Miles In Missions

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2 Years and Counting

Posted: August 21, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, Prayer, SIM
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, Home Assignment, Miles In Missions, SIM

Wow! Have we really been living in Africa for two years? It seems that time fly’s when you are in your sweet spot. I do not even know where to begin on how to tell you what this journey has been like for our family. The only words I can say is that God has provided everything we’ve needed along the way. He has provided a house that our whole family feels is our home. He has provided safety from snakes, severe illnesses, Ebola, kidnappings, and robberies. He has provided a stronger marriage for Lenny and I. He has provided friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He has provided a different perspective on life and his word. He has provided financially through supporters, as we never fell below 100% in our support. He has provided success in our ministries and he has provided Peace in a country full of unrest. Jehovah-Jireh, God will provide!

God has also provided a desire to remain in Nigeria until he calls us home. We do not know how many more years that will be. Since arriving we have helped revitalize and construct many areas of the hospital. Operating rooms, the men’s ward, women’s ward, maternity, pharmacy, a new guesthouse & duplex, wall around the compound, missionary housing, fencing around our water supply reservoir, and so much more. In addition, C.A.R.E. Africa was created. Through this ministry, orphans and widows in Egbe are being empowered through the Bible and education.

As the revitalization is slowing down it is time to focus on mentorship and discipleship. The hospital was days away from closing prior to revitalization. We do not want this to happen again. Training of the Nigerian staff and finding more missionaries to say “YES” to Egbe, is the second phase of this revitalization project.

In order for us to be able to participate in this 2^nd phase of the revitalization project we will need to raise additional support and go through some long-term missionary training. We will arrive in the U.S. for home assignment in mid-October. We know God will again provide for us, so we have already booked our return flight back home to Egbe for January 2^nd 2016. Our home church, Southeast Christian Church, will be hosting an open house for us on Thursday November 5^th at 6pm so we can share video, photos and information about our time in Nigeria. We will be traveling to over 7 different states during our home assignment to meet with supporters, go through long term training, debriefing and more so our time in Louisville, KY. will be short. Please mark your calendars now for this event so we can see you.

If you are currently one of our supporters we cannot Thank you for journeying with us over the past two years! We are asking that you pray about continuing to support us long term. If you currently are not one of our supporters, we ask that you pray about signing up to journey alongside us in growing God’s kingdom in Egbe, through this revitalization project and C.A.R.E. Africa. Click on this link to sign up now, MILES IN MISSIONS. See you in October!

Strong Women

Posted: August 13, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe
Tags: CARE Africa, Miles In Missions

I am a strong woman. I have never been very sympathetic to anyone’s’ ailments or problems. I persevered through a rocky child hood and it made me who I am today. I continually pray for God to soften my heart so that I have more compassion for people during their times of trouble. I just get up and go and expect everyone else should do the same. Why think about your problems or complain about things when there is this whole big beautiful world out there? I wake every morning excited to see what God has in store for me. I have always wondered why God gave me such a strong heart. Africa has shown me why.

Mom’s in Egbe do not have it easy. It seems eight out ten women I meet are single mothers that have either been abandoned or widowed. Most of them have at least two or more children and are barely managing. Gift, is a widow who has been a part of our seamstress program for over a year now. Her husband died two years ago and she has been managing ever since. At the beginning of 2015 she expressed the need for her four children to attend school. When I went last week on a home care visit to see Gift, I was again amazed at the joy that so many Egbe mothers have in spite of their circumstances. As I watched Favor, her 15 year old son, boil corn over charcoal and tried to get Goodness, her youngest, to sit still for a picture, I asked Gift a few questions.

“How often are you getting to seamstress class every week, so you can graduate soon?”

“I haven’t been able to attend in the past few weeks. “ Gift said quietly.

“What work are you doing for money right now?” I questioned.

“I have had a few brick and stone moving jobs here and there.” she proudly told me.

“How are you able to buy food and provisions for your babies right now?”

“I am very wise with my money, Mummy.” she told me.

“Do you have any family that can help?”

“No Mummy. My father is old and I have lost track of my brothers and sisters.”

We are then interrupted by her youngest son named , Thankgod. He comes running past me with a wheel on a stick. He was laughing and laughing as if his toy was the best toy in the whole world. Gift smiled at him and laughed and then offered me corn that Favor had been boiling. Goodness, her youngest, stared at me as she leaned on Emma eating her corn. I wondered what she was thinking of my white skin? I wondered if this is the only meal they will have all day? I wondered if Favor always cooked the meals? I prayed in my head for God to show me what he wants me to do for this family. I was speechless as how this mom continues to smile, laugh, and love these children and God everyday.

I am also amazed at how I can go home to my revitalized house, eat my dinner with my family that fills my belly, and not think about Gift and her family in their 10×10 room with their boiled corn. How do I sleep at night in my soft bed shipped from the US and not wonder how all 5 of the Jeremiah family fit on the one mattress they have on the floor? Have I become immune to the poverty here? Is it really poverty or is it just a way of life here? My mind can play so many tricks on me and my emotions can get the best of me sometimes. I am a strong woman and God built me for this bush life but I am also weak too. I cannot rely on myself to remain strong but, thank God that I can rely on him. I know God is faithful. I know he loves all his Egbe children both old and young. I know he will always give them what they need. I am only one person but he is all-sufficient. He shows up over and over again for these Egbe Mom’s…..I see it in their smiles…..I hear it in their laughter! Thank you God for making me the way you did. Thank you God for allowing me to see how weak and inadequate I am so I can see how BIG you are. Thank you God for using me!

