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Patrice Miles
LennySorry the recent post had the wrong link for the video. Here is the corrected link for What is Lenny going to be doing video. https://youtu.be/p2-UdpkZlKg.
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I’m Dying
Posted: May 25, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM
Recently I saw a movie called A Dog’s Purpose. The dog kept on living a great life and then would die and start over again as a puppy and then would die again and again. It was pretty sad really. I don’t think I would necessarily recommend the movie but it got me thinking of the song “Live Like You Were Dying by Tim MCgraw. See the lyrics at the end of the blog.
It made me ask myself a question. If I found out tomorrow I was dying how would I live my life differently? Would I still live in Nigeria? My immediate answer was, “No!” I think I would want to be with my family soaking up every last minute of time I had with them. I would want to snuggle with my kids and go on a date every night with my husband. I would want to see things and do things that were on my bucket list. So the question kept coming back, would I still live in Nigeria? If the answer was no, then why am I living here now? I really couldn’t answer the question and it bothered me.
Reading Deuteronomy recently showed me how Moses knew he was going to die. He continued to work making sure everything was ready for his successor Joshua and for the Israelites. When he found out he was going to die he didn’t stop his ministry and start experiencing everything on his bucket list. He continued his work and maybe even with more fervor and intentionality. Why? I think because he knew that there was something so much better ahead of him than anything on his bucket list. He wanted to finish well by leaving behind a message for the future generations so they could know the same peace, joy and hope he had.
I think so many times we think of dying as something so final when it is actually the beginning of our journey for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Our time on this earth is so tiny compared to the eternity we will spend in heaven with Christ. So would I stay in Nigeria if I found out I was dying? I wish I could say I would be just like Moses, but I don’t know…… Does this blog help me to realize I need to change some things in my life so that I treat every tomorrow as a gift? Yes. What about you? If you found out tomorrow you were dying would you keep on living life exactly they way you are today? If the answer is No, then ask yourself why?
He said
“I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talkin’ ’bout the options
And talkin’ ’bout sweet time”
I asked him
“When it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit you
When you get that kind of news?
Man, what’d you do?”
He said
“I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying”
He said
“I was finally the husband
That most of the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden going fishin’
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
I finally read the Good Book, and I
Took a good, long, hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again
And then
I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity
To think about
What you’d do with it
What could you do with it
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?
Skydiving
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying”
Too much fun!!
Posted: May 23, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM
Here are the pictures from our Pinot’s Palette and Spaghetti Dinner. We loved sharing how God has used our family the past 3.5 years and how he is going to use us again for the next 2 year term. If you missed either one of these events it’s OK. Next week starting on Monday we are going to play one video everyday in the same order we showed them at the Dinner. Cason’s video on traveling to Egbe will debut first on Monday. As you receive the videos, don’t forget to click play and take a few minutes each day to catch up. The idea is to give you the visual of the past 3.5 years in Egbe, Nigeria and then to the future for Miles In Missions in Jos 2017-2019
We still need to raise support for our next two year term in Nigeria. We need anyone and everyone to consider supporting our ministry in Nigeria on a monthly basis. Our family wants to board the plane to Nigeria on July 23rd but we cannot do it without more monthly supporters. Click here Miles In Missions to sign up for $10, $20, $40, $60, $100, $200, $500…whatever you feel led will help us get that much closer.
Also if you have a women’s group, men’s group or a Bible study that would be interested in hearing more about our ministry, we would love to share. Please let us know by emailing me at patrice@milesinmissions.com.
You Are Invited
Posted: May 17, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIMYou are invited to our spaghetti dinner this Sunday May 21st at 5pm. Come out and hear and see all about the past 3 1/2 years in Egbe, Nigeria. We will also reveal what is next for The Miles Family in Jos, Nigeria. Please click the following link http://bit.ly/milesspaghetti to RSVP or call (502) 558-9355 so we know how many people to prepare for. Look forward to seeing you there!!
We have been back in the states for a little over a week now. One of the number one questions I continue to hear is “Is it weird being back?”
It is soooo weird;
To to wake up and feel like it is midnight but it’s 5am.
To go to the grocery store and buy a few items instead of buying in bulk because you may not come to the store again for 2 months.
