Egbe Hospital | Miles In Missions

Posts Tagged ‘Egbe Hospital’

African Time

Posted: September 27, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria, H.E.L.P., Miles In Missions
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, HELP, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles

Hillary and Courtney at our house on Pizza and cookie night!

As I was excitedly collecting different odds and end snacks from my cupboard, Shola was pulling hot cinnamon rolls out of the oven. I put several of them in a ziplock bag. Two young missionary girls, Courtney and Hillary, arrived last week at HELP care center. They are staying for six months and were craving some US food. I know how quickly you start to miss your comfort foods and American things so I wanted to deliver some Joy to them.

I rushed out the door with all my goodies thinking is would only take me 10 minutes at the most to get to HELP. We had a dinner to be at at 6pm so I had to hurry in order to get everything done. I dropped Shola at her house because it was on my route to HELP and then I stopped at the supermarket and paid my bill. Once at HELP I was on a mission to deliver the goods. I found the girls and walked right passed John the coordinator and Uncle Charles who watches over the boys. Uncle Eman who also helps with the boys was sitting with the Courtney and Hillary and I didn’t even say anything to him. He greeted me after I had been talking to the girls for a few minutes and seemed a little hurt. We started to head to the car to get the box of goodies and Hillary stopped and greeted John the coordinator as we passed. He looked at me and said “You didn’t greet me?” His tone sounded hurt and it then hit me of every mistake I had just made in the past 15 minutes while on my mission to bring Joy.

When I dropped Shola off I greeted her children but there was a younger man there and I didn’t greet him or even find out who he was or his name. At the supermarket, I said hello but that was it. I didn’t ask the owner how she was or how her children were. At HELP I pulled in and barreled my way past everyone on my mission. Some of you in US may be saying, “What’s the big deal?” In Yorubaland greetings are a very big deal. I had just left a trail of disrespect and unkindness on my mission to deliver Joy. I started to wonder how many times in the US I did this same thing. How many opportunities did God put in front of me to build relationships and my task was more important?

I used to get frustrated at African time, but now I am starting to understand it. If I am late 15-30 minutes my host will understand. That 15-30 minutes will have been used to be a light to people and relationships will be deepened.

I know I am forgiven but it still pains my heart to know the impressions of the “busy American” I had left on the hearts of these people. God is helping me to remember that everything I do all day even the mundane things like paying a supermarket bill have His name written all over it. I am to be a light everywhere I go not just when my calendar says it is ministry time. I used to get so mad at people that were late. Now I am thinking African time isn’t so bad if God gets to touch people along the way. God please help me to slow down and see the opportunities you put in front of me everyday to be a light for your kingdom.

HELP West Africa, Inc. Egbe Nigeria Care Center

Posted: September 20, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Nigeria, H.E.L.P.
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, H.E.L.P., HELP Inc, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles

When I think of an orphanage I always think of the movie Annie. The song “It’s a hard knock life for us,” rings in my mind. Nigeria has changed that picture for me. Most of the orphanages are called care centers, not orphanages. The children in these homes have parents but the parents either sold them and the child was rescued or the parents gave them up because they were too poor to feed them or too sick to take care of them.

The kids and I have had the pleasure of getting to know these children over the past few weeks. Cason normally hangs out at the ping pong table with the boys while Jolie and I hang out with the girls. We play games like duck duck goose, I see something you don’t see and more. We just love to be with them as they are some of the most happiest little girls we have been around. They have so little but yet find so much joy in everything we do together. Their smiles are contagious. Check out the video below and you can see for yourself how much fun they are.

The HELP care center is just a small part of what this organization does. They also have a widows ministry, outreach program, micro finance, agriculture and more. In 1999, some medical missionaries moved to Nigeria with their children. During their years in Nigeria, they fell in love with the people and culture of Nigeria, particularly the Fulani. After their return to the United States in 2005, HELP West Africa, Inc came into existence. Check out their site by clicking HELP. I don’t know what God has planned for my kids and I at the center but I know that the joy I experience when I am there is so fulfilling. I am looking forward to getting to know these girls and their stories as we spend two years in Egbe.

