You’ve Got Mail

Posted: July 29, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe
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IMG_9965“You’ve got mail!” This is one of the most exciting things to hear in Egbe. When a small package or letter arrives it is like Christmas. We always love to look at the date to see when it left the U.S. When we first arrived to Egbe over two years ago, there wasn’t any mail service. Everyone would ask us where he or she could send care packages. The looks we would get when we told people we didn’t have mail were hilarious. They just didn’t get it that there really was no way to get anything to us in the bush.

Gradually we had friends and family try to send a letter or package and it would take over 3 months to arrive. Now we are seeing it is only taking one month or less. This is so awesome for us! Two years ago if you had told me I would be getting excited over getting mail I would have laughed at you.

bolu5The best part about the mail service is now my CARE Africa kids can receive pictures and letters from their sponsors in the U.S. Bolu was our first recipient and he was sooooo excited. I cannot explain the emotions I had watching him carefully open the envelope so worried he would tear or rip it. Bolu has never received mail before and doesn’t even begin to understand how it arrived in Egbe. Once we opened the letter we read each word out loud together. We looked at pictures of his U.S. Mommy. We touched her children and grandchildren’s faces and he didn’t utter a word. He just sat there in complete awe as if I had just given him a bar of gold. It was one of those priceless moments I will never forget. I am so honored to have been the one to share this experience with Bolu. I am so thankful for all my U.S. CARE Africa child sponsors and the Miles family supporters. Your donations have allowed me to be here in Egbe to share Christ’s love to boys and girls like Bolu through something as simple as a piece of mail.

If you sponsor a CARE Africa child and would like to send them mail or even if you don’t sponsor a child but would love to send a letter or small package for one of them, please feel free to. Cason and Jolie, my own children, would also love to hear from you and I promise any child you send to will write back and send it all the way from Nigeria.

Mail to;
ECWA Hospital Egbe
Attn Patrice Miles C/O (Childs Name)
5 Hospital Rd
Egbe, Kogi State Nigeria.

If you would like to sponsor a child please email me at Patrice.miles@sim.org.

At Our School We…

Posted: July 11, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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I am so blessed. Words can not even begin to describe the gratitude I have for someone that would sell everything and move to Africa to educate my children. Katie Riddle is an angel from God and I truly don’t know what I would do without her in Egbe!

khriddle's avatarSwept Away

After a late start, a few expected, and then some unexpected breaks Egbe MK (Missionary Kids) School has finally finished its inaugural year!  We’ve had moments of laugher and moments of tears, assignments have been passed and others have been failed, our patience tested but love has never ceased.  To celebrate the end of the year the kids developed a list…IMG_4851

10 reasons MK School is the best school…

1.  At our school we get to argue over whose turn it is, to turn on the generator.

2.  At our school we get to perform our Christmas Play on Christmas Eve.IMG_5439

3.  At our school your teacher sometimes will call you a butt-hole, and she won’t be fired! (yes, yes I did : / ).

4.  At our school it is okay to take a field trip until midnight to look at the stars and constellations.IMG_6114

5.  At our school…

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I’m too tired…..

Posted: July 4, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, People of Egbe, Prayer
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DSC_9795Every Wednesday morning I wake up knowing that prayer rounds at the hospital are in the evening at 7pm. As I drink my coffee and have my quite time with the Lord I think of all the patients at the hospital that I will get to meet and pray with that evening. I wonder if any have not heard of Jesus or what Yoruba greetings I can say to put a smile on their face. Then my day begins. By lunchtime I am already starting to feel the effects of the heat and the many directions I have been pulled since I woke. Why am I so tired already? At 1pm an espresso normally solves the problem and I get my second jolt to finish the day strong. By dinnertime, I am thanking God for Shola, who has dinner ready. I don’t know what I would do if I had to cook as well. 7pm comes so quickly. Why am I so tired? Maybe it is DSC_9805because I didn’t remember to drink water to replace all the sweat my clothes now carry? I sit with my family at the dinner table with my belly full and try to think of a million reasons not to go on prayer rounds. I am so tired and I have given so much already today to so many. I just want to shower this sweat off of me and relax in my PJ’s. Many times my flesh wins and I stay home. This past Wednesday God called me to the rounds. “Come on kids, Let’s go!”

