development and Provision of Water. LPRES - Livestock Productivity and Resilience Project - is a 6 year Project Development Objective (PDO) to improve livestock productivity, resilience, and commercialization of selected value chains and to strengthen the country’s capacity to respond to an eligible crisis or emergency.

World Bank will give us grass seed, water resources, (possibly a dam) and thousands of tree seedlings to plant as boundary markers for our paddocks. They will support long term training in rotational grazing, and make our Ero Mountain reserve a national center for cattle vaccinations, identification, tagging, training, demonstration of rotational grazing, silage production and more. World Bank also intends to build and operate a milk collection center on the Ero Mountain reserve, as we are doing at Peace Village! This will be a huge help to the Fulani herdsmen on Ero Mountain!

The Project Coordinator recognizes Phyllis as a WOMAN OF FAITH! He has committed to work with us to help the Fulani! He said, "Together we shall work to the benefit of humanity and Glory of God." WOO HOO! He shared that his commitment through these projects were to build peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders! The Project Coordinator has his office in Kogi State, and will work directly with SFA Assistant Director, our new vet, and the Ero Mountain manager. 

Thank God for this great step forward for Schools For Africa!! Hallelujah!

SUCCESSION!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor has no plan on leaving this work until God makes it very clear that it's time AND raises up the people we know will care for and serve the Fulani as they deserve. Succession has been the #1 goal for our Schools For Africa board for a couple of years. We want to make sure that our work continues for many, many years to come!

Phyllis has developed a contingency plan with three of her trusted colleagues: the next SFA Director, Assistant Director, and Operations Manager. This has been formalized with the individuals and with our Nigerian attorney. SFA is registered legally in Nigeria as Initiative For The Improvement Of Rural Community Schools. These colleagues care deeply about the Fulani, and they know every detail of every aspect of our ministry. Succession planning is firmly in place.

From Phyllis: Praise God, the continuation of a very successful SFA is guaranteed! I thank God for my wonderful colleagues both here in Nigeria and in the US, and especially thank God for the way He is pouring out His grace and favor upon our work. I know the vision that began with us years ago will continue strong for many, many years to come! Thanks and God bless you all!

Succession is not just about stepping into shoes; it's about leaving footprints. It's about building a legacy that stands the test of time and creates a path for others to follow. It's about obeying God's commands, and joining forces with like-minded individuals to achieve something greater than ourselves. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you, who share our vision. Together with the Lord, there's no limit to what we can achieve!

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve, with 630 students total and 26 staff!

School #6, Kango Bassa Primary School, 1 teacher @ $50/month = $50/month

IMAGINE the difference this ONE TEACHER is making in the lives of these precious little ones! Who was YOUR favorite teacher? (Mine was Mr. Roberts in 5th grade!) Can you imagine your life without school? Where might YOU BE??

Please help support this teacher!

Supporter Highlight

How did you hear about Schools For Africa? Please share your story!

In our daily devotions we pray for Phyllis Sortor and Schools for Africa. Having worked 28 years in South Africa and 15 years in the Middle Eastern Creative access missions, we feel a close connection with Africans and Muslims.

The prayer email about anti-Fulani sentiment prompted me to write. We spent 20 years living with Zulus. More than one person warned us about the dangerous Zulus who have a proud history of conquering much of Southern Africa in the 18th century. Our teenage children were warned by people on our commercial flight to South Africa that Zulus were very dangerous and they should not go to Zululand. But our children knew Zulu people as friends and as their spiritual mothers and fathers.

We will continue to pray for your work, and for provision of resources. You must work now while it is day. May the Lord give you courage and strength.

Linda & Ken Kaufmann

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!

God Has Opened The Door!

God has opened the door to Schools For Africa in Nigeria! The door is closed to MOST! On top of that, the Fulani are hated, looked down upon, scorned, and mistreated, with NO opportunities!

Who will tell them about Jesus??? WE WILL!

