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Is Sustainability Possible?

Posted: March 8, 2016 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Orphans, SIM

Gabriel and Family

I am excited to introduce our first Nigerian sponsor, Engineer Gabriel and family. Gabriel answered God’s call 2 years ago and left his job and family in Abuja, Nigeria to serve in Egbe. He worked alongside Lenny helping to build the wall around the compound and our new Guesthouse. He also spent his free time tutoring children around town and teaching at a local school. Many people were blessed by his time in Egbe.

Gabriel and his Hillcrest Mait. Staff

Construction at Egbe started to slow and a job in Jos, Nigeria opened up at Hillcrest International School. The position was for HOD of maintenance. Gabriel was a perfect fit and they hired him. He now is managing 11 men and living on the school compound with his family. God honored his obedience to come to Egbe in so many ways and the Hillcrest job is just one of the fruits we have seen from that.

Grandma and 4 of the 6 children she cares for waiting on her N1,000.

Gabriel was aware of our outstanding C.A.R.E. Africa applications and asked if he could help. I told him of a recent visit to a grandmother who was caring for 6 of her grandchildren in a one 10×10 room. Bolu is in JS1 (6^th grade) and her Father was killed by his own brother out of jealousy. After his death Bolu’s mother left her with grandma to go and try to find work in Ibadan a town 6 hours away. The day we visited grandma she was at home with her 4 other grandchildren and they where waiting on 1000 Naira ($3) to arrive from a family member so they could go and buy food.

Bolu

Gabriel will be sponsoring Bolu but we still have 5 other children in this household that need sponsorship. We are praying for God to bring more Nigerians alongside us as sponsors, volunteers, care takers and mentors. I truly believe that when more Nigerians start helping Nigerians like Engineer Gabriel, we will see a true change in this country that will last for generations to come. As we wait on God to bring these fellow Souljourners to us please consider sponsoring one of the children above for $35 a month. Email me at Patrice.Miles@sim.org for more information on how you can help.

Short Term Teacher Needed

Posted: February 16, 2016 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, SIM, Volunteers

It’s hard to believe that our family has been blessed for almost two years now by Katie Riddle. She has been an amazing teacher for Cason and Jolie and my BFF. Katie and her husband Nick will be heading back to the states for furlough in August of this year. She will be gone 3 to 4 months and we need a substitute teacher. As hard as it would be to replace her, we need you.

If you are a teacher and can serve one month, two months or the full four months, we would love to have y 1004091_10100789188202608_1460737636_n ou. Cason and Jolie currently use the Abeka DVD curriculum along with some other resources. School days are Monday through Friday 9-3pm. There are of course many other ministry opportunities to dive into, but MK (missionary kid) education would be your main focus. Click this link teacher to learn more about the opportunity. Also feel free to email me at Patrice.miles@sim.org with any questions.

Why do we do what we do?

Posted: January 18, 2016 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, SIM

This amazing video give a small glimpse of why Miles In Missions wakes up everyday to serve at ECWA Hospital Egbe. Come and join us out in the bush. We have plenty of openings for short term and long term missionaries!! Visit http://www.sim.org/index.php/opportunity/country/NG for more information on opportunities to serve in Egbe, Nigeria

Road Trip

Posted: November 16, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, SIM

After 4 weeks in Louisville living with the hostess with the mostest, my Dad and Minette, we are off on a road trip for the next month. While in Louisville we were so blessed to get to show what God is doing in Egbe at our open house, speak to possible medical missionaries at the Egbe Hospital booth at GMHC (Global Mission Health Conference) and collect an overwhelming amount of donations for Egbe. In addition we were able to fly to Colorado Springs to MTI (Missions Training International), which was insightful and so encouraging. Now it is time to take this show on the road.

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 3.03.43 PM Our first stop is Edenridge (Mission to Missionairies) for some family time just the four of us with junk food, movies and our PJ’s! Next is a visit to Samaritans Purse, SIM, and a missionary family considering Egbe. Then we will celebrate Thanksgiving with my senior brother and his family in Charlotte, NC. Next is Ft Myers Beach FL to visit Lenny’s 82 year old grandmother and we will stop to visit a few supporters along the way. Next is Banyan Air in Ft Lauderdale where our U.S. Egbe team is and the container heading to Egbe. From there it’s off to Orlando for our Christmas present from Poppy, Disneyworld!! Once we have visited with Mickey Mouse and all the princesses we jump on a flight to Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. We will spend some time in Early TX with a supporter and with Central City Church. Then we head to see our favorite Nigerian family of 5, The Starns family in Buffalo! Last but not least my Eicher family in Lewisville, TX and then my Sisters…Hilary and Courtney and their parents in Sunnyvale, TX. Back to Louisville just in time for Christmas with the family and then we are headed home to Nigeria on January 2^nd.