I love our trek to the hospital in the dim hour of the night. There is enough light to see but not enough to watch for snakes. We turn on our flashlights and begin our trek taking in God’s amazing revitalization project as we walk. The new buildings and bright lights are a breathtaking view at night.

DSC_9802We meet our group of prayer warriors in the outpatient waiting area. We split up into male and female groups and then head off to the wards. My group’s first stop is an elderly lady who has eye surgery tomorrow. She is a Christian and tells us she prays 3 hours everyday. We pray with her and bring a smile to her wrinkled face. Next-door is a small girl with TB (Taye). Dr Jen has already starting talking to the patient’s caretaker (Radijat) who is her sister. Before I knew it we are in the middle of witnessing to a non-believer. Jen handled every question great and explained the gospel perfectly. This M&slim believer went from telling us what the K@ran says to wanting to know how she can find Jesus. We spent the rest of the night with her and never made it to another patient’s bedside.

DSC_9518We walked away that night filled with amazement but questioning how we would help these M&slim women come to know Jesus because they couldn’t read anything but Arabic. Suddenly Jolie says, “Mommy I have the Evangi cube from SIM.” My sweet baby girl had been by my side quietly observing and heard everything and wanted to help. I told her it was a great idea and asked her if she would want to come back down after school the next day and share the cube. I expected my shy little girl to say “NO”, but she immediately said “Yes” with a big smile on her face. The next day after school she came running through the door and said, “When are we going the hospital Mommy.” I was completely blown away. I fought tears of joy in my eyes, as I knew it would make her uncomfortable.

DSC_9517We went down and put a mask on Jolie to protect her from the TB and entered the room. Through an interpreter we found out that Radijat had accepted Jesus that morning after a dream she had where Jesus came to visit her. We were so excited to hear her vivid dream and that Jesus was now a part of her life. We asked if Jolie could share Jesus with her little sister, Taye and she said yes. Again I fought back tears as I watched my 9-year-old share the gospel to a small thin sick girl. I heard her talk about sin and heaven and how Jesus is the only way. She had no fear and spoke with confidence as the interpreter repeated everything in Yoruba. Once she was finished she handed Taye a teddy bear and gave her the cube. We told Taye she could take it with her to share with her family back home.

DSC_9520Thank God for prayer rounds! So many times I am too tired for God but thank goodness he is never too tired for me. I came to revitalize a hospital so the Doctors and Nurses could have a safe place to spread God’s word. I am simply God’s hands and feet backstage that just gets everything ready for the superstars. He puts people in my path everyday to show me I am a superstar too. Today was one of those days! I never would have thought he would use my blonde sweet baby girl to grow his kingdom at such a young age. He can use you too if you will let him. Come and join our team in Egbe. Please prayerfully consider coming to serve short term or long term in Egbe. If that isn’t what God is leading you to, then consider financially supporting our family as long term missionaries and/or becoming one of our prayer partners. God’s isn’t looking for your abilities he is looking for your availability!

 

DSC_9529Currently Radijat and her sister Taye have been discharged from the hospital but cannot pay their bill which is over N100,000 ($500). If you feel led to help with the bill email me at Patrice.Miles@sim.org

Click Egbe Hosptial to ask more about volunteer and mission opportunities.

Click Miles In Missions to support our ministry in Egbe.

Click Prayer Partner to become one of our prayer partners.

 

C.A.R.E. Market

Posted: June 25, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Volunteers
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DSC_0063Over one year ago Stephen and Diana Beville visited Egbe, Nigeria. They left a part of their hearts here with us when they returned to the US. After convincing a local boot company to ship 94 pairs of boots to Egbe for all the workers, they still felt called to help. They decided to volunteer to run the CARE Africa Etsy store in the U.S.

