Patrice Miles

Author Archive

Egbe Visit

Posted: September 7, 2017 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM

For the past two weeks we have been very busy! Emma (C.A.R.E. Africa CEO) and Tofunmi (C.A.R.E. Africa Operational Manager) came to Jos. We were able to meet with several ministries, shop for school supplies and get some needed one on one time to go over our goals for the rest of the year. After one week in Jos we headed down to Egbe. We were able to do staff training, review end of term school results with all our kids and their caregivers, and take care of a lot of needed administration work. It was a wonderful time and our to do lists are full with everything we are wanting to accomplish in this amazing ministry. See pictures below for just a little glimpse of what we have been up to and stay posted for all the great things God is doing with C.A.R.E. Africa!

SALT Microfinance Ministry

Last Import - 223 of 581

Local Artist making products to help support our ministry.

Last Import - 205 of 581

School sandal shopping for 45 kids at yellow market in Jos.

Last Import - 193 of 581

I don’t know how but we managed to pack everything inside for our trip to Egbe.

Last Import - 289 of 581

Stop in Lakoja to meet with Kogi State Women Affairs.

Another Lakoja stop to see Pastor Wallee and his wife Abigail. We miss them in Egbe!!

Last Import - 293 of 581

Presenting Pastor Alabi at our HIV clinic with needed resources donated by CDC in Jos.

Packing the donated backpacks up for all the kids.

Summer school at the C.A.R.E. Centre.

Daycare opening Sept 11th at the C.A.R.E. Center.

Mom telling our mother daughter story to all the caregivers to encourage them.

Last Import - 385 of 581

Worship at our monthly child celebration.

Waiting for their food so patiently. HAHA!

Secondary kids discipleship time.

Play time during the child celebration.

Finally time for food!

Last Import - 389 of 581 Last Import - 397 of 581

End of school term results reviews with each child and thier caregiver.

Home visit for Ayo and her Grandma.

Staff appreciation dinner….Pounded Yam and Egusi!

Last Import - 431 of 581 Staff final

My Mother’s Eyes

Posted: August 29, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Prayer, SIM

Last Import - 405 of 581 My mom accompanied us back to Nigeria to help us set up our home and learn more about our ministries. I realized while she was here that I have grown very accustomed to the poor and needy around me. Everywhere you go in Jos you are confronted with street kids, the disabled and the poor. I have grown so accustomed to them that they have become part of the African scenery for me. I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot save everyone and thankfully God hasn’t called me to Nigeria to do that. God has placed people in my life over the past 4 years to help and show his love to. Those I am blessed to serve are represented as 47 orphans along with their 30 caregivers, my 8 staff at CARE Africa, our house help and several Nigerian young people that are like daughters and sons to me. These relationships I have steadily built over the years and they go very deep, but the burden of saving the world I had to give over to God- otherwise I was going to go crazy.

15724714_753338044817434_447813392314878415_o I have been content in this until the pain in my mother’s eyes one day caused me to realize there is a cost to having given up the burden of saving the world. I no longer feel the overwhelming emotions of sorrow, compassion, sadness or hopelessness when I see the faces of poverty. I don’t feel guilty walking out of store with my cheese and boxed cereal purchase while street kids, Jolie’s age, come with their empty bowls begging for food. My mom’s eyes were sad and hurting for these people every time she would see them. All this is not to say that I turn a blind eye. We keep small denominations of Niara (dollars) and biscuits (food) to discreetly give to those we can, but there are always more hands then we can possibly fill. It is a gaping hole with no end in sight

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 5:11 that the poor will never cease from the land. The book When Helping Hurts tell us that by giving small Niara or food to the poor we are just putting a band aid on a problem that needs mentoring and discipleship to break the cycle. I can’t build relationships with every beggar so should I just do nothing? Do I just continue putting Band-Aids on a bigger problem so I feel better about myself? I don’t know, but I am in prayer about it. Pray with me and for me. Pray that God will show both you and me His will regarding the poor and needy. The Bible calls us to do it, but the question is “how to do it in a way that satisfies God – not man” . Pray for me and I will pray for you as we both seek his direction in this.

New Years in Nigeria

Posted: August 23, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Mission Trip, Missionaries, Nigeria, SIM, Volunteers

nigeriascene

Have you wanted to do a mission trip to Africa? Do you love children? We need you! SIM offers a Spiritual Life Conference every year for all the missionaries in Nigeria. It is a time for spiritual renewal for all of the SIM missionaries serving in the field. It is also a time for all the missionary kids to come together and play and also be renewed through fun and teaching.

We need a team to come and lead our missionary kids Pre K-5^th grade program. This team will develop and facilitate the program and bring all needed supplies with them. We are expecting 10-15 children so 3-5 workers would be sufficient. SIM will provide you with a theme to work with, but you can be as creative as you want. You can sign up as an individual or bring your family, kids, friends, church group, anyone is welcome to come.