Wow I am exhausted just typing this but we are so excited to get to see everyone. Several of our supporters will be able to pour so much wisdom into our ministry, answering questions and guiding us on next steps. Many have be praying for us but now we will get to pray together. We are excited to be an encouragement and to be encouraged over the next 30 days. Good bye and Hello!

Miles Family Pic P.S. Just because we have left Louisville, KY doesn’t mean it is too late to sign up to financially support our family in Egbe, Nigeria. We are still in need of several monthly supporters. No amount monthly is too small or too big. Click here to sign up Miles In Missions.

“Don’t call me Naomi!”

Posted: November 11, 2015 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Prayer, SIM, Volunteers
Tags: Africa, Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” Ruth 1:20-21.

Sitting at MTI (Missions Training International) in Colorado for debriefing and being forced to reflect on the past 26 months in Nigeria, I realize how bitter I am. The excitement of moving to Africa has worn off and the adventure has turned into life. Living in a different culture is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. Leaving everything that was comfortable and adjusting to new foods, language, climate and sicknesses while trying to be in relationship with people who don’t think like you, act like you, feel like you or even understand you. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.

Many of us on the Egbe compound are overwhelmed due to the many roles we play. No one has just one hat, we all wear many hats due to the lack of missionaries on the ground. This leaves us exhausted and empty, feeling like we have nothing else to give. I was encouraged today to read Mark 14:33,34 in a different way. He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Jesus was overwhelmed, distressed, and troubled as he was growing his Father’s kingdom in a culture not his own. If Jesus, the perfect man, experienced these emotions then why in the world would I think my frail humanness wouldn’t? Praise the Lord…I am normal! No comments please!

No one ever told me doing God’s kingdom work would be easy. Why would I think Satan would stand by and watch an entire community be revitalized through a beacon of hope, Egbe Hospital? Why would he just casually watch as missionaries come one by one and pour into peoples lives in Egbe? Oh no….he is going to do everything he can to make it hard so we become overwhelmed, bitter, and give up hope of the miracle that Egbe was and is. Over 20 buildings revitalized, help from over 300 volunteers, unheard of partnerships with Samaritans Purse, Banyan Air, World Medical Missions, SIM, ECWA, 16 containers successfully shipped, no robberies on the road, no serious illnesses, no missionary or volunteer harmed, over 300 staff employed, our own personal cell tower on the compound, 1000’s of lives healed physically and spiritually all in a bush town called Egbe. These Miracles are evidence that God is doing a mighty work in Egbe, but this also means we are a flashing red siren for spiritual warfare. The Miles Family is on the winning team and we pray you will join us!

I am encouraged today to reflect back on the miracles that I have experienced in Egbe and am honored to return in January to continue to watch God work. It doesn’t mean I won’t get overwhelmed, distressed, troubled and even bitter sometimes, but I know who’s team I play ball for and I am up to bat! Will you join me?

We need short term and long term medical and non medical missionaries. Click “YES” to see all the opportunities to serve in Egbe.

We need monthly financial supporters to allow us to continue to serve in Egbe. Click “SUPPORT MILES FAMILY” to sign up.

We need you to pray for the spiritual warfare we face daily. Click “PRAY” to be added to our prayer partners.

We desperately need a General Surgeon ASAP, short term or long term!! Our hsopital is surgeon-less as of December 19th. Please tell everyone you know to spread the word!

Here We Are, Send Us Back!

Posted: October 15, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Fundraising, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, Orphans, Patrice Miles, People of Egbe, Prayer, SIM
Tags: Africa, CARE Africa, Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, Missionairies

ISAIAH 6:8 THEN I HEARD A VOICE OF THE LORD SAYING, “WHOM SHALL I SEND? AND WHO WILL GO FOR US?” AND I SAID, “HERE AM I SEND ME!”

HERE WE ARE! SEND US BACK! It has been over two years since we said “Yes” to God and sold everything we owned and moved to Egbe, Nigeria. Many of you have journeyed with us in prayer and or financial support over the past two years and we cannot thank you enough. We are excited to be on home assignment for the next 3 months. During this time we will be traveling the U.S. to share our story, do debriefings with our agency, work at the Global Missions Health Conference and so much more.

Lenny is in phase two of revitalizing the hospital. Construction work has slowed and he is now working towards discipleship of the construction staff in both construction and spiritual growth. The hospital administration is also in phase two as most of the buildings are built and equipment is in place. We now need short term and long-term medical missionaries to say “YES” and join us in Egbe.