Diana 1

It is not easy o! Diana receives goods from Egbe that random world medical mission volunteers or SIM short-term missionaries take back to the states for us. She posts everything to the site and then ships the orders out to all over the U.S. She has recently added to her repertoire by featuring our product at a local farmers market. She has created displays and beautifully decorated the booth She sits there on the first and third Sunday of every month sweating as if she was in Egbe. I cannot tell you how grateful we are and how blessed I feel to watch God bring people alongside us to help with the work.

diana 2If you live in Louisville, please stop out and see Diana at the next show on July 5th. Shop and stroll down the Promenade at the summer farmer’s markets to pick up fresh, local produce in The Parklands! Join us the first and third Sunday of the month June-September at the Festival Promenade in the Humana Grand Allee section of Beckley Creek Park (approx. 1800 Beckley Creek Parkway). This event is free and open to the public. Diana will be their showcasing CARE Africa’s products all the way from Egbe, Nigeria.

Click CARE Market for the link to the Farmer’s Market site.

2015 Market Dates:
July 5 & July 19
August 2 & August 16
September 6 & September 20

P.S. If you have a local craft show or fair you would like to promote CARE Africa product….we would be so grateful. Email me at Patrice.miles@sim.org.

diana 4diana 3

Tobi the Artist Part 2 – His Better Half

Posted: June 22, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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khriddle's avatarSwept Away

FolakeThe response after our latest blog post was remarkable, and we are exceedingly grateful. To give an update, Tobi’s current hospital bill has been paid. Nonetheless, he is still here and accumulating a bill. Donations can still be made, and art can still be yours! Doctors hope to have him released within 2-3 weeks. We have placed an order for his drawing supplies to come with a volunteer this weekend, and Tobi will begin preparing all his generous donors with his work!

However, the story continues. His “friend”, Folake, has equally matched Tobi’s faithfulness and endurance throughout this time of suffering. Folake has remained by Tobi’s side since January, loyally tending to his every need. All the while, sleeping on a mat beside him every night for the past five months. Caretakers at Egbe Hospital bear the responsibility of providing food and all basic needs for patients. Consequently, making part of Folake’s daily…

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Say “YES”

Posted: June 18, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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goThe Miles family’s call to missions came over 2 years ago on our first mission trip to Jamaica. We were just checking another box off of our Christian checklist. Only God knew that the experience would change our lives forever. 2 years later as we sit in our home in Egbe, Nigeria we look back and wouldn’t change a thing. We said, “YES” to the call and our lives have been enriched beyond expectation.

The road to Egbe, Nigeria was not an easy one. The two years we have been living in this bush have been an emotional roller coaster ride. We have experienced so much we could write a book. However, we wake up every morning knowing we are in God’s will. We look back and see all the puzzle pieces and how they fit together so perfectly and we just say WOW! We have a peace that surpasses understanding of why we are here at this time and in this place. We have no clue what our future holds. We don’t know how long God will allow us to dwell among our Yoruba friends. We just take a day at a time trusting God will continue to touch people’s hearts to support us and pray for us.

11393677_989096031101238_1297709338242302643_oHas God been tugging on your heart? Has he been asking you to say “YES” to missions? We need you! We need several medical and non-medical short and long-term missionaries to say yes to Egbe, Nigeria. “Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it. Ezra 10:4”

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Below is a list of the current opportunities for you to serve in Egbe, Nigeria. Please email me at Patrice.Miles@sim.org to receive more information about these amazing positions. Come and help us grow God’s kingdom in Egbe, Nigeria. Say yes to these smiling faces!