Clear Blue Global BOREHOLES

Water is often very difficult to procure in the Nigerian bush. Cleanwater is sometimes impossible to find! Clear Blue Global has been a longtime faithful partner of our work in Nigeria. They provide funds for boreholes at the locations where we minister! Check out the note from Phyllis, below, and her story about the Jos Fulani community.

Greetings, friends, from Jos, Plateau State. I want to tell you about a borehole we have drilled! We're in Plateau State visiting staff, children, chiefs and friends of our school here, the Solid Rock Good Life Academy. One of our dearest friends is the Fulani chief, the Ardo, pictured above left, looking like a teenager in his shirt and jeans! He is a huge supporter of education, and is the main reason for the large population of both Fulani AND non-Fulani children and adults in attendance at Solid Rock School, here in Kampala, on the outskirts of Jos, Plateau State.

Ardo talked to us about the big problem he, his Fulani community AND the non-Fulani community are having due to their lack of any regular and sufficient water supply. What they have to do is walk to a completely dry river bed nearby to dig there for water. Women get up at 2am every morning to do so. They are in desperate need of water in this dry, dry land.

I asked him if he owned the land where he and his family live, and thankfully the answer was "Yes!". I asked whether he could be responsible for a borehole on his land, and would the two communities, Fulani and non-Fulani, be free to use this water. Again, the answer was a resounding "Yes". So, we phoned our borehole driller, one who has worked for us from the beginning. His name is Taju (below), our friend and master well driller! Taju sent his surveyor, whom we took to Ardo's village to begin the process!

Our drilling at the Ardo's village was a HUGE success! We found gallons and gallons of clean water at 140 meters. As you can imagine, the Fulani and non-Fulani communities were dancing for joy! We continued working on the plumbing, water pump, tank and tank stand.

Here is a picture of the tank, all complete and full of water, up on a tank stand. See the two spigots ready to fill buckets of water? What an incredible blessing this will be for the families nearby!

Phyllis said, "I love Ardo's family. He lives here with his elderly parents, four wives and twenty-four children! Add to that chickens, ducks, 'tolotolo' (turkeys,) and cows! It's a busy place!"

Thanks so much to Clear Blue Global, for the amazing support you've given Schools For Africa over the years. 

Phyllis is thinking of putting the next two boreholes in the compounds of the two high schools we are building this year. The fourth will go in the new village on the Lafiya 2 grazing reserve in Kogi State!

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve, with 630 students total and 26 staff!

School #5, River Of Life Nursery & Primary School, 4 teachers

@ $50/month = $200/month

OMG LOOK how precious they are! As they play together, and chop together (eat), they are learning to coexist! Fulani children and those from other tribes are learning that they CAN love each other. This is the beginning of PEACE IN NIGERIA!

Can you help to support the 4 teachers who work at River Of Life?

Donor Highlight

How did you hear about Schools For Africa?

From Lois M. - I had been living in Rwanda but evacuated April of 1994 when the Rwandan and Burundian presidents were killed in the plane crash - and genocide started in Rwanda. I then transferred to serve the Free Methodist Church in Kenya. Getting funds from USA for ICCM and then transferring their specific amounts to Burundi, Rwanda, and Congo projects was one of my jobs. At some point the Sortors came to Rwanda and Phyllis headed up ICCM there. It was always enjoyable to meet with them when I had occasion to travel to Rwanda.

The one specific trip I remember was when the Sortors couldn't leave the capital city, Kigali where they lived, so I had to come from Kenya to go to Cyangugu (an hour or so east of Kigali) to meet with Rwandan pastors. I've never been to Nigeria, but continue to be amazed at the facilities Phyllis gets organized for the folks there. May she continue to know God's directives and safety as she serves.

Amen! Thanks, Lois! So fun to chat with you!

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!

PRISON MINISTRY for Phyllis's kidnappers? NOW THIS IS REDEMPTION!

Joseph goes to Prison Ministry Training!

