Skilled workers to construct 2009 Nigeria workcamp projects.

A special call for people with carpentry and construction skills to participate in the 2009 Nigeria Workcamp on Feb. 8-March 8 has been answered. A group of eight people from the United States, including a general contractor and residential builder, has joined Nigerian Christians and workers from Mission 21 at the annual event at the headquarters of Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN--the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).

The workcamp will construct a teacher’s house for EYN’s Comprehensive Secondary School and complete construction of an HIV/AIDS office building that was started in 2008.

Participants from the US include Roger Bruce of Dutchtown Brethren Church in Warsaw Ind., who is a general contractor; Stephen Donaldson of Mexico Church of the Brethren in Peru, Ind., who brings construction experience; Sharon Flaten of Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren in Elgin, Ill., a Brethren Volunteer service worker at the Church of the Brethren General Offices; Jim and Alice Graybill of Venice (Fla.) Community Church of the Brethren--he is a retired cabinet maker and carpenter who also has Brethren Disaster Service experience; and Timothy Joseph of Onekama (Mich.) Church of the Brethren, a residential builder.

A former Nigeria missionary and his wife also are among the participants: Ralph Royer, who worked in Nigeria from 1953-55 and 1957-75, and Barbara McFadden of Eel River Community Church of the Brethren in Silver Lake, Ind.

"I look forward to introducing Barbara to some of my life-long friends and co-workers in Nigeria," said Royer. "Each time I have returned for visits, I am impressed with the new church buildings, but I am especially moved by the enthusiasm with which people share the goodness of salvation through Jesus Christ through EYN."

-- Janis Pyle is mission connections coordinator for the Church of the Brethren.

Source: 2/12/2009 Newsline Extra