Minute for Mission, October 24, 2013

"That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” —2 Corinthians 5:19-20
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Minute for Mission  Issue 15 October 24, 2013   Opening hearts and homes in compassion Global mission workers Carl and Roxane Hill share how the Brethren community has reached out to those affected by recent violence in Nigeria Roxane and Carl Hill teach at Kulp Bible College near Mubi, Nigeria. As missionaries representing the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, it is always disturbing to hear reports of violence in our assigned region. Common to these outbreaks of violence in the past has been the burning of churches, attacks on local police stations, and even some killings. While these attacks are terrible, and any loss of life is abhorrent, the recent attack on the community of Gavva West was different than the "normal" attacks. The Boko Haram's latest assault was responsible for not only seven deaths in Gavva West but also five more in a neighboring village. Besides these killings, 75 houses were burned to the ground, and the continued presence of these armed Islamic militants has kept villagers away from their valued farms in the midst of harvest season. In this agricultural society, the food produced on these farms is essential for survival in the coming year. The questions for these displaced people are how will they eat, where will they live, and where will their children go to school? So far, EYN (Ekklesiyar Yan'uwa a Nigeria) members across the area have opened their homes and churches to provide help for these displaced families. To our amazement, even in the midst of all their suffering, we have observed their strong faith as evidenced by one man’s quote: "We are waiting on God to see us through." The people here are very grateful for the financial support from the Church of the Brethren in the United States. Food and clothing donations collected by students and staff of Kulp Bible College for those displaced by the violence. Photo courtesy of Carl and Roxane Hill. Here at Kulp Bible College, we have seen firsthand how the effects of the violence have permeated EYN families. At a recent Sunday chapel service, several women from Gavva West were recognized, and as they stood, we were able to pray for them. The students (struggling to make ends meet themselves) and the staff began collecting food, clothing, and money for the victims. Our laundry person took in a pregnant woman, who then had her baby early due to all the stress (both mother and baby are doing fine). A displaced family is also staying in the home of the student who sells us eggs. This student, a converted Muslim himself, was able to help transport one of the men injured in the violence to a better hospital facility in Jos. The administrative secretary of EYN has taken in an entire family, and we were able to donate some extra mattresses from the Church of the Brethren houses so that they would have a place to sleep. When we went to the nearest town to buy some suya (fried goat meat), we were able to talk to a man who had escaped from the village and hear his story. As we took our evening walk, we met and spoke with four displaced men going back to their temporary homes in the next village. We feel privileged to have been able to contribute small amounts of money to the individuals in each of these cases. We know that many in the United States church have a special place in their hearts for Nigeria. A big "thank you" goes out to all those who have contributed through Global Mission and Service. We want to join with the American church in praying for the Nigerians, both those that are struggling to rebuild their lives as well as those who are reaching out to help them. From Brazil to Bethany Alexandre Gonçalves serves as one of the pastors of Igreja da Irmandade-Brasil (Church of the Brethren in Brazil). In late August, he began his master of divinity studies at Bethany Theological Seminary. He shares his story and his greetings here: Alexandre Gonçalves I came from a Christian home, and since my adolescence I have been engaged with the church. I always felt a strong desire to work with adolescents and young adults. After some time, I became a Sundayschool teacher and subsequently I went to a Baptist seminary, where I took courses in theology with an emphasis in Christian education. While there, I met a professor who invited me to know the Church of the Brethren in the beginning of its mission in Brazil. In this church, I could experience a new way of living the Christian life, expand my biblical knowledge, develop communication skills, and engage in service to others At the same time, I started to work in a nonprofit organization as a social educator with vulnerable children. Through this work, I could see big problems that affect children, such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, child labor and exploitation, and human trafficking. Therefore, I decided to attend many courses, trainings, and workshops about these issues. Some years ago, I became familiar with a program to prevent violence against children and adolescents called CLAVES, which means "keys." It is a program developed by Juventud para Cristo (Youth for Christ in Uruguay). Currently, I serve as one of its Brazilian representatives. The Church of the Brethren gave me support to come back to college, and I earned a bachelor's degree in Science of Religion at Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas. I became a pastor, and I also started working as a consultant for the prevention of child abuse and domestic violence. I have been working with this project throughout many regions of Brazil. The church also encouraged me to complete my studies in theology. Therefore, I am now an M.Div. student at Bethany Seminary. Such a decision has three reasons. First, Bethany is the seminary of the Church of the Brethren. Its line of study is based on an Anabaptist legacy. Although we do not have a historical Anabaptist tradition in Brazil, we are particularly interested in its position of nonviolence and communitarian interpretation of the Scriptures. Second, Bethany has a program in Peace Studies, which is deeply connected to my work in the prevention of child and domestic violence. Third, it is a great opportunity to strengthen the ties between the Brazilian church and the church in United States. This new and important step in my ministerial life has been possible only because I received a scholarship from Bethany Seminary as well as financial support from Global Mission and Service, and for that I am immensely grateful. Appeals for prayer and support Pray for all those affected by the recent attacks in Nigeria, especially the families of those who lost their lives and the displaced who are trying to rebuild their lives. Support victims of violence through the EYN Compassion Fund. Pray for the RECONCILE Peace Institute, which prepares leaders from throughout South Sudan for peace-building and trauma-healing in their own communities. RECONCILE staff are currently processing applications and selecting those to interview for scholarships. You can contribute to these scholarships here. Pray for the Church of the Brethren in the Dominican Republic and for its members affected by a recent Constitutional Court ruling stripping citizenship from the children of Haitian migrants. Pray for the Brethren who may be deported. To remember these and other prayer concerns, please print and distribute the November 2013 missions prayer guide.
"Minute for Mission" is published by Global Mission and Service, Church of the Brethren, 1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120; 800-323-8039 ext. 362;www.brethren.org/partners © Church of the Brethren Church of the Brethren is a non-profit religious and educational organization recognized by the Federal and State governments. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Share this message with a friend