Pray for Cason Jolie and I to be a light for these children. Pray for God to use us in any way he sees fit at the center or in any other part of the HELP ministries. Pray for the staff at the center. They are amazing and need Gods strength daily. Pray for the other ministries within HELP to grow and spread Gods kingdom. Pray for the Starns family that is coming to live at the care center in January for 6 months. We are so excited about their arrival and know God has great plans for their time in Egbe.

A Day in the Life of Patrice & Kids in Egbe, Nigeria

Posted: August 28, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles

“Eu karo, Sunday!”

6am every morning we are awakened with 2 sounds. One is Sunday raking our yard (sand), and the second is the moto bike of the guard coming for shift change. I grab my flashlight and scan the floors for visitors before I put my feet on the tile. You never know what might be waiting to say good morning to you. Potty break is first and the saying is, if it is yellow let it mellow and if its brown flush it down. Water from 6am-10am and then again 6pm-9pm. So normally Lenny hasn’t left any surprises for me in the mornings. HAHA.

Next is coffee! The question is, is their electric or not? Seems lately, not. I warm water in the kettle on the gas stove and then pour it over the coffee grinds in our coffee maker. Then for some quite time I view out the back at Mount Baldy. The sun starts to rise and I get to listen to some of the most interesting animal sounds as I read my Bible.

Next is turning on the generator if the electric is out. I have limited time for water and the laundry has to be done daily b/c everyone is so dirty and stinky. Once a load is going I go and tickle some kids awake. Next is a warm shower if the electric has been on at night. If no hot water then no shower for me as I have not been brave enough yet to take a cold one. I try to fit cleaning dishes in also as the water will be off soon. Once everyone is ready we head to 8am devotionals.

Cason and Daddy head to the workshop with the guys and Jolie and I head to the volunteer house with the gals. This is one of my favorite times of the day. The girls sing some of the most beautiful songs and they love to shake their bum bum. Check out the video below.

At about 8:30am Cason walks back to the house and eats breakfast with Jolie and then we start school. School seems to be ending right at or before 12pm. Then we get to eat lunch with Daddy!

After lunch I currently am playing house maid. The floors have to be swept daily as the dust is amazing. Mopping at least every other day. Laundry that is hanging outside has to be brought in a folded. After house duties I get to sit for a little bit and check out what is going on in your lives on Facebook, check emails and make my to do lists. Normally by 2 or 3pm we are free to do whatever we want but can pretty much guarantee a small visitor will be looking for Cason or Jolie to play with.

This is wear I am in prayer for what God wants my children and I to do to serve him. We love to visit the hospital and say hello to the patients. We have also visited the orphanage and are praying about how God could use us there too. There is so many opportunities to serve here. Please pray for God to show us which opportunity is best for our family.

Jumping the Fence to Run

Next is 5pm work out time. MWF is Egbe running club with anyone that wants to run in the bush together. This is so awesome and miserable at the same time. Beautiful surroundings but oh so hot and exhausting.

6pm is dinner which we are in love with the food here. Normally something spicy with rice. Right now we have been blessed with getting to eat with the volunteers. That ends this weekend and we will be on our own. I am hoping to have house help start working next week. Please pray for the lovely lady that ends up joining our family.

After dinner we get to relax and play on our computers or veg out. Bedtime is normally at 9pm and the kids must wash their feet and brush their teeth before bed.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about our daily routine. We are challenged daily with being in an environment that we know nothing about. We just keep on taking steps not fearful of looking stupid or making a mistake. We ask a lot of questions and are leaving the big stuff like snakes, malaria and financials to God. We are still in need of $200 in monthly support to be 100% funded. If God has put it on your heart to support a ministry over seas click here, MILES IN MISSIONS.

Miles In Missions Goodbye

Posted: August 15, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Miles In Missions
Tags: Egbe Hospital, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles

As you are watching this we are probably in route to Egbe. This is a quick video we put together to say Goodbye.

God takes dust and make beautiful things. Our family is a perfect example of that and so are you. When you are praying for our family in Africa remember this and ask him how he can use you too? He can make beautiful things everywhere, even in your own backyard!