Director of NursingDSC_0081
Guesthouse Manager
Medical Director
General Surgeon (High Priority)
Director of Administration (High Priority)
Biomedical Tech
Mechanic/Fleet Manager
Anesthetist
Dentist
Project Manager for HIV/AIDS Spring of Life Counseling Center
Nurse Educator
Nurses –Various Specialties including registered nurse practitioner, operating room nurse, emergency room nurse, nurse anesthetist, optical/ophthalmologist nurse
Revitalization Office Manager/Accountant
Ophthalmologist
Physicians –Various Specialties including family medicine, internist, gastroenterologist, cardiologist, pediatrician, OBGYN
Physiotherapist11393635_990437500967091_4441093967393536820_o
Housing Compound Manager
Radiologist

Answer to Prayer

Posted: June 14, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa
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DSC_0059C.A.R.E. Africa will be a year old in August. We have experienced the Nigerian school system for two terms and have entered into our 3rd. We have learned a lot. One of the most troubling things is that there are many children in middle and high school grades, that do not know how to read.

Bolu, 15 years old, and our beautiful Fulani M&slim Adama, 13 years old, are two that have been struggling with reading. After the 1st term of school we realized there was a problem and put them with a tutor. After a 2nd term of poor results again, I realized my children needed more one on one attention than the school could provide. I was very frustrated. I am so unequipped for this journey God has me on. I know nothing about school except for the one yearDSC_0483 I tried to homeschool my children. I prayed for God to show me what to do. It is so challenging to find resources and knowledge in the bush. You cannot just google how to teach a Nigerian to read and find books and curriculum and have them delivered to your house….or can you?

After some serious prayer I remembered the women that seems to know all, our SIM personal director in JOS, Adena. She of course was an answer to prayer and immediately knew of a Nigerian created reading curriculum. 27,000 Niara ($140) later it was in my hands. As I held the books I was in awe of how much God loves me and these children!

DSC_0265As happy as I was to have my curriculum I realized I had no teacher. I went into panic mode. Who was going to teach Bolu and Adama?  I circled another prayer in my prayer journal “TEACHER”.

After interviewing several Nigerian teachers, I felt hopeless. Some would show up, some didn’t. Some said they wanted to do it but then we would never hear from them again. How was I going to find a qualified teacher in the bush? I guess I am just going to have to do it myself! I’m so American to the core….if you can’t make it happen then just do it yourself….who needs God?

DSC_0219The next day, Bolu came to my house with a horrible tooth infection. After Dr Jen examined him, we realized he would have to go to a town 3 hours away to see a dentist. This poor boy was so swollen and in pain that we could not start reading class on that Monday. I was so frustrated again!! God…don’t you want these children to read.

Then enters sweet Janet… Janet, her husband and two children arrived to our community just two weeks ago. Her husband is a new resident doctor in our hospital and they will be here for five years. She has been coming to our morning devotions and Wednesday Bible Study. She always has so much wisdom and the sweetest demeanor. One day someone mentioned that she was a teacher. I approached her and sure enough, she use to teach Nursery and Primary kids.

DSC_0201When I arrived at her home to talk about my ministry, the first thing I noticed was a chalkboard with spelling words written on it. She was already teaching her two children reading and writing at home. God…..you are sooo good! I showed her my C.A.R.E. Africa book that tells all about C.A.R.E. Africa and then began to tell her my burden for these children. I asked her to pray about teaching them. The next day she come to devotions and with a smile on her face she told me she would do it.

DSC_0203Amazing how when we pray, God shows up! Even though my type A personality would have just taken this task and tried run with it….it wasn’t part of God’s plan. I am so relieved! I had no desire to teach reading. God knew it would be a disaster and saved me from myself. How many times do we jump into something because we are not patient with God? His timing and plans are always better than our own. Pray, wait, and watch what God will do in your life!

Tobi the Artist

Posted: June 7, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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khriddle's avatarSwept Away

IMG_6064Nick and I both have been very blessed with remarkably healthy lives. We have never found ourselves sick or injured for an extended period of time,  never confined to a hospital room or bed ridden.  However, we can imagine it to be a rather unpleasant, miserable, and gloomy experience -even if it is to be in the western world with plush medical amenities!

