Lost Connection

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

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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. 1st world problems are different than 3rd 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
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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

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

Jolie

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

Lenny

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

Patrice

  1. Family and Friends
  2. Sleeping in the Air Conditioning under a blanket.
  3. Food (Bakery items)
  4. Unlimited resources at your fingertips.
  5. 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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, Where Are You Now?

Posted: July 12, 2017 by Lenny in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM, Uncategorized
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This is sometimes the question I get when calling and talking to family or friends. This question could have two meanings and I’m not always sure which way they are asking me. One way could mean, “So, where are you physically located at the moment?” This is an understandable question after all of the traveling our family has done over the last five weeks. And then the question could also be asked, “So, where are you with you fundraising and ability to go back to Nigeria?”

Let me answer both questions by the numbers…

71 – days since landing in the USA.

4 – days in Bluffton, South Carolina where we met with Live Oak Christian Church as well a great family that has ties to Egbe and our work there.

8 – days in California where we spent the week as camp counselors and meeting with a Shepherd Church where Patrice’s brother is the youth pastor at.

20 – days in Charlotte, NC where we did a debrief with SIM, met with a Central Church, and spent time with more of Patrice’s family

5 – days camping in the mountains of North Carolina

1 – bad hang nail cut out (Cason)

1 – Gallbladder removed (Patrice)

Just 13 days until we leave to go back to Nigeria! Yes, we’ve been cleared to go back as long as we have commitments for the following…

4 – Recurring donation partners at $25 per month

4 – Recurring donation partners at $50 per month

2 – Recurring donation partners at $100 per month

1 – Refrigerator $700

1 – Stove $400

1 – Dining room table $500

1 – Clothes dryer $350

1 – Solar power system. Needed due to the poor power grid, which is off more often than on. $2,500

1 – Bundle of media equipment for Lenny’s new ministry. Including camera, lenses, software, etc. $3,500

If you have been waiting to sign up for monthly support, there is no better time than now! We must prove to SIM that we are fully funded before going back. Click Donate Now and chose to support our family monthly. Sign up once and the funds are automatically withdrawn every month.

If you would like to donate towards the other items listed, you can do that when you click Donate Now. No amount given towards these items is too small. It all adds up!

We are so thankful for all of you that have continued to support us along the way, as well as the new financial and prayer partners who have joined us in the last 3 months. Your generosity has more than encouraged us to keep going! Thank you!

Backsliding

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

8 The 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
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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

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Bebee Team headed to Egbe in July

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Bebee Kids and Miles Kids fun

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New Church Partner

North Carolina Visit

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SIM shot, shots, and shots

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Doughnuts w/ Sister In Law

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Egbeites Reconnected

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Jolie & Testimony reunited

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All the Cousins and Friends

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Jos, Nigeria in N.C.

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Lenny Sharing the Vision @ SIM

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More Egbeite time in N.C.

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Camping w/ the Polsgroves

California Visit

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Shepherd High School Camp

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Time w/ a brother from another mother

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Cousin Time

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Father’s Day in Hollywood

 

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Barnyard Boogie Night

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Shepherd Church Partner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to North Carolina for some rest…..

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Happy Birthday Cason

 

Is this a Test?

Posted: June 6, 2017 by Lenny in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Prayer, SIM
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I hope you liked the videos that went out last week on our blog. If you didn’t have the time to watch them all, they are attached to the bottom of this page so that you can have a chance to catch up…

Yesterday we had a great opportunity to go to Central Church in Charlotte, N.C. We normally watch online on our living room wall in Egbe with a projector and if the internet is cooperating. We heard an amazing sermon about Jesus’ miracle with the five loaves and two fishes that fed 5,000 people. The pastor asked us to imagine ourselves in the story of John 6:1-13 and identify with one of the characters (obviously we couldn’t pick to be Jesus!). As I listened, I felt that I identify with Philip the most.

The Bible says in John 6:5-7, “Jesus said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!””

Philip immediately thought about logistics, the monetary value, and the “bigness” of the problem ahead of them. I feel the same type of questions rising within my heart. Jesus is asking me, “Where are you going to get all of this support you need to continue your work in Nigeria?” And many times I feel I react just the way Philip did. “Hey God, things aren’t adding up here.” or “There’s a short amount of time left before we get on that plane to go back, where’s the funds to do so?” These are all thoughts that run through my mind on a regular basis. Is this all just a “test” for me? Possibly, but unlike Philip, I have the full story in view. I get to read the words and get insight into the fact that Jesus “already had in mind what he was going to do.” This gives me hope and faith needed to continue on towards our July 23rd departure date with confidence in being fully funded by then.

If you have been considering supporting our ministries in Nigeria, please sign up now so we can report to SIM that we are fully funded and ready to return to Nigeria on July 23rd. Click Miles In Missions to get signed up to support us on a monthly or one time basis.

Click on the images to view videos from last week…
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#1 – Cason’s Travel Video

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#2 – Miles In Missions 3 1/2 years

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#3 –  What is Lenny going to Do?

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#4 – C.A.R.E. Africa

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#5 – Spring of Life, Egbe

#5 – Spring of Life HIV/AIDS Clinic, Egbe

Posted: June 2, 2017 by Lenny in AIDS, Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, HIV, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, SIM, Spring Of Life
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Last but not least is also a ministry that Patrice manages, Spring of Life, Egbe. This HIV/AIDS ministry has great potential to grow so that many of those deeply hurting and shunned in the society can be reached with the “Good News”, so that they can have ultimate healing through Jesus Christ.

Just like C.A.R.E. Africa, in this larger city Patrice will have the time and resources to grow the ministry administratively, as well as grasp a larger vision of what it’s true potential is.

This is a very special and respectful video that showcases the ministry as well as two HIV patients that were gracious enough to show their faces on camera. Please join us in praying for these women.

Click on the picture to watch the video.

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#4 – C.A.R.E. Africa Video

Posted: June 1, 2017 by Lenny in C.A.R.E. Africa, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, SIM
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As we transition and move to another city within Nigeria, Patrice is really looking forward to continuing with her ministry C.A.R.E. Africa. In this larger city she will have the time and resources to grow the ministry administratively, as well as grasp a larger vision of what it’s true potential is. She plans to take trips to Egbe (11 hours away) about four times a year for accountability and continued training of the staff of C.A.R.E. Africa. This video shows the tremendous growth of the ministry since 2014 and it’s present needs to continue to grow.

This was a fun video for me to produce and put together. I pray you will enjoy this glimpse into the ministry and see how God is blessing it.

Click on the picture to view the video.

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#3 Video Link Corrected

Posted: May 31, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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Sorry 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.

#3 – What is Lenny going to do?

Posted: May 31, 2017 by Lenny in Lenny Miles, Nigeria, SIM
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Over the past two days, the videos presented to you have discussed and shown the past 3 1/2 years of our lives. However, today begins our sneak peek into the future for what is in store for our family for 2017-2019.

As I began to shift focus in ministries, it was evident that I needed to show all of you just what that means and what it looks like. So, instead of boring you with a tremendously long blog that would take hours to read, I’ve decided to put together a video. This shows how God has led me from a construction background to this new and exciting opportunity within SIM Nigeria as Communications Specialist. Please take the time to watch this video so you can be informed and answer the question, “What is Lenny going to do?”

Click on the image below to see the video.

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