Spiritual Attack

Posted: July 22, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Missionaries, Nigeria, Prayer
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thessA friend who I met in Egbe, while she accompanied her husband to work on our lab, led me to a Beth Moore study recently. Today is Day 2 and it started out saying ” Anything God emphasizes, the Devil seeks to exterminate.” This spoke to my soul and led me to blog to you today.

We have had so many answered prayers here in Egbe and continue to daily. The arrival of two more Missionary families this week and still more arriving in the following days is an answer to so many prayers. We are now the second largest SIM Missionary establishment in Nigeria. Our OPD is now open and operational. We have a great Medical Director and Hospital Administrator that are making some amazing changes. I would say that God has emphasized our community and we are on the radar! This is why Beth Moore’s quote spoke to me this morning. “Anything God emphasizes, the Devil seeks to exterminate.”

riddlesSpiritual attack has definitely been felt by all of us in one way or another. From sickness, uncomfortable rashes, electrical issues, marriage issues, sleepless nights, work issues,VISA issues and back at home U.S. issues we are feeling an increased spiritual attack. Our Missionary community is tired most days and we all feel the emotional fatigue from these spiritual attacks.

Beth Moore says;                                                               Are you In a season where faith feels like hard work?           Is loving laborious?                                                         Is hope circling the drain as you keep longing and waiting?If you answered yes to all three questions you are under a triple threat. Satan cannot snatch faith, love and hope from you. You have to hand them over.

Pray our Missionaries and my family decide not to hand over anything  to Satan today tomorrow or any day. Pray that as we are becoming a beacon in Nigeria that we will not experience any repercussions from our popularity. Pray for God to give us the strength and wisdom to discern and persevere.

Beth Moore says we are not like everyone else breathing the worlds toxic air. Our flight has been hijacked by hope! So many have had hope to see the day that this Egbe community is revitalized and it is finally here! 

Front hospital

Yoruba Lessons

Posted: July 12, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, People of Egbe, Uncategorized
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E ku aaro (Good morning)
Ẹ ku ọsan (Good afternoon)
E ku ale (Good evening)
O da aaro (Good night)
E ku abo (You are welcome = greetings = hello)
O da abo (Goodbye)
Eku ise (Well done!)
E se (Thank you)

The Yoruba people will greet you at every encounter and expect to be greeted in return. It can be over-whelming trying to remember which greeting is appropriate when, but the people are gracious and will remind you when you forget. There were times this extrovert just wanted to disappear: “just let me walk! I don’t have to say ‘hello’ again! we’ve passed each other 10x’s in the last hour!” My poor, resilient, introverted husband…he hung in there.

However…now that I’m back in the states – even here in the friendly south – people are just rude. Very few say ‘hello’ even when I speak to them first. Some…

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What’s Going on in Egbe?

Posted: July 1, 2014 by Lenny in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria
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What’s going on in Egbe?

DSC_0222The new guard house at “Gate C” is under construction and about to get its roof. This will be the “first impression” of our hospital as people drive from the main town square of Egbe. It is the main access point for the nursing school, hospital staff, residents, and visitors.  This guard house will serve as the nearing end of our large scale project of over 1800 feet of concrete block that makes up the new hospital wall.

DSC_0207The new CSR (Central Supply Room) is getting a major makeover and expansion for much needed space and organization of hospital supplies and surgical instruments. This was where our old pharmacy was located and is directly under our OR (operating room). As the CSR is being renovated, things like plumbing and electrical upgrades for the OR are being conducted as well.

DSC_0213Maternity and Women’s wards are getting ready for a much needed makeover as well. The building is in need of large scale plumbing repairs, window/door repairs, bathroom upgrades, and a major painting facelift.

DSC_0216All of the lettering has been added to the buildings making for a professional and appealing look.

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Missionary housing upgrades include two houses currently under construction. Houses 8 & 9 are in various stages now and we are doing our best to have house 8 finalized before the arrival of Rick and Martha Bradford in August. House 9 needed an entire new roof structure because it was eaten by termites. We were able to salvage the old metal roofing and reuse it on the new wood framing.

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Resident Doctor’s housing upgrades include houses 15 & 17 almost complete. Another great transformation on these two houses. Both houses had to have new roof framing and metal installed, gutting of kitchens and baths, new cabinets, tile, and painting throughout. House 16 will also be upgraded in the very near future as well.

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Dr Carter and his wife Anne joined us two weeks ago. There history at Egbe goes back many years. Dr Carter is here for one month to complete as many surgeries as possible. Anne has been helping in the warehouse organizing medical supplies. She is also one of the best bakers around. Upcoming Blog to follow soon on their story.

