Miles In Missions

Are you Salty?

Posted: March 25, 2021 by Patrice Miles in Patrice Miles

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
(Matthew 5:13-16)

I recently visited Walmart and there was a lady in front of me as I entered the store. She grabbed a cart and then I grabbed the next one. I followed her as she began to walk through the entrance and then she stopped right in the middle of the opening of the electronic doors. She grabbed a wet wipe and started to wipe down her entire cart. There was no room to enter the store as she was blocking the entire entrance. I immediately thought;

How rude and inconsiderate!

Why are you going to make everyone wait on you as you wipe down your cart?

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I inched towards her thinking maybe she didn’t realize I was there and she looked up and moved a few inches and said, “Oh, Sorry!” and then continued to wipe down her cart. There still wasn’t enough room for me to get around her so I inched even closer. The same thing happened again and this time I was able to get around her. As I was passing by her she finished wiping her cart and started to enter the store right next to me. She looked at me and said in a very condescending way, “Thanks so much for waiting so patiently for me.” My immediate reaction was, “No problem!” and hurried in an opposite direction. I could not believe she had the nerve to say that to me in that way. I was so frustrated now. Frustrated I had to wait, frustrated someone thought their time was more important than mine and then frustrated that she had thought I was the rude and inconsiderate just because I didn’t want to wait on her to wipe her cart down.

Really….all I wanted to do was peacefully go out and get some groceries. People are so rude!

A few days later one of my moms took me to the hospital for a medical procedure. From the moment we parked in the garage every person we came in contact with received a, “Good morning!” “How are you?” “I love your shirt!” “Your earrings are adorable, where did you get them?” From the annoyed receptionist at the waiting desk, to the busy nurse rushing in to get me hooked up to the anesthesiologist, every person was warmly greeted by her. It was so funny to meet each person in the hospital and see their agenda on their face and the moment my mom started talking to them, their shoulders started to relax, they slowed their pace and engaged in conversation. Every one of them ended up leaving us with a big smile on their face.

God totally used this to show me what Matthew 5:13-16 is all about.

I want to be salty like my mom.

I want to add a little flavor into each person’s life and watch them walk away with a smile on their face.

There wasn’t a single person that day with my mom that walked away saying something condescending to us or frustrated with us. I know that every person she came in contact with left with a cup filled of Joy and spilling out onto the next patient and the next patient and the next patient. I cannot say the same thing about the lady at Walmart I came in contact with or even myself. We were both probably rude and frustrated with every person the rest of the day because of our little three minutes interaction with each other at the Walmart entrance.

What a difference a little salt can make in someone’s life and everyone else they come in contact with!

Dear God,
Help me to be salty in a world of sin where spiritual decay is happening all around me. In a dull and mundane life, help my joy and creativity bring flavor to other people’s lives. Let the world see You through me. Help me to be salty.
Amen

We Bought a Bus!

Posted: March 9, 2021 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer

Over a year ago our C.A.R.E. Africa leadership team decided we needed to start saving and fundraising for a bus. We had almost 70 children in our program and driving multiple trips in a minivan to pick up as many kids as we could was no longer an option.

I had no clue how much it would cost to buy a bus in Nigeria. Emma researched and started sending me pictures of used ones that were around $30,000…. I almost threw up. We had never raised that much money before. I feel like all I do is ask for support for C.A.R.E. Africa and now I had to ask for $30,000! Oh my goodness, can I just go hide some place. This was just too big an ask. It would take years to raise that amount of money. I was overwhelmed.

Emma, our spiritual warrior, reminded me that God would provide and encouraged me to not put God in a box or limit what God could do. We started praying for the bus project every Tuesday at our prayer meeting. We began putting aside $500 a month for the Bus project. Then we put the word out letting people know we needed a bus. I am telling you – it was amazing how God opened doors. Here are just a few of the stories.

We had a donor reach out to tell us they had a car they were going to sell and donate all the proceeds to the Bus project. He sold the car and mailed us the check. When it arrived, I was thinking a few thousand dollars, but no, it was $14,000!

My home church chose to use our Bus Project for one of their missions offering in their Children’s Church Ministry. We would receive all offerings collected from the Children’s Church Ministry over a two month period. Then COVID hit and church was closed. I thought for sure the funds would never happen but even with COVID they raised $2,400 in offerings from the children for our Bus project!