To open your wallet and be confused on the quarters, nickels and dimes and what to use.
To have the man standing behind you at the store waiting impatiently as you are given instructions for credit cards with chip readers.
To eat only one of something not fearing you won’t get to enjoy it again.
To greet people with a smile and good morning and they look at you like your crazy.
To jog with my music blaring in my ears because I don’t have to fear something jumping out in the bush to get me.
Getting motion sickness when the car does more than 20 miles an hour because there are no pot holes to worry about.
To go to the doctor and actually get results and answers immediately.
To remember to flush the toilet even if it is only yellow.. “If it it’s yellow let it mellow, if it brown flushes it down.” is now in our brains.
To wear socks and shoes.
To not take off your shoes every time you enter someone’s house.
To scrub your feat in the shower and realize all the African dirt is gone now you don’t have to scrub.
To be cold!!
To have car keys that you have to keep up with.
To pump gas and remembering how to do it all. Credit card first…wait, no push button first….no, I mean, lift pump first.
To see policemen and men is army fatigues and not fearing them.
Going out to eat and they actually have everything on the menu available.
Getting books for free at a library!
Going to run a few errands and actually getting them all done.
Seeing Krispie Kreme doughnuts everywhere you go. Lord, please help me!
Laying in bed and hearing noises but reminding yourself you can relax, no one is at your front door.
Feeling like everyone else’s brains are working ten times faster than yours as I am just processing the last thing they said.
Loving being home but not feeling at home.
Loving being with family but your heart is still with your Nigerian family.
…………..Yes it’s weird.
Reserve your seat as space is limited at our upcoming event at Pinot’s Palette on Tuesday May 16th 6-8pm. We are so excited to have fun with you. For only $35 you can come and paint with us while helping raise money for our ministries in Nigeria. You will also be blessed with some pictures and videos of our time in Nigeria. Sign up now as space is limited! http://bit.ly/pinotspalette
Pinot’s Palette is located in the Kroger Shopping Center at 291 N Hubbards Ln #160, Louisville, KY 40207. Click http://bit.ly/pinotspalette to reserve your seat.
Last week was a busy week but God showed up and showed off. We were able to attend all our send forths, pack the rest of our house, and participate in Emma and Tofunmi’s wedding. Sunday morning, we headed out with dogs in tow and with the blessing of all our friends and missionary family. Seven hours later, when we finally arrived in Abuja, Tuck had only vomited seven times and Bingo only two times as we traveled….HAHA!
I have added to my resume, Chief Ziploc Dog Vomit Catcher! We met up with an amazing man named Femi who is caring for our dogs in Abuja for the next three months….. another one of God’s miracles to our family in this past week. We arrived at the airport and the only thing they made us leave behind was my fresh Nigerian honey…sorry Karen and Pank I was hoping to give you two bee lovers some Nigerian style honey.
As we sit at the Frankfurt airport awaiting the next leg of our 22 hours of flights I am able to reflect over the past few weeks and am so grateful. I am utterly amazed at how God has provided for us and showed us more than ever that if we just say “Yes” he will take care of all the details. We are excited to see what he is going to do with the next 3 months and can’t wait to share with you how he has shown up and showed off again!
Don’t forget about our two events in May. Come and Paint with us at Pinot’s Palette on May 16th 6-8pm and or come out to see our time in Nigeria on video, visit the C.A.R.E. Africa store and make a cupcake with Jolie at our Spaghetti Dinner. Click the links above or the pictures for more information on each event. See you soon!
Egbe Send Forths
Posted: April 27, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, People of EgbeWe have been truly humbled over the past week with all the send forths and gifts we have received from all of our dear friends and family in Egbe. See pictures below.
Hospital Send Forth
Revitalization Send Forth
ECWA Churches & Community Send Forth
Spring of Life Send Forth
Missionary Final Photo
We Are Coming Home!
Posted: April 12, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIMIt’s home assignment time again so we are coming home! Well, is it really home anymore? After more than 3 ½ years in Nigeria home has truly become Lenny, Patrice, Cason and Jolie. We are so excited to get to come back and see family, friends and supporters. It has been 1 ½ years since we have touched U.S. soil, unless you count the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. Cason is at least a foot taller and Jolie is not a little girl anymore.
