Robin Walters's blog

There is a surprise  Christmas Flash Mob being held at 7:00 PM tonight Saturday, December 22 at 7:00 PM at Birchwood village. Friends and community will be meeting outside the home of Don Carroll to sing Christmas Carols. Everyone is  invited!

If you would like to bring a ornament or a note for the Christmas tree outside Don's home that would be great.  Care-A-Van Ministries will have their bus their and will be serving hot chocolate.

Nic Pelton a friend of Don Carrol had been thinking of a way to minister to Don who is battling cancer. Don has given so much of his heart and soul to this community that Nic thought what better way to bring joy than to have friends gather outside Don's home and sing Christmas carols.

This will be a fun way to get the family out on a snowy evening. Let's all gather to give thanks and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas- loving others.

Ian Lawson, a local Boy Scout recently completed his Eagle Service Project. For his project, Ian chose to do a promotional video for Care-A-Van Ministries.  Ian has spent the past year working on his project. This included going out and volunteering side by side with Care-A-Van and taking photos for his video. He spent many hours editing his project.

Ian recently presented his project at a Sunday morning  service at his church, Batavia Assembly of God. After the service, Ian and his troop served the congregation donuts and coffee. Paul Ohlson, founder of Care-A-Van ministsries is very pleased with Ian's work. As part of his project, Ian is sending copies of the video to local churches. that help support Care-A-Van Ministrries.

On October 6^th a team of 17 men and women from Batavia Assembly of God church will be traveling to Quito, Ecuador on a mission’s trip. The pastor of the church, Dan Schmidt, has a passion for missions and reaching others for Christ. His desire is to help others with the financial needs that are necessary to make this trip. Since his source of exercise to stay healthy is bike riding, he will be making a 215 mile bike ride in two days to help raise money. People are signing up to sponsor the pastor as he rides his 10 speed bike to help the team “Embrace Ecuador”. His trip begins on Monday, August 27^th, and will start in Warren, Ohio and end at 24 North Spruce Street in Batavia where the church is located.

Along with Pastor Dan, the rest of the team is looking forward to the trip to Quito, Ecuador.  For some it is their first mission’s trip. It will include a building and renovating project at a Teen Challenge Program where men go to get help for alcohol and drug abuse. It helps to free them from these addictions as well as teaches them about Christ and the principles of the bible. For more information about Teen Challenge, please go to www.teenchallenge.com

We will also visit a Compassion International project to meet the children there and see the work that Compassion does. Compassion is a holistic, faith-based program where people can sponsor a child who lives in dire poverty. It offers them weekly bible lessons and helps to assist them with medical needs, food and clothing. Some members of the team sponsor a child in central Quito and will get to visit his home and project.  For more information on Compassion International go to www.compassion.com

The Mission’s Team is hosting a Spud Night fund raiser at the church on September 7th from 5pm to 7pm.  The cost is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 10 and under.
Come and bring your whole family for a big baked potato dinner with chili and all the fixings to go with it. The meal includes salad, bread, and homemade desserts!

I have heard people say when talking about mission trips, that when they are not able to go, they like to be a part by helping financially. If you would like to be a part of this trip financially, and would like to sponsor Pastor Dan as he takes this bike riding challenge to help others meet the financial needs to Embrace Ecuador, you may call the church at
585-343-8521, or go to the web site at bataviaassemblyofgod.com

Another way to support this missions trip is through prayer - please be praying for those going on the trip and for those whom they will be ministering to. Thank you and God Bless!

Tracy Byrnes

Prayer Coordinator

BataviaAssembly of God

24 North Spruce Street

BataviaNY 14020

585-343-8521

In an economy where many people are losing their jobs or their benefits are being cut, many individuals or families find themselves without dental insurance.

On Friday, July 27th, Dr. Russ Marchese Jr and Dr. Marcela Morales-Ross and their staff will be offering a free dental clinic at their office which is located at 401 East Main Street, Batavia.  They will be providing free cleanings, fillings and extractions for anyone who does not have dental insurance. The clinic will run  from 8 Am to 3 PM.

The clinic is part of Care-A-Van Ministries Annual Caring for the City Day. This is a day where local agencies and churches come together to care for the community.

Other agencies and chuches that will be on hand with free services and information will be Community Action, Cornell Co-Op, Catholic Charities, Fidelis Care, Mental Health Agency, Genessee Cancer Services, Salvation Army, Compassionate Friends, P. C. Publications, Smoke Free  NowProgram, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Living Waters Apolostic Church and local beauticians will be providing free hair cuts.

All children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to receive care. Proof of ID is required. 

Every Thursday evening this summer at Austin Park, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM during the Care-A-Van Ministries Community cookout, Ride to Recovery  a local ministry is providing free bicycle repairs and tune ups for kids. Richard Ohlson, founder of the ministry shared with us that on the first week at the park he and his volunteers fixed 6 bikes that had no brakes.

Ride to Recovery is a non profit organization that aims to share the love of Jesus Christ with todays  youth using mountain bikes as a tool. They have many events throughout the year including a yearly camp in August for the kids. The majority of kids attend camp on scholarships provided by private donations to the ministry.

If you are handy with bikes and would like to volunteer for this outreach with Rich and his team  give Rich a call at 585-993-2180.