We were close to our goal when I received a text from a friend asking what needs C.A.R.E. Africa had and I said “We need a bus!” A few minutes later a $1,350 donation came through. We were now only $1,002 shy of the $30,000 needed for the bus. I put a post on Facebook with our Donor See site and in just 2 hours the bus project was fully funded! WE BOUGHT A BUS!!

To those of you out there that feel like something is overwhelming or just too big for you – you are right! It is too big for you…. but not for God. Trust that when God puts something on your heart He will provide!

Happy Birthday

Posted: January 27, 2021 by Patrice Miles in African School, C.A.R.E. Africa, Child Sponsorship, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Orphans, People of Egbe, Sponsorship

Birthdays at C.A.R.E. Africa are the latest rave! Thanks to our new volunteer Birthday Advocate, Hilary Wang, our children have their very own special day.

In the U.S. childrens’ birthdays are celebrated in many different ways. From full blown theme parties, to petting zoos and bouncy houses – every child has their special day. Even families who live on a smaller scale in the US generally celebrate with a cake, gifts and the singing of happy birthday to their child.

In Nigeria, that is not the case. Most of our kids in C.A.R.E. Africa don’t even know their birth date. Not until we get birth certificates do they know when they were born. Some don’t have birth certificates, so we choose a birth date for them. Normally, only the wealthy in Nigeria can splurge on a cake and a gift for their child. Well not anymore!!

Check out some of the pictures of children at C.A.R.E. experiencing Christ’s love on their birthdays! Our sponsors are responding to this need and allowing us to make certain each birthday child gets to celebrate their special day of the year!! Thanks you sponsors!

Our New Home

Posted: January 19, 2021 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM

If you haven’t heard already, Louisville Kentucky will be our new home. I am excited to announce that I will be assuming the position of the Executive Director at C.A.R.E. Africa, Inc. I will continue to work in an administrative role in donor relations, child sponsorship, and marketing. As Executive Director, I will now also coordinate with the board of directors and those on the ground in Egbe to facilitate growth of the C.A.R.E. Africa ministry. I will also travel back and forth from the U.S. and Nigeria several times a year to continue to oversee operations.

C.A.R.E. Africa, Inc. has been a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) since July 2017. God has grown the ministry PHYSICALLY with more children, staff and programs in Egbe; SPIRITUALLY with lessons learned through fellowship and studying His word; and EMOTIONALLY as we have dealt with COVID and the effects on our children and caregivers.

We currently have 73 children being taken care of by 60 caregivers in the town of Egbe.
Our school (Foundations Academy Egbe) is in its 3rd year and currently enrolls children from nursery to 7th grade.
Secondary School (Middle/High School) is under construction.
Two C.A.R.E. Africa children are in university and two are waiting on admission.
Vocational school under construction with plans for providing classes in baking, sewing, hairdressing, barbering and shoe repair.
Weekly AWANA (Approved Workers are not Ashamed) and High School Discipleship.
Monthly community service programs where our kids are able to give back to the community.
Our transition home is being remodeled and currently houses five C.A.R.E. Africa children
Monthly sports outreach in Egbe and surrounding towns has been successful in leading others to Christ.
Seamstress program with six women sewing for our Etsy store at www.CareAfricaStore.com

Our family is excited to have finally planted our feet somewhere. As of January 4th we officially became home owners and are excited to see what this next chapter of our lives will hold for our family and C.A.R.E. Africa. Lenny has started a remodeling company call GR8 Home Improvements. You can visit him at http://www.GR8hi.com.  Cason is planning on heading to EKU this fall and Jolie is praying she gets to go to school in person at Dupont Manual High school someday soon. Titi has only 3 semesters left at Lancaster Bible College. Our Nigeria Golden Retriever, Tuck, is doing great and loving all the cats and squirrels everywhere. We added a little one to our family and his name is “Biggie” and he is such a funny little puppy.

Thank you to everyone that has supported our family over the past 8 years through prayer and or finances.

Thank you to everyone that is continuing to support our ministry directly through C.A.R.E. Africa. We feel like God is up to something big and we cannot do it without the support of loyal donors.