Meet Tobi Jimoh.  Tobi has been at ECWA Hospital Egbe since January as result of a badly broken leg (femur, fibula, and tibia). Tobi works at a block factory, making cinderblocks.  While using a machine his leg became trapped inside, snapped, and undeniably left mangled.  Upon being rushed to the hospital our medical team was able to treat Tobi’s injury, but without an orthopedic surgeon the only option was to set the bones through the use of traction.  The less than luxurious traction bed became Tobi’s home from January until April as the weight and pulley system slowly worked to…

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Catching the Vision

Posted: June 4, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa
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DSC_9862“Mommy, my caretaker hasn’t been feeding me.” “Mommy my Caretaker delayed me from school to pick firewood.” These are just a few of the concerns we have heard over and over again with our orphans. Weekly home visits are great but they evidentially were not allowing the Caretaker to catch the vision of what C.A.R.E Africa is and isn’t. After prayer we knew we needed to get all the Caretakers together to let them see the big picture and catch the vision.

C.A.R.E. Africa had its first Caretaker meeting this past weekend. We didn’t expect many to show. We knew it would be hard for some to trek to our location or pay an Okada (taxi). We had sent home a circular with all the kids, but you know how that goes. To our surprise every caretaker or a representative of the house came except for one. Praise the Lord!

DSC_9828The proprietor of the school came and talked to the caretakers about what is going on at the school. She also let them know what a huge opportunity it is for the kids to be apart of our organization. Katie our US teacher, who organizes all our Saturday educational centers, explained what we do on Saturdays. I spoke to the Caretakers to encourage them to take interest in what the child is doing at school. I also explained the Caretakers role in our ministry. Emma spoke too. He presented CARE Africa’s vision statement so all the Caretakers could understand our goals.

DSC_9963We pray that after this weekend the Caretakers will feel honored to be apart of our program. We don’t want to just be a ministry that pays school fees. We want to grow God’s kingdom by changing lives through education and empowerment. Reach – Serve – Teach – Grow – Develop = Gospel. Please continue to pray for our orphans and our Caretakers. If you are interested in sponsoring an orphan or donating to our ministry, click CARE. You can also visit our website at www.iCareAfrica.org.

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Concrete Blocks

Posted: May 20, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions
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                                                                                         Guest Post by Debbie Parker
885739_10205734876805479_1425482419253386569_oThree weeks ago, tomorrow, we arrived at Egbe. This construction is happening beside our housing. You can see the great progress that has been made in three weeks. It has been amazing to watch. The blocks are made on the compound so that the quality is good. It cost more and is more labor intensive but the building is better. The foundation is sure and block by block the walls come up under the hot African sun. Makes me think of The Church. Blocks, we are, especially crafted to be excellent in quality. Mortared together to form a church.

11096617_10205734871605349_4070631506318868194_oLenny Miles is the “Oga” (boss/sir). He has been know to knock down a few pillars and demand the work done over if it is not done perfectly. The foundation is important, the blocks are important, the walls are important. All together, the building is excellent. Let me say what I have been thinking. We are all a part of the building, living stones, that make up the church. One block is a contractor in Africa. One block is a bank executive, in the city, helping the homeless find shelter. One is a real estate entrepreneur that seeks schooling for orphans in a distant land. One is a praying pastors wife in a small town of Western Kentucky. See, what is important is that all the stones are fitted together making the building-The Church.

10983142_10205734884285666_5792543197410201397_oSometimes, our greatest challenge is to see the value in the block that is mortared right beside us. Or to see that without all of the blocks, the whole building would not be. I am thankful for all of the blocks. That they have been made special and put together with excellence. Nothing less. The Oga knows what He is doing. With every block he lays, He is mortaring together The Church.11059933_10205734880365568_8620491370666207475_o

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