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bluewatergigi
dbeville
Patrice Miles
Lenny
“So, Patrice, what do you do all day?” “Oh, I just sit around all day eating bonbons!” HAHA! Since moving back to the states this has become the number one question people ask me. I can’t give them a quick or short answer. Should I show them everything on my to do list that I have completed or all that I still have to complete? Should I get my calendar out and show all the people and places I have visited or are scheduled to visit? Running a nonprofit and having responsibility for over 100 people (60 children, 50 caregivers and 23 employees) that live halfway across the world is inherently difficult. Not to mention the six hour time difference.
In Nigeria, I employed house help and a driver as part of the ministry to give people jobs. This allowed me to work all day on C.A.R.E. Africa and have my evenings and weekends free for family and Sabbath time. In the US I still get to focus on ministry during the day, but nights and weekends have turned into cleaning, cooking, shopping and driving kids around…… Welcome to America most of you would say!
Sabbath is how I refuel. Not the 30-minute rushed devotional in the morning but spending an entire day sitting at his feet and breathing him in. Without it, I am running on empty and when someone asks me “So, what do you do all day” – I get annoyed. This annoyance is a red flag that my heart is not in the right place and I need some time with the Lord.
This past Sunday I scheduled a Sabbath on my calendar because I knew it was the only way it would happen. During that time God showed me my need for approval from people in order to feel good about myself. When people ask me “What do you do all day?” it makes me feel judged -like I am not doing enough. I am not blogging enough, emailing enough, meeting enough people and not sharing the C.A.R.E. Africa story enough. Otherwise, people would know what I do all day and wouldn’t have to ask. In my quiet time God gave me Galatians 1:10 “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
In one week it will be American Thanksgiving Day. Odds are you will be around some well-meaning family members who might ask “So, what do you do all day or when are you going to get married or find a better job “ – other people’s expectations as to what you should or should not be doing in life. Remember who you are and whose you are! You have already met the approval of the only One that matters! So sit down, take a breath and enjoy this holiday. God loves you unconditionally always!
Jolie, what is the best thing about being back in America?
Jolie, What do you miss about Nigeria.
Cason, what is the best thing about being back in America?
Cason, what do you miss about Nigeria?
Lenny, what is the best thing about being back in America?
Lenny, what do you miss about Nigeria?
Patrice, what is the best thing about being back in America?
Patrice, what do you miss about Nigeria?
One of the many hats I wear at C.A.R.E. Africa is child sponsorship. With over 60 children it is a huge task, but very satisfying. I know each one of these children and their needs personally so the investment I have in each on of the sponsorships is huge. Words cannot express the joy in seeing a child open a letter or a package from their sponsor when they have never had a gift like this before. I’m speechless when I see a picture of a child’s sponsor taped to the wall by their pillow when checking in on them. The greatest joy is getting to experience a child and a sponsor meeting for the first time in Nigeria when he/she comes on a mission trip with us.
Would you consider making a difference in a child’s life? We have so many in need and many on the waiting list. You can see all the children and the different ways you can help on our sponsorship site at 
I will never forget the time I walked into a widow’s ministry in Jos, Nigeria. There were many women at their sewing machines singing and smiling. Discipleship was going on, community was going on, empowerment was going on and I was amazed. My business mind started to churn and I asked questions about how the ministry was funded, what was their vision and mission statement, what was their URL for their website and how was their Facebook page doing. I will never forget the missionary’s response. “Oh, we don’t really have any of those things, God just continues to provide in unexpected ways. We always have enough to pay for what we need.”
A supporter recently recommended a book called God Guides by Mary Geegh, a missionary in India. It really isn’t a book, more a pamphlet and it isn’t written well at all. The content, however, is powerful. Mary tells stories over an over again of her time in India where there is a need so she rests at Gods feet, hears from him, obeys and then receives. She is constantly saying, “Where God Guides, HE Provides.” Over and over again in her life she rests at his feet, he guides her and she listens and obeys and then he provides.
3. Did you know that sheep stray off sometimes or get lost and get themselves into trouble? Wild animals actually lay in wait for these straying sheep so they can devour them. The Shepherd will find that sheep and if that sheep continues to stray the Shepherd will actually break the sheep’s leg. He will then carry the sheep until the leg is healed so that the sheep will begin to understand its need for the Shepherds protection from the animals prowling around waiting to harm it.
My mother, Jolene Eicher, will be joining me for her third trip to Nigeria. She will be busy interviewing and documenting the stories of several of our caregivers, our children and our C.A.R.E. Africa staff.
Ashley Beebe, a school teacher, will make her eighth trip to Nigeria. She will work with our teachers at Foundations Academy Egbe. We will be packing a lot into this short trip. 
We will host a back to school party with the theme “What Would Jesus Do”. Our goal is to help the kids remember in the new school year to model Jesus in all they do. To always be kind, gentle and patient and not lie, steal or cheat. We are taking rubber bracelets stamped with W.W.J.D. for them to wear to remind them each day – “What Would Jesus Do”. We will also provide each child with a backpack, some school supplies, sandals, underwear, socks and more. Can you help us collect new or gently used backpacks from anyone you know? We also need K-12 boys boxer briefs, girls underwear, sports bras, belts and white crew socks (above ankle). Monetary donations would also help us purchase needed items and/or cover any baggage fees. You can Email me at 
*Foundations Academy Egbe has been open for almost one year now and we currently have 58 children attending. The current building is already too small so we have found 25 acres of land but will need to raise around $7,000 for the purchase plus an additional $250,000 for the building of the elementary, middle and high school, chapel, administrative offices, medical clinic, hostel, guesthouse, soccer pitch and sports buildings.
Miles In Missions 