We love you all and tried to get everyone on the video, sorry of we missed you. Thank you for all the love and support that you have shown our family.

Egbe Hospital Needs You!

Posted: July 7, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Hosptial, Mission Trips
Tags: Construction Mission Trips, Egbe Hospital, Medical Mission Trips, Mission Trips, Post-Residency Program, Samaritans Purse, Short Term Mission Trips, World Medical Missions

The motto of ECWA Hospital Egbe is ‘CHRIST HEALS’. We want to glorify God through provision of holistic health care services with the intent and purpose of advancing the Kingdom of God through excellent patient care and the demonstration of the Christ-like lives of its staff.

Click to watch video.

As our family heads to Egbe in August we are excited and praying for who God will bring along with us. Currently there are 3 Samaritans Purse workers on site helping with the revitalization. This part of the project will be complete in March of 2014. Lenny and I will be assisting the Egbe team with the management of the compound, overseeing ongoing projects, hospital maintenance, coordinating short term teams and helping new missionaries transition into Egbe living.

We are very excited about the opportunity to help the Egbe missionary community grow. Key positions are a Family Physician, General Surgeon, Administrator (general manager type), Medical Director and Head Nurse. Right now the priority is getting a family medical physician that can provide leadership to the Nigerian Resident doctors and improve patient care. Egbe hospital is also in need of a Ophthalmologist, Pharmacist and additional Physcians/Medical Practitioners.

We are proud that Egbe Hospital is a part of the World Medical Mission. Short term medical trips and 2 year post-residency programs are available. If medical is not your field but construction is, there are still several opportunities for short term construction trips through Samaritans Purse. If you feel God has been leading you to missions and any of these opportunities seem interesting, please let us know so we can get you more information. If God has been calling you to missions and you don’t see anything above that fits your skills, let us know as the Egbe community has more needs then what is listed above.

We are praying for you, whoever you are! We are waiting for you to say “Here am I, Send me.” Isaiah 6:8.

“What are you doing here?”

Posted: June 25, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria, Nigeria
Tags: Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Patrice Miles

“Come on kids, its time to go visit the M@sque.” I yelled. “Mommy, tell me again why I can’t tell them about Jesus when we visit?” Cason asked. I never thought I would be explaining to my 10 year old son why you cannot walk into a M@sque and start telling everyone about Jesus. It was precious conversation that I will never forget and a huge educational opportunity.

We have finished 2 weeks of our cross cultural training at CIT (Center for Intercultural Training) in Union Mills, North Carolina. We have two more weeks to go and it has been an eye opening experience already. They have helped us identify cultural, spiritual, and emotional issues that might arise while in the field. They are also giving us the tools to equip us once we encounter these hard issues. They want us to get uncomfortable in our American ways so we can truly understand how hard it is going to be in Africa. One of the uncomfortable assignments was to visit the primary Religious worship service for our country we are heading to. According to a 2011 report, about 50.8% of Nigeria’s population are Christians, 47.8% are M*slims and 1.4% adhere to other religions. So we decided to head to a M@sque along with 4 other families.

Nigerian M*slim Women

Upon arriving at the M@sque we were greeted by the parking director. “What are you doing here?” he asked. Telling him we just wanted to visit, he sent us in to find a congregation of men standing at the entrance. To say we were the center of attention would be an understatement. The looks and stares we received were just a little uncomfortable. Upon realizing there was a separate entrance for women, our group separated. We found the women’s entrance and immediately realized that our long skirts and long sleeve shirts were not the only requirements. Every women had on a head covering. The stares again were overwhelming and I was very uncomfortable. One of the missionaries I was with made her way to a table were one women was sitting and sat down. I followed her and we began to strike up a conversation with the Mu$lim women. She was from Nigeria….too funny!

I am excited about what God has in store for us in Egbe Nigeria and we would love for you to partner with us. We still need financial partners, 3/$100 partners, 7/$50 partners 9/$25 partners and 3/$10 partners. We also have 189 prayer partners and are wanting 400 prior to departure August 15th. To sign up to be a monthly financial partner click here. To become one of our prayer partners click here.