C.A.R.E. Africa has grown and we now care for 25 orphans. We still have many applicants that want to join our program but we are waiting on God to show us next steps in this ministry. C.A.R.E. Africa is also exploring synergies with Spring of Life, which is an HIV clinic that evangelizes to the community through HIV testing and counseling. God continues to use us in Egbe as the needs are big.

Please come out to our open house in Louisville, KY @ Southeast Christian Church on Thursday Nov 5^th from 6pm-7pm so we can share the past two years with you through videos and stories of our time in Egbe. There will be catered food, African handmade products, unbelievable videos and pictures even from Cason and Jolie. Our time is short in Louisville and this may be the only way for us to see several of you.

We are excited about continuing with SIM as long-term missionaries in 2016. We were blessed with many financial supporters over the past two years but due to other obligations several have been unable to continue to journey with us financially. We will need to raise an additional $2,500 a month in monthly supporters to make up for the ones that are unable to continue with us. We also have a goal to raise $20,000 for ministry projects, as well as one time fees needed for things like airfare back to the field. We know God will provide and have already booked our tickets back to Egbe for Jan 3^rd, 2016. Will you come and journey with us?

Click this link to sign up now and support Miles In Missions.

To become a prayer partner please click PRAYER.

A Life Changed

Posted: August 29, 2015 by Patrice Miles in C.A.R.E. Africa, Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles, SIM
Tags: Africa, C.A.R.E. Africa, CARE Africa, orphans, orphans in africa

This is a recent letter we received from a family member of one of our orphans, David Olamide.

“A life filled with testimonies is the life of David Olamide since he came in contact with C.A.R.E. Africa. Prior to the time C.A.R.E. Africa became committed to being a helping aid, he couldn’t converse in English Language. His studies were nothing to write home about and so also his behavior and relationship.

Suddenly his behavior at home became a type that is envied so much that his grandmother had to attest to the new development. She (grandmother) confessed that the impact of “ C.A.R.E. Africa” on David Olamide is so enormous that language is in poverty of what could be used to express her gratitude. David Olamide expressed how mixing with the white children has really given him a sense of belonging. Many may say he is (David) wild, but we his family are happy for the acclamation.

He may not be where many think he should be now, but he’s no longer where he used to be. We are grateful for how “C.A.R.E. Africa” came at such a time in his life and gave his life a meaning when many had given up on him. It is an understatement to say “C.A.R.E. Africa” has helped him to find his place in all ramification. More grace to the vision and visioniers. Long live Egbe, Love live Nigeria. Long live C.A.R.E. Africa.” Pst Andrew J.T. Edwards

David is currently sponsored but we have many other children that are still in need of a sponsor. As you have read, you can make a difference in a child’s life. For $35 a month you can sponsor a child. Currently the following children are still in need of a sponsor. Email me if you would like to join the C.A.R.E. Africa team at patrice.miles@sim.org or click C.A.R.E. Africa to make a donation.

Adama

Thankgod

Hosanna

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!

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!

We Are Coming Home!

Posted: November 29, 2014 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Miles In Missions, Missionaries, Nigeria, SIM

We knew only a few months after living in Egbe, that we were in our sweet spot. Now 15 months later our family can definitely say, this is one of the hardest things we have ever done. We love it here but the work is overwhelming and the need is unimaginable. Everyday we feel like a vacuum sucks everything out of us. The heat, the body ailments, lack of American comforts the spiritual attacks and so much more make us want to just pack up and go home some days. Other days, a laugh comes from a worker who you have never heard laugh before, a small child tells you it is the best day of their life because you gave them candy, a 14 year old smiles for the first time because they are wearing their first school uniform or your day is brightened from a long talk on the back porch with your Nigerian sister about culture. Days like these you thank God he has called you to be a part of this amazing project.

In February we will step foot on US soil after 18 months in the bush. We are super excited and also a little nervous. The emotions will flood us as we step foot into a church that we have only gotten to hear from our labtop. Nephews and nieces that were small, will be big. Places we knew and roads we could find won’t be so easy to know or find anymore. Friends we spent time with will have moved on and found new friends. We will truly understand the concept that a home is not a place.

“The good works that really matter require the help of heaven. And the help of heaven requires working past the point of fatigue so far that only the meek and the lowly will keep going long enough. The Lord doesn’t put us through the test to give us a grade; he does it because the process will change us.” Elder Henry B. Eyring.

We are so excited to announce that we are switching from Associate missionaries to Long Termers with SIM. We have several obligations to fulfill so we will be making a small home visit for one month, in February 2015. We will then return to Egbe for another 9 months. In November of 2015 we will come home for 3 months to complete our long-term requirements and start support raising for our long term mission. In 2016, with your support, we will return to our new home, Egbe Nigeria as long term missionaries.

We can’t wait to see you all in a little over two months! The countdown begins!

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