Dayy 77: Betsy Mulligan-Gague

Betsy Mulligan-Dague
Jeannette Rankin Peace Center
519 S. Higgins Ave.
Missoula , Montana , 59801

Dear Ms. Mulligan-Dague,

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 one thousand letters that I will write to community leaders and peace builders over the next year about the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria, EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria.

It is my hope that your organization will pledge to stand with the EYN in whatever way you can.

More than any other organization, the EYN have been horrifically persecuted by Boko Haram. Three fourths of the 276 kidnapped schoolgirls from Chibok belong to the EYN. About 100,000 EYN members have been displaced, thousands have been killed, and dozens of churches have been destroyed. Recently, Boko Haram overtook the EYN’s headquarters.

However, more than any other organization, the EYN are committed to non-violently resisting Boko Haram and building peace. They have chosen to be the Church in northern Nigeria, when most organizations, the Nigerian government, and world leaders have refused to act. The EYN are providing vital refugee services, working to rebuild communities, and addressing the systemic causes of violence and terrorism.

When I look at the EYN, I see Jesus. I see his teachings put into action. I see what the church is supposed to be to the world. The EYN inspire me to be more like them by putting my faith into action and speaking out against violence and standing up for peace. Today is my 77th day of writing three letters per day asking people to stand with the EYN.

The EYN fill me with hope, and I will never stop advocating for them.

Can you to pledge to stand with the EYN? Please, join me in sharing their story. Join me in supporting their ministry of reconciliation. Tell your members, community, and elected leaders about their work. Donate to them if you can. Pray for them, and keep them in your thoughts. The EYN need our support and awareness to create peace and stay active. Contact me by mail, email, or phone, and let’s work together to help the EYN.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

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