They Don’t Have a Walgreens in Africa?

Posted: June 7, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Nigeria
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, Patrice Miles

Yes this was the question I received when talking to the physician assistant at my allergists office. I really didn’t know what to say except….”Are you joking?” I had called to request them to change Cason’s prescription for his inhalers. We needed to stock up on them as they do not sell inhalers in Nigeria. She wasn’t very helpful or understanding of our upcoming trip and ended our conversation with “They don’t have a Walgreens in Africa?”

I had never really thought about all the things we relied on until I had to pack it all up and move it across the globe. Medications are the hardest thing to come by in Africa. We will be taking a two year supply of all meds and 2 nebulizer machines just in case one bites the dust.

Once we started talking to friends on the field we found out a few of our favorite foods didn’t exist in Egbe either. Peanut butter, coffee and chocolate……oh no! There is a grocery store, but as you can see it is very limited. We were told we can order American food items from the lady that owns the grocery store. They take a few weeks to get to her and it is very limited. They mentioned Pringles being a commodity. There is no rhyme or reason to what flavor you get, but they can be ordered.

I know once we arrive and are immersed in the community helping the locals, orphans and SP workers, these things will not hold the same value to us. However, now standing on the other side of the globe and having taken for granted all of these wonderful things….I am in preparation mode.

We shipped over 30 lbs of coffee beans, 20 jars of peanut butter and 12 packages of chocolate chips among other things. The chocolate chips will be melted but we have been told to throw them in the freezer, then just chunk off with a knife what you need. HAHA, never thought I would be saying that. So, when you drink your coffee in the morning, make a PB&J sandwich or eat some chocolate….enjoy it and realize that you are very blessed to even have the opportunity to consume those items.

Thanks to our current 39 financial partners, visas and plane tickets for August 15th are in the works. We still need a few more people to partner with our ministry in order to be 100% funded. We are currently in need of 4/$100 partners, 9/$50 partners 9/$25 partners and 4/$10 partners.

We are excited that we now have 180 prayer partners! We still need more people to partner with us in this area too. We are wanting 400 prayer partners before we leave in August.

Do not let this blog leave the impression we are not ecstatic about this journey God is taking us on. We are so excited words cannot even begin to express it. I just felt that if the PA didn’t know there wasn’t a Walgreens in Africa…maybe you didn’t either.

Here are a few ways you can join this ministry. Click one option below:
1. Support this ministry monthly
2. Pray for the ministry
Still have questions about becoming a partner. Click here Miles In Missions

Why Egbe Hospital?

Posted: May 23, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe, Egbe Hosptial, Egbe Nigeria
Tags: Egbe Hospital

By Lenny Miles

Last November, on my two week mission trip to Nigeria, that was the hardest question I had to answer. After all, there are many hospitals in America that can be built to help people as well, so why Egbe Hospital? Patrice and I set out to find out why…

When we met with a couple now living in Indiana, but originally from Eruku, Nigeria, just 5 1/2 miles away from the Egbe Hospital, we knew it to be yet another confirmation that God had led us on the right path. Joseph and Grace described what a blessing this hospital was to them and their families while living in Nigeria. Joseph brought back memories of his mother taking him to the hospital on a bike because he was a “very sickly child”. He went on to say that the Hospital and the doctors there literally saved his life. Grace summed up the conversation about the hospital by saying, “The Hospital is like God sending the Messiah, you know, to save people” and finally, “without the Egbe Hospital, I don’t know where most of us would be”.

As we look forward to our August date of departure to Egbe, we take Grace’s last statement to heart. This hospital is used every day to save lives in the physical sense and is a beacon for Christ’s love and a spiritual healing. The impact of this hospital is a lasting one that touches families for generations, allowing people in this region of Nigeria to be physically healed and to also put their trust in their ultimate healer and redeemer, Jesus.

This impact is not only felt by the 1500-1600 patients seen every month, but also with the hospital staff including nurses, doctors, and maintenance men. A recent email from the Construction Manager, Mark Anderson with Samaritan’s Purse on site, spoke of two maintenance staff members that recently prayed for Christ to come into their hearts. He ended his email saying, “Keep praying for the work here. A hospital is being built, but more exciting than that is seeing these men come to Christ. The real reason for being here.”