When Joseph was a small boy, his father told him he was destined to be a minister of the Gospel. He showed Joseph the birthmark on his arm - 3 figures he said were God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. But it wasn't until Joseph, in prison for kidnapping, was led by the Holy Spirit to minister to his fellow prisoners. 

Missionary Phyllis Sortor found Joseph, who was part in her own kidnapping, while searching for Ismaila and Gas Mask Guy. She didn't find them, so she asked Joseph if she could pay the kindness forward to him. He was delighted, so Phyllis built relationships with Joseph and his family, encouraging and supporting them.

Joseph was released from prison last year, and has had a strong desire to continue to minister to the prisoners for Jesus Christ. He asked if SFA could help him, but how...?

Skip over to the US, where SFA had a table at Missions Fest in Seattle in November. SFA Secretary Carisa couldn't go, but Nellie, a member of Carisa's church's missions team went, met the SFA team there, and perused the ministry opportunities. Nellie brought home PILES of ministry pamphlets to share with their missions team. One pamphlet stood out to Carisa - PRISONERS FOR CHRIST. Hmmm... Upon further investigation, Prisoners For Christ is located near Seattle, AND they were active in Nigeria! After some quick meetings, Prisoners For Christ agreed to intern Joseph, partner with him, and teach him to further minister in the prisons!

Just WEEKS after SFA met with Prisoners For Christ, Joseph and SFA Assistant Director, Reverend John Raji were able to attend a Prisoners For Christ conference in their area for pastors, AND SIX prison crusades - WOW! Now, with Reverend John Raji as his pastor and mentor, Joseph will fulfill his father's dream for him, and minister to others in prison. SO GREAT! SUCH INCREDIBLE TIMING! Only the Lord...

Prisoners For Christ has resources for inmates and chaplains. They have training curriculum, bible studies, a pen pal program, and so much more. They serve locally AND internationally! Praise God for their ministry! Thank you for partnering with Joseph!

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve,

with 630 students total and 26 staff!

School #4, Dam Dutse Primary School, has 2 teachers!

The two teachers at this school make a salary of $50 a month, which is a decent wage in Nigeria. Can you help us to support them? The teachers are loving on these Fulani children, when others said they were unworthy. They are literally changing the world by training these little people to love each other. What an incredible blessing they are to us!

So far in 2024, we have had 13 NEW DONORS, of whom SIX have committed to monthly giving! Thank you, Lord, for supporting this work!

Remember Larry? Larry committed to donate all the proceeds from his rototilling to Schools For Africa! Below is a picture of Larry at his first job of the year. The garden owner gave him a check payable to SFA for $100 which he promptly mailed to the office. WOO HOO! Great work, friend!

KEEPING PROMISES...

Schools For Africa is keeping her PROMISES!

The chief in Imala told Missionary Phyllis Sortor that he is thankful for us.

"Schools For Africa is keeping her promises!"

"YOU SAID you were going to build a school here, and you did."

"YOU SAID you were going to build a healthcare clinic here, and you did."

"YOU SAID you were going to fix the road, and you did."

"YOU SAID you were going to bring Wamco in to buy our milk, and YOU DID!"

There are 75 Fulani families living here in Peace Village, and that is just the families on THIS side of the river. Phyllis has grown SO close to them. They care for each other. This gives her the responsibility and opportunity to tell them about Jesus!

One way that Phyllis can do that is to insert an SD card into a $10 phone, and give it to a Fulani. But IT IS HARD! These are Muslim families, Muslim men! Please PRAY for Phyllis to have courage to give the gospel to men in this Muslim culture.

Yes, Phyllis asked for prayer for courage. You may think that she is the most courageous person you have ever met (I DO!) BUT she still needs the Lord to empower her daily. Please continue to pray for her.

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve, with 630 students total and 26 staff!

School #3, Big Dam Primary School, has 7 teachers!

These precious children are getting a QUALITY education, and working towards a better future. They have faced danger and instability to pursue an education, and they DO NOT take it for granted! Please join us in supporting them!

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!