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ECWA Hospital Egbe recently received its West African College of Physicians Accreditation

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We are preparing housing for Katie and Nick Riddle who will arrive in July along with Dana Iglesias. Katie will be the MK teacher at the compound while Nick helps at the hospital. Dana is our new family physician. All of these wonderful people will be coming to Egbe for two years.

Please continue to pray for the work going on here. It may seem silly sometimes to pray for construction projects, but truly it is for God’s glory. Which each new upgrade, it helps this hospital save more lives, which allows the doctors to share the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to many people.

Egbe Outreach

Posted: June 12, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Uncategorized
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DSC_0006My name are Abolagi Kehinde. 1. I have give my life to Jesus Christ. 2. I want to no how to read. 3. I want to promote. 4. I want to become somebody in life. This was one of the hundreds of prayer requests we received from our latest evangelism outing with Reverend Fatoye from 1st ECWA church.  Rev. Fatoye has always had a dream of getting to do more outreach. A donor recently gave Reverend a generator, large projector screen and projector for outreach. He has invited us on many occasions to participate in the events and they have been so rewarding.

DSC_0009We recently visited Titcomb College which is a secondary school, ages 11-16. The goal was to show a film, talk to them about Christ and then ask them how we can pray for them. I had the joy of spending my quiet time this morning going through all those precious prayer requests. 61 of those pieces of paper indicated they accepted Christ as the Lord and Savior that day we showed the film. Praise the Lord!

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The bulk of the requests were for them to pass their exams and to do well in school. There was an overall theme of a request for wisdom and knowledge to be “the head not tail” and to pray for their families. I also saw health issues, lack of money for school fees, spiritual attack, fears, theft, disobedience and general “life in abundance” requests. It was truly beautiful to see what the prayers needs are of children in this community. Our plan is to go back and speak to the children on a more intimate level. Now that we know their prayer needs we can have break out sessions and pray for their needs specifically.

DSC_0036As we continue with Reverend Fatoye and his outreach programs, I would love to know if anyone recommends any specific films for adolescent children?  Any activities that you have found beneficial to help grow and mentor adolescents? I also want to thank all of our supporters because you paid several of these students’ school fees. Two of the prayer requests we received were children praying for their school fees to be paid. If God is leading you to pay their school fees click School Fees to donate. Any amount will help them.

I also want to ask everyone to please pray for the children of Egbe. They face so many things everyday that American children will never even have to think about. Pray for their school to have good teachers, for them to understand what is being taught, for their family, for their health and for their walk with the Lord. Thanks for praying for the Children of Egbe.

Egbe Kids

Posted: May 24, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, People of Egbe
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DSC_0332“Egbe Kids, My name is Ava. I live in Washington. My favorite sport to do is gymnastics. I just turned 10 my birthday is April 30th. I love doing math. We can email eachother. These stuffed animals are very special to me so take good care of them.”

This sweet note and a box of Ava’s favorite stuffed animals came on the last container to Egbe. She had asked that the Egbe Kids be given these stuffed animals that were her favorite. Cason and Jolie had a blast handing these gifts to kids at the hospital, kids in the town, their friends and kids of workers we knew. The smiles on the children’s faces was precious, and the joy these animals brought was felt.

kids 3It warms my heart to know that a little girl all the way in Washington was willing to give up so much for children she knows have so little. How can we  all be like Ava and give up just a few of our favorite things to help people who have so little? I cannot imagine if every person that is reading this blog gave up one if their favorite things this week and gave that item, or money that would have been spent on it, away to someone less fortunate. What Joy that would bring to so many.

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

As you drink your Starbucks this week, dine at your favorite restaurant, turn on the light switch, take a warm shower, get your nails done, have your hair done, wash your car, eat a Krispie Kreme doughnut (my own affliction:),  think of your one favorite thing and give it to someone else. If you are considering giving money away in place of your favorite item….here are a a few options to click on of people I know personally that you could bring Joy to this week.

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Give A Goat Foundation

Send the Riddles to Nigeria

Louisville Refugee Kids Kentucky Kingdom Passes (email Jennifer Emerson at refugeforrefugee.muhoza@gmail.com)

Egbe Hospital Project

Miles In Missions

 

“We are coming!”

Posted: May 19, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Miles In Missions, Mission Trips, Volunteers
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diana“We are coming!” This was the email I received over 3 month ago from our friends and Miles in Missions supporters, Stephen and Diana Beville. I thought after I gave them the costs and details of the journey they would say that they were mistaken and couldn’t come.  $3,000 in plane tickets, $850 for accommodations and transportation to Egbe, VISA’s, shots, 16 hours in plane travel, 8 hours in vehicle travel and you have to stay for 2 weeks. Diana said,” I don’t know how we will come up with the money, get time off from work and I am so nervous I am shaking but we are saying, Yes! We feel God is calling us to come and serve in Egbe.” I screamed to Lenny the news and then cried as I had always thought no one would ever come and visit us in the bush.