Our time in the U.S. for home assignment will be just like last time. A lot of traveling, doctor’s appointments, dentist appointment, dinners, events, and trying to catch up with everyone we love. We always want to see everyone but seem to not be able to do it all. We will arrive May 1st and plan to return back to Nigeria on July 24th for the kids to start their new school at Hillcrest on August 9th.
I am excited to get to attend CAFO, Christian Alliance for Orphans Summit in Nashville on May 3 & 4th. After that we will stay in Louisville for the month of May before heading to Bluffton SC to meet with some of our supporters. After Bluffton we head to Charlotte for SIM debriefing and then off to Porter Ranch, CA. In Porter Ranch, we have been asked to help as camp counselors for a high school camp that my brother leads. Then we are back to Louisville for only a few weeks in July and then back to Nigeria.
Mark you calendars for a few events so we can see you and share some amazing videos Lenny has put together from our time in Nigeria.
The Flea off Market Friday May 12th, 13th and 14th at 1007 E Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40206. Click http://bit.ly/fleaoffmarket to learn more about the market. Come and see us at the C.A.R.E. Africa booth. We can always use more hands and feet too! Email Diana Beville at dianabeville@gmail.com if you would like to work the booth with us.
Tuesday May 16th, 6-8pm at Pinot’s Palette on 91 N Hubbards Ln in the Kroger Shopping Center. Come and paint with us! For $35 you can paint, mingle, and learn a little bit more about our time in Nigeria. A portion of the sitting fee is donated to Miles In Mission. We can host 48 people so please click the link below and sign up to reserve your spot. http://bit.ly/pinotspalette We would love to fill the studio so please sign up now!!
Sunday May 21st, 5-7pm at the Civic Center Kaden Towers at 6100 Dutchmans Ln, Louisville, KY 40205. Spaghetti Dinner, Jolie’s Cupcake Make Table, C.A.R.E. Africa Products and more. Join us to see some amazing video’s Lenny has created from our time in Nigeria and to learn more about our next term. Click the following link to RSVP so we know how many spaghetti dinners and cupcakes to bake. http://bit.ly/milesspaghetti
Prayer Warrior
Posted: April 8, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM
In 2013 our family asked for prayer partners to pray for our transition to Nigeria. We had 333 people ask to be on this list. Over the past 3.5 years I have used this email list only once.
Recently I had a huge request of the Lord. I talked to my husband about it, we prayed about it and I rolled it over in my mind over and over again. This request was a big one and only God could make it happen. The anxiousness of waiting to see how he would answer was stressful. I knew I needed more prayer not just for God’s will but for peace of knowing his will is best.
I emailed as many of my prayer partners as I could remember, forgetting about my list of 333 people. Immediately I started receiving emails back with words of encouragement. I cannot tell you how loved, cherished and at peace I felt from receiving all these emails. I even cried one morning when opening my mail to hear 2000 people at our home church had prayed for us.
This time of waiting really opened my eye to how blessed I am to have such a support group of people from all different walks of life. It also opened my eyes to how little I request prayer from my prayer partners. I could write a book bigger than the encyclopedia on the challenges and blessings my family has faced over the past 3.5 years in Nigeria. Why haven’t I reached out to all of you more? Pride? Wanting to do it myself? Scared people will know how weak I really am and how much I lack at this whole missionary thing? I don’t know….
What I do know is that my recent request for prayer was such an encouraging day, even though God did not answer my prayer the way I wanted. I felt supported, lifted up and encouraged by so many. I want to do better at involving you in my challenges, obstacles, battles, praises and more. I am starting a private mailchimp PRAYER WARRIOR email list. I plan to send out a quick email regularly to just ask for prayer and/or praises. If you would love to pray I would love to share.
I would also love to hear how I can pray for you. I feel so disconnected sometimes from you all and what is going on in your life. It encourages me when you share what is going on in your life and how I can pray for you too. Once the weekly Prayer Warrior email comes, please respond and tell me how I can be praying for you.
Click this link to sign up to be a prayer warrior http://eepurl.com/DZf_D
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