Prayer Requests:

  1. DARE TO DREAM - Yes we do, our God is ABLE! We are daring to dream for monthly support for Bobi Grazing Reserve School #3, Big Dam Primary School in Niger State.

  2. Pray for the Nigerian team as they travel.

  3. Pray for Phyllis, her opportunities and responsibilities.

What's HAPPENING in Peace Village, Imala?

Beautiful Peace Village, in Imala State, is right on an active, wide flowing river! There are many fisherman who fish here every morning. There are no hippos, but lots of fisherman, fish, birds, and cattle! This is the incredible view from the guest house. Our school bus is a GIANT boat that we use to ferry children from across the river to school!

We have a large school here, the Good Shepherd Nursery Primary School, with 200 students and 17 staff! The head teachers are strong Christians, ministering strongly to students and staff alike! We also have a healthcare clinic here, Butterfield Memorial Clinic, treating those with medical needs and educating families about healthcare.

The Good Shepherd Nursery Primary School had their FIRST EVER Interhouse Sports Day! The staff worked hard to make the day successful.

Check out these happy kiddos!

We are working to repair the road, to provide better access for a milk collection center AND secondary school! More info on those things coming soon!

The Lord is TRULY moving in this beautiful place. There are many Fulani and Yoruba people here, and we see that God is moving on their behalf! He is making a way for PEACE to reign in their lives, in their hearts and minds!

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

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

There are SEVEN schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve, with 630 students total and 26 staff!

Bobi Grazing Reserve School #1, Courtney Carleton Memorial Primary School, in Niger State, is near Alhaji Buba's compound, in Kilishi Village. It is one of the larger schools, with more than 100 students and SIX teachers!

These precious children are getting a QUALITY education, and working towards a better future. They have faced danger and instability to pursue an education, and they DO NOT take it for granted! Please join us in supporting them!

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!

Prayer Requests:

  1. DARE TO DREAM - Yes we do, our God is ABLE! We are daring to dream for monthly support for Bobi Grazing Reserve School #1, Courtney Carleton Memorial Primary School, in Niger State.

  2. Pray for the SFA Board of Directors, as they go to a 2-day training in the Seattle area with the Murdock Foundation.

  3. Pray for Imala, for the hearts of the Fulani and Yoruba people to be open to Jesus!

WHY We Do What We Do...

God showed Missionary Phyllis Sortor a PROBLEM. He also showed her the SOLUTION, gave her a PROMISE and a VISION! If you haven't seen last week's note from her, check it out on Facebook! Don't have Facebook? Check it out HERE!

Are We On Target?

The Schools For Africa Board of Directors recently got to discuss this question together. There is SO MUCH good work to do. Are we focusing on our mission, so as not to spread ourselves too thin? We simply CAN'T do everything!

Our mission is this: 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.

The board AGREED, YES, we are doing very well working towards our goals, staying focused on our targets, and letting God lead!

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

Bobi Healthcare Clinics: 2 nurses $50/month each, yearly cost of medicine/supplies, $5,000/yr ~ $415/mth = TOTAL $465/month

Bobi Grazing Reserve has TWO clinics on the 75,000 acre reserve. One clinic, Two Sisters Maternity Clinic, is halfway between local leader Sariki Bello's compound and the main road. There is a working borehole with solar pump and electricity, a small office, exam room, labor and delivery room, and recovery rooms. This clinic is incorporated into the state's healthcare system, which is an exciting start for community healthcare in Nigeria! Two Sisters Maternity Clinic was named after Sariki Bello's TWO daughters, who died in childbirth when the hospital outside the reserve wouldn't take them.

This healthcare clinic is saving lives, saving limbs, giving polio vaccines, and teaching the community how to care for themselves. What a blessing to that sweet community, and our dear friends. The clinic needs monthly support, and we would love to have you join us in this life-saving work, in Jesus' name!

Being PROACTIVE...

From a supporter in Illinois: We are impressed with the approach of Schools For Africa. Other ministries support the victims of the violence in Nigeria. Phyllis and Schools For Africa are being proactive, showing kindness to the Fulani. This approach seems to be winning hearts, as some are receiving Christ and becoming a part of His church. Amen!