DSC_0063When the Beville’s said YES we all had no clue what God had planned. We just knew he wanted them here. Weeks before their arrival he started to give us little glimpses of what he wanted them here for. First it was clear that I needed some Louisville lovins. Since Abby’s departure at the end of March I have been very lonely. I knew God knew I needed a woman from Louisville to lift my Spirits and help me push forward until more female missionaries arrive.

DSC_0006God’s plan continued to unfold one week before the Beville’s arrival.  Our medical director asked if the Beville’s could help move the pharmacy to its new location. I of course said yes. We could easily install shelving, clean the new location and move all the drugs. He then asked if Stephen would be comfortable with viewing the pharmacy policy and procedures and seeing what changes needed to be made to make it more efficient. I told the MD that Stephen had never worked in a pharmacy before so I didn’t know if he would be comfortable with that, but I would ask. When Stephen arrived I shared the MD’s desires with him and he said, “Oh that’s no problem. I used to work in a pharmacy and my Dad is a pharmacist.” I couldn’t do anything but laugh as God has such a sense of humor.

DSC_0304Overall, their time here has ministered to our family, the hospital, the staff and the community. Our family needed to hear some of that familiar Louisville swang. The hospital needed help with the pharmacy move, Dr’s Library Facelift, server and Internet issues. A few of the staff and their grandchildren benefited from Diana’s computer and cooking classes. The community will benefit from the changes they have helped make for years to come. Thank you to the Beville’s for saying YES! Thank you to their family that re arranged their lives to watch their children. Thank you to everyone that supported them financially and prayerfully on this journey to Egbe! Thank you to everyone that contributed to the 7 suitcase of clothes and other goodies. To view more of their pictures in Egbe click Beville.

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24 Hour Water!

Posted: May 8, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial
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Egbe Team, 

Missionary, Lenny Miles – construction foreman,  has announced another HUGE MILESTONE at Egbe, Nigeria.  I thought I would put a little pictorial together to remind all of us of this…. more than 1 year project headed by Engineer Will King which bring us to the point where we now have 24 hour water to the compound.   

The reservoir which was  built  50 years ago and was about ready to fall over and was leaking like a sieve … the hospital and compound has been operating from 3 water bore holes on the compound that would start to go dry in February and March which is the peak of the dry season.  It is tough on the missionaries and volunteers to try run a hospital with water buckets rather than running water which was the way it was!! 

The steps to get to where we are today! 

Drain the reservoir – rebuild the wall – back fill the wall with special clay – build new sand filter beds – install a new diesel water pump – lay 1 mile of 4 inch PVC pipe – celebrate the ability to now supply 5000 gallons a day to the entire hospital compound – (it is easy to write but a very difficult task) = another answer to prayer! 

Great Job – Will, Mark, Lenny, and Team!! 

Praise God. 

Don Campion

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People of Egbe: Ayo the Driver

Posted: April 9, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, People of Egbe
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ayo” Good afternoon Ma. Follow me.”  Ayo directed. These were the first words I heard when exiting the airport on August 16th, 2013. Ayo, a large Nigerian man with an amazing smile on his face was waiting for us. With all our carts of luggage and two kids we quickly followed his lead through the crowd of people and parking lot. He loaded our bags gave us instruction on what to do and how to do it. I immediately fell in love with this gentle giant. His calm spirit but in control attitude made me relax.

Once in the car we headed to the guesthouse. Ayo navigated the roads professionally giving me all the confidence in him as a driver. I never will forget giggling in the back seat at Ayo as I would hear him talking to all the passengers on the road through his closed window. He still makes me laugh when he does this.ayo4

The next morning before starting our 8 hr trek to Egbe, Ayo handed our group a paper to read aloud from the Egbe team. It basically said Ayo is in charge. Don’t do anything unless he tells you to. If you get stopped for any reason keep your mouth shut and let Ayo handle everything. It was refreshing to know that Ayo was the man, but also a little concerning of what the Egbe team was trying to hint at.