Every Thursday evening until September 20th, Care-A-Van Ministries is hosting a free cookout picnic for the community at Austin Park.  This past Thursday 305 folks were served dinner. Local churches and agencies are encouraged to participate. One of the churches to participate this past week was the Batavia First United Methodist church and they hosted a mini game carnival for the children which included the children receiving tickets which they could turn in for prizes.  Salvation Army gave away free shoes to the families. Local pastors are participating with giiving short messages as well as the Care-A-Van Band who provides delightful music for the crowd. Be sure to stop by from 5:00-7:00 PM any Thursday.

The volunteers  of Batavia First United Methodist church

Children enjoying the water park

Chris Koneski volunteer from First United Methodist Church

Children turning their free tickets in for prizes

This little fellow earned lots of free tickets playing the games

Major Bob and Stephan from Salavation Army fitted families with shoes

Care-A-Van band members

The public is encouraged to particpate , here is Clarence with his harmonica

Those Care-Van burgers are yummy!

Care-A-Van Ministries hosted their weekly cookout at Austin Park this evening. . Over 170 people were served a delicious picnic dinner, got to hear a great message by Pastor Dave Bombela, listened to the Care-A-Van band and enjoyed a night of being with friends.  The spring night was topped off with the serving of refreshing ice cream cones. The Seventh day church was on hand with a prayer table and popscicles for the little ones. Genesee Country church had a table set up to do crafts with the kids.

The FREE picnics are being held every Thursday evening at Austin Park from now until mid September.  Dinner is served at 6:00 PM. All agencies and churches are invited to come out and set up a table promoting the services you provide for the community. You can reach Paul Ohlson at 585-343-0328 if you are interested in joining us on these fun evenings for the community of Batavia. 

Team of volunteers pray after a busy night at the Park.

Care-A-Van Ministries took advantage of the nice weather to host a free strawberrry shortcake dessert night  on Main Street Thursday evening.  Many folks stopped by and enjoyed the delicious treat.

Beginning Thursday, May 17th, Care-A-Van will be hosting a free Community picnic in Austin Park every Thursday evening beginning at 6:00 PM. There will be lots of great food, a message by local pastors,prayer and music by the Care-A-Van band.  All are welcome to join in the fun!

Care-A-Van Ministries is pleased to announce that the City of Batavia has approved a permit to allow Care-A-Van to hold weekly Community Cookouts at Austin Park for the summer season of 2012.

For the past 10 years, Care-A-Van Ministries and their team of volunteeers have been going into the local neighborhoods to provide street church and cookouts. Paul Ohlson, Founder of Care-A-Van Ministries wanted to try something different this year. His vision is to bring the community together on a weekly basis for great food, music, sharing of the gospel and fellowship.

The weekly cookouts will be held on Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM beginning May 17th and will run through September 20th.

The cookouts will include hotdogs, hamburgs, salads, chips and a beverage. The Care-A-Van band will be providing music and local pastors will be giving a short sermon message. 

If any individuals, churches, businesses, or local agencies would like to get involved in the community cookouts, please give Paul a call at 585-343-0328

While out with Care-A-Van Ministries this evening, at Walmart I saw the cutest little guy:

Care-A-Van Ministries is busy during this holiday seaon with their morning ministry. The bus is all decked out for Christmas. During the holiday times, it seems more people are needing encouragement, hope and prayer.  The bus is out in the city Monday through Thursday from 9 AM to 11 AM.  Paul Ohlson, founder of Care-A-Van Ministries stated that there has been approximately 780 visits this year during the mornings that the bus has been out.  Pictured above with Paul is volunteer Pastors Dave Bombella and Jack McMullen visit ing with a young woman.

Care-A-Van and their team of volunteers will be at Taste of Holidays Friday evening and once again will be serving those delicious brownies. Be sure to stop by and say hello!

Two weeks ago the Elba Cubscouts of Pack 17 and the Elba Boyscouts troop 17spent time hanging door tags on the homes of residents in the village and town of Elba.asking the residents to donate food to help the hungry. The scouts then went back and picked up the donated items.

The scouts under the leadhership of  Cubmaster Chris Chadbourne and Scoutmaster Frank Weibel donated the food to Care-A-Van Ministries of Batavia. Care-A-Van Ministries has weekly grocery distrbiutions for local families, responds to calls that come in for emergency groceries for families in need as well as networks with local churches to provide food for them to assist families in need as well.

Care-A-Van would like to thank the scouts, the leaders and the residents of Elba for partnernig with them to help feed those in need.

http://youtu.be/heJF0mZ9CRc

The children of Holland Avenue and members of the Seventh Day Adventist gathered together to send get well wishes to Sharon Strong. Sharon is the wife of Mitch Strong. She is currently in a hospital in Florida and had emergency surgery and is expected to have more surgery.

Sharon is a member of Seventh Day Adventist church. Her church has adopted Holland Avenue. For the past several years, the  church has been holding regular street church services and actvities and events for the neighborhood.  Sharon can often be found spending times with the families ministering to them and praying for them.

Care-A-Van Ministries of Batavia provides their vehicles to the church to use for their outings to the neighborhood. The kids and their families truly missed Sharon at their most recent outing. Mitch Strong has been sending regular updated emails with Sharon's condition to family and friends. He thanks everyone for their continued prayers.

Cards can be sent to Sharon at :

CrestonHouse 2E
5930 A1A South
St Augustine, FL  32080

Care-A-Van Ministries held their annual Welcome Back cookout for GCC college students Thursday evening. The students enjoyed a free picnic with delicious food, ice cream cones, a great message by Elder George Williams of Highway to Holiness and music by the Care-A-Van Band. Starting in October, Care-a-van will start their monthly rotation out to the college to visit all 95 dorm rooms with treats and prayer offered to all.