Reflections on the EYN 2015 Visit
We rejoice that the visit of 60 of our friends from EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) this summer was so successful. Our brothers and sisters from Africa shared their faith, joyful singing and stories with Brethren in the US from Hagerstown to Elgin, from North Manchester to Richmond, Indiana, from the Shenandoah District to Atlantic Northeast. Here at the Lancaster CoB we experienced a powerful witness when the Women’s Fellowship Choir of EYN sang in a combined worship service on July 5. The presence of the Women’s Fellowship Choir participating multiple times in worship was a highlight of Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida.
The Lancaster CoB, as the sponsoring congregation of this visit of our Nigerian friends, contributed significantly to the success of the trip. By hosting people in your homes, contributing to the costs of this venture and offering prayers for traveling mercies, you helped everything to go almost without a hitch. The EYN members paid for their own round trip flights, but we needed to raise approximately $65,000, to cover the estimated costs of the group’s expenses here in the States. Donations were contributed by the many churches and districts that host-ed EYN and arranged for concerts that attracted hundreds of guests. We are happy to report that after all the bills are paid, we expect there to be a surplus to send to the Nigeria Crisis Fund for the ongoing needs of EYN in that nation experiencing extreme violence caused by groups such as Boko Haram. And the crisis in Nigeria continues with new reports of violence against innocent victims. Please continue to remember the members and programs of EYN in your prayers.
The Lancaster CoB, as the sponsoring congregation for the EYN 2015 Visit, was honored and humbled by our guests when they donated $2,000 to our congregation. We plan to use it to replace the diseased copper beech tree in front of the church, which had to be cut down recently. What generosity! This will serve as a living reminder of the continuing friendship between the CoB in the US and the CoB in Nigeria.
We, members of the planning committee for the EYN 2015 Visit, thank you for your support of this important event in the life of the CoB in the US and in Nigeria.
Monroe Good, Chair Donna & Doug Lunger Suzanne Schaudel, Sec.
Marian & Norman Bollinger (Mountville CoB)
Nancy Hivner (E-Town CoB) Donna Steiner (E-Town COB)
Here are some noteworthy facts about the EYN 2015 Visit:
- 27 days in the U.S.
- Traveled at least 5,500 miles through 14 CoB Districts
- 27 EYN women sang in the Women’s Fellowship Choir
- The Choir gave more than 30 full or abbreviated concerts
- 5 of the EYN visitors traveled to two other CoB districts (Pacific Southwest & Northern Plains) to share the EYN story