Day 14: Dr. Darius Mans

Dr. Darius Mans
Africare House
440 R Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001

Dear Dr. Mans,

My name is Emmett Eldred. I am one of many youth and young adults who belong to an active, passionate movement within the Church of the Brethren to better reflect the love and teachings of Jesus in our everyday lives. I am writing to you as part of a series of over 1000 letters that I will write over the next year to public figures and community leaders about the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

It is my hope that learning more about the EYN will inspire you and Africare, like me, to become advocates for their aid and partners in their good works. I’m sure you remember the 276 schoolgirls from northern Nigeria who were kidnapped by Boko Haram. Roughly three-fourths of those girls belong to the EYN. In fact, few groups have suffered from the violence in Nigeria as severely as the EYN, and their situation continues to worsen.

However, it is not only the suffering of the EYN that makes their story so inspiring and remarkable, but also the courageous, selfless way that they have responded to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. Throughout their many trials, the EYN have faithfully honored their commitment to peace.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN consistently responds with even greater love, courage, and community. They understand that they must be beacons of Christ’s love and forgiveness. This means being leaders in working towards the restoration of community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians, though it involves great sacrifice.

These people fill me with hope, and I will never stop advocating for them.

I hope that you will learn more about the EYN and work to supply them with humanitarian aid and refugee services. I truly believe the EYN and organizations like them are the biggest hope for bringing peace to Nigeria, but their mission is becoming more difficult to sustain as their safety becomes more tenuous. By supplying them with aid, you will be partnering in the ministry, and becoming an active participant in the restoration of a peaceful Nigeria.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

Emmett Eldred
Carnegie Mellon University SMC# 2046
Pittsburgh, PA 15289
eeldred@andrew.cmu.edu
814-502-8349