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!

Prayer Requests:

  1. DARE TO DREAM - Yes we do, our God is ABLE! We are daring to dream for monthly support for the two Bobi healthcare clinics.

  2. Pray for the SFA Board of Directors, as they learn how to be a better team, supporting and guiding SFA!

  3. Pray for Lafiya 1 and 2, the grazing reserves that are actively changing the way Fulani herders raise cattle!

Get YOUR church involved!

Get involved!

Get YOUR church involved!

Do you LOVE being a part of our ministry in Nigeria?

Would you like to get MORE involved?

Here are some ways that we might partner with you or your church!

  1. Follow Schools For Africa AND Phyllis Sortor on Facebook! You'll see funny stories about what Phyllis is up to (like pictures of lizards on her windows!) and get all the latest updates!

  2. Our Kidnapped Redemption film - You can watch the film for free HERE (but with commercials). 4,604 people have watched it on YouTube so far! You can purchase the DVD for $10, plus $5 shipping. Watch it, then share it with friends, your Sunday School class, your missions board, or your pastor! Have a film viewing party, and provide the popcorn! :)

  3. Purchase Missionary Phyllis Sortor's books! Phyllis has written TWO great books about her ministry in Nigeria. Her first book, The Kidnapping of an American Missionary, is the story of her kidnapping in 2015. Her second book, Kidnapped Redemption, is full of the amazing things God did in Nigeria upon her courageous return to the very place she was kidnapped from. Books are $20, plus $5 shipping.

  4. Do you attend a Sunday School class? Ask if you can share about Schools For Africa! Ask if you can share the film! Perhaps your class could support a teacher or nurse monthly for $50/month!

  5. Does your church have a missions board? Forward this email to your team, so that they can get to know SFA! No missions board? Forward this to your pastor! Give them time to check it out, then follow up! Tell them how passionate you are about this ministry!

  6. Have a fundraiser to raise money for Schools For Africa! There is a great story about a church that did JUST THAT below. You could have a bake sale, a yard sale, a movie night, etc! Get your men's group, your women's group, your Bible study, or your children's ministry involved! We would LOVE to connect your children's ministry to a school in Nigeria!

  7. Invite Schools For Africa to come to YOUR church! Phyllis is not coming to the US for a while, but SFA Secretary Carisa Haven would love to come visit your church! She would be happy to share about what God is doing NOW, and bring an update from Phyllis and the team in Nigeria! Perhaps we could schedule a movie night! :)

Email us for more info at carisahaven@gmail.com!

Northlake Christian Church put God's word into the hands of FORTY PEOPLE! WOW!

From Pastor Ryan:

Thank you for inspiring the opportunity for Northlake Christian Church’s’ family ministry to raise funds for Schools for Africa. It’s great for our students to engage in missions work and participate to see lives transformed by the gospel.

Northlake heard about the SD cards from Bill F. and our missions team wanted to partner in helping. We decided to run a month-long fundraiser in the children’s ministry classrooms through the month of November. We wanted to bring mission awareness and understanding for the kiddos and give them a practical way to meet a felt need. Each Sunday in our kids classes our leaders shared a bit about Schools for Africa and then gave an opportunity to children to give.

Here is the total raised by the Northlake kiddos, many of which gave from their own piggy banks: Schools for Africa: $286.93

Thank you! 

Ryan Hoxsey, Family Pastor, Northlake Christian Church

SFA is moving mountains!

and churches, and schools, and healthcare clinics...

Dear Rev. Phyllis and Schools For Africa,

Calvary greetings to you all in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope you are doing fine and rejoicing in the Lord. I thank God for His grace and mercy to be alive to see another year. Welcome to 2024 and Happy New Year.

