Day 40: Hope for Peace and Justice

Hope for Peace & Justice
5910 Cedar Springs
Dallas, TX 75235

To whom it may concern,

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

It is my hope that you will share the EYN’s story and partner in their ministry of building peace. 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 girls 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 remarkable, but also their inspiring response to their suffering. The Church of the Brethren, including the EYN, is a historic peace church. The EYN have been faithful and steadfast in their commitment to building peace, despite their horrific trails.

In the face of great hatred, violence, and division, the EYN have responded with far greater love, courage, and community. They believe that they must be beacons of Christ’s love to a landscape darkened by violence. They have become leaders in working to peacefully and sustainably restore community, dialogue, and the dignity of all Nigerians.

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

I look forward to communicating with you further about the EYN and how you plan to share their story and partner with them. The EYN represent the possibility of peace in Nigeria, but they need our awareness and partnership to make that possibility a reality. Please don’t hesitate to contact me in whatever way is most convent for you.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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