There are plenty of people in America that need our help. However, Americans have access to 1 Doctor for every 400 people. Nigerians have access to 1 Doctor for every 3500 people and their life expectancy is 51 years of age. As you can see they need this hospital and they need missionaries to come alongside them to help re-build, re-store and maintain. This is where our family comes in.

Please prayerfully consider supporting us and this mission in Egbe, Nigeria. Our departure date is still projected to be August. Our monthly support is currently up to 76%, our one time support is at 80% and our 400 prayer partner list is up to 146. Click on the the following link to become a part of our financial team, GIVE. Email Patrice if you would like to become a part of our prayer partner team at Patrice@MilesInMissions.com.

Pinot’s Palette in St Mathews to Host Fundraiser

Posted: April 2, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Fundraising, Uncategorized
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Egbe Nigeria, fundraising event, Miles In Missions, Nigeria, pinots palette

Sunset Safari

We are so excited that Mollie Younger, owner of Pinot’s Palette has blessed us with our first fundraiser event. Wednesday April 17th at 6pm supporters will be instructed for 2 hours. Each person will receive a canvas, paint and brushes. At the end of the evening they will leave with a masterpiece, Safari Sunset. While painting our family will get to mingle and and pass out snacks. This should be a fun event and our family cannot wait to get to see everyone. Click on the following link to RSVP as we only have 60 spots. Pinot’s Pallete St Mathews.

Our departure date is less than 4 months away! Our home is SOLD and we move April 28th. In May we will be taking items down to our container in Ft Lauderdale that will ship to Nigeria. We will be shipping foods we cannot live without (coffee, peanut butter), household items, clothes, furniture and more. It will take almost 3 months for the container to reach Egbe. June we will spend the entire month in the hills of North Carolina for cross cultural training. In July we will be back in Louisville finalizing packing and saying good bye. August we are off and will not step fool on American soil for 21 months.

We are currently 40% funded and will not be able to leave in August unless we are 85% funded by the first of June. This event and many others will help us reach our goal. We cannot wait to get to Egbe to help the Nigerian people and the Egbe Hospital. There are so many ways you can support us and help the people of Egbe;

Attending the Pinot’s Palette event
Volunteer to make snacks for the Pinot’s Palette event
Allow us to come and share our journey with your Bible Study group or office.
Become a financial partner with us. DONATE HERE
Become one of our 400 prayer partners. Email me to be added to our prayer partner list at Patrice@MilesInMissions.com

Check Out Our New Home!!

Posted: March 23, 2013 by Patrice Miles in Egbe Nigeria
Tags: Egbe, Egbe Hospital, Lenny Miles, Miles In Missions, Missionary Housing, Nigeria, Patrice Miles

Well its not official so we are trying not to get too excited but….Check Out Our New Home!! It is so nice to have a vision of where my children will sleep, our family will enjoy a meal with new friends and where we will sit and study God’s word with others. Our family has experienced an emotional roller coaster the past two weeks, so this news from the field was so exciting. We are driving back from Charlotte where the entire family was in missionary training. While there my Father was admitted to the hospital for aggressive chemo therapy for a rare lymphoma cancer and brain tumor. Lenny received a phone call that his grandfather was given a week to live. Our Louisville home received a full price contract. Yes, all of this in 2 weeks. Needless to say when Abby Anderson, who is on site at Egbe sent me the email saying that House #10, the Pharmacy house, could be our next home….we were revived and excited. God seems to give us just enough light everyday to take the next step in this faith walk. Even though it isn’t guaranteed to be our new residence, I am already placing my furniture and dreaming of visitors knocking at the door.

Please continue to pray for our family as the countdown is starting. There is still so much to do and support to raise. In the month of April we will be packing up the house and moving in with parents, making final transitions out of jobs and presenting to multiple Bible study groups asking for support. If you have a Bible study group or work group that we could come and spend 15 minutes with showing a quick video about the project, we would be so honored to have that opportunity.