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Backsliding

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

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

⁸The 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

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

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

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

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…

#1 – Cason’s Travel Video

#2 – Miles In Missions 3 1/2 years

#3 – What is Lenny going to Do?

#4 – C.A.R.E. Africa

#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

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.

#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

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.

#3 – What is Lenny going to do?

Posted: May 31, 2017 by Lenny in Lenny Miles, Nigeria, SIM

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.

#2 – Before and After, 3 1/2 years in review.

Posted: May 30, 2017 by Lenny in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

Today’s video shows many of the changes at the Egbe Hospital Compound and surrounding community while our family served there. It shows the accomplishments made by the missionaries, the Revitalization staff, and so many others. It was a huge effort spanning many countries around the globe to bring resources, time, sacrifices, and people together to make this all happen. We feel that the hospital Revitalization has been a huge success and we are so blessed to have been a part of one of God’s miracles over the last several years. Please take the time to watch this quick slide show of before and after photos.

Click on the picture below to see the video.

Video #1 “Traveling To Egbe” by Cason

Posted: May 29, 2017 by Lenny in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

If you missed either of our two events where we shared about our time and ministries in Egbe, it’s OK! Starting today we are going to play one video every day in the same order we showed them at the dinner. First up is Cason’s “Traveling To Egbe” video. This is a fun and creative video that shows everyone how long and how hard it is to get to and from Egbe when coming or going overseas.

As you receive the videos this week, please take a few minutes each day to watch so that you can catch up with what is going on. The idea is to give you the visual of the past 3 1/2 years in Egbe and then into the future for Miles In Missions in Jos, Nigeria 2017-2019.

Click this picture below and ENJOY!

I’m Dying

Posted: May 25, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

Screen Shot 2016-04-27 at 7.58.28 PM Recently I saw a movie called A Dog’s Purpose. The dog kept on living a great life and then would die and start over again as a puppy and then would die again and again. It was pretty sad really. I don’t think I would necessarily recommend the movie but it got me thinking of the song “Live Like You Were Dying by Tim MCgraw. See the lyrics at the end of the blog.

It made me ask myself a question. If I found out tomorrow I was dying how would I live my life differently? Would I still live in Nigeria? My immediate answer was, “No!” I think I would want to be with my family soaking up every last minute of time I had with them. I would want to snuggle with my kids and go on a date every night with my husband. I would want to see things and do things that were on my bucket list. So the question kept coming back, would I still live in Nigeria? If the answer was no, then why am I living here now? I really couldn’t answer the question and it bothered me.

13700002_10154277263108808_4633544139304731361_n Reading Deuteronomy recently showed me how Moses knew he was going to die. He continued to work making sure everything was ready for his successor Joshua and for the Israelites. When he found out he was going to die he didn’t stop his ministry and start experiencing everything on his bucket list. He continued his work and maybe even with more fervor and intentionality. Why? I think because he knew that there was something so much better ahead of him than anything on his bucket list. He wanted to finish well by leaving behind a message for the future generations so they could know the same peace, joy and hope he had.

I think so many times we think of dying as something so final when it is actually the beginning of our journey for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Our time on this earth is so tiny compared to the eternity we will spend in heaven with Christ. So would I stay in Nigeria if I found out I was dying? I wish I could say I would be just like Moses, but I don’t know…… Does this blog help me to realize I need to change some things in my life so that I treat every tomorrow as a gift? Yes. What about you? If you found out tomorrow you were dying would you keep on living life exactly they way you are today? If the answer is No, then ask yourself why?

He said
“I was in my early forties
With a lot of life before me
And a moment came that stopped me on a dime
I spent most of the next days
Looking at the x-rays
Talkin’ ’bout the options
And talkin’ ’bout sweet time”
I asked him
“When it sank in
That this might really be the real end
How’s it hit you
When you get that kind of news?
Man, what’d you do?”

He said
“I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying”

He said
“I was finally the husband
That most of the time I wasn’t
And I became a friend a friend would like to have
And all of a sudden going fishin’
Wasn’t such an imposition
And I went three times that year I lost my dad
I finally read the Good Book, and I
Took a good, long, hard look
At what I’d do if I could do it all again
And then

I went skydiving
I went Rocky Mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
Like tomorrow was a gift
And you’ve got eternity
To think about
What you’d do with it
What could you do with it
What did I do with it?
What would I do with it?

Skydiving
I went Rocky mountain climbing
I went 2.7 seconds on a bull named Fumanchu
And I loved deeper
And I spoke sweeter
And I watched an eagle as it was flying”
And he said
“Someday I hope you get the chance
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying
To live like you were dying”

Too much fun!!

Posted: May 23, 2017 by Patrice Miles in Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM

Here are the pictures from our Pinot’s Palette and Spaghetti Dinner. We loved sharing how God has used our family the past 3.5 years and how he is going to use us again for the next 2 year term. If you missed either one of these events it’s OK. Next week starting on Monday we are going to play one video everyday in the same order we showed them at the Dinner. Cason’s video on traveling to Egbe will debut first on Monday. As you receive the videos, don’t forget to click play and take a few minutes each day to catch up. The idea is to give you the visual of the past 3.5 years in Egbe, Nigeria and then to the future for Miles In Missions in Jos 2017-2019

We still need to raise support for our next two year term in Nigeria. We need anyone and everyone to consider supporting our ministry in Nigeria on a monthly basis. Our family wants to board the plane to Nigeria on July 23rd but we cannot do it without more monthly supporters. Click here Miles In Missions to sign up for $10, $20, $40, $60, $100, $200, $500…whatever you feel led will help us get that much closer.

Also if you have a women’s group, men’s group or a Bible study that would be interested in hearing more about our ministry, we would love to share. Please let us know by emailing me at patrice@milesinmissions.com.