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
Tags: CARE Africa, Miles In Missions, orphans, orphans in africa, Patrice Miles

“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.

The 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.

I’m too tired…..

Posted: July 4, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, People of Egbe, Prayer
Tags: Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, Medical Mission Trips, Miles In Missions

Every 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 because 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.

We 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.

We 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.

We 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.

Thank 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!

Currently 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
Tags: African Crafts, CARE Africa, Egbe Nigeria, Etsy

Over 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.

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.

If you live in Louisville, please stop out and see Diana at the next show on July 5^th. 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.

Concrete Blocks

Posted: May 20, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions

Guest Post by Debbie Parker
Three 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.

Lenny 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.

Sometimes, 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.

We Are Home!

Posted: May 2, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Miles In Missions, People of Egbe

After 3 days of travel, 3 airplanes and a bus ride, we have arrived home in Egbe! We now know that our delay in the U.S. was God ordained. I don’t think we realized how exhausted we were after 18 months in the field, until we were actually forced to stop and rest an additional 2 months in the U.S. We were able to spend that additional time resting and focusing on our family, our marriage and God. We were also able to connect with several more friends and family members that didn’t make it into our one month visitation marathon in February.

Thank you to everyone that hosted us, fed us, donated to us and encouraged us. We truly felt loved and encouraged over the past 3 months. The time in the states helped us realize the need to rest and refuel so you can be your best for God and your ministry. Our time home in Egbe has already shown us how much more we hear God and can do for God when are cups are full.

Attached are a few pictures of the joy brought to so many from the donations we received. It was absolutely overwhelming for us when we arrived home to boxes of donations lining one of our rooms. While we were in the U.S. two containers arrived in Egbe. With these donations and the donations given to us while we were in the states, people’s lives were truly blessed.

We love you all and will be back at the end of the year for home assignment. We will spend 2-3 months meeting with supporters and hosting events for our transition from short-term missionaries to long-term missionaries in Egbe, Nigeria. Our family prays you will continue to support us in this new chapter as long-term missionaries with SIM and Egbe. See you at the end of the year!

Don’t Beat Your Donkey (Miles Family Detour)

Posted: March 10, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

Did you know that donkeys talk? One of the most interesting miracles in the Bible involves a talking donkey. The story goes like this… A prophet named Balaam is headed to Moab when an angel of the Lord blocks his path. The donkey won’t move because of the obstacle in his way so Balaam gets frustrated and beats the donkey. The donkey eventually speaks to Balaam questioning why he is being beaten. Once Balaam’s eyes are opened, he sees why the donkey won’t move. There is an obstruction in his way, an angel of the Lord. The angel says to him, ” I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me.” Numbers 22:32.

I have to admit that I hate detours! I get as frustrated as Balaam did when I cannot get to where I want to go! Our family was supposed to be in the US for a one month vacation to rest and rejuvenate. As fun as it was to be at different restaurants or houses every day and night visiting with family, friends, and supporters, we were exhausted from no real “down time”. A few days before we were to board our flight back to Nigeria, we received notification from leadership at our agency SIM. “We strongly recommend due to current unrest in Nigeria, expected chaos with upcoming elections, and possibly lack of rest in the short time you have been at home, that your family remain in the US until after elections.” We were fully aware of the recent missionary kidnapping, bombs in Jos, and the possible unrest due to upcoming elections. But I still wanted to get home to my Missionary and Nigerian family, my dog, my cat, my home…oh my goodness I didn’t prepare anyone in the office for this….I didn’t leave enough supplies for all my helpers….what about CARE Africa and all my orphans, widows and abandoned mothers? If I was riding a donkey right now I would be beating him, and I love animals!

God brought a beautiful book to me only a few days before I almost beat my donkey. The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson, Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears. Amazing, Amazing, Amazing and Inspiring book! I just happened to be reading the part about Balaam and the talking donkey when this detour was placed in our way. Mark Batterson says “Detours are frustrating and confusing. But the devine detours often get us where God wants us to go. When I look back on my life , I’m grateful for the moments God has gotten in the way of my plans and rerouted me.”
So the Miles Family has been rerouted until mid April. Please don’t be offended if you didn’t know we were still in town. We were in shock and working out the details of our detour, so only a few 11046632_10206229818446695_8039362722880959645_o people knew. We’ve had some time to process everything and are at peace with our decision to stay. God is working with us on resting during this time and not filling up our calendar. This isn’t the first time The Miles Family has been rerouted and I am sure it will not be the last. We are relishing in the truth that God loves us enough to get in our way when we are going the wrong way. Thank you for your continued support. We are excited to see what God does through us in Egbe when we return in April completely rested, filled and overflowing with the Holy Spirit!

Egbe Bus Nigeria Tour

Posted: March 6, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Volunteers

If you have ever wondered what it is like to drive in Nigeria, here is a little taste. This short video shows our trip from Egbe to Abuja and then to JOS. It really looks like easy roads, but don’t let this video fool you. All the footage we took driving the first three hours out of Egbe was so shaky it would make you throw up just watching it. Enjoy and don’t forget your Dramamine!!

Egbe Life 18 Months Later

Posted: March 2, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles

We have been back in the states for almost one month now and as much as we love our family and friends we miss Egbe. Our flight back to Egbe is scheduled for this week. We will miss the U.S. food and comfy accommodations, but as we watch this video below we cannot wait to see our Nigerian family. We put together a short video to give you little insight into our Egbe life after 18 months of living there. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as we did putting it together for you.

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Egbe Moments

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