After a few hours of getting to take in all the sites and passing through several police checkpoints with no problems….we hit the nail boys. I will never forget those 10 seconds. The car stopped…Ayo launched out the door…the gentle giant turned into the giant….. gave them a piece of his mind in Yuroba or Hausa (he knows both) and then jumped back in the car and we were off. I now call him my Night in Shining Armor.

ayo6Ayo was born and raised in Egbe. He left for Ziaria, Kaduna State, 34 years ago to take a job as an airplane mechanic. After 32 years there he retired and returned to Egbe. He is now our compounds driver and mechanic. He is a man of God and has been married to his beautiful wife for 26 years. He currently has 5 children. Mubo who is 24 years old and at Ziaria University, Tobe who is 22 and waiting for admission to university, Kola who is 19, Belumi who is 15 and Bolu who is 8. His family and Egbe hospital keep him busy enough but somehow he finds time to have a Kassava farm and work on his home he has recently built.

ayo3Ayo since then has driven us so many places in Nigeria. I always feel safe with him behind the wheel. His amazing laugh bringa a smile to my face everyday he greets me. He is one of the many Angels in Egbe our family gets to experience daily. He cares for my kids and has so much patience with my family for potty breaks, throw up breaks and more. When and if you come to visit Egbe…this is the face you will see waiting for you when you arrive.

People of Egbe: Samuel a New Believer

Posted: April 1, 2014 by Lenny in Egbe, Lenny Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer
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ImageA few days ago there was a blog from us about the spiritual fruit in Egbe. There was one man that was mentioned that has given his life to Christ in 2014. He works in the workshop and his name is Samuel Ariyo. He is in his early 20’s, working in our general labor force (very hard work). Admittedly, when I first met Samuel I was a little stand-offish. He was rough, tough, and had an almost permanent scowl on his face. I remember saying to myself, “that boy is so angry that his face is always distorted”. So much so that it was in an evil fashion. I hated thinking these things of him, but it was the truth at the time. 

Well, I am extremely happy to say that is not the case anymore. This young man has been through such a great change. I can distinctly remember one Friday morning after devotions, our Project Manager took Samuel aside to talk with him more about Jesus. By the end of the conversation, Samuel had given his life to Christ. From that point forward, I have not seen that angry, nasty scowl again. It was quite an amazing change to see so quickly. It was evident that his heart had changed and that Jesus had released this young man from some kind of bondage that I might not ever understand. Thank God!

Upon trying to make sure that I had his name spelled correctly, I Googled a couple of different tries at his last name. Finally, with the winning combination, Google told me the meaning of his Yoruba name, Ariyo… “There is cause for me to rejoice”. Amen. Please rejoice with this young man!photo 3

I’ve attached a couple of pictures of Samuel for you to pray for him. I tried to get him to pose and let me take a picture of him with his “old scowl”. Remarkably however, he couldn’t do it! All he could do was smile and laugh at me. It was more evidence for him and I that his old self had truly been buried and another person rose as a new creation. 

 

Spiritual Fruit

Posted: March 30, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions
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In the past few months we have had many people ask us about the spiritual fruit that we have seen in Egbe. Everyone that is friends with us on Facebook or reads our blog knows our works and acts….but  do they really see Gods kingdom growing through our ministry?

I am excited to say that over 564 patients in the hospital excepted Christ in 2013 As well as another 349 rededicated their lives to Christ. Now you might ask, did Miles in Missions directly have anything to do with these conversions? No, none of us ever do as God is the conductor and we are simply his instruments. Our roles in Egbe are supporting roles. Lenny is Maintenance Manager for this 33 acre hospital compound. I am the Volunteer Coordinator, Housing Compound Manager and Bookkeeper for the revitalization project. Without maintenance and construction of the hospital, there wouldn’t be a hospital for patients to come and hear about Christ. Without volunteers, housing for Missionaries and Nigerian Doctors there wouldn’t be anyone to talk to patients about Christ.workshop guys

We struggle with our supporting roles everyday. We would love to be on the frontline with the Doctors, nurses, and chaplains watching them minister to the patients. We would love to actually be present when that patient says “Yes, I want Jesus in my life!” We have to look at ourselves though and question our desire for that. Is our desire to be on the front lines for our own satisfaction or truly to further Gods kingdom.

God has called us to these supporting roles and we do get to see him working daily. The men Lenny works with in the workshop are predominately Christian. Just like in the US, this can mean so many things. The question is do they have a relationship with Christ? Through the men’s devotion every morning in the workshop they are able to explore this and talk about it openly. This year, in 2014, one man has accepted Christ in the workshop and in 2013, two men. Discipleship is the Spiritual Fruit that Lenny gets to be apart of. Look for BLOG coming soon on Samuel who accepted Christ this year.

girlsThe women I work with daily in the guesthouse are also Christian women. We get to explore our walk with Christ in morning devotions and together all grow closer to God. The culture here does not easily go deep or talk about emotions…not much different then some of the Bible studies I attended back home. Together with Gods help we are pouring into these Christians to help them understand his love, mercy and grace that is available to us all without having to do anything.

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