The cost would be very minimal, as SIM will pay for all feeding and accommodations at our amazing retreat center in Miango. You will also have opportunity to see the city of Jos and several of the ministries located in Jos before heading to Miango for the retreat.

NEW YEARS in NIGERIA details!!
SIM Spiritual Life Conference Dec 31st-Jan 7th.
1. Leave USA on Dec 30th arrive Abuja, Nigeria Dec 31st
2. Travel to JOS Jan 1st (4hr drive)
3. Visit ministries in Jos Jan 1st and 2nd
4. Head to Miango to set up for conference on the 3rd (Website for Miango http://mrhmiango.com/)
5. Conference 3rd-7th
•    Pre K ages 3-5 (4-5 children)
•    K-5 (10-12 children)
6. All Miango accommodations, Miango feeding and in country travel is covered by SIM. Your anticipated expenses are listed below;
•    Airfare estimated $800-$1200 per person depending on departure city.
•    Jos accommodation and feeding estimate $100 per person.
•    VISA estimated $150 per person.

Please pray about this and email me with any questions. Patrice.miles@sim.org

Spiritual Life Conference 2017

Volunteer with C.A.R.E. Africa

Posted: August 15, 2017 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, SIM, Volunteers

care booth 7 We are back in Nigeria now in a new home and a new town. C.A.R.E. Africa continues forward with it’s work in Egbe. In the States, Diana Beville and team will persist in thier goal of supporting the mission with direct child sponsorship, sale of goods, and spreading the word. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please consider volunteering with C.A.R.E. Africa in several ways.

#1 Sign up to volunteer your time at our booth at one of the following fairs. Children are welcome to come and help too!

List of remaining markets for 2017
*Sept 2 (Saturday) = Fleur de Flea @ Waterfront
*Sept 8-9 (Friday & Saturday) = Middletown FFF
*Oct 14 (Saturday) = Portland Christian School Fall Festival
*Oct 28-29 (Saturday & Sunday) = Flea Off @ Highlands
*Nov 4 (Saturday) = Flea Off @ NuLu
*Nov 9-11 (Thursday-Saturday)= GMHC 2017 Global Missions Health Conference @ Southeast Christian Church
Email Diana at dianabeville@gmail.com if you can help at any of these events.

#2 Donate your money to sponsor our booth. Any amount is helpful and allows more of our profits to go to C.A.R.E. kids education.

We have 3 events this fall requiring booth fees. Would you please consider sponsoring in part or whole one of these fees for C.A.R.E.?
*$75 = Sept 2 – Fleur de Flea (on the Waterfront)
*$150 = Sept 8&9 – Middletown Family Fun Festival
*$700 = Nov 9-11 – Global Missions Health Conference

care booth 2 While I was stateside, CARE made some exciting steps forward.
-C.A.R.E. now accepts credit cards!
-C.A.R.E. now has a PayPal account!
-C.A.R.E. has an Etsy store manager!
-C.A.R.E. is now officially a non-profit in the state of Kentucky and a 501c3 charitable organization! 😃 All donations are tax-deductable. You can donate towards a booth by clicking www.paypal.me/careafrica1 or you can mail a check payable to C.A.R.E. Africa to Diana. Please email her for her address as I don’t want to make it public.

Email Diana at dianabeville@gmail.com if you can help at any of these events. care booth 5

CARE booth

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Posted: August 11, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

I can’t believe it has been 2 weeks since we stepped foot into Jos. We have been busy unpacking, visiting ministries and having dinners with the Jos community. See the last two weeks in a glance…..

Louisville Airport Departure w/ 5 extra FREE bags!

Picking up the babies

Heading to Jos

Mom taking it all in

Unpacking

Unpacking

Bringing the Load

I started Driving School

Our first dinner in our home

Ground Nut Butter!!

Jolie’s 1st playdate.

Buying fabric for curtains

Visiting the Widows Ministry

Me wearing out mom and Cason

First delivery pizza!

Fresh roasted coffee to my door.

Our living room coming small small.

Reconnecting with friends.

Jolie’s homeroom teacher and principal at her desk.

Cason’s new lunchman!

First day of school!

Amazing visit at Faith Alive Hospital

Mom buying ground nut on the road.

What is SIM?

Posted: August 8, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized

Please take a couple of minutes to watch this new video highlighting SIM. If you’ve ever had questions about SIM or what its goals are, then you need to watch this. This was created by our media departments in the USA, but many of the scenes are from Egbe Hospital where we’ve served for the last four years. Let me know if any of it looks familiar to you!

Lost Connection

Posted: July 29, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM

Moving Day

We are back in Nigeria and in Jos. As we unpack all our boxes and luggage and move into our new home my mind is still in the U.S. I continue to think about my family, friends and supporters that we spent time with. So many people living life and experiencing joys and hurts. I loved getting to hear it all and understand how to pray for each person. This joy also brings heartache as now I am so far away from everyone that I got to share life with for 3 months. I want to stay connected….I want to know and hear about everything going on….I want to know the joys and the hurts of the ones I love back in the U.S.