On behalf of the Northern Provisional Mission Annual Conference of the Free Methodist Church Nigeria, I am writing to thank you and all SFA partners for your love, prayers and financial support to our conference through out last year 2023. Your love, prayers and financial support have been a source of great joy and encouragement to us last year. With your support, we have been able to plant new churches, buy land for churches, raise church buildings and provide roofs for churches. 

All of this takes time and money, and would not have been possible without your financial support. As I reflect on the events of last year, I am reminded that our conference would not be able to fulfill our mission and calling without the support and partnership of people like you. It is through your support and partnership that enables us to carry out our mission of sharing the love of Jesus among Fulani Muslim groups and plant churches across northern Nigeria.

Please accept my heartfelt gratitude for your love, prayers and financial support in 2023. May God's abundant blessings be with you and your loved ones in Jesus' mighty name. Amen. We are looking forward to your continuing support and partnership in this year 2024.

Thanks and remain blessed,

With deep appreciation,

John Raji, Conference Superintendent

DARE TO DREAM!

In 2024, Schools For Africa will DARE TO DREAM for EVERY school and healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve to receive monthly funding. There are MANY opportunities to support a school or healthcare clinic on Bobi Grazing Reserve. Teacher/nurse monthly salaries in Nigeria start at only $50/month. You can support them monthly! You may not be able to support the whole school - PLEASE talk to your church about joining you!

Below are the current needs:

Bobi Healthcare Clinics: 2 nurses $50/month each, yearly cost of medicine/supplies, $1,000/yr ~ $85/mth = TOTAL $185/month

School #1, Courtney Carleton Memorial Primary School, 6 teachers @ $50/month = $300/month

School #2, Bailey Robinson Memorial Primary School, 2 teachers @ $50/month = $100/month

School #3, Big Dam Primary School, 7 teachers @ $50/month = $350/month

School #4, Dam Dutse Primary School, 2 teachers @ $50/month = $100/month

School #5, River Of Life Nursery & Primary School, 4 teachers @ $50/month = $200/month

School #6, Kango Bassa Primary School, 1 teacher @ $50/month = $50/month

School #7, Yabawa Primary School, 4 teachers @ $50/month = $200/month

Start your monthly donation NOW! 

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!

Prayer Requests:

  1. DARE TO DREAM - Yes we do, our God is ABLE! We are daring to dream for monthly support of EVERY BOBI SCHOOL AND CLINIC in 2024.

  2. Pray for persecuted Christians in Nigeria - there are MANY!

  3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the hearts of the Fulani people, for salvation in Christ Jesus!

 

A Map and List of our Projects

Build a Meaningful Legacy with SFA!

Learn more about Schools For Africa Director, Phyllis Sortor!

Find out how SFA shares about Jesus!

Meet our SFA Board Members!

A story about the GOOD LIFE in Nigeria...

Watch our Kidnapped Redemption Film!

 

Visit Our Website!

Questions? Email us!

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DARE TO DREAM and Christmas Miracles!

In this post you will find:

  1. How we might together DARE TO DREAM for change in Nigeria

  2. Christmas miracle #1: Dr. Godfrey

  3. Christmas miracle #2: Bobi Secondary School FUNDED!

Nigeria is the country with the largest population in Africa, and soon one of the largest in the WORLD! Open Doors says there are currently 5,000 deaths and 5,000 kidnappings in a year, up dramatically from one year ago. Nigeria is 6th on their List of Dangerous Nations in the WORLD for Christians, with "EXTREME LEVELS OF PERSECUTION".

Go HERE to read more about Christian persecution in Nigeria and the world. It is a shocking reality that we don't talk about enough.

Go HERE to read about a Christmas Eve attack in Nigeria, where 140 Christians were killed by Islamic extremists.

Could we, should we DARE TO DREAM?

YES WE SHOULD!

Psalm 117: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord. 

For God's glory, the work Schools For Africa is doing in Nigeria is making a clear change by providing schools, healthcare clinics, and rotational grazing. We are loving a people group long shunned and forgotten. The Fulani people may be forgotten by the world, but NOT BY THE LORD! HOW the Lord LOVES His beloved Fulani people!

