Day 2: Senator Chris Coons – Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on African Afairs

The Honorable Christopher Coons
127A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator Coons,

My name is Emmett Eldred. I am one of many youth and young adults from across the United States who belong to an active, youth-led movement within the Church of the Brethren to live lives committed to honoring Jesus and his profound love. I am writing this letter to you as part of a series of over 1000 letters that I will be writing to public figures over the next year about the violence in Nigeria.

I chose to write to you because of your influence in foreign relations in the Senate, particularly as it pertains to Africa and to interests of humanitarian aid and human rights.

No doubt you are familiar with the 276 Chibok schoolgirls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria. You might not realize, however, that roughly three fourths of those girls belong to the Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN), the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria. This speaks to a larger and more troubling truth: few groups have been devastated by Boko Haram as severely as the EYN.

My purpose in writing to you, though, is not to deliver a tale filled only with tragedy and suffering. Instead, I wish to bring to you a story of inspiration and hope. The Church of the Brethren, including EYN, is one of three historic peace churches. Despite all of the EYN’s suffering, their faith has flourished, and so has their uncompromising pursuit of peace. Though they are faced with torrents of violence and hatred, they answer only with nonviolence and love for their enemies.

The EYN refuses to retaliate for their suffering with violence. Such a solution will only add to the culture of hate that plagues this region. They realize that only a double victory, the winning not just of their own safety, but the safety of their enemies from the hatred that obscures their humanity, will bring a meaningful, sustainable conclusion to the suffering of all in Nigeria, including Boko Haram.

Though their own suffering is great, the EYN understands that they are to be beacons of Christ to all of Nigeria. For this reason, their steps towards recovery always include the needs of their neighbors and communities. It is remarkable and inspiring to me how truly Christlike the EYN has been through such a dark time. It leads me to question whether my faith could be so bold if it was tested so terribly.

Because these people are so incredible, peaceful, and courageous, they have proven that any help they very deservingly receive will not be squandered in selfishness or violence.

I urge you to prayerfully consider how you can help pursue a peaceful solution to the tragedies in Nigeria. Remember the EYN and all Nigerians in your thoughts, prayers, and decisions. Be inspired by their stories. Pay credit to their faith by pursuing humanitarian, nonmilitary aid for the EYN and Nigeria.

With thanks and the love of Christ,

Emmett Eldred
Carnegie Mellon Unviersity SMC# 2046
Pittsburgh, PA 16647
eeldred@andrew.cmu.edu
814-502-8349