How do I do that 5 hours ahead of most and 8 hours ahead of others. With unreliable internet and cell service, how can I stay connected? Facebook is wonderful when used as a way to stay connected but it also only shows me what people want to show. It isn’t going to let mesee your hearts. I also know that as life in Nigeria unfolds and work starts with the lost and needy, I will grow deeper into my relationships here and the relationships in the U.S. will start to take a backseat. I know this from experience from my last home assignment and I don’t want that to happen again. I don’t want to be disconnected from all those I love, but I also know that in some ways I have to be in order to have time for those God has called me to serve.

Nigerian Landscape

I haven’t figured out this balance yet. Just know that if you are reading this….I would love to hear from you. 1^st world problems are different than 3^rd world problems, but problems are problems. We all feel and our emotions are real to us no matter if we live in Africa or in America. Please stay connected with me. Email me or Facebook me if you are needing prayer or if you want to share a joy. It helps me feel connected to you and also lets me know how I can be praising the Lord with you or praying for you.

What Will You Miss?

Posted: July 24, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM

When we were in Nigeria thinking about spending 3 months in the U.S. it seemed like that was such a long time to stay. It has gone by soooo fast and feels like we just got here. As you read this blog post we will have already started the first of three flights in our 24-hour travel over the ocean. Before we left we were asked over and over again “What will we miss the most from the U.S.A.” Here are the answers in order of importance.

Cason

Internet (yes this was more important than family, I did ask.)
Family and friends
Food (Sushi)

Jolie

Family and friends (sleepovers with cousins in particular.)
Food (Cheese Dip and Chips)
Netflix

Lenny

Family
Food (Mexican)
Ease of everything. You can get so much accomplished so easily.

Patrice

Family and Friends
Sleeping in the Air Conditioning under a blanket.
Food (Bakery items)
Unlimited resources at your fingertips.
The giving spirit of our community and how easy it is to ask and receive.

Saying goodbye is always bittersweet. We were able to visit with so many friends and family members but there was also so many we did not get to see. We are so sorry if we didn’t get time with you but you know who you are and you know our hearts are with you. Thank you for everyone that donated resources, time, money and for everyone that is praying and continues to pray for our family. We love you all….see you in 2 Years!

Backsliding

Posted: June 28, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

This is our second home assignment (HA) since leaving for Nigeria in 2013. During the first HA, we experienced culture shock and I was ready to get back to my simple life in Nigeria as quickly as possible. Now that we are experiencing our second HA, things seem a little different. After 4 years in the field, we have experienced some really tough times in Nigeria and I questioned God many times asking … “Are you still there?”

During these few months home in the USA, I am finding that I am enjoying all the Western comforts a lot more than last time at HA. I catch my entrepreneurial brain seeing different businesses and thinking, “Hey I could do that and then have a Biznistry that could support all my ministries in Nigeria.” Wow, that would so much easier and then I could stop sacrificing all these family memories, foods I love, and weather I miss soooo much.

God spoke to me this morning through I Samuel 27:1 “David thought to himself”….that is where it all begins for me. When I start thinking I know better than him. David basically was tired of Saul trying to kill him. David was supposed to be a king and instead he was living in the wilderness. I was tired of reading David and King Saul’s’ saga before I came to I Samuel 27, were David is finally tired of it too. He decided to go and live with the idol worshipers (Philistines). He even takes all 600 of his men and their families with him. He never consults God but just does it.

Later in the chapter we find David has backslid and has become a robber, murder, and liar. Wow….what happened to the strong David that killed Goliath with a sling shot?

This has reminded me of how easy it is to backslide when we are tired, exhausted, or just dealing with obstacles or unknowns. We want to know what is next and when it isn’t clear, we get anxious like David. In anxiousness, frustration, and/or exhaustion we make rash decisions. These decisions not only affect us but they affect everyone around us. Like the 600 men and their families with David, our decisions can affect generations to come.

During these times we need to look at our history with God and ask ourselves….How many times has God provided for me? How many times has God given me the desires of my heart? How many times has God helped me slay a Goliath in my life? Our history with him and so many other Christians shows over and over again that his way is the best way in the end. Our ways can lead us backsliding away and before we know it we are living a life we never intended like David. I don’t want that! I am so thankful this morning God reminded me of how sweet life can be when we wait on him to bless us and not try and make decisions based on our own human thoughts and feelings.

Deuteronomy 31:8

⁸The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

Posted: June 23, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM

Wow! The last 3 weeks of our lives have been absolutely filled with fun, laughter and answered prayers! We left Louisville for Bluffton SC to see our friends and supporters along with a new church partner. Then we were off to Charlotte to see family, friends, and supporters. As well as reconnected with some Egbeites. Last but not least we flew to LA to see more family, meet with a church partner, and volunteer at their High School church camp. See pictures below……

South Carolina Visit