YEAR END GIVING

We’re incredibly honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing as we work together in Nigeria. Thank you for being a part of what we’re doing. Your commitment to our community has made it all possible, praise God!

We see God moving in His POWERFUL way! His words are coming alive in the everyday lives of the Fulani people. We are seeing lives be transformed and renewed! The Great Commission is being fulfilled!

 MAKE A YEAR-END GIFT

1. One-time Gift:

It's not too late to give your YEAR-END GIFT. Your one-time donation makes a way for the Lord to move, through the hands and feet of our Schools For Africa team in Nigeria.

GIVE A YEAR END GIFT HERE

2. Monthly Giving:

Your monthly gift to Schools For Africa supports our many teachers and nurses. As we continue to build schools and healthcare clinics, we need your monthly support to continue this life-changing work!

BEGIN MONTHLY SUPPORT HERE

3. Buy books/DVDs:

The stories of what God has done in Nigeria are INCREDIBLE and exciting! Hear the testimony of Missionary Phyllis Sortor, it is SO important to share! She has written two GREAT books, and a film has been created about her kidnapping!

EMAIL US TO PURCHASE BOOKS/DVDS

4. Mail a check to:

Schools For Africa

c/o Don Standley, Treasurer

1010 Silver Springs Way

Stanwood, WA 98292-8102

Christmas miracle #1: Dr. Godfrey

Dr. Godfrey is one of our own, son of our beloved pastor, Rev. Sunday. Dr. Godfrey was an ICCM (International Child Care Ministries) student, who was then sponsored through medical school at Hope Africa, in Burundi. He is now working for SFA and for our government hospital in Imala!

Dr. Godfrey, having recently moved to Nigeria to work with us, found the very important need to acquire his medical license in Nigeria. How would he be able to afford it?? Upon careful research, Dr. Godfrey learned that it would be QUITE EXPENSIVE to complete the process! Phyllis promised to help. When Dr. Godfrey emailed the budgeting details of what he would need to do to acquire his medical license in Nigeria, it was OVER $1,000!

Phyllis emailed SFA Secretary Carisa, to see if we might find help to fund the need. Carisa emailed this request for Dr. Godfrey’s licensing expenses to the Butterfield Foundation to see if they would pre-approve it for grant funding… GUESS WHAT! They called the next morning to let us know that this would qualify for Butterfield’s discretionary funding, and they had a bit of money left over, and they were gonna squeeze it in THIS YEAR! They mailied the check for $1,000 THE SAME DAY! 

BOOM! Thank you Jesus! Merry Christmas to Dr. Godfrey, tell him he can get to work. :)

From Dr. Godfrey: "Firstly, I thank you for everything you are doing for me. Through you, I am seeing the goodness of God in my life."

Christmas miracle #2: Bobi Secondary School FUNDED!

Have you heard?! In 2024, we get to build our first secondary school on Bobi Reserve! It is a HUGE project! GREAT NEWS - the Lord is IN IT AND THROUGH IT, and has provided the funding to see it completed! We even have a church willing to connect to Bobi Secondary School for monthly support! WOO HOO! We are so thrilled to see the Lord move on behalf of Bobi Grazing Reserve, and the families who live there! Phyllis has close relationships with the leaders and their families there. We have SEVEN primary schools on Bobi Grazing Reserve! If you want to hear some incredible stories about Bobi, there are many in Phyllis’s second book, Kidnapped Redemption.

Bobi Grazing Reserve is 75,000 acres! Fulani herdsmen are working to improve the land and feed their animals successfully on these hundreds of acres allotted to them for rotational grazing. Schools For Africa has partnered with Clear Blue Global to drill FIVE boreholes there for fresh drinking water, and we’ve repaired two more that were in a state of disrepair. We have conducted several reading workshops there with teachers over the years. We are so blessed to have TWO healthcare clinics on Bobi Grazing Reserve! There is also a lovely church there, the First Free Methodist Church! Prince Saidu, who is an educated man who studied in the US, has overseen Bobi for years. 

