Day 14: Neal Keny-Guyer

Neal Keny-Guyer
Mercy Corps
45 SW Ankeny St.
Portland, OR 97204

Dear Mr. Keny-Guyer,

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.

I’ve heard about the good work that Mercy Corps is doing in Nigeria, and it is my hope that by learning about the EYN and their story, you will learn about a group that greatly needs your help, and can be a valuable partner in your shared mission of bringing stability to Nigeria. 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 more severely than the EYN, and their situation continues to worsen.

However, there are many people who are suffering in Nigeria and across the world. What makes the EYN’s story so remarkable is not just their suffering, but the courageous way that they have responded to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN has remained faithful in their pursuit of peace, despite their hardship.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN consistently responds with far greater love, courage, and community. They are a beacon of Christ’s love to a community so darkened by violence. This has led them to become leaders in working to restore community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians, though it means great sacrifice.

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

I hope you will learn more about the EYN and incorporate them into your programs in Nigeria. Not only are these a people in great need of aid and refugee services, but they are also valuable partners in bringing human security to the people of Nigeria and stability to the entire country. Please nclude the EYN and all Nigerians in your thoughts, prayers, and decisions.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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