Six US Brethren participate in Nigeria workcamp.

From Jan. 18 to Feb. 14, six US Brethren are joining others from Europe, and about two dozen Nigerians, to continue construction on the Comprehensive Secondary School at the EYN (Church of the Brethren in Nigeria) headquarters near Mubi.

"The annual Nigeria workcamp helps participants connect with the past and plant seeds for the future," said Jeff Mummau, coordinator for the annual project. Now in his 11th year in the role, he said, "I enjoy giving people the opportunity to leave their comfort zone and stretch themselves. For four weeks, workcampers work alongside the Nigerians, sleep in their homes, and eat their food."

The school "is a big dream of the Nigerian church," said Merv Keeney, executive director of the Global Missions Partnerships office of the General Board. "It's amazing how it is going forward. The school is gaining a good reputation. It's exciting." For the past several years, workcamps from the US and Europe have contributed to building the school. A Brethren Volunteer Service worker, Callie Surber of Champaign (Ill.) Church of the Brethren, also is teaching at the school.

The workcamp is sponsored by the Global Mission Partnerships office. The US participants are Lester Boleyn of the Hagerstown (Md.) Church of the Brethren; Amy Luckenbill and Jeff Mummau, Elizabethtown (Pa.) Church of the Brethren; Ralph Miner, Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Ill.; Anne Sales, First Peoria (Ill.) Church of the Brethren; and Lorraine Walker, Ephrata (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

Source: Newsline 1/30/2004
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