The Governor of Niger State has authorized SFA to build and run schools there. There are a total of SEVEN schools there, with over 700 children in total! Below are the schools/clinics (ALL OF WHOM REQUIRE MONTHLY SUPPORT!):

Bobi Healthcare Clinics: 2 nurses

School #1, Courtney Carleton Memorial Primary School, 6 teachers

School #2, Bailey Robinson Memorial Primary School, 2 teachers

School #3, Big Dam Primary School, 7 teachers

School #4, Dam Dutse Primary School, 2 teachers

School #5, River Of Life Nursery & Primary School, 4 teachers

School #6, Kango Bassa Primary School, 1 teacher 

School #7, Yabawa Primary School, 4 teachers 

Bobi Grazing Reserve has been a volatile place. Bandits have wreaked havoc so much in the area that the Nigerian Army finally came in last year and intervened. While the area is still very unstable, the area chiefs are absolutely thrilled to have schools for their children. One chief named Kiri Bauchi recently told Missionary Phyllis Sortor that they were going to hold on to Schools For Africa and our schools with BOTH HANDS! This volatility HAS affected student registration some, as families literally flee to safety, but we have seen increased stability in the area this year.

Kidnapping is on the rise across Nigeria, and especially in this area. Phyllis asks that we pray for security to continue to improve there in Niger State, but the work on Bobi will go forward whether she's there or not. Our plan these days, because of continued ambushes and kidnapping, is for Phyllis to stay at Peace Village in Ogun State, while our builders and manager do the work on Bobi according to the exact plan. Last year, SFA really tested and perfected our building teams, who are now able to go and do the work without Phyllis needing to be onsite to oversee. This is a major WIN for SFA and Phyllis, as the travel can be very dangerous for her. When the work on Bobi Secondary School is finished, SFA Assistant Director John Raji will go to Bobi to interview and hire teachers. Security needs will be properly addressed at Bobi Secondary School, with a wall built around the school, and security guards always present. 

Bobi Secondary School will be joyously welcomed with both arms, and it will be registered with the appropriate government offices. Funds for this school will go through our Board Treasurer, Don Standley, directly to Phyllis in Nigeria. She and a couple of trusted employees then are able to distribute funds as needed. We are thrilled that the Lord is building this school at JUST the right time, as the students from the nearby SEVEN primary schools are needing to move on to secondary school! The thought of sending them to ‘just any’ other school, considering the low quality of education at other schools, was really disturbing Phyllis. We are praising God for this miracle! 

ESTIMATED COSTS:

$50,000 - Initial cost to build the school, DONATED!

$6,000 - for teacher’s housing, on site, DONATED!

ONGOING COSTS:

$6,000 - yearly cost for 12 teachers’ salaries

$1,000 - yearly cost for utilities for the school

$1,000 - yearly cost for security for the school

$2,000 - yearly cost of books, paper, and writing tools (this would be a huge blessing that is not usually provided)

Other possible blessings could include:

$10,000 - for 2 buses, as children often walk a LONG way through the bush to school

We are looking for churches to support Bobi schools monthly. We LOVE to connect CHURCHES to our schools, for on-going connections, relationships, and support. We want churches to be praying for the pastors who oversee the schools, for the teachers, and the children, specifically that they would come to Christ! We will ask them to be praying for churches, in return! SFA will commit to sending your church quarterly updates from your school, but more contact would be acceptable. This connection helps congregations like yours know more about WHO they’re supporting, and our goal is to help you feel connected. 

We are so excited to see the Lord moving, again and again. It never gets old. :)

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

Connect YOUR church to a school!Email for more information!

Donate NOW!

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!

Prayer Requests:

  • DARE TO DREAM - Yes we do, our God is ABLE! We are daring to dream for monthly support of EVERY BOBI SCHOOL in 2024.

  • Pray for upcoming grazing reserve development, more info coming soon!

  • Pray for our beloved Fulani, that God would raise them up, and for their salvation!