Day 19: Samuel Mbonu

Samuel Okey Mbonu
1701 Pennsylvania Ave
Suite 300, NW,
Washington, DC 20006

Dear Mr. Mbonu,

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 send to public figures and community leaders about the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

There are more Brethren living in Nigeria than in any other country on earth, so the safety of the EYN is sure to be of importance to many of the Nigerian-Americans that you work with. Unfortunately, the EYN operates largely in the same region as Boko Haram, meaning they have been the victims of much of the violence in Nigeria, including many of the schoolgirls from Chibok who were kidnapped. As an organization that represents Nigerian-Americans, it is important for you to consider the story of the EYN in your decisions, media, and programming.

The EYN is far from the only group of people suffering in Nigeria, but they have been one of the most inspiring groups of people in their response to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN has been stedfast and faithful in working to promote peace is such a difficult situation.

In the face of great hatred, fear, and division, the EYN have responded with far greater love, courage, and community. They understand that they must be beacons of Christ’s love in a climate darkened by horrific violence. They have been leaders in working towards sustainably and peaceful restoring community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians.

These people inspire me, and I will never stop advocating for them.

I hope your organization will take greater interest in the EYN, both by sharing their story, and by providing them aid and advocating for their aid. I truly believe that the EYN represent the possibility of peac win Nigeria, but their situation continues to grow more dire, and they need our help now more than ever. Please, invest in their ministry and share their story.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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