Sports Outreach

Posted: January 12, 2021 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Jos Nigeria, Nigeria, People of Egbe, Prayer, Sports Outreach

By: Emma Salako

We have been trying for some years now to bring a sports team from Jos all the way to Egbe. Finally, the Lord answered our prayers in November and the team came to Egbe. I can tell you that it was a glorious moment of change and discipleship. The first game was played against Vessel’s F.C of Egbe which ended at 0-0. We shared the gospel with all the players and the crowd that had gathered. The second game was played against Egbe Mekun F.C and ended up at 0-0. Both games went well and there were no injuries and no fights, which is rare for football games in Nigeria. Many players made a vow to be committed to their game and not just their game but to God also. The team from Jos was able to share experiences with Egbe players and relationships were built. We have now been invited to Jos to play and the team from Jos wishes to return to Egbe and stay for one week to help drill the young youths and have more outreaches to neighboring towns.

Overall we thank God for this amazingly peaceful event and all the lives that were committed to Christ and relationships that were built with many other football players around Nigeria. God is definitely using this sports program to spread the gospel to the men of Nigeria. These men will return home and share the good news with their friends and families. As you support this ministry you too are fulfilling God’s great command found in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

Meaningful Gifts at Christmas

Posted: December 9, 2020 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Jos Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Seamstresses

Check out our Etsy store this year for meaningful gifts for Christmas. All purchases help support our programs and school in Egbe while also empowering a Nigerian artisan. Check out a few of the people your purchase helps. Visit www.CareAfricaStore.com to pick that special gift for that special someone.

Seamstresses in Egbe

Josephine

Threads & Light Ministry

Ibrahim

Kids in School

#Giving Tuesday is Today!

Posted: December 1, 2020 by Patrice Miles in #GivingTuesday, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Prayer, SIM

There is Black Friday, Cyber Monday and then #GivingTuesday!

Since the last #GivingTuesday donors have generously given over $19,000 toward our bus project. We need $10,000 more to complete this project and buy our bus!

Help us “make the wheels on the bus go round and round” for the C.A.R.E. Africa kids. Click https:https://donorsee.com/bus

#Giving Tuesday is in 1 Week!

Posted: November 24, 2020 by Patrice Miles in #GivingTuesday, C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Prayer, SIM

There is Black Friday, Cyber Monday and then #GivingTuesday!

Three years ago we were struggling with getting our kids to and from the C.A.R.E. Africa center for A.W.A.N.A. and other programs. We started a bus campaign and raised $10,000. It wasn’t enough to get a bus but it did get us a minivan. Our minivan has been a huge asset over the past two years. From bringing teams to and from Egbe from the airport, to transporting the kids all around town, to making needed shopping pickups in Ilorin and taking our secondary school kids to University visits. This vehicle has blessed us abundantly but we have grown.

Since the last #GivingTuesday donors have generously given over $19,000 toward our bus project. We need $10,000 more to complete this project and buy our bus.

#GivingTuesday2020 is on December 1st!

Help us “make the wheels on the bus go round and round” for the C.A.R.E. Africa kids. Click https:https://donorsee.com/bus

Giving Back

Posted: November 18, 2020 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Medical Missions, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Outreach, People of Egbe, Prayer, SIM, Volunteers

One of the many things we try to teach our kids at C.A.R.E. Africa is to give back to the community. Our teenagers, just like Western teenagers, are so focused on their own lives that they forget the world is full of hurting people with bigger problems.

This month, ECWA Hospital Egbe, gave permission for our teenagers to serve their hospital patients. Our teenagers distributed biscuits, eggs and other provisions. They also prayed for the patients and gave them some words of encouragement. In addition, we were able to raise some money to give to the ECWA Hospital benevolent fund which helps patients that cannot afford medical care.

If you would like to learn more about our sister ministry, ECWA Hospital Egbe, visit https://egbehospital.org. This ministry is always in need either short or long term missionaries to serve in the clinical and administrative departments of the hospital.

My Birthday Wish

Posted: October 20, 2020 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer, Sponsorship, Titi

My 41st Birthday is tomorrow! Would you help make it one of the best birthdays ever, by donating to my Birthday Fundraiser for Titi! https://www.donorrise.com/careafrica/titi/birthday

Titi desires to give back to the world through social work and she only has 1.5 years left until she graduates. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her, she is an adventurer, not scared of anything, introvert, analytical thinker, wise for her age, beautiful on the inside and outside, heart for the Lord and the voiceless and oh so much to say once she gets to know you. She is RA at her school currently, mentor in English department and making straight A’s. God has big plans for this girl and I am excited to get to watch it all play out! Join me by helping make a difference in her life and so many others that she will help one day.

My Birthday wish is to pay Titi’s second semester tuition at Lancaster Bible College! This would be the best birthday present ever. Just click this link to help! https://www.donorrise.com/careafrica/titi/birthday.